GREEN LIVING: Ideas for Self-care

During the month of February, we celebrate love on Valentine’s Day (Galentine’s and Palentine’s). It seems like a perfect time to take a look at the topic of self-care which is a form of self-love. Some people might say it is selfish to take care of yourself. On the contrary, it is not only beneficial to your overall well being, but it will also result in you being able to better care for those around you. 

In the past 3 decades or so, the rise of holistic health and self-care has become an accepted part of our culture. Many experts have spoken and written about the incredible benefits of self-care. They have shared ways it can lower our anxiety, increase happiness, reduce loneliness and so much more.

What does self-care look like? It’s taking steps to preserve or improve one’s own health, well-being, and happiness. It involves prioritizing personal needs and making choices that enhance physical, emotional, and mental health.

• Physical self-care is so important for optimal health. A healthy lifestyle includes adequate sleep, good nutrition, exercise, hydration. 
• Emotional well-being is finding joy in being alive in however that looks for you. Spending time with friends and family, building healthy relationships and being active in the community. 
• Mental health is extremely important.  Regular mindfulness practices, meditation, yoga, and being in nature help in many ways.  Sustaining a work-life balance can be challenging with the demands of school, career and family but is important to manage.

We surveyed our staff and asked them to tell us one thing they do to practice self-care. Without comparing notes ahead of time, we noticed how different everyone’s approach was.  From bathing rituals, pursuing individual interest and hobbies to getting outdoors in nature, we were inspired by one another.  

At the store, we carry bath and body products that align with self-care practices. They have clean ingredients. In other words, they are free from ingredients that have been linked to cancer or suspected to be carcinogens. 

Did you know that, without intending to, you may expose yourself to more than 180 of these toxic chemicals in your daily morning routine?  One of our organic farmers once said “Why would you buy organic vegetables at the farmers’ market, then sit in a toxic bath?” That drives home the point. But you can reduce that by choosing to use products made with safe, healthy ingredients that are equally effective. Check for yourself on Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization whose mission is to get harmful chemicals out of our food, tap water and thousands of consumer products. You can see how clean the everyday skin care products you use are by checking their score at https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.

 Made by a local yoga teacher with an amazing following in our area, Kind Folke offers high quality, pure personal care products that use organic ingredients and produce positive results. 

Have you tried dry brushing? You are probably familiar with the benefits of exfoliating the skin during a facial. Think of dry brushing as exfoliating the skin over your entire body. In addition to exfoliation, its benefits may include stimulating the lymphatic system, removing toxins, increasing circulation and energy, and reducing cellulite. You can read more about that here.

 

Tea is a big part of what we offer and drink for enjoyment and are big believers in using to relax, help sleep, take a break, slow down, and as a stress relief.

Savoy Tea Co Has some calming teas to help you unwind. One of the most popular is Bedtime Story herbal tea. Whether you want to experience an occasional tranquil moment or make it part of your evening ritual, it’s a way to indulge yourself. It’s all-natural, all-organic, and all about ensuring you wake up refreshed and revitalized.

 

Take time to develop and nurture your hobbies and personal interests. You never know what will come of it. What started as an interest soon became a passion for BWG Herbal Tea founder.  As she explored ways to make her own unique, wellness teas, her creative pursuit led her to form a business and today she grows, harvests, and dries more than 20 different herbs for her tea blends. She continues to expand her varieties with practically something for everyone who is looking for a functional tea. 

If you are just starting out with your own self-care practice, going outdoors for a daily walk is a great place to begin. Take time to do what brings joy; pursue a hobby or take a class for personal development. Whatever it is, to truly fully benefit and make it a regular habit, it must be enjoyable for you.

Take the next step. Research blogs, books, and podcasts on this topic to discover someone who will encourage you along the way. Hopefully, we’ve given you some tips to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Self-care will help you be the best version of yourself.