Treat Yourself!

We all know self-care is so important. To be able to flourish we must nourish, and to be able to nourish we have to flourish. We can’t pour from an empty cup so we can’t forget about ourselves. Sometimes we all need a bit of pampering and that is totally fine! We can definitely pamper ourselves, which we know what we truly love so who else is better to pamper ourselves then us!? So I wanted to do a slightly different type of post than I usually do and share some ways to treat and pamper yourself. Ways that I have found work for me and are perfect de-stressing tools as well! I would so love if at the end you would leave some of your self-care tips in the comment section! Thank you xo

 

Exploring Coffee Shops- Every town has cute little coffee shops hidden in plain sight. You know the feeling when you discover one, walk in the door and get blown away by the cute factor of the shop and THEN get a coffee and pastry. You can journal while there too. I love to bring writing instruments to a coffee shop, and just allow myself time. Time to enjoy my coffee, enjoy the environment around me, and enjoy writing. Journaling/writing has become very therapeutic for me recently. Writing down my real thoughts and feelings and not trying to hide them or shy away from those feelings, but embracing them and being proud about them. So I guess this is almost a two part self care for me. Journaling AND coffee shops! My favorite coffee shop in town also has AMAZING breakfast food so I make a morning of it if I have the time.

Baking Shows- The Great British Baking Show and Chef’s Table! Two of my favorite TV shows…. For me a very calming way for me to unwind is to watch either of these two shows. They both focus on the beauty and art of food so make it an overall fun experience. Now you could watch anything that helps you unwind, it doesn’t just have to be cooking shows, but find a show that you can feel calm while watching. Plus I love learning about food and then I get inspired to go try some of the creations out in the kitchen myself. Cooking and baking can also be a therapeutic activity for me and then I get to eat my creations at the end!

Spa Day- Take a day or an afternoon off to pamper yourself. This could be a bath, shower, pedicure or manicure, massage…. Etc. I don’t take baths because our tub is too small and I end up just getting cold and tense, but for those of you that have a nice big tub take the time to soak in the warm water and relax. Turn on calming music, light some candles, get a bath bomb, but go the extra step to make yourself feel better and rejuvenated. Heck even have a big glass of wine on the floor by the tub, treat yourself like royalty!

Get Outside- This could be a hike or even just a leisurely walk, but especially if it’s nice outside it feels so great to go get your blood moving. During the spring and summer you can maybe look up and see if your town has local rose gardens or river paths so you get to soak in all the beauty while just taking a brief stroll. You could also stop at that cute coffee shop and pick up a coffee to go to take along with you for your walk. Just take the time to soak in the sun, the sounds, the smells, all the nature surrounding you and see how it makes you feel whole again.

Wine Tasting- Plan a day trip and go explore a winery! Bring snacks along so you can make a meal out of the experience as well. Most wineries will have gorgeous views and places you can explore and soak in the beauty while enjoying a glass of wine as well! This is a perfect trip to do with a group of friends so you can all unwind together as well as catch up if you haven’t seen each other in a while! During the summer a lot of wineries will have live music on the weekends so that makes the experience even more enjoyable! I love winery days during the summer.

Restaurant Time- There has got to be a new restaurant in town that you haven’t tried yet! So plan an evening to go with some friends, or solo if you want, to try something new! Enjoy and relish in the whole experience and new environment. If you want something you know you love however, for a self-care treat go to your favorite restaurant. Order your FAVORITE dish and just let all the happy feelings recharge you as you fill your stomach with the yummy food. I love trying new places, but sometimes when I just need some self-pampering that I know I’ll love no questions asked I go to my favorite restaurant in town. They serve my favorite Pad Thai hands down, and then I get a Thai iced tea and am a happy camper. It’s the little things in life!

 

Adding little extra calming things during your every day rituals can make them more fun and less like a chore as well. Adding music throughout your day and tasks definitely speeds the process up, plus you can have a little dance party to break up the monotony. I love having room fresheners handy so I can spritz yummy smells while I’m working, resting, dancing, writing… etc. I love getting that perfumy hint and it makes me think happy thoughts. Just little things you can add to your every day that make you stop and smile. I definitely consider that self-care even if it’s not full on pampering. You’re making the daily grind a little sweeter!

What are ways you like to pamper yourself and de-stress? These are just the main few for me. I definitely love playing music as well to de-stress. Give yourself a day every so often where you focus on YOU. You focus on things that relax you, make you feel happy and brighter. You deserve days like that! We all do….. Don’t be a burn out waiting to happen. Instead take the time to nourish AND flourish. Xoxo

All the best!

S’Agapo

Photo by Stephan Bullard