9th December 2019
Got hygge?!
Funny enough, in Denmark and Norway it’s pronounced “hoo-ga,” this Danish concept cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.
Self-care, self-love, self-support, self-nurturing or hygge… whatever you want to call it, it’s one of the greatest investments you can make for your physical, mental and emotional health & wellbeing.
Because when you nurture yourself, you’re better equipped to help others. But, self-care isn’t all about rewarding yourself at the end of a hard day or stressful week. It’s about engaging in something that is self-supportive and looks after your own needs first.
“Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s mandatory. Fuel your soul so you can give your best to your people. We need all of YOU!”
~ Dr. Sara Gottfried MD, Author of The Hormone Cure
And if you’re someone who actually finds it hard to care for yourself, and give yourself permission to carve out that time, then you probably need it more than anyone else!
If you’re not in the habit (yet) of nurturing yourself regularly, here are 50 ways to begin your self-care practice. Start small and START TODAY!
Our list was inspired by, and adapted from the following – and if you want even more ideas, please check out each of these self-care blog posts:
As you can see, self-care doesn’t need to be complicated – in fact, the simpler the better. By practicing it regularly, if not daily, you’ll not only feel more balanced physically and mentally, but it will help you to take responsibility for the way you want to feel all the time.
When your goal is to stick to a regular self-care routine, only seek out and implement the ideas that fit your personality, lifestyle, and of course – your schedule. Some ideas take more time and effort than others, so be sure they’re a good fit and that they’re something you truly enjoy doing.
Scheduling and planning out your “me time” is what usually makes a regular practice stick. By practicing at least one (or two!) of these activities every day, you’ll soon realise that self-care is indeed a necessity – and you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life!
Hopefully with this great big list of ideas, you’ve gained some inspiration to start nurturing, supporting, and loving yourself more often – the way you deserve.
“When you discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”
~ Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. & Author
Even if your busy schedule prevents you from scheduling in a well-deserved spa treatment once in a while, you can still get your natural beauty on at home with this quick & simple face mask using just a few ingredients from your kitchen!
(2 applications for face or 1 application for larger area)
2 tsp coffee grounds (caffeinated; hang on to the coffee grounds from your morning cuppa!)
2 tsp cacao powder
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (ACV, unpasteurised; can substitute with witch hazel or rose water if you have extra-sensitive skin)
1 tsp honey
1 tsp filtered water (or more if needed)
In a small glass bowl mix coffee grounds & cacao powder with a silicon spatula.
Add wet ingredients and mix until a paste forms. If it’s too thick, add a bit more water until desired consistency is reached.
Using your fingers, spread mask over face or desired area, and let sit for 10 – 15 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water using circular motions to get some gentle exfoliation of the skin.
Pat dry with a clean towel and apply a rich moisturiser – perfect routine before bed 🙂