Self-care might not be a new concept, but it's hugely on the rise, especially amongst the gen-z generation. With more and more people adopting JOMO (joy of missing out) as opposed to FOMO (fear of missing out), the importance of taking time out to look after you is becoming more and more important.
With the weather turning colder and drizzlier, we think it's the perfect time to adopt a good self-care routine. Darker nights and colder temperatures mean candles, bath oils and early nights; perfect for giving your mental wellbeing a little extra TLC.
Discover our ultimate guide below to help you take time out and discover the art of JOMO.
3 steps to self-care
Turn off your phone
We know this is a tricky one to actually do, but various studies have shown that taking time from your phone each day can do wonders for your mental wellbeing.
Our phones have become addictive, with emails, social media and messages all holding power over us 24 hours a day. With this in mind, it's important to switch off and take time away from your screen. Not only can it have a positive impact on your state of mind, but it can also improve your complexion. Blue light, emitted from phones, tablets and computers, has been named as a source of pollution and proven to cause accelerated skin ageing.
Each night an hour before bed, turn your phone onto "do not disturb" and focus on another activity instead. This could be reading a book in bed, doing a self-care skincare routine or having a warm bath with your favourite bath oil. Our top pick is the new Forest Therapy Bath & Shower Oil from Aromatherapy Associates - it's earthy scent takes you right back to nature.
Improve your bedtime habits
A lot of our mental stress and fatigue comes from lack of sleep. Busy lives and work schedules mean we're getting less and less sleep, but making sure to adopt a good bedtime routine is essential to a good self-care routine.
There are a couple of good and easy practices to follow which can make an instant difference to your sleep habits.
- Wash your bed sheets once a week - Freshly-washed bed linen is super satisfying to get into after a long day. Plus, it keeps everything clean and tidy, and everyone knows a tidy atmosphere is a tidy mind.
- Block out the light - We love to wear a silk sleep mask to go to bed. Not only does it feel super soothing against the skin, but it blocks out all light so you can get a good night's sleep. Our favourite is the
- Use a pillow spray - A calming scent can work wonders on turning your brain off for the evening. We love the Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Sleep Mist, which has been specially formulated without lavender (for those who dislike the smell), and is instead made with chamomile and vetivert to soothe and help you drift off.
Invest in a weekly skincare ritual
Once a week, perform a weekly skincare ritual to help to deep-cleanse your skin and make you feel relaxed.
We recommend investing in a selection of products that go beyond your regular cleanse and moisturise during the week and after late nights. This will ensure you give your skin a thorough cleanse so it stays in its healthiest and most radiant condition.
As a minimum (and this works for all skin types), we advocate cleansing, masking (one of our all-time favourites is the Omorovicza Silver Skin Saviour, which contains a base of acids and soothing silver to banish blemishes and reduce inflammation), misting, applying an eye cream, then a face oil, before finishing on a serum or moisturiser depending on your skin type. Developed to suit all skin types, the Dermalogica Phyto Nature Serum is packed full of natural goodness to protect the skin from external pollutants whilst replenishing its natural barriers, hydrating and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
