I hope you are all staying healthy and safe. It is a scary time right now and if you have been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or in general just not yourself, I have some self-care practices that could help you feel better. All of these can be done in the comfort of your own home, of course!
It is crucial to show yourself some love every now and again, particularly during a time where many of us are feeling unease. I highly recommend the below self-care practices. I try to do one at least every day, and I believe that incorporating these rituals has saved my mental health in many situations.
Self-Care Techniques
Take a bath with epsom salts
Taking a bath with some epsom salts or magnesium infused within the water will help calm your mind, reduce anxiety and stress, and give you space to truly relax. Taking regular epsom salt baths help to soothe your skin and it is very good for people who suffer from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. In the winter, the eczema on my hands gets quite bad, so taking baths helps soothe that area. In addition, healthy magnesium levels help you sleep better and reduce stress. I have noticed the difference in the quality of my sleep at night when I take a warm bath before bed, versus skipping it entirely.
Put on some red light and read a book
I got this nice lamp for my room recently, but instead of using a regular light bulb, I installed this red light bulb. Having this type of light in my room really sets the mood for sleep. With this light on, I get so tired as I read and relax in bed. For me personally, watching television or doing activities on my computer is not a good option at night because it leaves me wide awake and I have a harder time falling asleep. The blue light from our devices is obviously not helpful right before bed. I recommend swapping blue light for red light, and trying to read more if it is not already part of your routine. Here is a great article that discusses how red light helps you relax because it does not act like a stimulant.
Foam roll and give yourself a CBD massage
I love CBD for soothing tired and sore muscles. The sweet spot is first foam rolling and then applying CBD on those aching muscles. I promise you will feel a million times better, plus putting your own hands on your body is one of the highest acts of true kindness and comfort you can give yourself. Foam rolling is great for helping the body break down the lactic acid after a workout. It also can help increase your mobility and flexiblity. You can treat yourself after that foam roll with some CBD balm, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for overworked parts of the body. I like to put it all over my shoulders, the tops of my thighs and on my feet.
Cook your favorite meal and listen to a podcast
Listening to someone else talk while also putting your hands into an activity such as cooking or baking is a very nice way to zone out I have found. If I am stressed out and cannot get out of my own head, I like to listen to someone else talk. One of my favorite activities is to cook a delicious meal but with a healthy spin. For example, both pasta and pizza are pictured below, but the pasta is grain free and made from cassava flower, and the pizza is on a cauliflower crust. Traditional recipes with a paleo twist are my jam! You can find some of my favorite podcasts to listen to, right here.
Click here to order this pasta 
Click here to order this cauliflower crust
Aromatherapy
Candles, room sprays, essential oil diffusers, the list goes on. Really anything that smells good I am down for. Aromatherapy doesnt just help your room smell amazing- it can actually boost your mood, calm you down, and get you ready for a calm and peaceful slumber.
Last but not least, it goes without saying, but another form of self-care is of course exercise. I have been enjoying low impact workouts like yoga and Pilates recently, and I discuss the reason behind my switch in this post. Regardless- any kind of physical activity such as running, walking, swimming, dancing, biking, lifting etc- that gets your blood pumping will release positive endorphins. Excercise will also improve your self-esteem, help you think more clearly, and can literally turn your mood around. I’ve had several bad days where all I want to do is feel sorry for myself. But I force myself to drink a bulletproof coffee and do a workout. Afterwards, my outlook is changed and I can have a good day. I hope this inspires you! Stay strong and remember that you are worth it.
Let me know what you think!