Seasonal Self-Care

Happy Fall! Season changes are a perfect time to refresh your mind, routine and perspective. Make time to add some self-care to this season’s calendar. Your mental and physical health are more important that most of the “important” things that are a priority in the calendar. Self-care doesn’t have to cost anything at all and can take one hour or less to experience. Think about it like this, you naturally blink your eyes, breathe and go to the bathroom automatically so start to see an act of self-care as an automatic response. Start by looking into the mirror and saying “I love you.” For more self-love affirmations, look to the queen of self-care, Louis Hay.

Gua Sha

Photo by: Viva Luna Studios @vivalunastudios

Gua Sha is a massage technique used to relieve tension in the face, neck and body while boosting blood circulation, lymphatic drainage (reducing puffiness and fine lines) and improves the skin’s elasticity.

Gua Sha also aids in managing chronic pain and inflammation with; Tourette Syndrome, Migraine, Peri-menopausal Syndrome, Engorged Breasts (nursing mothers) and Hepatitis B.

The tools used are a stone of varying shapes and/or a roller in jade or rose quartz. The skin must be cleansed and moisturized before beginning the process. It is best to watch instructional videos to learn effective practices like this one from Gothamista, YouTube Gua Sha.

Giving yourself a Gua Sha facial and neck massage is a great way to begin and end your day.