15 Top Self-Pampering Ideas in 15 Minutes!
At the end of the year or at the beginning of a new one, chaos literally comes across as apocalyptic. Festive seasons start rolling around, and the pressure of achieving all the professional goals or personal expectations may lead to end-of-the-year fatigue. Many women feel exhausted in times when life’s timetables are out of control, and everybody struggles to stick to their routines.
In this state of rush and haste, physical, emotional, and psychological burnout is not unusual. So, what’s next? It’s literally time to switch off and start eagerly ticking your pampering list to reset balance and harmony.
Cata Droguett, founder of Sustainable Women and recently chosen by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the 20 leaders for nature conservation, shares an exciting methodology in her book “Personal Ecology”1. She embarks on the discovery of personal purpose and cause, learning to explore the foundations of our own “inner planet.” By this, the idea of pampering ourselves may not be taken as a mere list of personal treats but as a self-discovery process, “seeing ourselves as a whole from our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) website2, finding what you need and what is enjoyable is crucial. Given this, taking care of yourself through small daily activities can positively impact your life.
If you have a lot on your plate, stop immediately and put yourself first, letting everything else wait with no guilt. Next, reset yourself with those 15 powerful long-craved minutes, cutting off any spiraling negative thoughts. Be still or simply be and strike your balance to regain harmony!
Self-pampering comes in many ways.
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Green exercise
A massive dose of nature, cycling, or flying kites will undoubtedly release some cortisol.
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Meditation
Harmonize your mind with a full body scan guided meditation.
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Grounding
Discharge from static electricity and walk barefoot as much as possible.
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Journaling
Word down your feelings, express yourself, or get back to your old crayons.
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Papercraft
Finetune your motor skills with origami, collaging, or scrapbooking.
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Birdwatching
Refresh your mind while spotting birds, butterflies, orchids, or dragonflies.
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Social media detox
You deserve not to be available 24/7.
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Hiring help
Why not? It makes your life easier. Never skimp on it.
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Phone a friend,
Catch up with that old friend, and just laugh for a while.
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Fancy a treat?
A cup of tea in the middle of a busy day? It’s time to create a list of the treats of the week.
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Nature sounds
A forest river, a gentle stream? Close your eyes and soak up a relaxing storm before bed.
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Hug more
It is excellent for your immune system and a healthy boost for your heart.
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Do nothing
Save energy; it’s rejuvenating. Spend some time gazing at the window with no expectations.
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Learn something new
You have no limits to trying what you want. Your neurons will be happy.
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Grow your own garden
Get your hands dirty and feel the soil while growing basil and mint. Grow your own food and enjoy your harvest.
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Read a book
Get lost in a book and immerse yourself in another world to forget about everyday anxieties, stress, and to-do lists and think only about what you are reading.
References
- Cata Droguett. Ecología Personal. Diana. Grupo Planeta. 2022.
- Caring for your mental health. (n.d). Article retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health