Elixir Wellness: Perfect Pamper Night In.

It’s really easy to forget to give yourself a bit of me time now and again, especially if you work a full time job alongside looking after your family. Unfortunately everybody will suffer with some form of stress in their life, which can be caused by the biggest and smallest of things. Stress triggers include issues at work, relationships, mental illnesses, exams, financial problems and so much more. However, there are certain things that you can easily do at home which can really help calm you down. We would love to share our favourite tips with you so you can have the perfect pamper night in.

Elixir’s eight soothing steps to soften the mind and body.

1. Create your atmosphere, you want to be able to relax properly in a happy and healthy living space. Try to dim harsh lighting if you can, maybe switch on some fairy lights and light some aromatic candles to fill the room with a nice warm glow. We like to use our favourite candles by NEOM. We love all their therapeutic ranges, which have the most perfect blend of essential oils for helping you feel calm and relaxed. Aromatherapy is a holistic and effective remedy for helping someone to let go of any particular tension. For example, lavender and peppermint are really beneficial for easing headaches. If you have your own oils and maybe even a diffuser, some calming and soothing essential oils you could use are lavender, chamomile, frankincense, lemon balm, sandal wood and jasmine. Using essential oils is not only healing for your mind and body, they make the room smell delicious!

2. Time to get comfy. Get out of your work clothes and any tight clothing. You want to feel your most relaxed, comfortable and ready to snuggle down onto the sofa. Throw on your favourite pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers to keep yourself cosy and warm!

3. Use a face mask. A great way to feel luxurious is to pamper yourself with some natural beauty products. We couldn’t be without our Dr. Hauschka soothing face mask, which is beneficial for all skin types, even the most sensitive. It’s creamy and soothing formula cools and hydrates the skin leaving your face feeling replenished and soft. Another great mask to try is our Antipodes Manuka Honey mask, which is packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties from pure active Manuka honey. This is such a nourishing treatment for dry, acne prone and sensitive skin. With both of these masks you can leave them on for 15-30 minutes and continue to pamper yourself while they are working their magic.

4. Make a herbal tea. Herbal tea’s are warming, comforting, full of antioxidants and many healing properties. To really relax, we enjoy drinking a hearty mug of Pukka Three Chamomile, Pukka Night Time or Pukka Three Tulsi. Three Tulsi contains a herb called holy basil, a wonderful adaptogen which helps you deal with emotional and physical stress. Simply sip away and unwind.

5. Collect yourself. Recognise how you are feeling to find an activity which suits you. This could be reading a book, watching a film, listening to music, writing a journal, meditating, baking and even drawing. Drawing is a way of creative expression and a form of active meditation. You can focus your mind on the colours and shapes you are creating. Colours are extremely powerful and can actually lift your mood. You don’t need to be an artist to do this, there is no right or wrong way. You want to do an activity that is freeing for you, and allows you to be you.

"tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are."

6. Soothe yourself with a magnesium foot soak or bath. Having baths is the perfect way of allowing yourself to have real ‘me’ time. It is a great way to allow the whole body to relax, loosening up any aches and pains and it also aids detoxification. We recommend BetterYou Magnesium Flakes for soothing tired and aching muscles. This is because magnesium is a mineral which helps to relax tight muscles. Himalayan or epsom salts are also great to use as they are full of minerals and act by drawing toxins out of your body. To make your bath even more therapeutic, add a few drops of your favourite essential oils.

7. Breathe. Practising yoga, meditation and deep breathing is so grounding. We think yoga is fantastic for toning the body and balancing the mind. Taking time to breathe and focusing on your breath is the best natural remedy you can do for reducing stress, what's even better is that it is so easy! We love this restorative yoga video by Madeleine Shaw, which you can follow to help yourself relax and ease any stiffness in the body. This is a great exercise to do just before you climb into bed.

8. Time to wind down. To make sure you get an efficient nights sleep there are some really important things you can do when preparing to go to bed. Firstly turn off technology! The harsh blue lighting from your computer and phone screens will keep your mind active, even while you are trying to drift off to sleep. You can easily waste a good hours sleep by getting distracted by social media or getting caught up with dealing with work emails etc. You need to know when to put your phone aside so you can get the quality and quantity of sleep that you need. Get comfy, take some deep breaths and try not to let your mind race ahead with any negative thoughts. Think positive and uplifting thoughts, like things that you are grateful for, the things you have and the people you love that you are lucky to have in your life. Ending your day on a positive note will help you feel so refreshed and revitalised for the next morning.

We hope you find our tips encouraging and helpful. Remembering to treat yourself to a little luxury once in a while is so healthy for you!

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