Some days can get rough, but there are plenty of little things that you can do to show yourself kindness throughout the day to improve your mental health and lift your overall mood. Making sure to take care of yourself can boost your daily routine with ease and comfort. Starting your day with a workout? Clean your exercise equipment to keep it fresh and pleasant to use next time. Washing your hair? Give your scalp a mini massage to break up any tension that you feel. Ahead, we'll show you how to practice self-love all day, every day.
1. Wipe down your workout equipment.
Exercise is one of the best ways to recalibrate yourself physically and emotionally. Whether you're doing dance workouts or pilates, get your blood pumping daily to reduce stress and anxiety. As you get moving, your equipment can accumulate sweat, dead skin and everything imaginable. That's why you'll want to keep all of your exercise gear clean to make sure that bacteria doesn't fester — while it might not seem obvious at first, it’s a small act of kindness you can show yourself before you engage in your next workout. One great tool to have on hand is tea tree oil, which you can use to clean your well-loved yoga mat! A pure plant extract, tea tree oil has natural cleansing and antiseptic properties, which is why one of its top uses is for cleaning. Add one teaspoon of oil to a gallon of water and spray the solution onto your surfaces and mats. For yoga mats, make sure that your mat is entirely dry before you roll it up.
2. Wash your face every day.
Take care of your complexion by washing your face every day. Removing impurities from your skin before you hit your bed will help prevent future breakouts and allow your skincare items to work better. And of course, a skincare routine can be very soothing and relaxing! Work in a double cleansing method with an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser. You can start with something like our Creamy Oil Cleanser or jojoba oil to remove your makeup. Then, wash the residue off with a water-based cleanser to thoroughly get rid of any impurities. Finish your routine with a cool splash of water, removing any leftover residues with your hands or a face washcloth. Dry your face off with a soft towel, and make sure that you're not tugging your skin.
3. Use an aromatherapy diffuser during the workday.
Aromatherapy essential oils can help you feel clear-minded and relaxed throughout the day, even if you've got big projects and deadlines coming up. Our organic essential oil blends will help you feel your best while you work from home. Find the perfect oils to keep your worries at bay — our Sharp Thought Organic Essential Oil helps boost mental clarity with organic grapefruit, peppermint and rosemary. On the other hand, a blend like our Mood Lifter Organic Essential Oil will help you combat fatigue with organic nutmeg, rosemary and lemongrass.
4. Massage your scalp in the shower.
When you're washing your hair, give your scalp a massage! Scalp massages feel great. They help stimulate nerves and vessels in the skin while relieving muscle tension around the head. Wondering how to massage your scalp? It's easy! Use your fingertips to apply light to medium pressure on your scalp, rubbing small circles across your head.
If you're short on time, massaging your head while you wash your hair is a great way to get clean while also relaxing. For an instant beach getaway, use our Island Mango Shampoo. Revitalize your hair with essential fatty acids in this gently cleansing gluten-free shampoo, which leaves your hair soft, clean and infused with a relaxing tropical scent.
5. Hydrate your skin.
Of course, we can't wrap up this list without talking about the importance of hydrating your skin. Smooth, silky skin feels great to the touch, and keeping it supple is one small but impactful way you can show kindness to yourself. One of our favorite ingredients for moisturizing the skin is jojoba oil, a pure plant extract that gently nourishes the skin, hair and nails. It's similar to the skin's sebum, so it can balance oily areas and moisturize dry spots on your skin.
Being kind to yourself doesn't necessarily have to mean turning your daily habits upside down. So, what is self-love? For us, it's the little things that make you feel wonder-full throughout a regular day. Browse Desert Essence's collection to find all of the perfect care products to add to your daily routine.