Whenever you're faced with a difficult day or period in your life, its good to know you can rely on some simple self care ideas to help you feel better and take back control.
Difficult days are usually caused by triggers that disrupt your focus and your mental or emotional state.
So the key is to know how to manage those triggers and how to release the tension so that you can feel happy and positive again.
Here we share some of our favourite self care ideas to help you get through those difficult days or periods in your life whenever they arise.
Reminder: Why Self Care is Important
Not to be confused with being selfish, self care is ultimately about being responsible for the choices you make in your life and health.
It is also about taking better care of yourself and being conscious of the little things that can bring you back into a state of homeostasis, harmony and balance.
Remember, self care is meant to be simple and a holistic way to generate positive energy for your mind and body that can help you navigate your way through life and feel empowered and in control of your destiny.
1. Get Some Grounding
By getting outside and connecting your body to the earth, it can profoundly and positively impact your health, mood and how you feel.
Grounding, otherwise known as "earthing" involves putting your skin directly in contact with the earth's surface, allowing you to absorb its electricity.
This positively charged energy has profound anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties for the body and brain and also a very calming and levelling effect.
The simplest way to get the benefit of Earthing, is to simply go out for a 20-30 minute bare foot walk on the sand at your nearest beach or grass at your local park.
2. Exposure To Sunshine
Just 15 minutes of morning sun each day, can give you all the vitamin D you need to lift your spirits and boost your immune system.
Sunlight also stimulates feel good chemicals in the brain, such as Serotonin, known for regulating mood and mental focus. So if you're having a difficult day, getting outside for a little time in the sunshine can work wonders for getting back on track.
Learn more in our blog: Four Key Reasons Why You Need Sunshine For Health & Wellbeing
3. Brisk Walk Outdoors
Brisk walking around your neighbourhood, local park, beach or in the woods, can quickly help recalibrate your mind.
When you walk briskly outdoors, you take in fresh oxygen into your lungs and brain and get your blood flowing. It also is a wonderful way to clear your mind, release mental stress and to reset your focus and intention.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, down or frustrated, taking a brisk walk is one of the best things you can do to help your mind and body release stress and rebalance.
4. Tune In To Some Inspiration
Sometimes when you're having a difficult day, inspiration and laughter is the best medicine to change up your emotional state so that you feel happy and positive again.
Laughter boosts your mood, strengthens immunity, diminishes physical pain and protects you from the harmful effects of stress. Nothing works faster to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.
Also, some days will call for more positivity and perspective. And these are good days to tune into a motivational or inspiring audio podcast or video message which can reshape your mindset and how you're feeling.
5. Embrace Essential Oils
Known for their natural therapeutic properties, aromatherapy is the practice of breathing in the powerful scents of pure plant essential oils.
Even the busiest of people can practice this simple self care idea: diffuse uplifting and calming essential oils in your work space and home environment.
Recommendations for stress and anxiety include: Clary Sage, Lavender, Frankincense and Peppermint.
6. Enjoy a Salt Bath
Slipping into the hot bath infused with Epsom Salts and 10-12 drops of your favourite essential oils, is a quintessential self care relaxation technique to destress your body and mind.
7. Exfoliate Your Skin
Gentle skin exfoliation is an invigorating technique, that not only strips dead skin cells and revitalises your skin, it also opens the pores, boosts circulation and infuses the blood with calming essential oil nutrients.
Try our soothing all natural Renew Salt Scrub prepared from Celtic Sea Salt, Vegetable Glycerin, Pure Essential Oils and infused with 24 Karat medicinal gold flakes.
8. Lie Down And Relax
Lying flat on your back with your feet up against a wall or resting on a chair is a wonderful way to regulate blood flow, relieve swollen ankles, improve digestion and alleviate cramps or internal body discomfort. 5-10 minutes of this type of relaxation can help you to reduce stress and re-set.
10. Sip Herbal Tea
Peppermint tea is a fantastic aromatic tea that can help relieve stress and anxiety. The menthol contained in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant and breathing fresh peppermint can help clear the mind. Find a source of organic peppermint tea leaves or simply add a couple of drops of Peppermint Essential Oil to a mug of warm water, relax and enjoy.
Chamomile tea is derived from dried flowers and is well known for its ability to soothe stress, support relaxation and its ability to reduce menstrual pain and inflammation.
11. Do a Clay Mask
Pull out impurities and cleanse your skin with a simple DIY clay mask. In less than 10 minutes, your skin can feel softer, younger and cleaner.
Learn more: Health & Beauty Benefits of Clay Masks & How to Make Your Own.
12. Pick a Light Read
A great way to switch off digitally or from the rigours of a difficult day, is to grab an easy-read book and then relax on the couch, in the bath, or read in bed before you go to sleep.
13. Do Some Journaling
Writing for just five minutes in a journal has been shown to help people de-stress and sleep better. Writing out your feelings gets them out of your head and onto paper, which can make them more tangible and easier to deal with.
What's more, writing out worries or repetitive thoughts can help you get rid of them by giving them a home that's not in your mind.
14. Hug Someone Close
Whether it’s your spouse, a friend, your child or pet, physical touch is one of the most soothing ways to release tension, tune in to gratitude and to let go of any negative thoughts or emotions on difficult days. Love and connection are basic human needs, which can help relieve stress and anxiety as they show up in our day-to-day lives.
15. Feed Your Emotions
On difficult days, get down to your local fresh produce market and take in the colours of foods from nature's table. Whole plant foods carry an electrical force that our cells can identify with, and when you embrace them, they can bring harmony and balance to your body and mind.
Be conscious of the wide variety of colours available and choose a selection of fresh produce that appeals to you. Go home and prepare yourself a wholesome meal.
The Main Take Away
It is completely normal to experience difficult days or periods in life from time to time.
However, the key is to know how to manage those phases so that you can easily bounce back and feel good about life again.
Tap into the suggestions offered to you here that resonate with you, and you'll find that you'll have plenty of tools in your tool box to deal with whatever challenges life throws your way.
Tolman Self Care.
