Take 5: Self Care Hacks in 5 Minutes or Less

With kids back in school and everyone returning from Summer break, time seems to get shorter and schedules get busier. One of the areas that we tend to skimp on is making more time is our self care (especially my friends who are moms of young kids) I truly believe that we cannot give our best selves to anyone unless we take care of self first. This doesn’t have to be a long, complicated ritual or cost an arm and a leg either. Take 5 applies to more than just a time out, it’s a time to self love, self reflect, reset and self care.

Below find some tips that only take 5 minutes (or less) that anyone can do day or night to care for themselves. Gua Sha: This ancient technique using a gua sha stone is amazing at toning the skin by moving the fluid in the lymph and allowing it drain. The result is firmer skin that appears more even, lifted and allows deeper penetration of your facial oils and serums AND it only takes 5 minutes for your entire face! Plus it feels AH-mazing!! Dry Brushing: Starting from the legs and working toward your upper body, gently brushing in an upward motion in the direction of your heart is the preferred technique for dry brushing. This not only gently exfoliates the skin, preparing it to receive maximum hydration post shower, but it also detoxifies the skin by moving the lymph to discard excess waste. Do this right before your shower. Meditate: Whether you are a beginner or a pro, 5 minutes of meditation is sometimes all you need to just center yourself, breathe and allow the nervous system to chill out. Whether you need to focus, relieve anxiety, sleep, or motivation, there are so many apps out there that can assist you in your meditation practice. I prefer a guided meditation but others might prefer to sit in silence. Whatever suits you best, practice daily. 5 minutes is usually the minimum recommended time and you can do it almost anywhere. Masking: Most masks suggest keeping it on for 15-20 minutes but this mask from Flower & Spice was made for people short on time. It dries in a only a few minutes making this mask my go to for brightening and detoxing the skin. Give yourself a scalp massage: Using the pads of your fingers, or one of those weird spider type looking contraptions, there is little in this world that is more satisfying than a delicious scalp massage. Using your favorite oils or none at all, 5 minutes of a soothing scalp massage is so ultra relaxing and it helps promote healthy hair and scalp by simulating the follicles on your scalp. No time to “beat your face”? Apply a bold lip and your favorite sunnies for that instant glam look. I promise that’s all it takes to up the ante when you have only 5 minutes or less to run out the door and complete a laundry list of things to do. Shave your legs. We underestimate how shaving our legs makes us feel sometimes. You know how you can’t stop touching your legs after you’ve shaved them for the first time in 3 months? Yea that feeling...We should allow that to happen more often. Sometimes having smooth legs is all it takes to boost the self esteem and it also expands our wardrobe options too! (No more hiding in jeans all year long).

xoxo PWB