With the arrival of the new year, it’s common for us to be thinking about resolutions that involve giving up certain things and imposing restrictions on our lives – which sounds like zero craic after the festive period!
So, let’s take a moment to shift our perspective and consider how we can enrich our lives and make ourselves feel amazing instead.
Rather than focusing on deprivation, let’s explore ways to prioritise our self-care routine and engage in activities that bring us happiness and contentment.
Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you use my links and make a purchase, at no cost to you.
As the chaos of the Christmas season subsides and winter settles in, it’s natural to feel a bit drained. While a luxurious spa getaway may not be within our budget, there’s no need to despair.
Taking time to recreate spa experiences from the comfort of your own home can work wonders for your overall well-being. These self-care rituals can transform your body and mind, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed without breaking the bank!
This post is all about prioritising your self-care routine
Self-care can be expressed in a variety of ways:
Mind: it’s important to be mindful of any negative dialogue you are repeating to yourself. Although it may not be easy, it’s important to question yourself when you’re giving yourself a hard time and ask, “Would I say this to a friend?” The answer would always be a resounding no. So, why say it to yourself? I also believe in the significance of continuous learning. I enjoy using online platforms like Coursera and Future Learn for taking courses. I’ve attempted to learn languages (multiple times), and even starting this blog has been a daily (steep) learning curve.
Body: at its most fundamental level, ensuring the well-being of your body involves prioritising sufficient rest, engaging in physical activity, and consuming nutritious food.
Soul: I definitely consider myself an introvert, and I believe I would lose my mind if I didn’t spend enough time alone to reconnect with myself. Taking long walks in nature with my dog, unwinding with a good book, and practising yoga are some of the ways I find comfort in stillness. Meditation and journaling are also excellent methods to calm down and establish a deeper connection with yourself.
Connection: there are moments when we all feel like closing our front door and isolating ourselves from the world, and that’s perfectly fine. However, it’s vital to remember that nurturing connections with others is essential for our overall well-being. I came across an article that resonated with me – it suggested filling our “connection cup” daily. This can be achieved through simple gestures like greeting someone in the lift at work or chatting with a stranger in a coffee shop queue. Also, having lunch with a friend or spending quality time with a family member can contribute to our sense of connection. Volunteering is another wonderful way to establish meaningful connections with others.
- Beach Clean Eco-Friendly Notebook, English Heritage – jot down your thoughts and tasks on this eco-friendly beach clean notebook made from sustainable cork and recycled plastics, promoting a healthier environment for marine life.
- Journaling Letterbox Gift, Social Stories Club – discover socially conscious gift hampers where every product inside the gift supports a different social cause.
- Sustainable Non-Slip Jute Yoga Mat, Complete Unity Yoga – there’s a good reason why this yoga mat is a bestseller! It offers unbeatable comfort and a non-slip surface, making it ideal for yogis of all levels. It’s made from premium quality sustainable natural materials, ensuring durability and top eco points.
1. Set the Mood: Creating an At-Home Spa Experience
Transform your home into an oasis of relaxation by following these simple tips to set the mood for a calming at-home spa experience:
- Soft lighting and calming aromas are key to creating that home spa experience. Light-scented candles to cast a soft, soothing glow that sets a tranquil mood. Whether you prefer the fresh scent of cedar and balsam, for total winter alpine forest vibes, or bring the scent of the spa into your home with this pure lavender essential oil candle made from 100% coconut and rapeseed wax.
- Bring the luxe spa experience right to your doorstep by investing in plush towels, a soft robe and cosy socks or slippers for your home.
- Select your favourite chilled playlist – I use the YouTube music app, which curates playlists for different moods that will help you set the scene and relax and unwind.
- Aromatic essential oils are versatile and can be easily incorporated into your self-care routine. Whether you choose to diffuse them, add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing soak, or create a soothing scalp massage oil by blending rosemary oil with jojoba or coconut oil – these oils will envelop you in their calming scents, further enhancing your spa-like experience.
- Carve out a dedicated space in your home where you can escape from the outside world, turn off your mobile and focus solely on self-care. This sanctuary will provide the perfect environment for you to unwind, revitalize, and embrace the peacefulness that comes with taking care of yourself.
2. Nourish and Pamper: A Simple Body Skincare Routine
- Step 1: Shower: winter often tempts us to take a long steaming hot shower, but it’s important to resist the urge and opt for a cooler temperature instead. Ending your shower with a blast of cold water can be beneficial for our skin, providing an invigorating experience and tightening pores.
- Step 2: Exfoliation: to achieve that glowing complexion, it is essential to exfoliate to get rid of those pesky dead skin cells. It also boosts circulation, helps clear congested pores and preps the skin for moisturisation. For those with dry or sensitive skin, opt for a milder and hydrating body scrub with ingredients like squalane. Begin by applying the scrub to damp skin, starting from your feet or legs and work your way up, gently massaging in circular motions. If you prefer, you can also use a loofah or exfoliating mitt for added effectiveness – just be gentle. You don’t need to splurge on expensive products – a homemade scrub can even be made from coffee grounds and honey and it’s gentle enough for the face and body!
- Step 3: Moisturisation: ensuring proper hydration is crucial after exfoliation as it temporarily removes your skin’s protective barrier, which can cause dryness, opt for nourishing creams enriched with ceramides, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid to effectively replenish and moisturise your skin. And don’t forget to include your feet as they also need some TLC.
- Optional step: apply a face mask to clean dry skin – if using a sheet mask, go for one that is compostable or make a DIY reusable version by soaking an organic cotton cloth in distilled water, honey and a few drops of rosehip oil (perfect for when you’ve got 40 something-year-old skin like me!). This way you can reuse the cloth and have zero excess packaging.
- Eco-friendly reusable metal safety razor for women, Jungle Culture – these plastic-free razors come with an organic cotton bag and magnetic gift box. Join Jungle Culture in supporting small businesses!
- Natural loofah, organic exfoilating sponge, Jungle Culture – elevate your self-care routine with these 100% natural loofahs – the ideal sustainable choice for a rejuvenating shower or eco-conscious cleaning.
- Pamper Hamper Gift Box, Social Stories Club
- Oatmeal Body Polish, ANI Skincare – experience the gentle cleansing and nourishing effects of oatmeal, a natural remedy that promotes healthy and radiant skin.
- Rose and Geranium Body Oil, ANI Skincare – nourish and protect your skin with this soothing and rejuvenating skincare treat, enriched with antioxidants and vitamins for a calming and healing effect.
3. Guiltfree Luxury: Add Organic and Eco-Friendly Products to Your Skincare Ritual:
- Take your skincare regimen to the next level by introducing nourishing products that are not only luxurious but are both organic and eco-friendly, ensuring a guilt-free pampering session for your skin.
- Organic and sustainable products are less likely to cause irritations and are kinder to the environment so it’s a win-win situation.
- Cedar and black pepper organic bodywash, London Bathers – treat yourself to a revitalizing shower experience! The combination of woodsy aroma and spicy black pepper oil creates a warm and invigorating sensation. Choose a 250ml bottle and follow up with easy refills.
- Age Defy+ Glam and Glow Organic Trio, Green People – menopausal skin can be a b*tch! Bring back your glow with this organic 3-step regimen to achieve soft, smooth, sun-kissed skin. Ideal for giving as a gift or pampering yourself.
4. Shield and Protect: The Importance of SPF in Skincare
- Make protecting your skin from the sun part of your daily self-care routine. We all know how harmful and ageing the sun can be for our skin so we need to make sure that applying an SPF every morning becomes second nature.
- Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Facial Protection SPF 30 is a fab lightweight formula that just melts into the skin providing both moisture and sun protection. I’m also a huge fan of the sunscreens made by renowned French pharmaceutical brands like Avene, Bioderma, and Eucerin. Their SPFs are simply amazing!
I think it’s fair to say that taking time out for a self-care and pampering routine, particularly during the winter months, is not only an act of love towards yourself but also an investment in your overall well-being.
At-home spa experiences will help you prioritise yourself and your skincare – treat yourself to luxurious and organic products and don’t forget sunscreen as a critical step in maintaining healthy and protected skin.
Take good care of yourself and let your inner glow shine through!
