Do you feel like you have been working non-stop? Do you feel stressed or overwhelmed? Well, those are signs that it’s time to stop, rest and relax. Relaxation is very important and it should definitely be one of your top priorities.
Why Relaxation Is So Important?
Relaxation is important because it helps to support your overall health. It helps you to reduce stress, anxiety and muscle tension. It can also help to lower your blood pressure and boost your mood, memory and immune system.
You don’t have to go to a spa or hotel to wind down and relieve stress. You can stay in the comfort of your home and enjoy the many benefits of relaxation.
Whenever you take the time to relax, you’re practicing self-care which means you’re prioritizing one of your greatest assets and that is your health. Remember you have to take care of your health if you want to be truly productive.
Here are 7 self-care items that you can use at home to help you relax.
7 Self-Care Items to Help You Relax
1) Essential Oils
Have you noticed that what you smell can change your mood? That’s why you can use various scents to help you reduce stress and anxiety and boost relaxation. This practice typically involves the use of essential oils and it is referred to as aromatherapy.
Essential oils are natural oils that are extracted from plants. For example, lavender oil is a popular essential oil and it is extracted from the lavender plant. Some of the other calming essential oils include:
- Chamomile
- Sandalwood
- Spearmint
You can simply inhale these oils or you can use a diffuser to dispense the oil molecules in the air. You can get essential oils and aromatherapy diffusers on Amazon.
2) Journal
If you have a lot of thoughts running through your mind or if you are worried about several things, then you need a journal.
Writing is therapeutic because it helps you to process your thoughts and feelings. This can help you to be more self-aware and understand your needs and desires. Journaling can also help you to relax because you can capture all your thoughts on paper instead of ruminating on them repeatedly.
You can start journaling using a regular notebook or you can buy something fancy at your local bookstores or you can order one online. Remember that you will also need pens to write and you can also grab pencils if you want to doodle.
3) Body Scrub
Using a body scrub will help you to enjoy the benefits of a massage and an exfoliation. The gentle circular motion will help to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, improve circulation and calm your nerves.
It will also leave you with smooth, silky-soft skin. So take some time to relax as you focus on the different texture gliding over your skin. Allow yourself to be in the moment so you can notice the calming aroma and composition of the scrub.
One of the good things about using a body scrub is that you get the benefits of physical and emotional self-care at the same time.
Make sure you choose a scent that you like whether it’s calming lavender, energizing citrus or a tingling peppermint. You can get body scrubs online at Amazon.
Suggested Video: 7 Easy Self-Care Ideas You Can Do At Home
4) Calming Herbal Tea
If you want to wind down after a long day of work or if you have trouble sleeping, you can drink a cup of calming herbal tea. These teas tend to have ingredients that help to reduce stress and mild anxiety.
One of the most popular calming herbal teas is chamomile. Studies show that chamomile has apigenin which is a natural compound that can induce muscle relaxation and help you to fall asleep.
Other teas that can help you to relax and fall asleep with ease are:
- Lavender
- Passionflower
- Peppermint
You can get these herbal teas at your local grocery stores or you can order them online.
5) Biblical Affirmation Cards
Self-care is multidimensional so it’s not just about taking care of your body. It also involves nurturing your soul and spirit.
Sometimes as human beings we take on the cares of the world and we forget that God is in control. That’s why you have to remind yourself regularly and you can do that by repeating and meditating on Biblical affirmations.
I love Biblical affirmations because they are based on God’s Word so they are based on truth. They will help you to renew your mind, positively change your thought patterns and strengthen your faith in God.
You can purchase Bible verse cards on Amazon or you can buy blank cards and make your own.
Suggested article: 15 Powerful Biblical Affirmations for Christian Women
6) An Activity Book
Activity books will help you to shift your focus from your problems to the present moment. They will help to quiet your mind and reduce running thoughts so you will start to rest and relax.
You can choose activity books based on your interest and some examples are:
- Word Search
- Crossword Puzzles
- Sudoku
- Coloring books
Some activities such as coloring can also promote creativity which helps to reduce stress and anxiety and increase positive emotions. An activity book will also give your eyes a good break from the phone and computer screen.
You can order activity books online at Amazon.
7) Dark Chocolate and Nuts
Food affects your mood so what you eat can help to relax you. And that’s why I included healthy snacks on this list.
Dark chocolate and nuts are some of the healthy snacks that will provide you with nutrients that promote brain health and relax your nerves.
Studies show that dark chocolate has antioxidants that can reduce stress by lowering stress hormone levels. When choosing dark chocolate, make sure you choose the ones that have a higher percentage of cocoa solids preferably 70% or more.
Nuts are a good source of B vitamins which can help to maintain a healthy nervous system. One of the good things about nuts is that you have a variety so you can choose the one you like or you can mix and match. You can choose almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios or walnuts.
You can get dark chocolate and nuts at your local grocery stores or you can order them online.
Takeaway
Remember self-care is more than just manicures and pedicures. It’s taking a holistic approach to your health. And you have to take care of your health if you want to be productive and joyfully fulfil your purpose. So make time in your schedule for rest, relaxation and self-care.
You can make a self-care kit by placing all these items in a basket or well-decorated box. And whenever you need to de-stress, you can grab your kit and start using the self-care items to help you relax.
If you want more self-care ideas, then make sure to download my FREE 21-Day Self-Care Challenge Checklist. This checklist will help you to develop a habit of including self-care activities in your daily routine.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, therapist or a licensed mental health professional hence this information is not suitable for professional medical advice. Do not use this information as an excuse to stop taking prescribed medication.