By Cecilia Toro
The last few days have been nothing short of worrying, and it’s normal to feel stressed, scared, or overwhelmed by these unpredictable times.
At KeiSei, we understand how these current circumstances may make it easy for us to feel disheartened. But, we want to encourage our readers and community to take a few minutes to really sit with and confront this current anxiety, to better understand how to proactively fight it. We owe it to ourselves and our community to take deep breaths and tackle this global problem one day at a time.
When dealing with particularly difficult times, it is so important to settle down, unwind, and find ways to engage with yourself. Even if being cooped up at home seems less than ideal, it’s nice to try and ground ourselves in habits that bring us peace of mind.
One very easy way to disconnect from your mind is to force it to focus on your body. That is, try to find physical ways of feeling better. We do this by trying out a few self-care routines that really connect with us or simply make us feel good.
A very good and easy option for destressing is creating anything out of ingredients, foods, or materials we already have! For example, why not try a homemade face mask or scrub? It’s great for your skin and it lets you carry on with whatever it is you’re doing, so it’s a great way of being present with yourself and your surroundings.
Whether it’s a face mask or an exfoliating scrub, here’s a few ideas that will hopefully help you feel a bit softer and kinder in these trying times.
Before you get started:
Have a bowl or small jar and your measuring cups ready! We are including a list of ingredients that are easy to find and great to use!
Sensitive skin – yoghurt, honey, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil:
Honey and plain greek yoghurt are perfect for a cooling and hydrating mask, especially if you have combination or sensitive skin. If you have drier skin and still want to try this mask out, make sure it’s extra hydrating by adding olive oil, coconut oil, or some mashed avocado.
Acne-prone skin – turmeric, yoghurt, honey
Best to combine turmeric powder with plain greek yoghurt and honey, so that it works against spots, but also helps lock in moisture! Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes before going to bed; I feel like this is ideal for winding down.
Dull, dry skin – brown sugar, olive oil, coconut oil, any essential oil you have
If you have a few dry patches on your face, lips, or body, this scrub is so good and hydrating. Sugar works wonders when it comes to getting rid of dead skin. Also, sugar melts into your skin fairly quickly but doesn’t leave you feeling sticky at all, especially if you add olive oil or coconut oil to the scrub. It becomes a super nourishing mix.
You can make this scrub smell super yum by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil into it (try lavender if you have it as it’s good for acne and sensitive skin).
Tired skin – lemon, orange, sugar, olive oil
We recently read up on how lemon or orange is excellent for tired skin giving it a much-needed glow (we have Vitamin C to thank for that). Mixing a few drops of olive oil, a spoonful of sugar (white or brown), and lemon will make a super refreshing face scrub. It’s excellent for the mornings. Leave it on while you enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.
Problematic skin – coffee grains, brown sugar, honey, coconut oil
This scrub is ideal for people with eczema, acne, or dermatitis! You’ll want to make a big batch of this scrub so that you have enough for face and body, it’s so good. Mix old coffee grains with honey, sugar, and coconut oil. When you’re in the shower, gently rub the scrub in small circles until you feel that you’ve rubbed off all the dead skin. Rinse off when you’re done!
Hopefully this inspires you to treat yourself to a few minutes of relaxation amidst all the craziness we’re living. It’ll be a much needed break and a well deserved breather!
Cecilia Toro
Recent MA graduate from Durham Uni, focuses on contemporary issues and writes about literature, film, and art. Lover of podcasts, coffee, and gardening. You can follow her in IG @lloronademedici
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