I always thought good health meant eating cleaner and working out, but I’ve recently discovered this isn’t necessarily the case. While both things are helpful and lead to good health, it also includes good mental health. This year, I made it my mission to find activities that contribute to good mental health and reduce stress.
An activity that helps me reduce stress is associated with good hygiene. I have come to enjoy steamy hot showers while listening to my favorite playlist. I usually take them at night after a long day to prepare for bed. After the showers, I also feel that it helps me sleep better and feel more relaxed and refreshed in the morning.
When I want to spoil myself, instead of a hot shower, I take a hot bath. I try to set a relaxing mood in the bathroom. I light a few candles and turn off the lights; I play calming noises or sometimes listen to a podcast. Another crucial item I include in the bath is Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt to help relax all my muscles.
Once I finish my bath, I get ready for bed. It has the same effect on me as the showers, but I typically try and do my bath routine over the weekend, especially as it gets colder outside. My baths take more time than my showers, but they still feel great.
The overall feeling of having good hygiene makes me feel like my life is a little cleaner and therefore helps me relax more. This year has allowed me to explore and dive deeper into self-care and create a routine that I know works to reduce my stress.
In the future, I hope to continue to add more tips and tricks to enhance my self-care routines. Self-care is the best care, and it is important to maintain it so you can feel your best.
