5 Wellness Practices & Rituals for a Self-Care Sunday

There's nothing like the feeling of rest and relaxation that self-care provides. Taking time to focus on your physical and mental well-being keeps your mind, body, and soul happy. In recent years, there's been a new resurgence of people discovering how enjoyable spending a few minutes on themselves can be. Why should you consider adopting a few new self-care rituals?

Studies show that it offers tons of benefits, with participants reporting a 71% increase in happiness, a 67% increase in productivity, and a 64% boost in confidence. Self-care can also reduce your risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Now that's impressive! Let's take a look at five wellness practices and rituals you can implement to start or add to your self-care routine.

1. Intentional Grounding

No, we're not talking about being sent to your room for sneaking out in the middle of the night; intentional grounding is when you kick off your shoes and walk barefoot in the grass. You could also take a walk in nature, have a picnic by the lake, or any other activity where you unplug and reconnect. It may seem a bit weird to go walking around barefoot outside, especially if you've never done it before, but grounding or earthing has numerous mental and physical benefits.

You'll notice the effects start right away as you experience an improved heart rate and feel your stress level drop. Grounding may also promote better sleep, immunity, and healing. It's also known to decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Who knew touching grass could be so beneficial?

2. Facial Gua Sha

Everyone would agree that taking a spa day is a great way to let go of the cares of the world and renew your body and mind. Facials are particularly popular since they rejuvenate your skin and leave it looking and feeling younger. However, for those who either can't afford a spa visit or simply don't have the time, there's an excellent alternative you can use in the comfort of your own home: Gua Sha.

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese therapy using a scraping tool to smooth and massage the skin. It was historically used to target Chi, or stagnant energy, which was the prime culprit of inflammation. You can use Gua Sha on your entire body, from your legs to your face and everything in between. For the best results, we recommend starting with an all-natural oil like this Chamomile Glow Facial Oil to ensure your Gua Sha tool slides effortlessly without pulling on sensitive areas.

Speaking of a Gua Sha tool, they come in many shapes and sizes and are typically made from precious stones like Aventurine or Agate. We love this Pele Brown Agate Gua Sha Facial Massage Tool for its stunning colors and unique shape. There are also multi-purpose Gua Sha tools like this Jade Comb + Gua Sha Massage Tool that features a hair and scalp comb on one end to reduce tension on the scalp and body.

What are the Benefits of Gua Sha?

Gua Sha has a multitude of benefits that explain why it's such a beloved part of so many people's self-care routines. Let's check them out below.

• Lymphatic drainage
• Reduced puffiness and inflammation
• Pain relief
• Improved circulation
• Increase blood circulation
• Reduced muscle tension
• Face sculpting
• Reduced fine lines

With so many benefits, who wouldn't want to add Gua Sha to their daily routine?

3. Meditation

Taking a few moments out of your day to sit quietly and meditate helps calm your mind and allow your body to release any tension it's stored. Meditation is a powerful tool used for centuries by spiritualists and those who want to find a way to disconnect from the business of their daily lives. In fact, there are proven, science-based benefits that mediation offers that are great for anyone. They include:

• Decreased blood pressure
• Pain control
• Improved sleep
• Help with fighting addictions
• Reduced age-related memory loss
• Lengthening your attention span
• Enhanced self-awareness
• Improved emotional health
• Anxiety control
• Reduced stress

How to Meditate

Meditating can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once you see how easy it is, you'll be a pro in no time. The key is finding a calm and quiet location where you can allow yourself to relax and focus. You want to start by sitting and closing your eyes. You can do this on a chair, bed, the floor, or better yet, in the grass to combine your meditation with grounding!

There are many different ways to meditate. You can start by focusing all of your intention on your breathing while allowing any thoughts and worries to fall away. Breathe normally, noticing each inhale and exhale in its entirety. If you find it difficult to concentrate, you can label each inhale by saying "breathing in" in your head and each exhale by saying "breathe out."

Stay with the breath for about 20 minutes until you feel your body relax and your mind starts to quiet. It may take some time and practice to keep yourself in the moment, but don't get discouraged and simply surrender to the practice, allowing whatever IS to arise - including memories, emotions and sensations. If you spend a little bit of time working on meditating every day, you'll quickly start seeing and feeling a difference.

4. Take a Bath

Baths are another super popular self-care option. Warm baths are great for relaxing muscles, releasing stress and anxiety, and unwinding after a long week. Recently, ice baths have gained popularity, with many people discovering the many health benefits they offer. Along with being incredibly rejuvenating, ice baths can:

• Decrease inflammation
• Reduce muscle soreness
• improve mood
• Increase alertness
• Reduce pain
• Improve depression symptoms

Be sure to only stay in the bath for 10 to 15 minutes at a time and enjoy the many benefits it offers!

5. Natural DIY Hair Mask

Hair masks will make your hair feel great and keep it strong and shiny. Applying it just once a week can transform your hair's health and give you untold confidence. Making your own natural DIY hair mask is easy and gives you peace of mind, knowing you're avoiding nasty chemicals.

Some effective ingredients include olive oil, lemon, honey, avocados, apple cider vinegar, and black tea. With just a bit of research, you can find a recipe that fits your hair, whether it's dry or oily, and leaves it looking beautiful.

Focusing on self-care is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. At Earth Ahead, we are committed to providing top-quality natural products that help you live greener without sacrificing on quality or style. Explore our full range of products, including our wellness collection and enjoy self-care - the sustainable way.