Do you feel anxious, exhausted and low in spirits ? Do you feel guilty and selfish when you put your own needs first? When was the last time you did something just for yourself?  

Perhaps you’ve rarely had the time to ask yourself these questions. In the midst of a hectic day at work or taking care of your home, socializing, looking after your kids or elderly parents, volunteering or providing that ever-available shoulder to cry on, you’ve forgotten about the most important person in your life - You!

The consequences can be devastating - an emotional meltdown, high blood pressure or a cardiac event. When such catastrophes happen, you’re  certainly in no condition to care for anyone else. 

It’s important to give yourself the time, care and attention that you would give other important people and things in your life. Make it a win-win game for everyone. 

The concept of mindfulness lies at the heart of self-care - it means that you are conscious and proactive, you are self-aware and observant of your environment, and you have the ability to analyze and understand your innermost thoughts, emotions and motivations. 

Self care helps you to connect with yourself. It reduces anxiety and stress, promotes good quality and quantity of sleep, guides you to make better nutritional and exercise choices, elevates your mood and makes you a better person to be around. You radiate confidence, positivity, kindness, gratitude and know how to set boundaries.

When you see things from this point of view, things that you consider self-indulgent luxuries are in fact necessities that help you to maintain your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental health. 

Self Care Products To Pamper Yourself

If you are looking for ideas for gifts for self care for yourself or loved ones check out Rest and Digest. You can visit their website here:

https://restanddigest.com.au/collections/self-care-gifts

They have a great range of products and gifts that will relax, pamper and get you back in the moment. Some of the ideas are listed below.

Schedulers, Planners and Timers: Most times, we’re rushing from task to task, trying to meet deadlines, complete a project or juggle six different things at once. The best way to care for yourself is to get organized. Start with a To Do list where you put down everything that needs to be done. Group things under categories such as Urgent, Today, Long-Term, Dream Goal. Get yourself a planner or scheduler where you can record your progress. For immediate tasks, purchase a Pomodoro Timer that helps to keep you on schedule without burnout. 

Journals: You probably wrote in a diary during those angsty teenage years, and perhaps you remember how it diffused your negative emotions and boosted the positive ones. Get back into the habit. Bullet journaling is the newest route to self-care. You can purchase a kit online, or put the materials together yourself. Be as creative as you like, and you even combine it with a reminder list that keeps you on top of the game. 

Body Care Products: Pamper yourself with a day at the spa or salon. Take the plunge and buy that one luxury perfume or skincare product that’s been on your mind for weeks. Experiment with a new look hairstyle or wardrobe and feel like a new person. Aromatherapy products, magnesium salts and haircare products help you to look and feel your best, relax and destress, get better sleep and wake up fresh. Look for body and face scrubs that suit your skin type, and invest in a good quality sunscreen for daily wear. 

Skincare tools: Home skincare is easy when you have the right tools such as a jade roller, gua sha stone, light therapy mask, microcurrent devices, hair-removal tools and more. Talk to a skincare expert before you purchase, so that you know how to use them correctly and what precautions you must take. These tools need to be kept clean and hygienic to avoid infections, so make sure that you provide enough time for this too. 

Sleep Aids: Get that all-important 8 hour shut-eye with the help of some great self-care products. Create your own sleep routine with a warm bath or shower enhanced with mild, natural fragrances, install light-dimmers or blackout curtains in your bedroom. Set the mood with relaxing music or chants. As far as possible, keep electronic devices out of your bedroom. Pamper yourself with a silk pillowcase and fine quality sheets. These will prevent skin-wrinkling and absorb moisture. Practice a few minutes of meditation or deep breathing to help you relax and fall asleep naturally. If you need to wake up at a particular time, get yourself a simple, analog clock instead of depending on your phone. 

Eat and Drink Right: Make it a habit to read the labels on food and beverage products. Don’t be too hard on yourself or deny yourself the occasional treat, but your regular diet should consist of fresh, natural and local products that don’t need much processing before you consume them. Avoid fad diets and be mindful about how your body reacts to certain foods and drinks. Learn to be comfortable with your own body and listen when it speaks to you.