Wellness Spotlight: Exploring My Favourite Self-Care Practices

No matter what lifestyle you lead, incorporating dedicated time in your busy day to unwind that is solely for you is absolutely vital to your overall well-being. It's essential to recognize that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for everyone. Taking a moment to focus on what makes you feel good can significantly enhance your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Choosing something that can help alleviate stress and recharge your energy, will allow you to go about your daily tasks with renewed vigor and a positive mindset.

Ever since I moved out on my own at the age of twenty-two, I have always enjoyed taking baths in the evenings. I lived in a few different apartments, and no matter what the size or style of the bathroom, I always made my evening ritual feel like I was at a spa. It was and still is my favourite way to create space for me to unwind at the end of my busy day. I love to pray and journal when taking baths alone, or chatting with my husband when we take them together. Either way, taking baths has always been my preferred way to end the day once my children are in bed and is not a practice I neglect as it completely revitalizes me.

The various elements that make my evening baths special are:

1. In the bathroom, I now use a light dimmer. In my twenties, I would burn candles and place them around the bathtub edges, but now I favor the light dimmer for creating a similar ambiance to enhance the feeling of peace and relaxation.

2. Instead of candles, I have been using a diffuser next to my bathtub that I fill with different essential oils each evening. I love being able to look through my repertoire of essential oils in my cabinet and choose a different one each night depending on my mood and what I feel I need that evening. Each has it's own unique therapeutic and healing benefits. I've always had the typical white diffusers, but two years ago I found one on amazon that has a beautiful exotic design that I find special. Here is the one I purchased: ARVIDSSON 500ml Essential Oil Diffusers, Ultrasonic Diffusers for Essential Oils, Iron Metal Aromatherapy Diffuser with Mist Timer Setting, Whisper-Quiet Operation : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care

   
   
   
   

3. I love to use incense as well. My favourites are Frankincense and Myrrh. Being surrounded by their heavenly scents and watching them burn at the edge of my at my bath really relaxes my mind and body.

4. Epsom salts are also add to my at home-spa experience adding, skin rejuvenation which acts as a natural exfoliant, promotes stress relief, relaxes my muscles, and aids in improving magnesium levels in your body,

   
   
   
   

5. Face Masks are something that I enjoy while taking my bath. They help to purify my skin by unclogging my pores and brightening my skin tone naturally. My two favourite face masks are, Aztec Secret - Deep Pore Cleansing Facial & Body Mask – The Original 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay Version-1, 1 LB : Amazon.ca: Beauty & Personal Care

&

ANAIRUI Face Mask with Kaolin Clay, Clay Face Mask, Clay Facial Mask for Radiant Skin, Skincare Facial Mask, 4.23Oz : Amazon.ca: Beauty & Personal Care.

I have been purchasing this particular mud mask for a decade now and the turmeric mask for three years. I have tried numerous masks over the years and these two have withstood the test of time and are not only my favourite but are affordable!

6. I put one tablespoon of coconut oil in my bath as it is a natural and easy way to moisturize my body. I noticed that it does make the bath slippery so be careful when stepping out of the bath.

   
   
   
   

7. The benefits of dry brushing is something I have heard about a very long time ago, but is something I adopted into my nighttime routine only recently. It helps to exfoliate, increase blood flow, and reduce the look of cellulite. It is a definite contributing technique that also aids in the at home relaxing spa experience.

   
   

   Here is the one I bought: Ithyes Dry Brushing Body Brush Exfoliating Brush Natural Bristle bath Brush for Remove Dead Skin Toxins Cellulite,Treatment,Improves Lymphatic Functions,Exfoliates,Stimulates Blood Circulation : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care

   
   
   
   

My family and I just moved into a new house two weeks ago, and I am obsessed with my ensuite bathroom. Besides, having a stand-up shower separate from the jacuzzi bathtub, there is a sauna as well. This is a wonderful gift from God, as being able to end my wellness routine with taking my 'hot-bath' sitting down sweating out the toxins either praying my rosary, or chatting with my husband in there as been a perfect way to end my busy day .

I really appreciate having a place in my home where I can escape and relax.

Whether I was working outside the home and studying while raising my son, or now being a stay-at-home mom raising my daughters, my days were always so full as I went about my day achieving what was on my to-do list.

It is vital for me to take time to connect with myself and with God, which ultimately enables me to give myself more generously to my loved ones. This is my favorite self-care routine that I consistently maintain, along with a few others, enabling me to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life, which is something we can all strive for.