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Research and find some essential oils that bring you joy. Find some that are known to help limit stress. Diffuse them in areas of your home or work where you can enjoy them everyday.

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Taking care of yourself is not selfish, and it's not hard to do. Self-care goes beyond a day at the spa. Any activity that you engage in that takes care of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being is considered self-care. Essential oils have been shown to elevate moods, promote relaxation, increase focus, and bring on feelings of peace. In other words, they are perfect for practicing self-care! Here are 8 Ways to Practice Self-Care with Essential Oils.

When I told my two closest friends I was writing a blog post about self-care they literally both laughed out loud. No joke. I am really, really bad at self-care. But I to be better. I to be better, for myself and my family.

This New Year, I did some reflection into what was missing from my daily routine, and what I could do differently to make this my best year yet. I realized that the biggest thing missing was 'me' time. A few moments to myself each day, doing only something that I wanted to do. As a busy, working mom those moments are few and far between. At the end of the day, my cup is empty.

So I made it my goal this year to spend at least 15 minutes a day engaging in an act of self-care. Today I took a walk. Tomorrow I might read a few chapters in a book. Each day I am committed to taking care of myself, even if it's just for a moment.

How to Practice Self-Care

As I started learning more about self-care, I found that it's important to make it an intentional act. Whether it's spending time on an outdoor walk, getting a pedicure, reading a book, or taking a moment for meditation, it can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.

We already do many of these activities within our day, but to truly benefit from these acts, you need to treat these moments as planned events that have a purpose.

If you are a calendar type of person, try adding these activities to your calendar and set a reminder. You can even make it something you already do each morning, like taking an uninterrupted shower before starting your day. There are so many moments in your day to incorporate peaceful self-care activities.

8 Ways to Practice Self-Care with Essential Oils

1. Soak in a Bathtub

I love taking baths because it forces me to unplug. No phones and no distractions. Bathing in a tub can help reduce stress, ease aching muscles, and may calm a restless mind. Intensify the effects with a Homemade Bath Bomb or. Adding essential oils to a bath has numerous therapeutic benefits. Try lavender if you are winding down after a long day, or Stress Away to clear your mind. The possibilities are endless. Listen to your body and choose an oil to support how you are feeling!

2. Clean Your Space

Now some may say that cleaning is not relaxing, while others would argue that tidying your space can be restorative. Clutter and dirty dishes can make some people feel overwhelmed or anxious. For me, cleaning and organizing give me a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic environment. Try spending time each day tackling a new chore. Cleaning with essential oils is just another way to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine. Plus, you'll feel comforted by the idea that you are not bringing any harmful chemicals in your home. Check out my 6 Best Essential Oil Spring Cleaning Recipes.

3. Show Your Skin Some Love

Most people associate skin-care and beauty treatments with self-care. No one to get a facial or a massage, but it sure is nice. It's a luxury that makes us feel pampered and spoiled. A few times a week, take some time to exfoliate your skin, apply a face mask, or roll on a skin serum with a jade roller. I recently discovered Jade Rollers and I am obsessed! This trendy beauty tool can increase circulation in your face and neck and reduce puffiness. Bring the spa into your bathroom every single night!

4. Take a Hot Shower

For those days where you don't have time to soak in a tub, a hot shower with a Shower Bomb can have a similar effect. Place a shower bomb on the floor of the shower and let the water run over it. The oils will be released into the air and provide an invigorating experience. The hot water can also relieve muscle tension and improve circulation, while the steam is great for congestion. Shower Bombs are inexpensive, easy to make, and very customizable for how you feel that day. I also love diffusing oils in the shower with my !

5. Indulge in a Sweet Treat

Self-care can include eating. It shouldn't be viewed as a weakness or even "cheating." A meal enjoyed with a special someone or an impromptu visit to the ice cream shop is self-care. While eating a well-balanced diet is essential to overall health and fitness, every now and again indulging in a sweet treat is necessary. Try a homemade cupcake with Lavender Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. It's just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, baking something can be relaxing and rewarding.

6. Sit Down with a Book and a Cup of Tea

Reading is another calming activity that counts as self-care. Intensify the effects with a cup of Lavender Chamomile Tea. This comforting bedtime tea recipe features a blend of soothing chamomile tea, honey, and lavender vitality essential oil. Chamomile tea promotes a sense of calm and relaxation and prepares your body for sleep. Lavender Vitality has a mild floral flavor and can be used to ease nervous tension. There is also something so comforting and restorative about a warm beverage.

7. Surround Yourself with Plants

Gardening has numerous health benefits. Indoor plants are not only beautiful to look at, but they can also improve mood and productivity. Indoor plants purify the air in your home by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also emit chemicals called phytoncides into the air which have been shown to lower cortisol levels. Taking care of a plant can be incredibly rewarding and boost self-esteem. Try making a Succulent Diffuser for Essential Oils, and make plant care self-care.

8. Take a Moment to Yourself

When the day is winding down, refill your diffuser with one of these Diffuser Recipes for Relaxing. Then take a seat on the couch in front of your favorite show and sink into a moment of peace. These diffuser recipes focus on a few main essential oils attributes to allow you to genuinely experience a state of calm. See all of our Diffuser Recipes here.

Best Essential Oils to Promote Self-care

Ylang Ylang - filters out negative energy

Orange - uplifting

Lavender - heightens relaxation

Stress Away - renews the spirit

Rosemary - eases anxiety

Peppermint - improves concentration

Basil - fights mental fatigue

Helichrysum - clarifying and grounding

Ditch the Excuses

Don't make excuses for practicing self-care. Here a few of the excuses I've found myself saying:

It's too expensive - sure, a spa day will set you back, but DIY beauty treatments are super affordable. You can give yourself a mani-pedi at home for a few dollars.

I don't have time - if you can't find the time, make the time. Get up 30 minutes earlier, use your lunch break, or stay up a little later at night practicing self-care.

I'm not good at being alone - you can integrate others into self-care activities. Go for a walk with a friend or take them to coffee. You don't have to go it alone!

I have kids - I use this excuse a lot. Sure, my kids are little and need more from me, but taking care of myself and working to reduce my stress level makes me a better mom.

More Essential Oil Recipes for Self-Care:

Hopefully, these tips for practicing self-care with essential oils will help you have a less stressful year!

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8 Ways to Practice Self-Care with Essential Oils

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Taking care of yourself is not selfish, and it's not hard to do. Self-care goes beyond a day at the spa. Any activity that you engage in that takes care of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being is considered self-care. Essential oils have been shown to elevate moods, promote relaxation, increase focus, and bring on feelings of peace.

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Go out and buy a few of your favorite flowers and plant them outside your window. Enjoy the view they bring and the relaxation gardening can bring.

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Gardening can also help some people process difficult emotions, Neidich says.

This could explain the range of feelings I felt when I picked up the hobby. My anxiety was in overdrive, possibly from my job loss, and at first I doubted my ability to grow tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. But when I saw my first bean sprout, I was elated, as though that bean was a reminder that I could handle uncertainty. I felt the anxiety melt away during the journey to that first sprout, and knowing that I myself had cultivated my cherry tomatoes made them taste even sweeter.

Research Shows Gardening Is Good for Well-Being

Paul Camic, PhD, a professor of psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University and University College London, has led multiple studies that all show horticultural activities can indeed yield mental health benefits.

In one review study, Dr. Camic's team concluded that across multiple studies, the addition of gardening to a treatment plan for depression was linked to benefits in emotional, social, vocational, physical, and spiritual well-being. Gardening also alleviated people's depression and anxiety symptoms, according to that research.

In a 2015 study published in the journal Ecopsychology, Camic's researchers showed that community gardens boosted community connection and self-reported well-being for those who participated.

"[The data showed that] gardening provided a space of one's own, a meaningful activity, increased feelings of connectedness, and improved physical and mental health," Camic says. It doesn't surprise Camic that people are taking to gardening now during a global pandemic, considering that well-being (particularly the type linked to having meaning and purpose in life) is significantly higher for individuals who take up gardening, he says.

Other research suggests gardening helps provide relief from acute stress and negative mood. And a study published in 2015 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed that just being around green space or plants for as little as 40 seconds can help with mood and focus afterward.

Think of any time you spend in a garden or green space as an opportunity for a mental reset.
RELATED: Spend Two Hours a Week in Nature to Boost Your Health and Well-Being
A Seasonal Activity Can Definitely Still Be a Year-Round Self-Care Practice

For me, even though gardening is a seasonal activity, it's been a year-round self-care practice. In the fall, I got to enjoy harvesting my summer bounty and planting leafy produce that loves the occasional cold blast. During the coldest months of the year, I tended my indoor tropical tree collection. I bought entirely too many indoor potted plants, and I took pride in helping my fiddle leaf fig and rubber tree survive the below-freezing winter temperatures.

I'm just now beginning my shopping for the months of warmer-weather gardening ahead, and I'm looking forward to digging dirt, sowing seeds, and spreading soil.

For me, gardening has given me a new sense of purpose; during a year of upheaval and uncertainty, it has been grounding.

How to Start Your Own Gardening Self-Care Habit

Neidich says you can reap the benefits of gardening no matter where you live, the size of garden space you have access to, or even if you don't have access to an outdoor garden of your own. "There are psychological benefits to tending to indoor plants or stepping outside to appreciate someone else's garden. The idea is to slow down, disconnect from devices, and focus your complete energy on the task at hand," she says.

1. Start with what you love. If you don't know what to grow, start with the foods you love to eat, Bueche recommends. It'll make you more willing to nurture your plants, she says. "And will make the finished product more rewarding." If you want to start with something that's easy for beginners to grow, try radishes, parsley, chives, cilantro, basil, lettuce, snow peapod, or zucchini, says Bueche.

2. Dig into a good foundation. "Healthy, clean, and nutrient-dense soil is the key to great success in planting anything," says Bueche. Different types of plants thrive in different soils. Learn a little bit about the ground you're digging into, or if it's a potted or indoor garden, what type of soil will work best for the plant you want to grow. Some plants do best in drier soils, while others like to stay moist all the time. Consider drainage and sun exposure when picking outdoor spots, too. Ask questions at your local garden shop or nursery.

3. Use an app. Learn more about what you're planting with a gardening app like Planta, which gives insight to each individual plant. "Your cellphone can be a great gardening tool. Set your alarm to remind yourself when to water," Bueche says.

If you want to test out your green thumb, here are three easy ways to get started, offered by Bridget Bueche, an organic farming consultant and a former professional chef in Newport Beach, California.

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Why Gardening Can Be So Good for Mental Health and Well-Being | Everyday Health

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Gardening can also help some people process difficult emotions, Neidich says. This could explain the range of feelings I felt when I picked up the hobby. My anxiety was in overdrive, possibly from my job loss, and at first I doubted my ability to grow tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini.

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Relax your tense muscles by allowing yourself a spa day. Taking the time to decompress and relax will help you find a balance between things you enjoy and things that are bringing you stress.

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Nowadays, our routines consume most of our time and stress, anxiety and pain appear as a consequence of the decision we make. While it is true that we don't have much time to take care of our mind and body, we should consider massage therapy for self-care. Otherwise, all those adverse effects will take over our health.

Here, you will find some of the most relevant benefits of massage therapy you must have in mind to look after your health.

After a study conducted on the effects of trigger point therapy, it showed that there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Plus, after 10 to 15 minutes chair massage lowered the levels of oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol.

So, we can conclude that changes in psychological states have improved physical health condition produced by high-stress levels.

The same study also revealed the impact of the relief of anxiety and depression for people in a wide range of health situations after some massage sessions. The immediate massage benefits included the reduction of anxiety, depressed mood and anger, while the long-term impact reduced depression and increased serotonin values.

A considerable amount of Americans seek for massages when they are in pain as a pain reveler. Samueli Institute stated, in a meta-analysis of research on massage therapy, that massage therapy is extremely effective for pain management.

Massage therapy can be an asset for preventive care as well. By doing it regularly, you can prevent skeletomuscular injuries from becoming a serious problem which could lead you to a mobility or flexibility problem. This kind of therapy help to lengthen muscles stuck in a chronic shortening.

Massages can be a compliment for regular fitness practice because it can help you enhance your efforts. A massage therapist would be able to isolate and create length or opening in muscle groups and joints by applying techniques to the soft tissue.

Try massages before regular exercise practice to see the results. Once you have worked with a massage therapist to lengthen those restrictive muscles, try some practice to challenge them; you will find that parts of the practice that had seemed challenging, unpleasant, or downright impossible are reachable.

Several people use meditation and breathing techniques to relax the mind and connect with themselves. However, it might be a real challenge because it requires a self-created stillness which is not simple to accomplish in modern life.

If you are one of those people who find it difficult to relax, regular massages can be beneficial for you. By incorporating techniques which act upon the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems, you will slow down your heart rate, decrease activity in an overstimulated nervous system, and so, deepen your breathing.

At the same time, a relaxing massage will help you to keep your body, mind, and spirit relaxed for long periods avoiding the adverse effects of stress.

If you notice you are down, or you want a lift of spirit, massages can turn your mood around. A massage treatment causes a mood boost by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream which act as natural painkillers creating a general feeling of well-being.

Last but not least, you will find massage therapy as a therapeutic experience. It is one of the few truly healthy ways you can treat yourself to a physically pleasurable experience that is also beneficial to your health. Give it a try just for the sake of feeling better not only physically but mentally.

No matter the reason you have, massage therapy has lots of benefits that cannot be ignored. Do not lose the chance to feel and look better with this therapy. Avoid stress and health problems by taking regular massages.

At Coastal Day Spa, we can help you sort out stress and change your lifestyle once and for all. Come to visit us and experience the pleasant sensation a great massage. for more information.

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Benefits of Massage Therapy for Self-Care

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Nowadays, our routines consume most of our time and stress, anxiety and pain appear as a consequence of the decision we make. While it is true that we don't have much time to take care of our mind and body, we should consider massage therapy for self-care.

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Declutter your space and spend time making your home, office, classroom, etc. more enjoyable. Having a clean space helps us feel accomplished.

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Get some mental space by tending to your place. There is a connection between cleaning and self-care. Does a clean kitchen mean all is right in your world? Can scrubbing your bathroom de-stress better than a massage? Has sweeping felt like moving meditation?

The laissez-faire cleaners amongst us might say you're lucky. Science would say you're on to something.

The Psychological Benefits of a Clean Space
Living spaces are energetic extensions of ourselves. When our outer world is in order, our inner-world feels well-tended and nourished. Conversely, when our homes are dirty, disorganized, or in disarray, we can feel overwhelmed, ashamed, lethargic and anxious. A 2010 study published inPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who described their homes with phrases such as "cluttered" or "full of unfinished projects" were more likely to experience negative feelings of depression and fatigue than women who described their homes as "restful" or "restorative." The researchers also found that women with cluttered homes had higher levels of cortisol, a direct clue that stress goes up when our messy home makes us feel down.

We know from experience that coming home to a sink full of dirty dishes or sitting down to a desk covered in papers and lipstick-stained coffee mugs makes it harder to concentrate on the things we truly want to accomplish, and studies have proven it so. Researchers at Princeton University found that living in a messy environment makes it much more difficult to focus on important tasks. Specifically, they found that the visual cortex can become easily distracted by irrelevant objects in our environments, therefore tripping up the brain's ability to effectively allocate mindful attention to the task at hand. So clean up your place, and you just might find the mental space required to zen out and tune in.

The act of cleaning itself also has a positive phycological impact. Cleaning gives us a sense of control and accomplishment, which helps us better manage the ups and downs of life with a sense of resilience and self-confidence. Additionally, the simple activity and repetitive motions of washing dishes, mopping floors, or wiping down surfaces makes it easier for the mind to enter into a focused and meditative state, temporarily relieving momentary anxieties. In an October 2018 article published by , Darby Saxbe, assistant professor of psychology at USC, said "[Cleaning] gives people a sense of mastery and control over their environment. Life is full of uncertainty and many situations are out of our hands, but at least we can assert our will on our living space." If cleaning can lead to feeling in control of our personal destiny, count us in.

Cleaning Is Self-Care
At Aunt Fannie's, we believe the trick to feeling good and being well on the regular lies in the small daily actions we can take to reclaim our health, our homes and our place in the world. Self-care is about micro-moments of self-preservation that help us restore and nourish ourselves, and it includes everything from meditating to making time for your favorite hobby. In a May 2018 article published in Psychology Today, self-care is defined as 'the mindful taking [of] time to ensure that you are being cared for by you.'

If self-care truly is the micro, mindful self-preservation, then cleaning and tidying up can get added to your daily self-care toolkit. Taking time to cleanse your space creates an environment that feels restorative, restful, and peaceful. Ensuring that your space is free of excess clutter gives your home a calming atmosphere, where you can truly gain the mental space to either relax or unwind. (And conversely, to focus on completing projects that will enrich your life.) Furthermore, the act of cleaning also has a calming, pacifying effect on the busy and anxious mind, leading to a sense of accomplishment and pride.

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Cleaning Is a Form of Self-Care - Aunt Fannie's

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Get some mental space by tending to your place. There is a connection between cleaning and self-care. Does a clean kitchen mean all is right in your world? Can scrubbing your bathroom de-stress better than a massage? Has sweeping felt like moving meditation? The laissez-faire cleaners amongst us might say you're lucky.

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Do you like to cook? Take the time to enjoy yourself in the kitchen by trying new recipes and dishes. Invite friends over to enjoy your food.

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Do you find yourself in the kitchen during times of stress or when overwhelmed? Maybe it's not such a bad idea. Sinking your hands into some cooking is a great way to gain emotional resilience and well-being.

Did you know that our brains are designed to feel satisfaction and joy when both physical effort and challenging thought process come together. In other words, you'll be happier when you prepare something.

Engaging the effort-driven rewards circuit

You've probably felt this feeling before when you put together a piece of IKEA furniture on your own, when you finally mastered that complicated step in your cardio dance class, or when you've spent hours preparing a meal to find that it is indeed delicious.

As the areas of the brain that control movement, emotion and thinking are interconnected, doing activities that involve a number of these components fully engages the effort-driven rewards circuit. According to Kelly Lambert, Ph.D., the lack of this effort-reward system in our modern age leads to feelings of dissatisfaction and depression. In her book, Lifting Depression, she states, "Growing, harvesting, hunting, and preparing food have been replaced by driving through pickup windows, sitting down in restaurants, and 'nuking' prepared meals." Therefore, reintroducing simple tasks like cooking and creating (i.e. crafts, gardening, woodworking, art) can make us less stressed, happier and more fulfilled.

Finding peace and happiness in the kitchen

Creating things that are tangible - things you can see, touch and enjoy - lends pleasure and meaning to those who create it. Scientific research confirms that when humans reshape their environments with their hands, it results in dramatic changes in the brain's landscape. So next time, rather than pushing a button to order your meal, why not try cooking?

Cooking or baking will stimulate your brain and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It will also help you prepare for the week ahead (hello, meal prep!) and ensure you stick to your goals and stress less.

Spend your Sunday meal prepping

Stimulate your brain with a meal prep session. It doesn't matter what day you do most of your prep, all that matters is that you do it. We like Sundays because it's a great #SelfCareSunday activity that calms you down before a busy week begins.

We recommend keeping 3-4 days worth of prepared meals in the refrigerator each week. Here are our fav picks for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert too. Search for them in the 8fit app and add them to your weekly meal plan.

Breakfast

Breakfast is one of the easiest (and cheapest) meals to prepare, but we often find ourselves grabbing something unhealthy on our way to work or school. Spend a little time preparing overnight oats or 8fit's Breakfast Egg Muffins on Sundays, so Monday you can wake up, grab them and go.

Lunch/dinner

Prepping lunch and dinner in bigger batches might prevent you from stopping at the drive through window or hot bar on the way home. Find some of our favorites below. Vegetarians can swap chicken and beef for tofu or roasted chickpeas.

Snack

Preparing snacks ahead of time will prevent you from reaching for something unhealthy. In addition to prepping some of the snacks below, make sure you always have fruit on hand and chop your veggies ahead of time.

Dessert

Sometimes, there's nothing more satisfying than baking some sweet treats. Here are 3 of our favorite healthy cookie recipes. Make a big batch to enjoy in moderation during the week or cook them on Sunday and savor with loved ones.

Add these meals to your 8fit app and share the final products with us on social media!

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Food for Thought: Cooking As Part of Your Self-Care Routine | 8fit

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Do you find yourself in the kitchen during times of stress or when overwhelmed? Maybe it's not such a bad idea. Sinking your hands into some cooking is a great way to gain emotional resilience and well-being. Did you know that our brains are designed to feel satisfaction and joy when both physical effort and challenging thought process come together.

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When feeling tense, take the time to stretch your body and give it what it needs. Daily yoga and stretches is beneficial to your body.

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When feeling overwhelmed, step aside and focus on your breathing. Centering yourself and finding your breath helps with stress and frustration.

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Breathing Exercises To Stop A Panic Attack Now | TAKE A DEEP BREATH

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Take the time to allow yourself to be creative. Spending time with yourself and creating a product you are proud of is a great way to care for yourself. Below are ideas to get started.

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The Perfect Self Care Activity for Creatives: Crafts | Self care activities, Easy crafts, Crafts for kids

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Sep 10, 2018 - If you consider yourself a creative person, you should consider adding crafts as a Self Care Activity. Here are some of my favorite crafty self care activitites.

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Take a few moments out of your day to journal and reflect on how you are feeling. List your accomplishments and focus on what you are proud of. The link below provides steps to get you started.

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I've always loved journaling, but before this year I'd never made it a regular habit. It was usually something I'd pick up whenever I bought a new journal, but after the initial buzz of 'oooh, pretty blank pages' wore off I'd lose my enthusiasm. The journal would end up cast aside, usually never to be seen again.

But then this January I made daily journal writing part of my Intention Plan (my monthly plan to live with intention and love) and I'm pretty proud to say that since then I've managed to write in my journal almost every day.
What I've learned after several months of consistently writing is that my journal is one of the most powerful ways I practice self care. Without fail, journaling almost always improves my mood, leaving me feeling calm, centred and capable.
Because I know how tough it is to start (and stick with) a journaling habit, I wanted to share with you a few of the ways I use my journal for self care. I think one of the biggest road blocks is not knowing where to start with writing, so hopefully you'll find a few of these super simple ideas/prompts helpful in your self care practice (and if so be sure to let me know in the comments!)

Have you ever caught yourself having one of those out of nowhere, 'please don't talk to me, look at me, or touch me', everything's driving you crazy, bad mood sort of days - but you have no idea why?

( Slowly puts hand up ...)
I know when I'm feeling this way it's easy to write it off as 'waking up on the wrong side of the bed' or 'just feeling off' but I've found that when I take time to examine my feelings I can usually find there is a specific worry or problem that needs to be addressed.
And trust me, in the long run this is much more productive than writing it off to some sort of bad mood fairy. So instead of brushing it off, I use journaling to help me dig deeper and get to the root of the problem.

WRITING PROMPT: "How do I feel?" (And let your heart pour out.)

Be honest with yourself; I often start with is "I'm having a bad day, but I don't know why" or "I wish a plague would wipe out the human population so I could have a few minutes of peace." (Just kidding ... sort of.) But from there I explore different ideas, let my feelings flow without filter or judgement, and write.
I almost always find that with time I can distill my negative feelings down to a specific cause (such as resentment, jealousy, self doubt, or disappointment) and that awareness helps me to address the issue head on (or to simply accept what I cannot change.)
RELATED POSTS: 4 Ways to Stop Letting the Little Things Bother You

I learned a few weeks ago that one of the greatest acts of self care is enjoying a quiet mind; it's such a luxurious feeling to stem the tide of to do lists, emails and ideas running though your head and to just STOP thinking. The silence is priceless.
One simple way to find this silence is to do a brain dump - open your journal to a blank page and let loose; write down everything that is on your mind until there is nothing left.
When I'm done writing I usually feel tired, but in that good, post-workout sort of way. I know that my thoughts/worries/to-do list are safe and sound, so I can just relax, let go, and enjoy the moment.

RELATED POSTS: A Practical Guide to Being Present (How to Live in the Moment)
Practicing gratitude is an act of self care because it shifts your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. Instead of feeling stressed and worried about what you feel your life is lacking, you feel blessed and thankful for all that your life is made of.
A simple way to start practicing gratitude to write lists of everything that you're thankful for in your journal. It's a simple yet power way to ease your mind and lift your spirits.

FURTHER READING: If you're interested in reading more about creating a daily gratitude practice, check out this post from my friend Daisy at Simplicity Relished.

I have a rather unfortunate habit of beating myself up when I make mistakes. I'm pretty sure that, sadly, I'm not the only one.
When I make a mistake at work, or say something awkward around new friends, or make a regrettable impulse purchase, I dwell on it and my inner voice can sometimes be a nasty piece of work.
But I am getting better at being kind to myself and through journaling I'm learning to:

accept that I'm human and imperfect.

forgive myself.

Journaling works for me because it helps me remove myself from the situation and view it objectively. (Sometimes I even think of myself in the 3rd person, because let's face it - for some reason we are so much more forgiving to others than we are to ourselves.) When I look from the outside in it helps me to accept what has happened, move on, and most importantly forgive myself.

I think that sometimes it's scary to indulge in big dreams. For example, I dreamed about starting a blog for a really long time, but I was scared to tell anyone about it. I was afraid of looking silly and I had a lot of self doubt.

So instead I wrote about it. It was so therapeutic to explore my dreams and ideas in a safe place without fear of judgement and even better - with time, manifesting my dreams helped me grow the confidence I needed to launch the blog.

WRITING PROMPT: "What would you do if you weren't afraid ..."

However you use your journal, my best advice is to pick it up and write. Don't be afraid of getting those pretty white pages messy, just scribble whatever comes to mind (start with your grocery list, song lyrics, a rant against your neighbour - whatever.)

Journaling encourages self awareness and once you understand your needs, you can start to take care of yourself.
How do you use your journal or what are your self care tips? Let me know in the comments! x
photo credit : Karolina Grabowska // Used with permission

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5 Ways to Use Your Journal For Self Care - Simply + Fiercely

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I've always loved journaling, but before this year I'd never made it a regular habit. It was usually something I'd pick up whenever I bought a new journal, but after the initial buzz of 'oooh, pretty blank pages' wore off I'd lose my enthusiasm.

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Find a self-care challenge that suits your needs and daily schedule. Print it out and keep on your desk. Ensure to complete at least one self-care item each day. Below is an example of a self-care challenge to try.