Your self care routines/tips

[bingsulaflop]

Hello

I'm trying to make more of an effort to take time out for me and doing more self care and being more mindful.
What are your self care routines/how you relax, unwind etc?

Thank you so much for your replies

Wine.

I know that's a cliché, but a glass of wine and a good book is really lovely. I've been really enjoying reading more in lockdown. Mostly nonfiction but not too highbrow, in areas I'm interested in. It's nice to take that time just for yourself.

I also like doing a nice face mask or foot cream, taking time out to care for my body.

Change sheets, plump pillows, lay out fresh pjs. Bubble bath, mask, podcast in bath, full body lotion, and then out into clean pjs and bed. Good book optional.

I’ve made an effort to keep up my usual routines during lockdown. So for me:

Daily shower and wash/dry hair
Makeup Monday to Friday, even if I am WFH, nice clothes although not work clothes
Saturday bath and pedicure, trashy magazines, face mask in bath
Nails a couple of times a week
Perfume every day, even if wearing joggers
Bed stripped and fresh sheets every Saturday
Lavender pillow spray every night - DP hates this
Always have fresh flowers in the house. I have a subscription to Bloom and Wild - this code will give you £10 off refer.bloomandwild.com/m/ol/zei-03a8ba1cc6
Trying to use handcream every time I wash my hands, not doing brilliantly, but always before bed
Agree with pp re reading

Walking. Getting out in nature is my quickest and easiest way to relax.
Love a bit of pampering too. Face mask, body scrub, hair treatment etc.

I've been quite a journey with this since I nearly died a few years ago in a very bad situation where I had absolutely no care, self or otherwise.

I am so kind to myself now. It's a hard thing to learn if you're not used to it. But now I look after my own body and my wellbeing with the same care and attention I give to others.

I wear only soft, pleasurable clothes and make sure I am always warm enough, or cool enough. I got a prescription from a dermatologist online and sorted my skin out. I fixed my vitamin D deficiency. I bought expensive sex toys that really work and took the time to learn how to use them. I drink cocktails in the evening and listen to beautiful music. I go for long walks by myself and with friends in beautiful places. I take courses I'm interested in. I read. I set the table for dinner. I meditate - nothing grand, just those 5 minute ones on stopbreathethink when I feel like it. I tend to myself and notice what pleases me. I take seriously the idea that my pleasure matters. I give myself beauty, pleasure, and joy.

All of these things take time. Time is zero sum. So the first thing I had to do was give myself permission to take the time for myself and let myself find out later what I wanted to do with it. I tried a lot of things out.

Sorry I killed your thread, OP!

@jokolo I loved reading your post actually, it was very inspiring :)

I like to sit on the sofa, eat blueberries or some other small fruit, and read easy fiction. Also I have made a "self care" playlist on spotify to cheer me up.

I loved reading all of your posts they've helped massively!!

Thank you all!!

I think lockdown, being a student nurse and mum to a very active toddler has shown me how important self care is and taking time out for me x

Love that post @jokolo. Super comfortable clothes and a good book with a cuppa is all I need. Also, being kind to myself by understanding my emotions and not pushing them away to get on with the day.

Do you watch TV at night? If so, get yourself a caddy and put face creams, nail care and anything else you fancy inside and sit and pamper yourself whilst watching your favourite shows. I do this most nights 9-10pm when I am done for the day and refuse to do any more stuff around the house. It's me time. After all these years my skin thanks me for it.

What a beautiful, and beautifully written, post @jokolo.

In terms of self-care. Walks, lots of pilates. Learning to say no, letting go of people in my life around whom I don't feel I can really be myself. Wearing beautiful clothes and perfume every day. Saving up for quality in all things. Setting aside time to read, daily baths - always use a favourite body cream or oil. Lots of water, fruit and veg. Taking the time to enjoy cooking my favourite meals. Volunteering or donating where I can't volunteer (like now). Investing in the friendships and relationships which matter.

Just realised that the last two don't sound like self-care but I think they are. Firstly, I have been so lucky, so it feels right/helps me feel right in myself to give something back. Secondly, I have found from experience that investing in the right relationships pays huge dividends. I have my DH, who I love, but also a number of close friends who I know I could ring at 3am in an emergency and who would be there for me.

Oh and letting myself cry whenever I feel like it (in private). This last year has been pretty traumatic in a number of ways and while I have always been an optimist and remain cheerful, sometimes I need a little cry and always feel better afterwards.

Thanks all.

I haven't yet achieved crying, so I admire you for that Ardnassa.

Lovely post jokolo, you’ve inspired me!
Glad you’re in a better place.

I bought expensive sex toys that really work

Care to share the info

@jokolo I can really relate to your post having a similar near death experience two years ago. I still feel like I live in high definition and I am very thankful for simple things like fresh coffee in my garden or walking in nature. I buy myself nice clothing and nice perfume because I can. I've invested I my skin care ( the trauma left me with acne from prolonged high cortisol).

I've used lockdown to make sure I use my nuface daily, bought some nice comfy items from sweaty Betty and drink.lots of water, green tea and salad and fish. Unfortunately I I supplement that with too many biscuits and a new fondness for home baking but it's all about balance

Place marking. Some great ideas here.

I desperate my need some self care!

Lots of sleep no matter what time you do it. Nothing better than turning over in the morning and drifting off again without feeling ANY guilt whatsoever. (I know not everyone can do this).

Nice wine.... not cheap, enjoy opening it and use fabulous wine glasses.

Good quality garments, the most important of which at the moment are sleeping stuff. Well for me anyway...

Good, no great, no the BEST bedwear you can afford.

Never worry about indulging yourself. Who cares anyway. Not enough of us do it TBH, there is a guilty gene out there somewhere, or a Puritan influence or something. Ha.

This is a really lovely thread, especially jokolo's post.

I'm loving this thread

This thread has some great tips!

For me, making time for reading is important. Have always had a book on the go but now also have Kindle on my phone to encourage me to read in the evening instead of being on social media. I also discovered Audible books, really love listening to a book while cooking, cleaning, getting ready etc. It's been a real boon.

What a bloody lovely thread

My self care hinges on journaling at least once a day. Then I’m much more in tune with what I need, whether that’s socialising or curling up with a book in bed. Sometimes it’s chocolate but I’m sticking to 70% or over.

A big but novel indulgence for me was buying high thread count cotton bedding.

OMG! The difference!

Nice candles ( I am fine with Yankee but I know most MNetters hate them!)

An afternoon nap.

Agree with reading a book, and for me, really good quality hand cream like Neals Yard Bee Lovely, or Tropic Superfood Hand Therapy.

Body Shop Spa of the World Shower Gels. AMAZING! Also Roger + Gallet Shower Gel in Jean Marie Farina. It will make your bathroom smell like a Parisian Tarts Boudoir