This blog post was literally a direct result of a shower I took last week. Never know when lightning will strike, am I right?
As I was getting out of the shower, I realized…. That I felt so, so good.
It’s so SIMPLE.
We all have to shower multiple times each week (hopefully ;) ).
So, what happens when we actually enjoy this thing we’re doing anyway?
Intentional bathing practices are a wonderful way to uplevel our whole life, our whole existence.
I think we’d all agree that there are different foundations and pillars of self care -
They include nutrition, movement, rest, relaxation, food, fun and playtime too, right?
But it also includes nurturing the biome that is our living body - the good bacteria that exists as part of our skin.
And you don't have to have a lot of money to take good care of yourself.
You don't have to have a lot of time to take good care of yourself.
It’s all about your attitude. Is your morning / evening shower just one more thing to get done before getting onto the next thing? Or is it a pause? A practice? A pleasure?
Depending on which way you view it - it creates a totally different psychological outcome.
Feeling more nourished, feeling more supported - all of that can happen from a simple mental reframe.
If you’d like more support about how to change your point of reference, I encourage you to schedule a Beat Burnout Now Strategy Session with me at https://pages.marnaschwartz.com/beat-burnout
I'll help you make a mini plan with little shifts you can make in your point of view that will help you have more of what you want right now.
Here are six steps that can go into your daily hygiene routine - 6 steps to creating the best possible experience! One of masterful self care and delicious self nourishment.
STEP 1) PREPARE
Ask yourself:
How am I going to take a bath in the most beautiful possible way?
Or how am I going to take a shower? What do I need?
What do I need to think about?
I don't know about you, but I've been in the shower and realized I didn’t have any shampoo left! Not fun.
(PS. If you happen to be in a low hydration region of the world or our country or world, all of this is equally possible using a sponge bath, using a washcloth bath, You can still take each of these steps while conserving water!)
STEP 2) CLEANSE
For me, I like to use a body wash with a seaweed base. It's low allergen because my skin is super sensitive. Find something that nourishes you and is free from harmful chemicals.
STEP 3) EXFOLIATE
How many of you use a loofah??
Turns out Loofah actually comes out of a plant that you grow yourself - I think that’s super cool. It’s texture helps to get rid of dead skin.
I highly recommend loofahs - but I don't so much recommend plastics, because then you're exposing yourself to more plastic, and putting it into the water.
I’m also a super fan of using a pumice stone. It's really inexpensive, like less than $5 in most drug stores.
The main thing is to take the time to brush your skin free of all excess skin - to cleanse away the dead and make room for new life to turn over.
I created a video about loofahs. You can check it out >>HERE<<.
STEP 4) CONSERVE
I live in northern California - though there’s not a drought currently, but what I've heard is that we're actually in the midst of an overarching dry time - and this is a temporary respite from that drought, so I don't feel good about using a lot of extra water.
I'll turn the water off on my shower and then a lather up. Besides, it gives your body a break from the noise, and creates a moment of steamy calm.
STEP 5: MOISTURIZE
I love me some oil! I l use jojoba oil personally - and always get one that’s non GMO certified.
If you need some good oil or supplements - I’ve started an online store - and clients of mine can get a 10% discount on everything in it!
Coconut oil is also a great one.
While still wet - I just put a little tiny bit - maybe the size of a dime or less - right in my hand, rub my hands together.
Then I just love all over my skin. My arms, my legs, my breasts, my butt, my belly. It feels so good and I feel like it helps really nourish my system so that I'm ready for whatever's next in the day.
In my humble opinion, it bolsters my energetic fields. It gives me a felt-sense of myself.
STEP 6: GLOW
After you get out of the bath or shower, give yourself a little bit of time, even if it's only a minute - to just breathe and receive.
Breathe and receive baby, breathe and receive.
Maybe thank the water. Thank yourself for the opportunity to engage in this practice of self care and just feel the buzz.
An extra yummy step you can take? Sprinkle a little rose water onto your palms and breathe it in.
We are so privileged to be able to take the time and have clean water. There are so many people in the world who are struggling to have even enough fresh drinking water.
It is such a privilege to have the opportunity for self care. So being grateful to the water, being grateful to the earth, being grateful to your circumstances, being grateful to yourself - that’s where the magic’s at.
It also gives your brain all of these yummy endorphins - it's an opportunity to give yourself positive, loving feedback. Feedback that will lead to making GREAT choices in the future.
If this was helpful for you, maybe consider sending a sweet message to a friend today with the link - something like: “Hey honey, you deserve some good self care because you're awesome and I love you.”
If you’d like some support around boosting energy, feeling great in your skin, and more fully enjoying your life, I encourage you to schedule a Beat Burnout Now Strategy Session with me at https://pages.marnaschwartz.com/beat-burnout