The idea of self care or self love is both varied as it is unique. There is no one formula or mold when expressing love or affection for one’s self. It is manifested in different ways, usually changing as we go through various phases in a life. Before lockdowns and the reality of a pandemic, self care days meant a full 24 hours of doing all the things that sparked joy. It would usually begin with back-to-back workouts in my favorite studio, brunch and coffee at my favorite neighborhood café and leisurely shopping all afternoon. Somewhere in between, there would be a quick visit to an art gallery or a spa indulgence. I may even treat myself to a fancy dinner and gorgeous G&T infused with herbs.
These precious days, dedicated solely and unapologetically to loving myself, has since then evolved. Quarantine life kept us from beloved wellness space. All the same it has afforded most of us time for exploring simple, healthy, transformative lifestyle options at home. Whether it be dedicating longer hours for at-home workouts, eating and cooking better or immersing in a luxurious skincare routine, we can experience moments of self care everyday, from sun up to sun down.
CREATE YOUR OWN JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY
A strong brew in the morning is one of the hardest habits to break. Many studies, however, have shown that there are greater benefits from drinking matcha as opposed to coffee. But it’s not always the case that a coffee-lover’s taste buds can easily calibrate to the distinct profile of the green blend.
SORATE’s Japanese Matcha and Green teas burst with flavors that enhance focus and soothe the senses. A serving of the company’s best-selling Genmaicha is a tasty and healthy replacement to the usual cuppa. This simple blend of high-grade Sencha and roasted rice has been applauded by green tea experts in Japan because of its exquisite flavor and finish. Genmaicha is rich in antioxidants and is a calming tonic ideal to counter midday stress and fatigue. What I’ve discovered since starting a tea ritual each day is that quiet moments preparing the leaves and sipping on the fine blend, are actually opportunities for a little relaxation and comfort. It’s true when they say that nothing soothes quite like a warm cup of tea. Little wonder this is the warm beverage known for expressing sympathy.
SORATE’s Ceremonial Grade Matcha is a savory elixir that celebrates Japanese tea traditions dating back to the 17th Century. With leaves sourced from the rolling hills of Uji, Japan, this invigorating beverage is said to be the better alternative to coffee. Benefits of matcha include anti-inflammation, better oral health, as well as enhanced absorption of anti oxidants. I also love how matcha gives you the energy boost without the jitters. Experiencing these teas throughout various times of the day are made even more special with SORATE’s chic and sleek shaker.
DISCOVER AYURVEDIC HEALING
Most of us were raised to believe that medicine will fix us. Headache? Pop a Paracetamol. Body pains and aches. Another one to get you through. Feeling out of shorts and off center. Take a few more pills the road. What my wellness journey has revealed to me so far is that it is our bodies that heal us—not what’s inside our medicine cabinet. Through right nutrition, mindful movement and meditation, we can actually bring our bodies to a state of balance which ultimately heals and restores. Simplified, sickness and disorders are manifestations of imbalance. That’s why it’s called disease—or rather, a dis-ease.
For over 5,000 years, Ayurvedic medicine has worked on the premise that when we strike a balance between mind, body and spirit, we achieve optimal health. When we are stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, nerves and hormones lose balance. Ultimately, this also compromises our immune systems. DEJA’s Mind Balance Supplements brings sense of calm and brain support through Ayurvedic healing traditions. These daily supplements are packed with adaptogens like Ashwanga and Tulsi, that help both mind and body deal with everyday stresses. Nootropics (like herbal Brahmi, Valo, Nagarmotha and Shankhavali) boosts brain and memory power. Calming ingredients like Amla, Kesar and Jatamansi keep the mind from going on overload even on days when the Zoom meetings never seem to end. In a time when we are learning more about the value of mental health and overall wellness, the right supplements that support us each day is no longer an expense. Rather, it is a worthy investment.
INDULGE IN THE GOLD STANDARD OF BODY CARE
Booking a spa massage may not be as readily available today as it once was. This does not mean that our limbs should be deprived of the regular TLC it deserves. Luxury skincare brand, GILDED, was founded with the intention of bringing “new focus to body care in order to help transform lives.” Its founder, Blair Armstrong, explains: “I noted the inordinate amount of time we spend caring for skin on our faces, and how we don’t spend as much time or take as much care with our body care practices… I set out to change the way we approach body skincare. To make it as enjoyable and pleasant as possible.”
GILDED’s Body Kit offers the full luxury experience without having to leave home. It includes the award-winning Marble Body Brush, which now occupies a place of pride on my dresser. The fine marble base set the tone for an indulgent self care ritual just before jumping into the tub. Apart from this brush looking beautiful on the beauty counter, its bristles are at the ideal thickness and density so that dry brushing feels comforting yet invigorating. I’ve gone through several brushes, most of which were too tough on skin. There are countless benefits for dry brushing, such as lymphatic drainage, exfoliation and improved blood circulation. Regular dry brushing also improves the appearance of cellulite so you’ll want to devote added circular, upward strokes on the thigh and abdominal areas.
For softer and smoother skin, immerse in GILDED’s saccharine Body Polish. It is formulated with organic sugar and lychee fruit extracts to rid body of dead skin cells. The result: brighter, smoother skin. For optimum results, exfoliate at least once a week. Follow luxurious showers or baths with a layer of ultra hydrating Supreme Body Balm. A great moisturizer especially during the cold months, this body balm is enriched with Cupuacu butter, Shea butter and meadow foam seed oil to heal, protect and restore dry, aging and even sunburned skin. It leaves a sheer, barely-there finish so that you can wear it even during the day. Blair advices, “I would recommend moving past the utilitarian function of a shower and bath, to slow down and try to enjoy the process. Indulge in the simple pleasure of a bath. The benefits are numerous and varied… Including improved sleep and rest, lower levels of stress and higher subjective happiness…”
HARNESS A CULTURE OF LOVE AND LONG BATHS
Speaking of baths, there are countless ways to enjoy the cleansing ritual, and not one is better than the other. BATHING CULTURE’s Mind & Body Wash is a current favorite especially for mornings the require a jolt of freshness. This “naturally, radical, certified organic” wash is a refreshing daily cleanse the lifts the senses. I particularly love jumping into a shower and slathering the on this Cathedral Grove fragrance following an intense workout. As the team puts it, “feels like jumping into a cold river on a hot day.”
The Mind & Body Wash pairs beautifully with Bathing Culture’s Outer Being Face and Body Oil. It is a current obsession that nourishes tired, inflamed and dry skin. Initially created as a facial oil, this all-around potion is formulated with vitamins C and E, essential fatty acids and antioxidants to help heal, restore and invigorate. It is also a great face oil for soothing acne-prone skin. Outer Being feels heavenly on skin as it deeply hydrates without the sticky, eeky feeling. It is a skin and body care essential currently front and center on my beauty counter.
LIGHT UP YOUR SPACE
A home, let alone any room, can never have too many candles. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, the simple act of lighting delightfully scented wax can do wonders to enhance overall disposition. It also sets the tone for the kind of self care you give yourself throughout the day. I once read that there are merits to starting your day by lighting candles. With the right scent, bougies can be energizing at the start of each day, revitalizing by afternoon and soothing as soon as the sun sets.
Just before jumping into your first Zoom meeting or making your first brew, take a few moments to set the tone for an invigorating, productive day. MALA’s Cabin Fever is a a beautiful bougie to light in the mornings. Essences of Cypress, Evergreen and Moss bring the outdoors to your confined spaces. Cabin Fever is especially wonderful when you want to counter feelings of restlessness or anxiety from being cooped up for prolonged periods of time. When used while meditating, it transports senses to verdant, tranquil forests that awaken mind, body and soul. Other scents that bring light to any day include Sunrise (a blend of Chesnut, Amber and Cedarwood) as well as Cereal. The latter is a yummy fragrance that fills your breakfast space with impressions of lemon, citrus and berry.
Sometime throughout the day, you’ll want an extra dose of inspiration, or simple a creative break. MAISON FRANCIS KURKDIJANS’s Baccarat Rouge 540 recalls the magic of craft and heritage with a candle that envelopes your space with creative olfactory treasures. A distinctive blend of jasmine, saffron, cedar wood and ambergris will inspire you to get through the last items on your to-do list. I might even spark a new idea for that most exciting project that’s got you feeling stumped.
As soon the clock reads happy hour, begin to unwind and prepare for an evening of self-care. Pack up your laptop, step out of your home office, open a bottle of red and let OBJET D’EMOTION’s Peau-Eme bougies illuminate your space. The first candle by retail concept OBJET D’EMOTION, this fragrant wax takes inspiration from childhood memories of company founder and jeweler, Valery Demure. Conceived in collaboration with Jonathan Ward, Peau-Eme is an ode to cherish moments in the past—her grandmother’s rose perfume, a whiff of saffron from a Persian friend’s garment or white pepper on a beautiful dinner spread.
Setting boundaries is an integral part of a self-love practice. It begins when you draw the line between work and rest. Work texts or emails sent way past dinner time—unless subjects are matters of life and death—do absolutely nothing to ease you into a good night’s rest. I personally consider it to be a blatant violation of one’s peace and sanity. FORVR Mood’s Left On Read scented candles brought a knowing smile to my face upon first encounter. This delicious blend of tropical fruit, coconut and caramel was created “for all the times you need to be focused on yourself.” It’s the kind of self care essential to have in your bedroom or bathroom that supports the choice to hold off on responding to invasive texts and emails. After all, nothing could be more important that you.
MASTER YOUR MIND AND YOUR CALM
Mediation is a priceless, precious gift that lies at the core of any self care practice. When you calm your mind and clear your thoughts, you give yourself the ultimate form of affection. BEFORE-NOON’s Love Tool Box is a gorgeous, mindfully curated set that reminds us of this one truth: “You are loved and worthy of love.”
Tools in this box set include a smudge stick for clearing and cleansing your space. Light the stick and let the white smoke clear away the day’s stresses and tensions. A rose quartz crystal helps bring forth a sense of unconditional love. Place it by your bedside or carry around in your purse. The BEFORE—NOON team also suggests placing holding it over your heart for a few minutes or while in meditation. To enhance these sacred moments of self-love, apply the Calming Serum on any of your pulse points.
Get into a meditation practice or discover the many mindful exercises at LIBERATE STUDIO. The online classes on offer within this digital space combines movement, reflection journaling and meditation “to help you to live lightly and more fully in the present.” You can access a wide range of sessions from 90-minute Get Grateful classes to 30-minute Get Calm sessions.
Following a mind and body recharge, develop a habit of journaling. After a recent Shamanic Breathwork class co facilitated by Live With Resonance’s Malou Araneta with NAFAS Journeys, we were encouraged to write down or draw thoughts and experiences that arose from the meditation. It was a great way to integrate after a mindful practice and a remarkable medium for creativity. BEFORE—NOON’s 30 Days of Healing, which is also included in the Love Tool Box, is the ideal canvas for your very own self love narrative.
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