14 Self-Care Habits to Help De-stress

Practice showing love to yourself (or someone special)

1. Herbal foot bath

You know what supports you no matter what? Your feet. Yes, time to give them some TLC.

Choose a comfy seat. Fill a bucket or baking dish with hot water. Add in a few drops of essential oils like lavender for relaxation, slices of orange/lemon for rejuvenating steam, sprigs of dried or fresh rosemary, mint or eucalyptus.

Soak for 15 minutes. Rinse oils off, towel dry and enjoy relaxed muscles.

📸 Rayia Soderberg on Unsplash

2. Massages

Massage away at the arms, neck, head, thighs and calves. Add in some stretching for good measure to limber up those limbs.

📸 Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

3. Scent some candles

Nothing like the scent of Zero F*cks or Bottomless Mimosas to spice up your night

📸 Noelle Australia on Unsplash

4. Yoga (for 1 or 2)

But seriously. Yoga focuses on balance and the push & pull of your systems. Great for centering yourself and increasing flexibility.

📸 Madison Lavern on Unsplash

5. Whip up 10 min Dark Chocolate Drops

1) Melt dark chocolate in the microwave at 15 second increments, stirring each time, until smooth.
2) Drop ½ tbsp of dark choco on a parchment-lined surface. Stick on toppings.
3) Let firm up in the fridge for 8 – 10 minutes then Serve.

Wholesome treats to share (or not). Keeps up to 1 week in the fridge.

📸 Nordwood Themes on Unsplash

6. Pantry Pancakes

Optional add-ins:
– ½ tsp vanilla
– chopped nuts or seeds
– dried fruit
– coconut flakes

Directions:
1. Mix all into a smooth batter.
2. Heat a pan on medium-low and pour 2 tbsps of batter for each pancake.
3. Cook until bubbles have formed on the surface, about 2-4 minutes. Flip the pancake over and cook for 1-3 minutes more.
4. Serve immediately with additional toppings & mayple syrup to taste

Store in fridge for up to a week, or in freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in toaster oven, airfryer, or microwave.

📸 Catalin Pateo on Unsplash

7. Netflix & chill in bed

From spiritual possessions to jungle survival, the show challenges you to reflect on what it means to be committed.

📸 Creative Exchange on Unsplash

8. Warm up with Golden Milk

Ingredients:
– 1½ cup almond milk (or your choice)
– 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
– ½ tsp cinnamon
– ½ tsp ground turmeric
– 1 dash black pepper to make turmeric bioavailable

Directions:
1. Heat milk in saucepan until warmed, stir in rest of ingredients until combined.
2. Serve immediately.

Or make hot cocoa by switching out last 2 ingredients for
– 2 oz dark chocolate
– ½ tbsp cocoa powder

📸 Sarah Gualtierion on Unsplash

9. Take a walk in the park 🌺

Fresh air and FREE flowers! Just don’t pluck them, okay?⁠

On a scientific note, walking in nature has been found to help reduce stress, boost immune system cells & improve mood by 2007 studies from Kyoto University & Nippon Medical School

⁠
📸 Matt Flores on Unsplash⁠

10. Make Nice Cream 🍨

Ingredients
– 2-3 super ripe bananas, frozen in chunks
– 2-3 tbsp plant milk of choice, as needed
– 1 pinch salt
– optional vanilla & maple syrup

Directions:
1. Blend frozen banana chunks with plant milk until soft serve texture.
2. Add in flavors like crushed oreos, nut butter, berries, or 3 tbsp of cocoa powder
3. Serve immediately or freeze covered in airtight container for 30 min – up to 2 weeks.

📸 Vendela Larsson on Unsplash

11. Tortilla pizza

Ingredients:
– 2 tortillas
– 4 tbsp tomato paste (or 1/2 cup marinara sauce)
– 2/3 cup cheese of choice
– toppings you like

Directions:
1. Prep
Pre-heat oven to 425 F /218 C. Optional, toast tortilla in pan or oven for 2-4 minutes for a crispier crust.

2. For each tortilla pizza, spread 2 tbsp of tomato paste or ¼ cup marinara sauce evenly.

3. Sprinkle on ⅓ cup of cheese of choice (daiya, mozz, mix) and any toppings (mushroom, bell peppers, pepperoni).

4. Place pizza on a wire rack in a baking tray. Bake at 425 F /218 C for 8-12 mins until tortilla has browned & cheese has melted.

📸 Toni Osmundson on Unsplash

12. Make a fruit bouquet

But sometimes good things come out of it – like fruit!

Take skewers and stab them through pieces of strawberries, watermelon, grapes, or whatever’s in the fruit bowl. Arrange in a tall mug. Voila!

13. Host a game night

14. Get swept off your feet by Regency Romance novels

The romance sections are chock-full of Mr. Darcy-esque novels ranging from innocent to scandalous tales.

Our guilty pleasures (or obsessions)?
– Secrets of a Summer Night
– My Lady’s Choosing
– Someone to Wed

If you prefer Sci-Fi or Fantasy, try
– The Faceless Mage
– Aurora Rising
– Magic Forged

📸 Toni Osmundson on Unsplash

If you try these, tag us @aricoachapp !