Self-Care 101
- Ahreo Liebenberg
- May 26, 2015
- 3 min read
Art by Maggie McDonald
When you get busy and stress, boredom or tiredness is mounting; it’s important to take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. These simple tips will help you feel better, so you can get on with doing life better.
Clean your room
I know, I know- cleaning your room hardly feels like an act of TLC. If you look around you, is your bed made? Are your clothes strewn across the floor? Do you have to tiptoe across your stuff to get around? Cleaning your room has many benefits- tidying and cleaning reduces allergies, decreases stress and makes you feel good. The actual physical act of cleaning your room doesn’t just make it look good, it can also help with emotional stress and make your space feel calmer, bigger and more serene. Throw out or donate any old clothes that you don’t wear anymore, dust your furniture, pop your earphones in and jam to music while you vacuum. A quick wash and change of bed sheets and you’ll be sleeping fresher, easier and happier.
Buy or make your own face mask
Affordable face masks can be found at any mainstream chain store (Big W, Kmart, Target etc.) or in your local pharmacy. There are also plenty of DIY mask recipes you can find on the internet; one popular mask recipe uses ¼ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 medium banana. Apply for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water for silky smooth skin that will leave you feeling refreshed and radiant.
Run a bath
Relax your muscles, calm your mind, detoxify, moisturize, stimulate circulation and clear your lymph system; all with a bath. Research has shown that baths aren’t just great for de-stressing; they can also prevent colds and viruses, improve sleep, strengthen blood circulation, boost the immune system and detoxify your body. Grab a delicious Lush bubble bar to crumble under running water, like the fruity and creamy ‘The Comforter’ or use a safe, skin softening Lush bath bomb like the ‘Rose Bombshell’, made with soya milk and Turkish rose oils for aromatic bliss. Alternatively, you can spread your fingers around to stir up regular shampoo under a running tap to create your own DIY bubble bath.
Make a new playlist
There’s nothing more satisfying than discovering new music. Take a trip on Youtube and fall into the abyss of some good tunes. Finding new music and music interests is super important- mix it up and encounter new artists, bands or albums that you love. Go on a journey of self-discovery and download that sweet audio goodness to your phone or iPod.
Follow these links to check out the playlists we've compiled already:
Paint your nails (or get them done)
Painting your nails is fun, creative and it reduces stress. Experimenting with colour is the exciting part; white, nude brown, baby pink or black- you can match your mood or outfit, and if you’re feeling like a challenge, look up creative nail art tutorials on Youtube and give them a go. Nail painting is all about creativity, maintenance and expression; choosing your colour and design is liberating, fun and a good way to take care of your presentation. Getting acrylic nails done at a salon works too- a fresh coat of nail varnish puts the finishing touch on an outfit, and make you look and feel fierce down to your fingertips!
Make a cup of green tea
Not only is it delicious and relaxing- green tea is ridiculously good for you. Loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that can improve brain function, lower your risk of various cancers and diseases, help clear up your skin and help speed up your metabolism, reduce bloating and detox your body of any nasties. A hot cup of green tea is a delicious and easy way to take care of your body.
Buy a plant
Head on down to your local hardware, nursery, market or plant store and pick up a cute, manageable sized plant. A lucky bamboo plant or a miniature cactus is a great choice because indoor plants and are the perfect size to take care of. Pop your new friend in a small pot with some soil and maintain with water and sunlight for a new addition to your room- greenery will bring your bedroom to life and looking after a plant is therapeutic and a fun project.
You can try our planter DIY (click for details)
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