The 90 second self-care hack.
This post is written by our guest contributor from Blum Organics. Be sure to visit their shop to see their beautiful range of products!
The practise of self-care is addictive; one small step in the right direction will undoubtably lead you to take one more, as you begin to notice the effect it has on your wellbeing. Committing to a self-care practice has the real possibility of improving all areas of your life, making for a happier, healthier and far more aligned version of yourself.
I can’t remember the first time I heard the term ‘self-care’ but I do remember that I originally associated it with indulgence, bubble baths, and a nonchalant ‘treat-yo-self ‘attitude. It wasn’t until the proverbial wheels fell off, and I found myself depleted in every sense of the word that I realised self-care wasn’t just an indulgence, but a necessary part of our wellbeing. Self-care doesn’t have to be an elaborate time-consuming affair. For me, I see self-care as a practice, a holistic routine that incorporates all parts of the self; mind, body and spirit.
One of the biggest barriers to self-care is time. Since becoming a mum, I have had to become creative in finding time to build self-care into and around other aspects of life. This is actually far more effective for me than waiting until the end of the day to find a moment to myself to sit down to journal or meditate. (That’s not to say that I don’t do that when I can!)
“One of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself is time.” Oprah
According to Harvard scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, all it takes is 90 seconds to interrupt and change the course of an emotion you are experiencing. When I feel overwhelmed, I take a moment to identify what it is that I need in that moment. I use this practice over and over throughout the day, especially when I feel anxiety setting in. I remind myself of the power that I have to control my reaction to things, my ability to consciously shift how I am feeling.
Having your own ritual (even as short as 90 seconds!) can not only help to make the everyday sacred but is a great way to start your self-care routine. It may just be that you bring your awareness to your breathe, taking 3 deep belly breaths to interrupt rising stress hormones. The blum organics aura mists are my tool to nip something in the bud before becoming stressed or frustrated. They give me the power of a real time check-in to recalibrate and rebalance my emotions before things begin to spiral.
There is a mist to help with everything from softening into your feminine energy, to enhancing your self-confidence. The aromatherapy benefits of the mists help to consciously induce a desired response from the limbic system in your brain.
Please don’t wait to hit rock bottom before you start making your self-care a priority. Start right now, give yourself permission to make the time you need to check in with you.