Self-care is the buzz word these days, and for good reasons. Life comes at us from every angle, and with social media seems to never let up. Those of us who find it hard to disconnect from technology and reconnect to nature, are often at a loss. Being a Reiki practitioner gives me a tool for self-care that I can tap into anywhere at anytime. It has been a true gift. But what about those who don’t have that tool in their box? Below are a list of recommendations for your self-care when life hits hard:
Salt bath Epson salts which contain magnesium, in a warm bath with the addition of baking soda and some essential oils will help take the edge off. Depending on your preference you can use any of the following oils: lavender, clary sage, pine, spruce, frankincense, chamomile, palo santo, rose, geranium. Use one cup of salts, a third of a cup of baking soda and 20 drops of oil. Mix them all together and then put them into the bath. Light some candles and relax.
I like to place some rose quartz and amethyst in the bath with me.
Massage There’s something about touch that calms us all. Having a massage will not only address the physical symptoms of stress but work its wonder on the emotional body as well.
Reiki I’ve heard some people say that not a lot seems to happen during a Reiki session. For others they can feel the energy that is stuck or trapped, move and disperse. Regardless of the sessions intensity I’ve never seen anyone leave a session without a noted degree of relaxation after. See here for a description of a Reiki session.
Nature I can’t recommend it enough. Nature. Nature. Nature. Preferably barefoot at some point. Even if all you do is go to a park or your yard, and sit with your bare feet on the ground. You’re absorbing the natural healing frequency of the earth and grounding yourself. There are many articles and research results that prove this, one can be found here. Or check out Forest Bathing and its benefits here.
Meditation Those who already practice this can attest to the results. For those of you who haven’t tried this and may be intimidated, try one of the apps like Headspace which make it very accessible and easy to start. You can start with 5 or 10 minutes a day and just having that small amount of time to tune out will do wonders for you. Before long you’ll be craving more.
DIY Facial Your kitchen will have quite a few ingredients that can be used for an at-home facial. Start with boiling some water in a decent sized pot (preferably spring water). Add some dried herbs or flowers such as rosemary, roses, chamomile, borage, calendula, mint… Place the pot on a hot pad on your table. Make a tent over the pot with a towel large enough to cover the pot and your head. Make sure the water has cooled enough that there is still steam rising from it but it’s not so hot as to burn your face. Place your head under the towel, close your eyes and steam for 10 minutes.
Take a fresh piece of pineapple or strawberry and rub it over your face and neck (avoid eye area). Leave on for 5 minutes then rinse off completely.
Follow with a moisturizing mask: smashed bananas, fresh macerated rosemary leaves, honey, vitamin E oil. Warm the banana and rosemary leaves slightly then add the vitamin E oil and honey. Apply to face and if you want cover your face with a warm damp cloth. Leave on 10-15 minutes then rinse with luke warm water.
Finish with a mist of cold rose water.