Self Care: My Personal Tips

Living life as a college student can definitely be stressful at times. I consider myself to be extremely busy and always on the go. Since I am constantly going and going all the time, I find that I can sometimes get tired, overwhelmed and anxious. When I feel this way, I know that it is time to practice some acts of self care. Self care is extremely important for the mind, body and soul. Don't get me wrong, everybody is different and my ways of relaxing may be completely different from yours. However, I hope that you read some of my tips and acts of self care and relate to them! Even the smallest things can truly make a difference in your mental health. It is vital to take time out of each day to practice some sort of self care. In the end, it will make you a happier person and ready to conquer whatever you have next.

1. Skincare

- My skincare routine has been so important to me lately. There is nothing better than the feeling of a freshly clean face. Even though it only takes me about 3 minutes, I feel so much better after, because I know I am doing something right for my skin and taking the time to better myself. I wash my face each morning and each night. Listed below is my skincare routine and the products I personally use.

Step 1: Wash face with Face Brush and add Face Wash

- Face Wash: Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser With White Tea {$26.00} Link Here

- Shower Face Wash: Origins Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Bright Skin Illuminating Cleanser {$33.00} Link Here

- Cleansing Brush: Amazon Vanity Planet Ultimate Skin Spa Facial Cleansing Brush, Bombshell Blue {$28.99} Link Here

Step 2: Exfoliate (only 2 times per week)

- Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion {$42.00} Link Here

Step 3: Toner

- Origins United State Balancing Tonic {$23.00} Link Here

Step 4: Facial Spray

- Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and RoseWater {$7.00} Link Here

Step 5: Moisturize

*Depending on morning or night, I will moisturize my face with these two products

- Day: Origins A Perfect World SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer With White Tea {$45.00} Link Here

- Night: Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Oil-Free Resurfacing Cream With Fruit-Derived AHAS {$45.00} Link Here

2. Candles

- Candles are my absolute favorite. They set the mood just right, and add a sense of warmth, homeliness and relaxation. My favorite candle scents switch depending on the season; however, my go to scents are lavender and vanilla. Here are some of my favorite candles I am currently using.

Amazon Capri Blue 20oz Candle (Blue Jean) {$24.80} Link Here

Bath and Body Works White Barn Scented Candle Lavender Vanilla 14.5 Ounce {$20.50} Link Here

Bath and Body Works 2018 Holiday Limited Edition 3-Wick Candle (Toasted Vanilla Chai) {$24.62} Link Here

3. Mood Lighting

- A relaxing setting is the key to self care. I normally try not to turn on the main light in my room, because it can cause headaches and almost be TOO MUCH. I tend to use the lamps in my room or my personal favorite, my string lights. The lighting paired with a good candle instantly change your mood. You can honestly get string lights anywhere, and they are pretty cheap.

Amazon Lidore 100 Counts Super Bright Clear Mini Christmas Tree Lights {$9.49} Link Here

4. Youtube, Television, Netflix

- I am a huge fan of television, movies and you-tubers. I find that winding down and watching someone else's life can turn off the negative thoughts going on in your mind and create a new sense of reality. I love reality TV shows and Netflix movies, but my personal favorite right now is YouTube. My favorite you-tubers are Danielle Carolan and Brooke Michio. They are both college students, so they are extremely relatable and they always get me motivated! Whenever I am not in the best mood, I watch one of their videos, and my mood instantly gets better. I am a huge believer in positivity, and watching/listening to other positive people can spread into your mind as well.

5. Fresh Air

- Fresh Air is great for decompressing, building energy, creating a sharper mind and is a good source of Vitamin D. I love taking long walks outside in the sunlight while listening to a podcast. It really gets my mind off things and creates a sense of positivity. The mix of the two creates a feeling of empowerment and relaxation. This ties into my next tip.

6. Podcasts

- Here are some of my favorite Podcasts!

• Gals On The Go

• Coffe Convos

• The Morning Toast

7. Meditation

- Like I said in one of my previous blog posts, I am practicing meditation. There are so many benefits to meditating and it can help with anxiety, relaxation and stress. The app I have been using to practice meditation is Headspace. It does cost some money, but I think it is worth it!

8. Read

- Reading is great for numerous reasons. I have been trying to read more lately versus being on my phone at night before bed. It is great for relaxing my eyes, decompressing and building my knowledge in different areas (depending on what book I am reading). Currently, I am reading "You Are A Badass".

8. Working Out

- I have incorporated working out into my every day lifestyle. I try to workout 5 days a week, and whether it be for 25 minutes to an hour, having that "me" time with my headphones in and the ability to release my endorphins leads to a great stress reliever. I encourage you all to do some sort of exercise each day, and you will really start to see/feel the benefits!

I hope my tips are relatable to you all, and maybe some of you will even incorporate some of these acts of self care into your life! I promise you, taking time for yourself is extremely important and can be worked into your schedule no matter how busy you are. Being mentally healthy is vital for the soul.