Start cultivating a more mindful life with these fun and free tips.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Do you find yourself swiping through countless images and videos throughout your day? Are you laying in bed and checking emails before starting your morning routine?
You’re certainly not alone — technology has become an undeniably critical part of modern life. But while the power of tech can be used for good—like FaceTiming loved ones and supporting movements — it can also have us doom scrolling for hours on end.
Taking a tech break is one of the best things you can do to care for your mental and emotional health — and getting started just got easier. Read on to discover five simple ways to lean into relaxation, foster a daily mindfulness practice, and give yourself the rest you deserve. (And then feel free to log off).
HOW KEYS SOULCARE IS CELEBRATING NATIONAL RELAXATION DAY
Keys Soulcare honors the power of relaxation, and that rest is an essential part of our shared experience as humans. Taking care of yourself can take many forms, and there’s no one “right” way to practice self-care.
For National Relaxation Day, we’re highlighting five of our favorite everyday tips to unplug and nurture yourself — whether that’s through a comforting skincare ritual or prioritizing daily pleasures like movement or your personal gratitude practice.
UNPACKING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN STRESS AND SKIN
Skincare requires our presence and intention, but it only works when paired with the rest and relaxation our body truly needs. You can apply all the right skincare in the correct order, but prioritizing your holistic wellness can help lead to healthy-looking skin.
Alicia is a big believer in affirmations, and addressing our intentions from the inside out. She says: “My skin only began to change when I started to look more inside of myself, at the energy around me, and learn how to really care for myself — not just physically, but also on an emotional and spiritual level.”
The link between stress and your skin is being studied more and more. Because skin is the largest organ in the body, it is sometimes where warning signs of stress may begin to appear.
Got more questions? Explore common FAQs here, answered by leading dermatologist Dr. Renée Synder.
5 TIPS TO UP YOUR EVERYDAY RELAXATION
1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
In a culture that can glorify the hustle and grind, it’s more important than ever to shift the narrative on sleep. All of us need high-quality sleep, even if that looks different for everybody. Some thrive on fewer hours, but the general wisdom says that we should strive for at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Renée Synder is a huge advocate for high-quality sleep, and notes how it can affect the look of skin.
“Specifically, if people sleep on average less than six hours a day, they produce cortisol, which is a stress hormone that is not good for skin. Not sleeping and dehydration — which often happens when we’re not taking great care of ourselves — can also lead to things like sunken, darkened under eye areas and a duller complexion overall,” said Synder.
Need help drifting off to dreamland? Here are a few tips to help you fall asleep. Good sleep hygiene looks different for everyone. You might quit drinking caffeine at 2pm to help you sleep, while other people have no problem chugging coffee in the evening. It’s also important to give yourself permission to rest.
Remember that rest isn’t the same as scrolling, checking email, or watching TV mindlessly. True rest is all about intention and impact. Consider what makes you feel rested. Do you feel rested after your evening meditation, or after a soothing massage? Prioritize those forms of rest as often as you are able.
2. KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
A tried and true self-guided tip? Pull out your journal. There are many benefits to journaling, including processing difficult news and celebrating joys. Keeping track of your thoughts, worries, growth, and more with pen and paper is a therapeutic modality trusted by millions. That said, don’t forget using prompts to jumpstart your writing. They are a great way to create a focal point or look at your writing routine from a fresh perspective.
You can choose to have a journal for all things or choose to keep separate journals for specific topics. (Joy and gratitude journals are great ways to find positivity every day). If you choose to journal, you’ll have the added bonus of a judgment-free zone to express your deepest thoughts and feelings — just for you! You can take journaling anywhere — a park, airplane, mountain retreat — and reap the rewards of this soul-nourishing practice. Remember, it only takes 5 minutes of meaningful ritual to shift your mindset or press “reset” on a tough day.
3. CALL UP A FRIEND
Turns out, there’s truth to the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, and one of the best ways to go offline and foster connection is to lean on your pals. (More often than not, our peeps need to unplug, too.) Before you put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, hit up the group chat and make a plan to hang out, device-free.
Have long distance besties? Take a few moments to generously apply the Harmony Face Mask with Manuka Honey while you catch up on FaceTime. Allow the warm, sweet sandalwood scent to encourage relaxation while you nourish your soul with the comfort of quality time with a best friend, sister, or mentor.
Try a minor digital detox—plan intentional tech time to video chat or talk on the phone with no distractions—or ring up a friend while taking a stroll for a boost of vitamin D. Want more platonic date ideas? Check out this energizing list.
4. GET ACTIVE
Another unexpected relaxation activity? Movement. Taking care of yourself through movement doesn’t mean hardcore HIIT training or super-challenging workouts 5 days a week. Physical activity can be a part of a vast tapestry of self-care.
Alicia Keys said it best: “Being well…taking care of your body…being mindful and taking time for yourself, can really change your mood and switch your energy around.”
Prioritize movement you enjoy as a relaxation technique, whether that’s a long walk while listening to your favorite podcast, daily yoga, or a regular sunset bike ride through your neighborhood.
5. TAKE A RELAXING SHOWER
It’s important to take a step back and recognize the beauty we possess and say “thank you body” for all the ways our bodies care for us. Challenging yourself to be grateful for the skin you’re in is an essential part of your soulcare journey.
Taking part in a shower ritual is a relaxation technique, of course, but when you pair an everyday activity with mindfulness? That’s the exact moment when self care transforms into soulcare. Whenever you reach for your Renewing Body + Hand Wash, remember to recite the affirmation: “I love myself as I am.”
Your relaxation activities don’t end when you turn off the water, either. Take your body ritual a step further by indulging in a precious post-bath moment. Before bed, place a few drops of the Sacred Body Oil with Marula Oil onto your palm. Rub your hands together to warm the oil, then gently begin to massage into skin using upward motions.
Turning your inner criticism into curiosity can ease you into a body love practice to remember your worth. (Yes, even on your hardest days.) Need some inspo? See how these five women give credit to everything their bodies do for them.
What are some of your go-to rituals to drop into relaxation mode?
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