What happens when you ignore self care? Do you break? I’ve been irritated and annoyed for two weeks. AT EVERYTHING, including the butter – or lack thereof in the fridge. Today I sat and looked at my to do list and realized none of the items help me get my goals accomplished. 90% of my list helps others, not just my family. I realized I’ve ignored my own self care for some months now, and I vowed to do a 10 minute self care break every three days.
I found a simple way to create a relaxing space in my house to where I can retreat when I want to yell (again). Quick, handy ingredients like a face cloth, my favorite essential oil and some water make this a perfect way to hide when you’ve hit your COVID wall. Head into the bathroom with your ingredients and turn it into a fragrant steam room.
1 – Start by putting 10-15 drops of any of your favorite essential oil, or a combination of oils, onto a damp facecloth.
I’ve been using a lot of tree oils for my self care break – eucalyptus, frankincense, pine, juniper, cypress with a single note floral, like geranium or rose if I feel like splurging. There is something special about rose and juniper. Some other combinations you can try are lavender/lemon, stress away/peppermint, or cedarwood/cypress.
2 – Put the facecloth into the tub in a place where the shower can hit it when you turn the water on.
3 – Then turn the hot water on full power, close the door, and leave the room for a few minutes. [Just don’t forget to go back in and shut the water!] 3 – When the room full is on steamy and fragrant, go in close the door, sit down and close your eyes.
4 – Take deep, full breaths and visualize the tension in your body melting away, like water from melting ice.
By the time the room starts to cool off, I’ll bet you’ll be feeling better.
I suggest leaving your phone outside the room, but have found that sometimes music really helps me relax even more. This particular song by Max Richter has been my go to lately; the beat of this song helps me pace my breathing.
What other self care can you fit into 10 minutes? Which scents help you the most when you hit your wall? Share with us so we can all learn. After all, we are a village.
