Springtime!  The sun’s light shines longer. The air and soil feel warmer. Trees sprout leaves. Seeds grow, flowers bloom, birds sing. From nature’s beautiful emergence from dormancy to life, we can all learn a lesson about beauty routines and self-care. Spring is the best time to plant vegetable seeds. Will those seeds grow into strong, healthy plants without water, sunlight, soil, space and someone to tend to them? Will we grow strong and healthy if our personal needs are unmet? Can we live life well without seeing the beauty within and amongst us? Opening ourselves up to beauty and to self-care is the surest way to tend to our physical and emotional well-being. In other words, self-care is a beautyroutine with beauty going way beyond the way we look, to the way we feel, hear, taste, smell and see the world.
You and your needs are important. A happy, confidant person takes risks and pushes their potential. However, do not create goals or expectations for your self-care beauty routine. It isn’t a to-do list, but it should be a priority. It’s supposed to feel slightly indulgent. Nature takes care of itself in wonderous ways. You can too.
Self-care beauty in the morning
Drink water when you wake up to hydrate your body and lift your mood. Nourish your skin with a vegan cellular day cream. Walk around the block or go workout in a gym. Enjoy a morning ritual of your own creation. Whether it’s a cup of coffee, reading a poem or doing an early morning stretch, make it your own. Brushing your teeth doesn’t count, though that is important.
Self-care beauty in the moment
Let your senses bring you to the present moment wherever you are. Forget about the past and future, focus on now. What’s in front of you? Behind you? Above or below you? Does it move? Is there color, texture, smell? Relish the moment. Be mindful. This simple act of mindfulness can reduce stress and rumination while boosting working memory, focus, cognitive flexibility and self-insight. It can eliminate that feeling of always being busy and rushed. Now that’s a beautiful thing.
Self-care beauty at work
Take short breaks during your workday to stay happy, motivated and productive. Go outdoors to feel the wind in your hair. Walk through office hallways. Say hello to someone you don’t know. Ask others about their work. Write down the things you like about your work. Whether you’re standing or sitting most of the day, watch your posture. Good posture reducesfatigue and strain on your body’s ligaments and muscles as well as stress on your spine. Also, protect your private life by setting boundaries between your personal and professional life. You don’t need to be accessible 24 hours a day.
Self-care beauty in the evening
Get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. During sleep your brain merges memories, eliminates toxins and creates neural pathways. Give it enough time to do its thing. Remember to apply a vegan cell renewal night cream so that your skin can do its thing during sleep – repair damaged cells, build up collagen and hyaluronic acid molecules, and moisturize.
Self-care beauty any time
Each day create a happiness moment. Be aware of what makes you happy. Laugh, cry, hug. Expressing emotion is a release.
Your brain loves novelty so shake up your routine. Take a different route to work. Change your nail color. Wear new makeup or put on a flirty spring dress to change your look.
Eat healthy. Create your own menu for the week that includes fresh foods. This can help you avoid impulse eating due to a lack of time. Set a regular meal time. Enjoy your meal, whether you are alone or with others. Consume protein and carbs to stay fueled.
Stop the negative self-talk. Once you hear that voice replace it with a thought you enjoy – a fun vacation, a beautiful mountain or prairie, a loved one’s smile. Beauty outweighs the negative.
Nurturing a plant or garden has therapeutic benefits. Nurturing others through volunteer work can be self-care since what you give is often returned tenfold. Good Karma.
Yoga and meditation merge mind, body and spirit. A daily practice of even several minutes a day can reap lots of benefits for your well-being. Increase your energy, while reducing blood pressure, anxiety and depression.
Lighten your load, literally. Only carry what you truly need and want. Baggage slows us down and wreaks havoc on our posture.
Fresh flowers, a glass of wine, a bath and an all-natural hydrating body cream will please your senses. Keeping your skin moisturized and smooth to the touch is an easy way to pamper your body. It creates a soothing sensation that makes you feel prized.
Create moods with lighting, candles, music, a good book or movie. Take time to relax. Invite friends or just breathe and sit with your own thoughts. Write down a few things you are grateful for. This will shift your mindset to one of abundance rather than scarcity.
Finally, respect your own mind-body-spirit needs. Your health and beauty practices are different from anyone else. Do what’s right for you.
(photo: Daria Shevtsova/pexels)