It’s more important than ever for us to slow down and show a little kindness to ourselves.
First: try unclenching your jaw, removing your tongue from the roof of your mouth, and relaxing your shoulders that have unknowingly crept up towards your ears.
Feel better?
Despite what you see on social media, self-care is in no way a one-shoe-fits-all affair. We mean, if this past year of complete cabin fever has taught us anything, it’s that what may have worked previously to help us unwind in life before lockdown, might not have quite the same effect on us nowadays.
Our bodies and our minds are craving new routines and sometimes, a bubble bath just ain't gonna cut it. So, what does self-care look like these days?
For some, this will be watching Bridgeton marathons whilst cradling a glass of rogue, others may find it by sweating their stress, dropping into a virtual world, or taking that one step closer to self-employment. The real question, is what is your self-care secret?
Whether you’re curious, or genuinely in need of a little wellness inspo, below are a variety of tried and tested self-care routines, and the words of the lovely ActiveMe.life staff members behind them.
Read on to explore our favourite self-care tips ’n tricks...
SARAH PERKINS - email MARKETING EXECUTIVE
"PRIORITISING SLEEP HYGIENE AND GETTING LOST IN BOOKS.
"Like most, when I’m feeling the effects of a mental health spiral my sleep is one of the first things to go. And also like most, I know how sleep is a maaaajooorrrr essential in my day-to-day mood, hangry-ness, and just general will to do anything.
"So whether my anxiety is building or there’s been a hiccup in my life, the first thing I prioritise is my winding down routine. From a bubble bath using Lush’s sleepy range to spraying a lavender mist on a silk pillow - all aid in helping me get an extra few hours and uplifting my mood a few notches.
"Intertwined with this is my ever-growing colour coordinated bookshelf and piled high TBR list. But find a fiction, whether that’s an engrossing thriller or page flipping chick-lit, to get lost in. The imaginary world really helps me deal with the one we’ve got right now. So of course my favourite moments and true happy place are combining these both - when I’m clean out the bath and lathered in moisturizer, to slide into fresh sheets and break the spine on a read."
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LAURA BLYTHE - CRM MANAGER
"A TAN MAKES EVERYTHING FEEL BETTER.
"When I’m feeling low or in need of a confidence boost, I almost always turn to a bottle of the dark stuff… not spiced rum this time, but Bondi Sands extra dark."A good fake tan can cover a multitude of sins and give you a little pick-me-up when you don’t feel like you’re looking your best.Don’t just slap it on either, really enjoy the process.
Hot shower with a good exfoliating scrub.
Moisturize the dry areas - knees, elbows, ankles, wrists.
Top tip for blondes; add a little Vaseline to your hairline to act as a barrier.
I prefer a foaming tan and apply with a mitt always! As an extra treat use a big bronzer-type brush to apply to your face.
Pop on a tune that always gets you moving and dance around until dry to touch. Tip stolen from Mrs. Hinch; sleep inside a single duvet cover to avoid tan stains on the bed sheets!"
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MADELEINE RHODES - SENIOR EDITOR
"A HOT SHOWER, GLOSSIER’S MOON MASK & ONE OF MY NANNA’S FAMOUS ROCK CAKES (FRESH OUT THE OVEN, WITH A CUP OF TEA TO SLURP ON OFC).
"My alter-ego really wanted me to say that I go out and exercise to the point where I sweat my stress indefinitely. But who am I kidding? That routine has not happened in a long while. And I'm absolutely okay with it.
"Instead, I’ve swapped the hugging Lycra for a hug from my warm shower - something which chills my mind out completely and lets me fully recharge. I also decided to invest in a stellar, super moisturizing face mask during lockdown 2.0 which I now slather on (albeit still sparingly), post-shower for some serious skin-loving magic.
"But the real self-care 'love' comes from my Nanna's famous rock cake recipe. These 'lil cakes are something I grew up on as a child, and now, as soon as I smell them baking brings back such blissful memories. Pair one of those fresh out of the oven with a good brew, and blimey, I'm as good as being 10-years-old again - back in my Nanna's house, curled up on the sofa with my family."
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JENNI HARRISON - SENIOR PRODUCER
DOG WALKS AND COFFEE. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
"Scheduling in dog walks with that one other person between meetings and before it gets dark, gets me through the week!
"Weekends have become an extravagant version of this! My boyfriend and I will get a takeout (recent fav: Steamhouse Bagels - we see a lot of GS ppl in the queue here!), and then we’ll go for a big walk and eat our bagels on a bench somewhere.
"I really look forward to these walks and actually start planning them in the week. Any good B’ham based coffee shops/dog walk recommendations, let me know!"
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CHLOE LANSBURY - SOCIAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE
"SOMETIMES SELF-CARE CAN BE FOUND IN CARING FOR OTHERS.
"My routine is super simple but it's finding the time to be with loved ones, and going on walks with my boyfriend and my puppy."Whilst we can't physically 'be' with anyone else at the moment, just simply calling my mom and nan, not for any reason, but just to chat, gossip and feel like we are together again."
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GRACE BROUGH - SENIOR CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE
"BEING ORGANISED IN AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE HELPS ME FOCUS AND FEEL CALM.
Start the day with enough time to look and feel good, by showering & doing my makeup the same I would for a normal day. It seems a little sad, but the worse I feel, the more I try and make an effort. It's almost like a self-confidence boost, getting myself out of that sluggish feeling and the occasional nice comment (even on zoom) is just a nice little feel good!
Always have time for a quick chat! Sometimes we are jumping from one meeting to another and talking about work work work, but as we would if we were grabbing at coffee at work or having lunch with everyone, I try to spend a little time having a nice life chat in the day to make everything feel less robotic!
Get out the house, even if it's just a quick walk, but it's a must to help me sleep and get the fresh air.
MAKE LISTS ALWAYS! The unknown stresses me out, so when I write it down & look at what I need to do/am thinking about, it's 9/10 much less that I am worrying about.
Finally something I do to chill & mentally feel organised is meal prep, the more I can help future me the better, so I try spend time on Sunday/mid-week cooking (1. because I love it/& food lol) but also, less little things you have to think/worry about, the better."
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CHLOE LANSBURY - SOCIAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE
"SOMETIMES SELF-CARE CAN BE FOUND IN CARING FOR OTHERS.
"My routine is super simple but it's finding the time to be with loved ones, and going on walks with my boyfriend and my puppy."Whilst we can't physically 'be' with anyone else at the moment, just simply calling my mom and nan, not for any reason, but just to chat, gossip and feel like we are together again."
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CHLOE LANSBURY - SOCIAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE
"SOMETIMES SELF-CARE CAN BE FOUND IN CARING FOR OTHERS.
"My routine is super simple but it's finding the time to be with loved ones, and going on walks with my boyfriend and my puppy."Whilst we can't physically 'be' with anyone else at the moment, just simply calling my mom and nan, not for any reason, but just to chat, gossip and feel like we are together again."
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TODAY IS A NEW DAY. AS IS TOMORROW. AND EVERY DAY IS STILL YET TO COME.
Please take some time to look after yourself and find a self-care routine that works for you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
This might be tough, but we will be tougher.