Happy new year!

2022 is a year of new beginnings, so let’s start making self care a top priority. This new year will be our year of setting and accomplishing goals, and not falling for fads and quick fixes. 

To really tune into what the mind, body and spirit needs, we need to take the time to listen, and that’s where practicing self care comes in. Whether it’s tuning into the benefits of aromatherapy, or tapping into a healing sound bowl experience, making time for an act of self care sends a very powerful message energetically and helps us listen to that inner voice that we all have inside.  

 

Small acts of self care

Self care is all over social media, in magazines and on TV and there are lots of prescriptive lists with shoulds and shouldn’ts. But the truth is self care practices are as diverse as the people practising them, and there’s no right or wrong way. The main thing is committing to small intentional acts consistently, no matter how much or how little time you have in your day. Many gym memberships that start with good intention in January become dormant by February, so we know setting big new year's resolutions often doesn’t work out. But small self care acts are something we can all commit to, because they’re flexible, customisable and stackable. You can’t pour water from an empty cup so taking the time to fill up with things that bring you peace, joy and relaxation is very important. There are lots of reasons to make time for it, including reducing stress, boosting mood and improving overall health.
 

Your personal self care journey

Self care is a personal journey and there’s no prescribed way. And often no one reminds you to do it, or congratulates you for it either. So it’s easy to see how it gets bumped off the busy to-do list in favour of other family, work or life responsibilities. But we wanted to start off the year with some simple suggestions for your self care stack. Only you can tune into your own mind, body and spirit so tapping into the good vibes with some go-to practices gives you a little lift or moment of peace when you need it. Doing small self care activities can raise your vibration naturally, and adding essential oils, sound frequencies and movement into the mix provides an added natural boost.

We’ll be talking about self care and lots more in our new YouTube channel launching soon.

 

Your self care stack

 

Meditation

Meditation is one of the best acts of self care you can do. It’s as easy as brushing your teeth, and studies show that meditating for just 5 minutes a day can have life-changing benefits. You can even tap into the added goodness of essential oils and sound frequency to give your meditation practice even more zen.

 

Aromatherapy 

Aromatherapy is one of the oldest and most popular ways to add a natural, vibrational lift to your health and wellbeing. This self care practice uses essential oil therapeutically to boost mental and physical wellbeing, stimulate brain function, enhance mood and promote whole body healing. Combine aromatherapy with meditation, movement or any of the other self care suggestions to enhance the experience even further. 

 

Exercise 

A known mood-booster, regular exercise or movement can have a profoundly positive impact on mental wellbeing, memory and sleep. No matter whether you enjoy yoga, jogging, dancing from your desk, or cleaning the house (yes, cleaning counts as exercise), moving your body has a unique feelgood factor. Which is what makes it a great act of self care. 

 

Skincare 

Our skin is the largest organ in the body, and looking after it with good skincare practices is a great way to connect, relax and express gratitude for the skin we’re in. Studies show that cleansing and nourishing the skin can help us feel more relaxed which benefits our mental health, and the skin-to-skin contact from your fingers on your face relaxes the facial muscles and puts you in a peaceful mindset. Combine skincare with aromatherapy and a sound bath ritual for an added vibrational boost.

 

Crystals

Using crystals for self care can be a way of tapping into protection, grounding, self love, and much much more. Some of the benefits of crystals include helping to balance emotions, boost creativity and expand the higher mind. We’re metaphysically drawn to these magical gemstones, which resonate with our energy centres, the chakras. Simply hold the crystal in your hand and set an intention, or keep your crystal on you to tap into when you need. Combine crystals with your meditation or other self care acts to bring even more shine to your glow.  

 

Singing 

Singing has multiple physical, mental and spiritual benefits, which we think makes it a great act of self care. Singing aloud on your own or in a group reduces stress, stimulates the brain and boosts cardiovascular health. Not to mention energising our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating bodily functions including metabolism, appetite, memory and immune response. Music to our ears!

 

Sleep 

Sleep care is self care. And it’s perhaps the best act of self care that we can all do everyday. Sleep is a pillar of healthy life, and many of us struggle to get enough of it. But getting eight hours of quality rest has some big positive impacts on our health, including boosting immunity, warding off heart disease, preventing diabetes and boosting mental wellbeing. Simply paying extra attention to bedtime routine, switching off technology and avoiding caffeine can help us drift off to the land of nod, so why not practice more self care horizontally, in the comfort of your own bed. Sweet dreams.  

Sarah Green - Cannabliss Content Creator 

The Graces London Team 

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