What do you think of when you hear "self-care"? 

Self-care has become such a buzz phrase over the past few years, but what is it exactly? Is it a full day of hair, nails, and massages? Or is it meditating or sleeping in...or going to the gym or a yoga class?

The truth is that self-care can be all of those things or something totally different. Why? Because self-care is deeply personal. 

I define self-care as the act and art of providing nourishment and a safe space for ourselves; mind, body, and spirt. Fortunately, figuring out what self-care practices feed your soul can be a fun and eye-opening experience. And it doesn't have to take all day.

During the times when our spirits our low, our bodies are tired, or we're mentally drained and need a "pick me up", here are 7 of my favorite Self-care "reset rituals". They all have proven benefits and can be completed in 15 minutes or less.

1. Soak your feet.  A very warm foot soak helps to release energy blockages in the body and provides a calming energy boost. We also release toxins through our feet and absorb the relaxing benefits of essential oils and bath salts. This makes foot soaks a super effective "pick me up" to relax or de-stress. 
2. Take a bath. Studies show that a nice warm bath can reduce depression and boost the immune system. Baths give your body the sensation of being in the womb and encourage feelings of comfort, which makes it easier for us to self-soothe and feel relaxed. Adding bath salts and/or essential oils can increase these benefits. So, take a bath tonight and if you're feeling adventurous; add fresh rose petals to really elevate the self-love vibes and add a little razzle dazzle. Tip: to get the full relaxation benefits of a bath, the water should cover your navel.
3. Just breathe. Seriously, take 5 minutes to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take long, slow, deep breaths and feel the air as it travels in and out of your mouth and nose, in and out of your lungs, and to and from your belly. Imagine there's a rose or beautiful flower right in front of your nose and feel yourself gently and slowly inhaling the beautiful natural aroma. And then imagine yourself gently releasing that beautiful aroma into the world as you breathe out. I love to do this while holding certain crystals, like rose quartz or amethyst; but you don't need crystals to experience these benefits. If you've never tried focused breathing, I encourage you to take 5 minutes and try it now. You may be surprised and how soothed and calm you feel when you're finished. 
4. Go for a 10 minute walk in nature. This doesn't have to mean journeying deep into the woods. If you can be somewhere near trees, shrubs, or flowers, then that should suffice. If you can take your shoes off and let your feet touch the earth, then that's even better.  As you take your walk, truly look around at the nature surrounding you. Be thankful for it. This is a great opportunity to practice the breathing exercise mentioned in #3.
5. Dance. Turn on some music that makes you feel good and move your body to the rhythm. It can be a sensual slow song, afrobeats, gospel, trap music,  binaural beats, etc...it doesn't really matter as long as it makes you feel good when you hear it. Just take a few minutes or 1-2 songs and get lost in the music and really move your body. Dancing helps to uplift your mood and ease anxiety. Plus, it releases tension in your body. Sounds cliche, but...dance like nobody's watching. 
6.  Read a good book. There's something about a good book that calms the mind and transports you into the story and away from real world stresses. Did you know that reading has similar benefits to meditation? When you're  reading, your mind is focused on a single task; comprehending the words in the story or book. That means your mind is not focused on stress or anxiety-related thoughts.  So, even if you only have time to read one (1) chapter, allow your mind to escape into a great book.
7. Have a cup of herbal tea. I grew up drinking herbal tea (thank you mama) and so this is one of my favorites. Certain types of tea can help to soothe nervous tension and relax the mind, body, and spirit. Studies show that drinking warm liquids can reduce stress and improve circulation, which helps to move stagnant energies in our bodies. These benefits are boosted when we drink herbal tea with medicinal benefits. Some of my favorite teas for relaxation and stress relief are tulsi (holy basil), linden flower (tila), and chamomile.

As you can see, self-care doesn't require a day of planning or an elaborate game plan. We just need to be able to center ourselves and reconnect with the calming energy force that lies within us all. 

Have you tried any of the self-care practices above? Do you have your own simple, but effective self-care "pick me up" practices? If so, please share them in the comments. I'd love to hear about them and they may benefit someone else reading the post. If you've decided to try any of the items above, please share your experience, I'd love to know how it worked for you.

Until next time,

Nicole Jennings