With all the things that are going on in the world right now, we could all do with a little extra self-care.
I’ve spoken about self-care a lot on this blog, and for once I’m actually going to be talking about the little and luxurious things that you can do to make yourself feel better.
We’re all feeling a bit scared and unsettled right now, regardless of your situation, so why not use this time to be extra nice to yourself? I love to treat myself often anyways, just because I might as well, but these small things are a proper treat and make me feel fabulous.
If you’re looking for some ways to take your mind off the current situation and feel good for a minute, then you’ll want to try:
1) SHEET MASKS
I’m obsessed with sheet masks at the moment, and kind of have been for this entire year so far.
Putting on a face mask at any time is a proper treat and a way to really pamper yourself, but there’s something about the cooling, gentle and soft material used on sheet masks that makes this ritual extra special.
Skincare doesn’t have to be expensive and sheet masks can be found in loads of places (including some of the essential shops still open) for a small price. You might even already have one or two in your bathroom cupboard.
Wash your face and put a sheet mask on. Allow yourself to lie back for the 10 to 20 minutes required and you’ll feel so relaxed, pampered and luxurious afterwards.
2) FROTHY COFFEE
Everyone is going mad at the moment over those foamy ‘Tik Tok’ coffees. I’ll admit, I fell for the hype and tried it – but I wasn’t impressed.
So when I say frothy coffee, I mean one of those that comes out of a packet or a pod depending on what is most accessible to you.
One of my favourite things to do as a treat was to go into a coffee shop, pay for an over-priced beverage and just soak in the environment for a bit. Obviously, this isn’t something we can do anymore but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out completely.
I love to make myself what we call a ‘posh coffee’ at home. Whether I’m starting my day off with a treat or perking myself up in the afternoon, an at-home cappuccino or latte really puts me in a good mood.
If you’re missing your favourite coffee shop chain, you can get pods and things from brands like Starbucks and Costa to make at home. I have quite a few coffee pods and sachets at home, as we always do, as well as some syrups that have been given as gifts so my at home coffee shop is well stocked!
When you make yourself a ‘posh coffee’, make sure you’re taking time to actually taste your drink. Take this time as a chance to slow down and be mindful, really enjoying the experience of having a hot drink from a comfortable space.
3) FRESH BEDDING
Now that I, as well as the rest of the world, am spending even more time at home, I’ve become kind of addicted to washing my bedding.
Obviously, this is something you’ll do regularly anyway but it always feels like such a chore. I’ll be honest with you, it’s something I will skip for a little too long, simply because I can’t be bothered with the hassle.
However, now I’m spending more time either in or around my bed, I’ve noticed that fresh bedding just makes me feel great.
It makes my room look and smell cleaner, and I genuinely believe it can improve your sleep too.
If you’re feeling like you need a pick-me-up right now, put your bedding in the wash. It’s worth it, I promise.
4) READING A MAGAZINE
I adore magazines – in fact, I studied Magazine Journalism at university for that very reason.
As I’m obsessed with them, I always have at least one unread magazine in the rack, and I can imagine I’m not alone in this.
I find sitting down with a magazine to be such a treat. Not only are magazines quite expensive nowadays, what with the market dying off and printing prices going up, but I just always feel like they’re something special.
A magazine is something to be savoured. It’s something you can read in one sitting, sure, but it should be done slowly with a nice drink and a peaceful environment.
You can also choose to read magazines online, as there are a lot of brilliant options out right now. For online, I’d recommend Happiful and Restless Mag.
5) LIGHTING A CANDLE
I was never really into candles until a couple of years ago, where I promptly became obsessed.
My current obsession is wax melts and no matter what time of year it is, I always seem to have a hoard ready to go.
There is something so special and luxurious about lighting a candle, I think. I mentioned in a previous post that I like to light mine either first thing in the morning, if I’m reading or watching YouTube in bed, or at night before I go to sleep.
But candles can be lit anytime and they really change the atmosphere of a room.
I also love lighting candles and changing wax melts after I’ve done a total clean of my room, it just makes the process feel complete and makes my space feel so inviting.
You’ve probably already got some candles or wax melts at home, as they’re a popular gift, but if you are looking for something new I’d recommend Custhy Co. I’ve recently bought some wax melts from them and they’re lush!
*not sponsored for any of these links
These are just some of the small things I like to do for myself on a regular basis. They make me feel more positive and motivated to get through the day, plus I like to use them as something to look forward to which helps keep me going.
I hope you’re doing well and staying safe friends.
Come chat with me on Instagram and see what I’ve been getting up to while in lockdown.
Speak soon,
Rachael.
Photo by Iryna Ogarkova on Unsplash
Rachaelic 