A little tender, loving self-care shouldn't feel like an escape from your life. Proper self-care should be part of your lifestyle; the easiest way to make that happen is with your daily rituals, habits and routines.
I'm bad at taking time out every day just for me, but I'm working on that.
Getting some vitamin D (sunshine) in the morning can help balance your body's internal clock and make it easier to fall asleep at night. I walk in the afternoon almost every day, but if I can escape the office at midday, that's my favourite time to be in the great outdoors.
We've just gone into Autumn, and this is by far my favourite season - nature puts on a spectacular show of colours, and there is nothing nicer than putting on my walking boots and feeling the crisp leaves crunching underfoot.
As winter approaches, it gets colder, and it's usually raining (good old British climate for you). And because of that, there are fewer daylight hours and dry days to walk.
I've toyed with the idea of buying a light therapy light - I need to do some research first, but with the reduced number of daylight hours during winter, it might be helpful. I don't generally suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but a little boost of sunshine in the form of a lamp might be on the Christmas gift list this year! If you have tried light therapy, please get in touch and let me know.
I try to start my working day in a positive mindset, and the earlier I get started, the better, although one could never say I'm a morning person! I never skip breakfast and start the day with a mug of tea and cereal - usually topped off with banana, blueberries or some yoghurt. When I have more time, I enjoy a bowl of porridge on the weekend.
I steer clear of breakfast TV and all the negative vibes and tune into my favourite radio station or a playlist of easy-listening music.
Although I love coffee, I stick to two per day - one around mid-morning and a second one at lunchtime. I never consume caffeinated drinks after 4.00 pm, as caffeine can take 5-6 hours to leave your system.
I'm a big fan of Green Tea early morning or a mug of English tea. I've recently discovered Tregothnan, British tea growers here in the UK. It's fascinating! Their afternoon tea is my favourite.
To help me unwind in the evening, I avoid screen time after 7.00 pm. I prefer to read a paperback or magazines.
I think it's essential to have a proper wind-down routine each evening, whether it's a soak in the tub, reading, or some form of gentle stretching like Pilates or Yoga.
"One small positive thought in the morning can change your day."
Dalai Lama
What daily self-care habits do you love that help you relax?
Thanks for reading, and I hope some of the above has given you some easy self-care habits you can adopt. This blog complements my soap and skincare business - if you want to look at my certified vegan collection, please visit www.livewellnaturalskincare.co.uk.
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