Seasonal Self-Care: Relaxation Tips for Mind, Body, and Spirit

Self-care is just that – taking care of yourself; it’s recognizing your needs and taking measures to meet them. Seasonal self-care simply addresses the needs you encounter during a specific time of year. But no matter the season, we could all benefit from relaxation tips for mind, body and spirit. 

Something calming and relaxing yet uplifting and rejuvenating can help improve both mental and physical health by managing stress, boosting energy levels, and building the resilience to best handle life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, practicing seasonal self-care leads to a better overall quality of life.

Practicing self-care in the kitchen is vital to your well-being. Eating simple, clean foods can be a tremendous positive force in your life. From the purchase of healthy foods to preparing tasty meals, mindful food preparation shows kindness toward yourself and those you share meals with. When you keep your meals simple, the entire process can be a calming practice that feeds body, mind, and spirit.

• Make mindful food choices. A mindful choice is a decision made with awareness and intention, rather than on impulse. Mindful choices can help us avoid unhealthy habits and their harmful responses, while helping improve our overall well-being. Prioritize fresh produce grown by local small farmers. When buying pantry staples, look for those labeled organic, non-GMO, or Fair Trade.
• Grow something. Tending to plants can be a calming, meditative experience that also helps you feel more connected to nature, even in a city. And when you can eat the plants, that’s even more uplifting! It’s easier than you think. To start, all you need is a sprouting jar and seeds, or a sprouting kit that contains everything you need; just add water.
• Take time for tea… Yes, even making a cup of tea and enjoying it can be an act of self-care, no matter if it’s an antioxidant-rich green tea, a calming herbal or an invigorating black tea blend. Taking a break to refresh yourself, preparing the tea mindfully, and then savoring its aroma, warmth and taste engages all five senses and centers you in the moment. Choose one to fit your needs from our extensive tea collection, in loose leaf and bags.
• Keep it clean and green. Make mindful choices when purchasing groceries. Steer clear of the nasty ingredients that lurk in processed foods, like artificial enhancers, colorings, flavorings and preservatives. No time to cook? You can still enjoy a delicious, nourishing and satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner with our quick and easy meal mixes.

Science has shown that creating an atmosphere of calm has significant health benefits. Some have dubbed it the Science of Chill, but you don’t have to be a scientist to know how a peaceful ambiance can put you at ease, allow you to think more clearly, create and laugh more readily, and fall asleep more easily. 

• Carve out your personal space. Whether it’s an entire spare room or a cubby-hole corner in your living space, everyone needs a protective buffer from the pressures of daily life.
• Declutter. Though you may have to wade through a river of another person’s debris to get to your special space, be sure your haven is comfortable, clean and organized.
  
• Introduce pleasant scents. Give aromatherapy a try. While calming essentials oils like lavender, chamomile and ylang-ylang are popular choices, our ready-made blends are expertly crafted to combine the helpful characteristics of essential oils. With names like Relaxation, Chill Pill, and Rescue Charm, you get the true “scents” of a
  warm, cozy sanctuary.
• Use soft, warm lighting. Candles and their gentle glow can be especially calming, as they bring to mind relaxing, cozy evenings and intimate moments. Such soothing lighting also helps reduce cortisol (a stress hormone) and raise melatonin levels in your body. Consider using scented candles, which combine the benefits of relaxed lighting with aromatherapy.
• Listen to soothing sounds. “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast” was first uttered in 1697, and though we now say ‘beast’ instead of ‘breast’, the adage still sings true today. Recordings or apps of soft, slow music, gentle nature sounds, and white or pink noise can help reduce stress and improve mood by increasing levels of dopamine and lowering stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Pay attention to texture. Think soft and cozy… but maybe not too soft. Most experts agree that natural materials like cotton, linen, wool, velvet, and wood are most calming because we associate their tactile sensation with relaxation, though textures like smooth stone, clay, and even slightly rough textures like wicker can also be calming due to their connection to nature. Ultimately, to each his own.
• Color your world… with softer shades of blues and greens to promote calmness. To achieve that warm, loving-hug feeling, wrap your surroundings in soft-spoken pinks. Neutrals like the dreamy creams of champagne, beige, and not-too-far-off-white tones can defuse tension, while also allowing you to add complimentary pops of your favorite colors.

Have you ever noticed how a calm person moves and speaks at a relaxed pace? A calm person even seems to breathe in a relaxed way! You can be that calm, cool-as-a cucumber person by establishing self-care practices that help you slow down, become more mindful and kinder, more gentle on yourself. To begin cultivating a calmer you, start with a few of these self-care steps. 

• Limit electronics time. Electronic devices draw your attention away from the moment you are in, and pull you into someone else’s moment. Unless you are on-call to provide emergency care for others, try setting aside a specific period of time to check email, texts, and/or social media. Do this one day a week, gradually working up to this becoming your standard MOA. Of course, important messages from children or other loved ones in times of need should not be bound by restrictions. Be sure to let those you communicate with often know that you are not ignoring them; rather, you are waiting until you can give their message your complete attention.
• Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness practice cultivates the ability to be fully present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and the environment surrounding you. By paying attention to the task you are doing — first by slowing down, and then by closely observing what you are doing — you are, in essence, savoring the moment. Make no judgements; simply observe. Breathing, washing dishes, walking the dog, bathing — each act is an opportunity for mindfulness practice.
• Be kind to yourself. Introduce routines and rituals into your day (and week) that help you unwind, relax those tight shoulders and loosen those stiff joints. This could be as simple enjoying a soothing end-of-the-day soak with baths salts, while listening to your favorite music. Prefer not to soak in a bath? For an incredible spa-like experience, try shower salts sprinkled on your shower floor; the salts dissolve, filling your shower with aromatherapy-infused steam.
• Get outside in nature. Research indicates that spending even just a few minutes each day outside, with access to fresh air, sunlight, and natural sounds, has a significant impact on cultivating a sense of calm. You’ll sleep better, too!
• Exercise regularly. In addition to being a great distraction from negative thoughts, exercise releases endorphins (natural brain chemicals that can improve mood) and endocannabinoids (natural biochemical substances similar to cannabis). Your “workout” doesn’t have to be long or strenuous to help you cultivate your calmer self; any low-intensity aerobic exercise (think walking, yoga, pilates, swimming, jogging in place, dancing…) for 30–35 minutes, 3–5 days a week will make a positive difference.
• Prioritize sleep. Irritability, difficulty concentrating, feelings of stress and anxiety — we’ve all experienced these effects of a poor night’s sleep at least once. A good night’s sleep is essential for a calm mind. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and stick to it, even on weekends.

No matter how hard we may try, we can’t avoid all stress. But by practicing seasonal self-care, we can develop healthy ways to respond to stress.