Self Care
Published in Lee’s Summit Lifestyle and Johnson County Lifestyle May 2021
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At-home Spa
“Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.” - Katie Reed
I am the first to raise my hand at struggling to take time for self-care. Because I love my work so much I often forget the necessary balance of stepping away from it. My husband has been known to pop into my office to ask how many hours it has been since I’ve been sitting and that maybe I should at least get a glass of water. Hold on, going to do that now... Clearly, self-care is not natural for me and that isn’t something to be proud of. I have learned the hard way that self-care is not selfish but critical for a healthy and thriving life. The older I get the more that I know and believe that putting my best foot forward means taking a step back from productivity for rest. True growth is slow growth.
Since I am one to struggle in the area of self-care, I find it helpful to include rest on my calendar to insure it happens. My practiced rhythm of rest is taking one hour per day, one day per week and one week per year that is set aside for “nothing” (as in, nothing that I would label productive). When I started practicing this time of rest I was left with feelings of guilt and panic. These are the sure tell signs of a workaholic in detox mode, let me tell you. But practice makes perfect and I’m happy to say that rest is getting easier for me and if you struggle with rest as well then I know that it will get easier for you too. I hope that you join me as we practice the art of self-care by trying these wonderful DIY recipes for putting together an at-home spa to relax and enjoy. Take 5 minutes or even a whole day (if you have been gifted with it) to practice self-care for yourself. I have carefully collected recipes that can be put together in minutes so you can get straight to the real deal of resting, however long you have for it. After assembling the self-care recipes of your choice, remember to include some calming background music, light a few candles and grab your favorite book as you enjoy time set aside for rest.
Honorable Mentions
Recipes that include Young Living Oils are gifted to us by my gal-pal and oily expert Theresa Jones. Follow her over @theresamjones1 to watch her highlights as she demonstrates how to assemble and use these recipes.
I had the honor of photographing this beautiful space in the home of the talented Suzanne Dahlmer who designed and built this space for her family. Suzanne is a local interior designer and home enthusiast. You can find her @indigostyleanddesign for inspiration and interior decorating services.
Gift-giving
Along with enjoying these DIY treatments yourself, you can also assemble them as gifts for friends! All of these self-care recipes can be made into beautiful, thoughtful gifts for your friends and family to be celebrated and loved. Simply assemble the recipes as directed and place them in wide mouth mason jars with bamboo lids. Include a wooden spoon or scoop, instructions on how to use it (handwritten or stamped. Go to @silvertoothhome for how to) and attach with ribbon or twine. And don’t forget that Mother’s Day is on May 9th (hint, hint!).
Lemon Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup avocado or fractionated coconut oil
20 drops of Young Living Lemon essential oil
Juice from one lemon
Directions
Mix the ingredients in a bowl adding more or less oil until desired consistency is achieved. Store in a glass jar with a lid and use within a few days. To use, gently rub over skin. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel. Your skin will be left silky smooth! You can place the scrub by the sink to be used on hands after washing or left in the shower to be used as a body scrub (just do not use on face).
Lavender Salt Bath
Ingredients
1 cup epsom salts
¼ cup dried lavender flowers (optional)
20 drops of Young Living Lavender oil
Directions
Combine salt and flowers. When ready to use, add the mix to a full tub of bath water. Lastly, add the oil to your bath before enjoying it.
This recipe is for a single bath but I like to make a larger batch (4 cups epsom salt, 1 cup dried lavender flowers) to keep it on the counter until ready to use. If you’re making a large batch for later, just make sure to exclude the oils until you’re ready to use. *Warning that if using dried flowers it will take extra time to clean the bath afterwards. Before draining the bathwater, use a skimmer to remove the flowers and if needed rinse your body in the shower.
Honey Lip Rub
Ingredients
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon coconut oil
½ teaspoon local honey
Directions
Mix all ingredients. For dryer texture add more brown sugar as needed. Gently rub onto lips and rinse with cool water. Use once per week. Keep unused rub in the fridge with a lid.
