In this high stress world, we shouldn’t be neglecting to give ourselves the love we deserve. Whenever you feel mentally exhausted it’s vital to stop and take the time to regain your energy. This is why practicing a little self-care is so important!

Self-care can mean different things to different people, and there are also different types. Physical self-care is making sure you take care of your body. This can include things like exercise or maintaining a healthy sleeping pattern. In the end, physical self-care will have a positive impact on your mental health. Essentially self-care is taking time out for yourself to focus on improving your overall happiness. Relaxing, doing something you enjoy, or having a detox or declutter are all self-care activities. 

Sunday is the day of rest and therefore I think it is the perfect day to dedicate to giving yourself a little self love. Below I have given some ideas for you to try:

1. Go for a walk

There’s no better way to start your day than rolling out of bed in the morning and going for a walk. You’ll benefit from getting some fresh air, as well as a little bit of exercise. Physical activity is so good for the body and does wonders for your emotional health.

*I really enjoy listening to podcasts when I’m on a walk. I find it the best time to be able to focus on them.

2. Stretching / Yoga

There are many benefits to doing yoga. In recent years, I have become that person who preaches to everyone about how great yoga is. For years I have suffered from neck pain because of bad posture. When I’m doing yoga regularly I genuinely notice how it corrects my posture and less frequent neck pain as a result. It’s also great for increasing strength, balance and gives you an overall sense of calmness at the end of every session.

3. Read a book 

Honestly, there is nothing like the comfort of getting into a good book that transports your mind somewhere else for a few hours. Reading is a really great way to calm nerves and reduce stress. I am also a huge believer that reading before bed helps you have a better night’s sleep. 

4. Refresh your skin with a facemask

A good facemask will hydrate your skin and leave it looking brighter and more radiant. Taking care of your skin will make you feel good and put you in a much better mood. I really love the Rosy Cheeks facemask from Lush. I also enjoy various different sheet masks which I often pick up from Superdrug.

5. Light a scented candle

I am a huge fan of a good scented candle. Lighting a candle produces a really great ambience that makes your surroundings feel so cosy and welcoming. Scented candles are a step up from this and will also create a gorgeous subtle fragrance. Purchasing scented candles with soothing scents, such as vanilla, lavender and sandalwood, are the perfect addition to your self-care routine.

6. Watch a movie / tv show

This can either be something you need to focus all your attention on, or a show that is totally mindless. If it’s something that gives you joy, then it is the perfect choice. It’s always great to watch something that accompanies your mood too. For example, I love watching Queer Eye whenever my self-esteem has hit rock bottom. The Fab 5 really know how to help someone gain confidence in themselves!

7. Take a nice hot bath

A nice warm, aromatic bath is the most heavenly thing in the world. It’s one of the best ways to pamper yourself and truly indulge in your own time. It’s always a good idea to throw in a good bath bomb, or some bubble bath. I am a huge fan of the Butterball bath bomb and the Comforter bubble bar from Lush. Both have oils in them which leave your skin feeling silky smooth (I promise I’m not sponsored by Lush, I genuinely enjoy the products they do for your skin!).

8. Invest in a pillow spray

A few months ago, I had never used a pillow spray before. Now I love them so much I’ve been buying them for all my friends’ birthdays. Routinely using a pillow spray that has essential oils in it is a really calming way to help you go to sleep. I am the kind of person who often has trouble getting to sleep at night and in recent months I have personally found using a pillow spray to be so beneficial. I have been using the ‘Forette rosewater coconut citrus’ pillow spray which I found one day when I was browsing in TK Maxx [see featured image].

9. Have a cup of tea

Whilst this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended), I find one of the best ways for me to relax is to have a nice hot cup of tea. I enjoy both green and black tea. When I’m feeling lazy I just go for your regular bagged tea – I love Yorkshire Tea and Twinings! But otherwise I am a huge fan of loose leaf tea and have a very large collection. Some of my favourite places to get this from are Whittards, T2 Tea and Yumchaa.

10. Indulge in a Sunday Roast

I personally think eating good food is a massive form of self-love. As it’s a Sunday, what better choice than to have a good ol’ Sunday roast dinner. It’s also a great way to share a meal with your family / housemates. So we’re going to end this self-care Sunday list with this ultimate Sunday activity.

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Love yourself and take a break

The final thing I want to leave you with is that it’s not selfish to take time for yourself. Caring for you is just as important as caring for others. Life is stressful and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The above ideas are just some things that have personally helped me, but there are thousands of ways to practice self-care and it’s all about finding what makes you feel relaxed and happy.