Self Care At Home: 15 Ways To Decompress Right Now

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others. Love yourself first. We all know that it’s important to take care of ourselves, but how often are we actually following through with feel-good rituals? “Self-care” has become a bit of a buzzword these days, but what does it mean, exactly? 

Acts of self-care include all the things you do to take care of your well-being in four key dimensions – your emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual health. Because it’s much easier said than done to “just relax,” here are some easy ways to take care of yourself on a daily or weekly basis.

1. Shower aromatherapy

Turn your nightly shower into an impromptu aromatherapy session by using moisturizing, scented shower gel.

2. Take an epsom salt bath

Epsom salts help remove toxins from your body and promote deep relaxation.

3. Use lotion daily

Use oil or lotion on your skin, all over your body. Do this daily. The best time is right after you get out of the shower.

4. Try dry brushing

Use a natural bristle brush in a circular motion. Start from the extremities (feet and hands) and move toward the heart. This helps your lymphatic system remove impurities, and done regularly, may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

5. Stay hydrated

Don’t forget your H2O: it’s one of the best things you can do for your health.

6. Get creative

Pick up a new hobby or reconnect with your love of drawing, painting, singing or playing music.

7. Create your own mantra

Choose words that have meaning for you, that express the way you want to live and be.

8. Catch some z’s.

Take an afternoon nap or enjoy a morning without an early alarm.

9. Start and end your day with intention

Make morning and nighttime routines that will set you up for a positive day and for restful sleep.

10. Move your body

Be sure to get up and move around at least once an hour.

11. Go outside

Grab some fresh air and Vitamin D.

12. Write it down

Try journaling. An easy way to start is to make a list of things you are grateful for in the moment or 10 things you love about yourself.

13. Set screen time limits

Establish some boundaries around your screen time, particularly before bed.

14. Book a massage

The Spa at FFC is open and our experienced massage therapists are ready to help you relax and recover with a massage. See our offerings here.

15. Try these self-massage techniques at home

Evening Foot Massage

Take off your shoes and socks. Apply massage lotion to one foot at a time. 

• Cross your ankle over the other knee and place a towel under your foot. 
• Take hold of both sides of your foot and gently rock it from side to side.
• Apply lotion and rub the length of your foot
• Rub with circular motion around each ankle bone
• Hold the joint where each toe connects with your foot, Hold each toe one at a time and rotate the toes
• Gently apply compression starting by squeezing around the toe joints. Release and move 1/2 “ towards the ankle, squeeze again. Repeat for the whole foot.
• Thread your fingers between the toes to spread them apart, flex and bend the toes
• Place your thumb in the arch of your foot, rest fingers on top and press up and in with the thumb. Move ½” towards the ankle and repeat. 

Leg Refreshing Massage

• Extend your leg, with both hands press the fingers lightly into the leg on each side of the ankle bone. Gently pull up the leg in short strokes towards the heart. Continue past the knee like you’re pulling up your stockings. This is very refreshing, stimulates circulation and helps lymphatic drainage.

Post written by FFC Contributor and Massage Therapist Sam Wolf.