Self Care for Stressful Times

With all that’s going on these days, pampering and nurturing yourself is more important than ever! Looking for some awesome self-care tips? Need a little help de-stressing? Wondering how to make the most of your quarantine beauty routine? We’ve got you covered. We have some great self-care tips to share with you – for peace of mind and feeling your best - as well as some incredible hand-crafted apothecary items that will take your relaxation and beautification to the next level.

RELIEVE

We all have times of heightened anxiety and overwhelm, especially now when there is so much going on! Here are some ways to calm and de-stress when it’s all feeling like too much.

Self-care tip: One of the best ways to bring instant calm into your life is through deep breathing. You can try it right now by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths to center yourself (and calm your nervous system). If you want to try a specific breathing exercise (and they can do wonders), here are a couple to start with.

The first (and easiest) exercise is to make your exhale twice as long as your inhale. For example, you can breathe in for the count of 3 and out for the count of 6. Then try 4 and 8. Play around until you find the right balance for you. This breathing exercise stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system (also called your Rest and Digest system), which activates relaxation throughout your body and mind.

Box Breath – just like it sounds, this breath consists of four equal sides. First you breathe in for the count of 4. Then hold your breath for 4 counts. Exhale for 4. And hold your breath again for 4 counts. Then inhale and start again. Doing a few rounds of this is very balancing and calming.

Apothecary: For some extra strength stress relief, try these!

1) Balance CBD Supplement from Sacred Beauty – Find peace and calm with this potent, but non-psychoactive CBD oil. Studies continue to show that CBD is awesome for treating stress, anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation. This organic, full spectrum CBD oil creates ease and balance in your mind, body, and spirit. Take daily or have it on hand for those tough moments. 

2) Collect by Little Barn Apothecary – this aromatherapy roller for your pulse points is awesome when you need on-the-spot relief. The blend of organic lavender, violet, and petitgrain essential oils is perfectly crafted for relieving stress. Great for easing headaches and tension, or for when you just need to collect yourself for a moment!

3) Palo Santo Smudge Sticks from Skeem – Need to clear the energy? Cleanse yourself and your space with Palo Santo - a sacred wood from South America that has therapeutic properties when it’s burned. A sweet and woodsy alternative to sage, these smudge sticks are perfect for when you need to purify or reset. And if you prefer a candle version, we have that, too! 

4) The Healer – De-stress and delight your senses with this perfume roller by Ebb & Flow. With powerhouse essential oils like clary sage and lavender, this magical blend smells amazing, calms your nerves, boosts your mood, and helps you heal at a deep level. It even contains a piece of amethyst crystal for an extra healing boost. Use daily to calm and center yourself, or as “in the moment” stress relief. Also great for headaches and migraines. Roll on, take a deep breath, and feel your tension melt away. 

RELAX

Chronic stress and tension is the norm these days, so we have some ways you can relax, refresh, and lift your spirits.

Self-care tip: Change and uncertainty can create a lot of stress, especially when they last for months at a time! We recommend using this time of sheltering in place to create small self-care routines that delight your senses and bring you back into your body. These moments of self love add up to greater relaxation and wellbeing overall. So, have some fun creating your own routines. Run a bath with your favorite bath salts. Light a beautiful candle and enjoy the ambiance. Give yourself a facial or a foot massage (or both!). Try some gentle stretching or Yin Yoga. Put on relaxing music. Do whatever feels good to you!

Apothecary: Get your relaxation on with these heavenly hand-crafted products. You’ll be glad you did!

1) Lavender Infused Salt Scrub by Among the Flowers – Rejuvenate your skin and your spirits with this gently exfoliating body scrub. Slough away the old and nourish the new while experiencing the relaxing aromatherapy of lavender. 

Follow with Etta & Billie Lavender Body Lotion for a truly blissful experience 

2) Coconut + Mint Cooling Mist from Little Barn Apothecary – this may be the best face and body mist ever! It is cooling, refreshing, and smells amazing! We can’t get enough of it. Spray everywhere and enjoy. Pro tips: spritz the back of your neck for an extra soothing experience. You can also keep it in the fridge for those hot days when a cool mist is just what you need. 

3) Revive CBD Massage Oil from Sacred Beauty – This therapeutic massage oil is an incredible blend of skin softening and muscle relaxing ingredients. Argan oil and Vitamin E are deeply nourishing, organic CBD oil is anti-inflammatory and great for any kind of pain, and organic lavender essential oil adds a dose of stress relief and relaxation. Treat yourself to a healing and hydrating experience by using after the shower or bath, or as part of your self-care routine. 

4) Soothing Bath Tea and Flower Petal Bath Bomb from Among the Flowers – Upgrade your bathing ritual with the delicate fragrance and soothing qualities of flower petals. Rose, lavender, chamomile, and calendula swirl to nourish your skin and your spirits. So take a deep breath and relax into this beautiful bath.  

5) Stardust Lavender Pillow Mist by Among the Flowers – Spritz this relaxing mist on your pillows for a lovely pre-sleep ritual. Or any time you want a little stress relief! Deeply calming lavender mingles with grounding cedarwood and frankincense and sensual ylang ylang for a truly peaceful and delicious experience. Guarantee yourself a good night’s sleep with this magical mist. 

INDULGE

Sometimes we need a little extra pampering and pleasure! Stimulate your senses and bliss out with these extra special apothecary items. Add to your self-care ritual for a truly divine experience. Go on, treat yourself!

1) Aphrodite Ritual Mist – Call on the goddess of love with this exotic and inspiring ritual mist from Among the Flowers. A captivating blend of exquisite essential oils, including rose and jasmine, mixed with delicate flowers will elevate your senses and open your heart. Spray on your skin, linens, or anywhere you want to call in some extra love. 

2) Honeysuckle + Grapefruit Body Oil from Little Barn Apothecary – Give your skin and your senses a treat with this rich, moisturizing, and deliciously scented body oil. Sweet and delicate honeysuckle blends beautifully with uplifting grapefruit. And the blend of deeply nourishing oils, like jojoba and almond, will leave your skin feeling soft and revitalized. 

3) Adorn CBD Face Oil from Sacred Beauty – Treat your skin to this powerfully nutritive yet lightweight organic facial oil. Rich in antioxidants, skin boosting vitamins, and essential fatty acids, it will smooth, brighten, hydrate, and heal your skin. The star of this facial elixir – organic Hemp CBD oil - is a potent anti-inflammatory that calms skin, prevents breakouts, and diminishes fine lines, sun damage, and scarring. This remarkable facial oil will leave your skin feeling amazing and looking radiant.