My Favorite Self-Care Indulgences

Self-care is how you take care of your mind, body and soul. You can't pour into those you love if you don't pour into yourself. Especially if you have a family to care for. Every single day, people are functioning in a state of fight or flight, whether they realize it or not. Self-care doesn't seem like a priority when there are so many immediate things to care of. I personally can't function properly as a parent or as a person, if I don't practice self-care.

Let me share a few of my favorite ways to nurture my wellbeing.

Food

My favorite foods make me feel good. They make me happy. Even more so when it's something I ate often during my childhood. Butter crunch cookies remind me of middle school, walking home with my best friend or going across the street to the small bodega during lunch JUST to get my hands on these cookies. Although I've always preferred soft cookies, these are the only crunchy ones I'll eat. It reminds me of the Bronx. It reminds me of when I was young, carefree with no responsibilities aside from homework. Another favorite is Nori Maki crackers, a Japanese goodie seasoned with soy sauce and wrapped in seaweed. My grandmother is Japanese, so I grew up eating these often.

Drinking Tea

My morning ritual includes having a cup or two of tea. I've been doing this ever since I was a child. Hence why my tag line is "Inspired by tea | Guided by yoga". I spent every summer at my grandparents house, and each morning before anyone else got up, my grandmother would make us tea and we'd talk while she read the newspaper.

Salt Baths

In order to recharge, I take heavy salt baths with mineral or pink himalyan salt. They both provide minerals, decrease stress, relaxes muscles, improves circulation, reduces pain and more. The skin is the largest organ and it needs to be taken care of.

Reading

My capacity for knowledge is limitless. I am always reading educational books or self-help books. There is always an opportunity to improve myself. I read when I can fit the time in, but when I really need a good reading session, Dwight will keep the kids out of the room while I spend 45 minutes to an hour to myself.

Cleaning

This may not seem like self-care to other people, but when my house is clean, my mood improves. When my mood improves, I'm a better person. A messy cluttered house makes me feel like my mind is messy and cluttered. I can't focus around clutter. So cleaning for me is self-care.

What are your favorites?