That period between Christmas and New Year can be a funny time. No one knows what day it is, many of us stay in our pyjamas until lunchtime (some of us all day) and we’re eating left-over turkey and the chocolates that no one likes for days.
But, why not make the most of the extra time you have by practising some self-care. Once the new year starts and we are back to work and routines, finding the time for ourselves can be challenging.
Most of us will end up with a tonne of smellies and bath products and now is a great time to indulge in them, not stick them at the back of the cupboard to be forgotten about.
Setting the mood for some self-care is key, so whilst the kids are occupied with their toys (spouses included), slip away and run yourself a warm bath. Light some scented candles, pour yourself a glass of wine and allow yourself to relax.
Our favourite products to use for self-care are aromatherapy oils. There are so many to choose from and each one will have different properties. Some are soothing and help you relax such as Lavender, whilst others are great for energising and lifting your mood such as Lemon. Some of our favourites include Bergamot for calming the mind and reducing anxiety, Frankincense with its sweet, spicy, woody scent (great for gut health, asthma and anti-ageing) and Palo Santo, which can help to reduce stress, pain and inflammation.
Pop a couple of drops of your favourite oils into your bath water or a diffuser for an immediate hit of aromatherapy. Alternatively, dilute a few drops with a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil or jojoba oil and massage over the body.
Not a bath fan? No problem. You can still enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy with a shower steamer. A bit like a bath bomb, this gorgeous product dissolves with water allowing the essentials oils within to evaporate and steam whilst you shower. Great for a quick fix when you need a burst of invigoration.
Another product we love to use are self-heating eye masks. These cotton masks are scented with either Lavender, Chamomile or Jasmine and gently start to warm as they are removed from the packet. They are placed over the eyes to help reduce tension, headaches, eye strain and stress. The heat normally lasts for at least 20 mins, the perfect amount of time to soak in the bath or drift off to sleep. These disposable masks are a real treat and definitely the perfect way to unwind.
Finally, when you’re feeling relaxed and cosy in your dressing gown try giving your hands or feet a massage with a hydrating cream or emollient. Whilst it might not feel quite like a spa treatment when you do it yourself, you’ll still get loads of benefits. You’ll be hydrating the skin and locking in all that moisture from your bath (or shower) and the massage stimulates blood circulation which is great for healthy, glowing skin.
However, you choose to relax this Christmas, here at Bloom, we wish you a very merry and blissful Christmas.