When life gets hectic, self-care can often feel like a bit of an afterthought, but that’s where the problem lies – the fact is that a little ‘me time’ can make all the difference, and doing what you can to make it happen, and to make it worthwhile, is always important and should be at the top of your daily to-do list. So what if you could elevate your self-care routine by involving nature a little bit more? It could be a walk in the woods, taking in the fresh air from your garden, or perhaps it’s even what you’re eating and drinking, but whatever it is, it’s a good idea because nature has a fantastic way of making us feel good and improving the balance in our lives. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to add a touch of nature to your self-care routine and make it exactly what it needs to be – read on to find out more.
Go Outdoors
Why stay indoors when you can go outside and perhaps soak up some vitamin D while you’re at it? If you usually stay inside a lot, it’s time to change things up in your routine and go outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes (although longer is better, especially if you can involve some exercise), and as soon as you realise how good it makes you feel, you’ll know you’re on the right track – perhaps literally!
You could go to a local park, a beach, a hiking trail, or anywhere else that gives you a chance to be outside in nature. And you don’t just have to be there with your thoughts, either (although that can be a useful exercise) – you could take a book, listen to a podcast or some music, write in a journal, and so much more. Listening to the sounds of nature is a great idea, for example – just sit under a tree and listen to the birds and you’re sure to feel recharged.
If you can, leave your phone behind as it can be tempting to start scrolling through social media or answering emails when you’re meant to be relaxing and you can do that when you’re at home (if you want to have it with you for safety, just put it on silent and out of easy reach so you’re not tempted to look at it so much).
Make Your Space Greener
Have you heard of the idea of bringing the outside in? It’s actually easier than you think, and something everyone can do with a little bit of rearranging in their homes and lives. You can start really easily with a few low-maintenance houseplants in your home or workspace if that makes more sense – or both, there aren’t any limits! – and opting for things like snake plants, peace lilies, and pothos are great if you’re not especially good at keeping plants alive as these ones don’t need all that much maintenance.
If plants aren’t really your thing, what about fresh flowers? Or even a bowl of fruit? These things can totally brighten up a room in the most amazing way and make it feel a lot more alive and fresh but also relaxing, which is the best mix you could ask for. And if you pick something that smells amazing like lavender or maybe something more exotic like eucalyptus, you’ll feel even better because your home will look and feel fantastic, and that’s going to extend to your wellbeing too.
Drink Naturally
You’ve got to stay hydrated if you want to stay healthy and take care of yourself, so sipping something that’s good for you as part of your self-care routine makes sense – in fact, it’s vital. Water is a good choice as it’s got everything a human needs to stay alive (in terms of hydration, at least) with no added nasties, unlike soft drinks and juices, for example, which can be full of all kinds of unpleasant ingredients. But for a lot of people, water just doesn’t cut it when it comes to taste, and if that’s you, it’s worth looking for alternatives, especially if you’d rather not drink at all than drink plain water.
What about tea? There’s really nothing more soothing than a good cup of hot tea, and if it happens to be infused with something natural and calming, that’s even better. That’s why it’s a good idea to stock up on herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos, for example, because they’re ideal for helping you wind down after a long, difficult day (or even after a pretty good day – they’re for every occasion!).
For a more modern twist, some people absolutely swear by teas infused with CBD flowers, which can help with relaxation and stress in many cases – and who doesn’t need help in that department?
Have A Natural Beauty Routine
Nature-inspired beauty products are all the rage, and for good reason. Many are jam-packed full of ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, and shea butter, and those are all lovely ingredients that will nourish the skin without all the synthetic junk you can find in other, less natural, cream and lotions.
Something you can do that’s sure to be wonderful and relaxing and is definitely going to add a touch of nature to your self-care routine is to treat yourself to a DIY facemask made from things like honey and oats, or perhaps whip up a sugar scrub with coconut oil and brown sugar – the recipes are online and the ingredients are easy to get hold of (you’ve probably got most, if not all, of them already), so why not give it a go? Your skin will look and feel great and you can feel good because you’ve not used any chemicals at all.
Try Forest Bathing
If you haven’t heard of forest bathing, don’t worry – it’s not something everyone knows about, but the good news is it’s not as strange as it sounds and it can actually do you a lot of good. It’s the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, and it’s all about immersing yourself in nature.
You’ll just need to find a quiet forest or wooded area, take a leisurely walk, and focus on your senses. Think about the way the leaves move and rustle, or how the sunlight filters through the trees, or how the air smells, and all these things that make being outside so worthwhile. You’ll feel calm, relaxed, and at peace afterwards, and you’re sure to want to make it a regular practice if you can.
