6 Ways To Upgrade Your Self Care Routine At Home

In partnership with Sarafumi

Self care is more than a spa day. It’s a lifestyle choice. It’s about making the most of the time you have to make sure that you are looking after yourself. This can mean different things to different people, but when you break it down it’s really all about setting time aside to take care of you. Or as our regular readers know we like to call it - putting you on your To Do list and making a To You list.

For some that might be taking a few moments of mindfulness first thing in the morning or getting outside for a walk at lunchtime. For others it might be maintaining a regular skincare routine at the end of a busy day or going to bed at a reasonable time. Whatever your self care practices look like, it’s important to remind yourself that self care is not selfish. It isn't something we should be feeling guilty about. Self care is a necessity. It's the cliché of putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others. So take a moment to think about ways you can step up your self care at home.

Here are some ideas to help.

 

1.  Schedule In A Self Care Moment.

No matter how busy your schedule is, it’s essential to create moments when you can take a pause. If you struggle to find the time day after day, it's often a good idea book an appointment with yourself - and keep it. Look at your day and identify a pocket of time where you can have a few minutes to yourself. If it's when you can sit down with your coffee first thing in the morning or have a bath at the end of the day, then identify it as a time in your day to take a breath and remove distractions. Then step up the moment. Lighting a candle is a good way to do this. Try this one made on island by hand. The name Locque Resparaï means 'just breathe' in Guernsey French. Ideal.

 

2.  Set The Scene. 

When you walk into a spa, the setting immediately makes you relax. The soft lighting. The gentle music. The simple decor. The inviting smell. It's all about triggering the senses. You can recreate this at home every day by making just a few simple changes that can take just a couple of minutes. Tidy up your space, pop on some calming music and dim the lights. And add a scent. Fragrance has long been associated with self care. The use of scent is recognised for its ability to trigger emotional and physical reactions within our body, whether it’s helping us to relax or stimulating us to sharpen our focus. Scent can also remind you of special moments in your life - or even remind you to make special moments happen. An easy way to set the scene in your home is with a diffuser so that you can walk into a room and immediately note the fragrance. These ones are filled with essential oils inspired by local scents.

 

3.  Invest in Natural Products.

One easy self care upgrade that your body will thank you for is making the switch to more natural products. We all know that what we put into our bodies should be made up of quality ingredients, and that should also apply to what we apply onto our bodies. The skin is our largest organ and it is highly absorbent, so it’s important to look at the small print and make conscious decisions with what we are puttng into and onto our bodies. Opting for skincare products made with natural ingredients is a good place to start. And remember, you don't need to take an all or nothing approach to this and throw out your whole bathroom cabinet. Just start by doing your research and when you need next need a new beauty product, why not make the switch to a more natural alternative?

 

4.  Celebrate The Outdoors.

We are so lucky to live here on an island where the coast and nature is never more than a few minutes away. The many benefits of spending time outdoors are well documented, for both our physical and our mental wellbeing. So, for many reasons, it's always worth taking the time to take in the natural beauty of Guernsey with a stroll through the green lanes after work, a Sunday morning cliff walk or a stroll along one of the Island’s many beautiful beaches. However, on days when you can't get out of the house, you may have to bring the outside in with fragrance. This range will help. Inspired by our long Guernsey summers, and literally meaning 'summer' in Guernsey French, the Etaï candle and diffuser will give you a sense of nature with a blending lemon with bergamot, mandarin, petit grain and essential oils.

 

5.  Set Yourself Up To Sleep Well.

At the end of the day - see what we did there - setting yourself up for a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to upgrade your self care routine. Good sleep improves mood, skin, hair, health... the list goes on. If a night time routine works for a baby, it will work for you too. So, cut down on screens, dim the lights, take a bath - whatever makes you relax. Make your bedroom a sanctuary where you can rest and escape from the pressures of everyday living. Keep it tidy and uncluttered and get the lighting right. If you make your bedroom a space you want to relax in, then sleep should come more easily. Want to step it up? You could even light a candle, pop on some spa music and treat your skin to some extra hydration with a rich body butter infused with exotic essential oils before hitting the hay. Heaven.

 

6.  Get Creative.

The wellbeing benefits of spending time being creative have long been recognised, so adding a creative hobby to your self care routine will benefit you in the long run. From lowered stress levels to increased self confidence, it's surprising what some time making something can do. From baking in the kitchen to knitting to crafting at the dining table, there is a lot to choose from. Plus, you never know where it might lead. After discovering a passion for fragrance, local business owner Sarah Kelly founded Sarafumi in 2016. She combined her creativity with a fascination with honey bees which led her down a path of fragrance discovery as she started working with essential oils and natural waxes to make products at home. So get creative. Who knows where your me-time could lead you?

 

A Bit About Sarafumi

 

“My ethos remains where it began, marrying the aromas of my home island with eco-friendly ingredients & responsible practices. Formulated with sustainability at the core, I aim to combine my passion for honey bees with my love for local fragrance to create luxury products empowered by the earth. Each product is designed to stimulate the senses to re-energise, relax and unwind.” - Sarah Kelly

 

Sarafumi is a local business based in Guernsey. Each product is made by hand with 100% natural ingredients from high quality waxes, vegan butters and essential oils. They have been awarded the Positive Luxury certificate, recognising the sustainability practices embedded within the company. The brand aims to promote the natural beauty of Guernsey through its products.

You can shop Sarah's products at The White Room or online