5 Holistic Self-Care Essentials

We are finally in the homestretch before the holidays! This time of year can be so magical with all of the lights, decorations, family gatherings, and cosy nights by the fire. However, it can also be quite taxing with busy schedules, financial stress, and holiday travel. It’s very easy to forget to take care of yourself when things get hectic, but self-care is vital to our overall health and wellbeing.When we forget to take care of ourselves, our bodies tend to send us signals. We crave coffee when we are really in need of a nap, we desire rich or heavy foods when we are in need of some comfort, and we reach for sugar when we are in need of some sweetness in our lives. Instead of feeding our feelings with one too many Christmas cookies, let’s make a promise to ourselves this month to take 5 minutes a day to show our bodies a little love for all the hard work they do for us.

Here are a few of the holistic health care items that I use to show my body a little TLC.

Baths are a great way to relax the body and mind with love! Find the bathtray here and the bath pillow here

Tongue Scraper: Our mouths are where digestion begins, so keeping them clean is a big deal! I use a tongue scraper after I brush to remove any extra buildup that a toothbrush just can’t clean. Just a few gentle scrapes and you’re done! I like this one from Dr. Tung. 

Oil: The changing seasons can be hard on the skin, so I keep mine hydrated with oil. Your skin is your largest organ, absorbing 60% of everything you put on it. Good quality oils contain no chemicals, unlike lotion, and they are more easily assimilated by the body. Right now I’ve been using almond oil on my face, hands, and body, but I also love apricot, avocado, and jojoba! I like these oils from NOW. 

Dry Brush: Dry body brushing before your bath or shower is a great way to exfoliate, help encourage, lymphatic drainage, reduce cellulite, and improve circulation. Chose a good quality brush with firm bristles. Start at the toes and work toward the heart with evenly pressured strokes. I like this one made with cactus/vegetable bristles from Gute.

Deodorant: We all sweat. It’s a fact of life. However, blocking the sweat also blocks one of our natural detox systems. I keep odor at bay with a natural deodorant free of aluminum (which is a known neurotoxin linked to Alzheimer’s). Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant is the best I’ve tried so far and comes in so many amazing scents! 

Essential Oils: From helping heal cuts, scrapes, bites, pimples, and bruises, to helping ease coughs and muscle aches, essential oils are a must for any holistic medicine cabinet. I have a well stocked collection and switch up the ones I use depending on my daily needs. Today I opted for peppermint in my diffuser and on my temples to help ease a slight headache. The Intro To Essential Oils Set from Eden’s Garden is how I started my collection about 6 years ago. 

 

What are some of your self care essentials?

 

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