This post is sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Candle and SheSavvy. I received product and compensation for this post, of course, all thoughts are my own. Thanks for supporting Sweet and Strong sponsors.
I focus a lot on taking care of myself nutritionally and through fitness, but I know I lack on the emotional side of healthy living. Overall wellness includes the mind and body. And life is busy enough with the stress of work, family, and fitting in exercise. One of the best ways to cope with stress is to engage in an enjoyable and relaxing activity.
Inspired by the ever-evolving wellness lifestyle trend that includes aromatherapy, yoga, organic products, healthy diet and outdoor adventure, the Chesapeake Bay Mind & Body collection offers an artfully curated line of home fragrance products inviting you on a fragrance filled journey into wellness for the mind and body.
Chesapeake Bay Candle co-founder Mei Xu says, “With the rise of the new technologies our lives have become super organized. But we are not happier. We need to slow down and find time for ourselves. I wanted to design a home fragrance collection that helps people to achieve a state of balance and peace inside, so they can share their joy and energy with others. The Chesapeake Bay Mind & Body collection invites you to pause, to find a moment of stillness and to enjoy the simple pleasure of fragrance.”
The Mind & Body collection includes 10 soothing scents. The frosted pastel jars allow the light of the flame to shine through while burning. All candles are made from a natural soy wax blend and feature self trimming wicks and fragrances that are enhanced with all natural essential oils. If you’re looking to buy essential oils on their own, try the great Neem oil by rouh.
Here are some of my ideas to take time for self-care. I highly suggest you make your own list of activities and make them a part of your daily to-do list. Having the right office supplies like post-it notes at hand allows for more productivity. Plus, there’d be no excuse as to why you can’t create lists that can help you prioritize your tasks a lot easier.
I am loving lighting a Chesapeake Bay Mind & Body candle and finding joy in self-care.
20 Self Care Activities
Read a Book
Lately before bed I’ve been putting my phone on the night stand and diving into a good book instead of social media. I’ve found it really helps relax my mind as I read about and imagine the drama in the story, which also puts me to sleep quickly. Light the Joy + Laughter candle with a Cranberry Dahlia scent with plum nectar, pink peppercorn, cedarwood, and mahogany. This blissful fruity fragrance is enhanced with the essential oils of orange peel, lemon, and cedarwood.
Get a Massage
Go for a Walk or Run
Practice Yoga or Meditation
Turn Off Your Phone and Computer
Sit in a Coffee Shop
Keep a Journal
I’m always writing down thoughts and ideas in my journal or planner. Light the Focus + Patience candle for tobacco cedar scent of black tea, cinnamon, and cedar. And with the natural essential oils of birch tar, cedarwood, and patchouli. This fragrance is my favorite. I just love the earthy scent.
Eat Your Favorite Meal
Buy Flowers for Yourself
Get Your Nails Done
Take a Mental Health Day Off Work (Shhhh we won’t tell)
Try Something New for the First Time
Take a Bubble Bath
Especially in the cooler months, nothing feels more relaxing than a bubble bath. Typically, I draw a bath with epsom salt for muscle recovery. Light the Peace + Tranquility candle for a cashmere jasmine scent of exotic jasmine, cotton blossoms, and rose. It also includes three essential oils; ylang ylang, lemon, and cedarwood.
Have an Intense Workout Session
Take a Nap
Stretch
Binge Watch your Favorite TV Show
Create a Vision Board for Yourself
Put on a Face Mask. Skincare is important generally, but more so when you are feeling stressed out. Doing face masks at home is relaxing, but so is visiting places like Jeunesse Medi Spa to get the full treatment. Plus, this just allows you to escape unnecessary tasks and hopefully put you in a better state of mind.
Treat Yourself to Dessert
You all know I’m all about the sweets. And whenever treating myself it’s usually always something with chocolate. Indulge in your favorite dessert while lighting the Love + Passion candle with a grapefruit and mango scent of peach nectar, sparkling orange, and tart grapefruit. And it includes the natural essential oils of orange and lemon.
Linking up with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud.
Like this Post? Then You’ll Love:
What would you add to this self care list?
Which Chesapeake Bay Candle would you try?
Do you take time for self care?
Bethany
November 9, 2017 at 11:03 am (2 years ago)Coffee, candles, reading, and face masks are my favorites!
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:02 pm (2 years ago)I love all of those too Bethany! Hope you can find some time for self care daily.
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real
November 9, 2017 at 12:32 pm (2 years ago)I love to curl up on the couch to read while a candle is burning. Something about it is so relaxing! I love discovering new candles so I’ll definitely have to check out the ones from Chesapeake Bay.
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:03 pm (2 years ago)The candles smell so good! I even love when I can smell a candle when they’re not lit and I keep catching whifs of these. And reading on the couch is one of my favorite forms of self care as well. Read any good books lately?
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness
November 9, 2017 at 2:20 pm (2 years ago)Whenever I light a candle I feel it to be really calming. I wish I. Read more. I have one always on my nightstand but find myself scrolling thru Pinterest instead.
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:04 pm (2 years ago)I used to always scroll through instagram, now I force myself to put my phone down and read a chapter or too. And once I really get into a book I really enjoy the reading time. Give it a try! Or another self care activity.
Naomi || Naomi Why: Roots
November 9, 2017 at 2:41 pm (2 years ago)I love all of these. Journaling and walks are two of my go-to self-care activities. I can’t have a candle in my dorm room, but I’m seriously considering getting a wax melter. It’s not quite the same, but at least you get the same lovely scent!
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:05 pm (2 years ago)Oh gosh I forget that you can’t have candles in dorms. A was melter definitely has similar effects, I love the fresh scent they provide. And journaling and walks are two great self care activities. I hope you find some time to do them daily!
Emily Swanson
November 9, 2017 at 2:44 pm (2 years ago)I LOVE writing a blog post with a burning candle, especially a pumpkin spice one right now; it’s so relaxing! And I love how you included different activities like reading and then doing an intense workout. Sometimes an intense workout can actually be really really refreshing and at other times a good rest on the couch with a good book is refreshing!
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:06 pm (2 years ago)I totally agree Emily! Sometimes I need some mindless, sometimes I want my mind on, and sometimes I just want to be crazy active. Definitly depends on my mood and stress level. And yes ALL about the pumpkin spice right now, Fall scents are my favorite.
Heather @ Polyglot Jot
November 9, 2017 at 4:07 pm (2 years ago)These are all such great ideas. I need to check these candles out–anything to relax with a baby at home is appreciated! 🙂
sweetandstrong
November 9, 2017 at 5:07 pm (2 years ago)You definitly need the candles and to find time for self care with your newborn. I love that the candles also have essential oils, like two in one!
Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy
November 10, 2017 at 12:52 pm (2 years ago)Great list! I’ve really taken a huge passion for self care this year – I talk about it with all clients too. A good smelling candle is the best thing ever.
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:06 pm (2 years ago)I’ve tried to make it a priority this year as well. And candles really help put me in a relaxing mood.
Erinn
November 10, 2017 at 3:23 pm (2 years ago)These candles are beautiful! I need to stock up on some fall and winter scents 🙂
I include exercise for self care – I always feel more energized when I get my workout in!
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:07 pm (2 years ago)I definitely agree exercise is self care. Especially if it’s a workout class that someone else is teaching for me. And fall and winter scents are my favorite 🙂
Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off
November 10, 2017 at 4:10 pm (2 years ago)I love every one of these self-care tips; thank you for sharing <3
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:07 pm (2 years ago)Thanks! Now it’s just about finding time to do them right!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
November 11, 2017 at 12:25 am (2 years ago)I need to light candles more often. They give such a relaxing ambiance! Maybe tonight… I’ve been having trouble sleeping and I know that would relax me!
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:08 pm (2 years ago)They totally help me relax! I always get in a sleepy mood when the lights are low and we have candles lit.
amanda @amanda-isms
November 11, 2017 at 12:58 pm (2 years ago)I like the ‘sit in a coffee shop’ one. I always do homework in the coffee shop, but before the semester started I went and just brought my book or to catch up on reading blogs and it was the most enjoyable thing!
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:09 pm (2 years ago)Oh yes that’s a good one! I always feel so productive when working in a coffee shop. And sometimes it’s fun just to catch up with a friend or people watch.
Elizabeth
November 11, 2017 at 7:46 pm (2 years ago)Hello, Patricia .
I love scented candles so much. I can’t go a day without lighting one. How much are these scented candles? What is your favorite scent aside from the Focus+Patience?
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:10 pm (2 years ago)The Focus and Patience is my favorite scent. I love the tobacco and cedar smell.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
November 13, 2017 at 4:53 am (2 years ago)Funny, I just wrote about self-care recently too! I’m all about taking time out for myself to do things that I enjoy. A few of my favorites are getting a massage, going for a hike, and putting on a face mask. These candles sound great! I adore lighting calming candles in my house. Right now I have this yummy smelling pumpkin caramel one that I’ve been burning.
sweetandstrong
November 13, 2017 at 12:11 pm (2 years ago)Oh a pumpkin caramel candle sounds like it smells so good. Fall scents are totally my favorite. And love all those self care ideas! I hope you had some time to do them this weekend 😉
Nicole @ Bento Momentos
November 13, 2017 at 2:47 pm (2 years ago)I didn’t realize how bad I was about self-care during college until afterwards. Nowadays, I’m ALLLL about self care. Wonderful post!
sweetandstrong
November 14, 2017 at 1:43 pm (2 years ago)Yes it’s so hard to be a bit selfish and take time for yourself, but oh so important! Have a great week Nicole!
Rachel
November 14, 2017 at 4:58 pm (2 years ago)I love taking some time out for myself! It’s so important. Taking an Epsom salt bath is one of my favorite ways to relax, and I also like going for long walks. Fresh air does me good!
sweetandstrong
November 14, 2017 at 10:14 pm (2 years ago)Both of those are great for self care activities and two of my favorites to do on the weekend.
Paul
November 14, 2017 at 11:41 pm (2 years ago)We should definitely do these things more often. I’ve never taken a “mental day off work” but I love the idea. Taking walks with no destination are very relaxing. Great post!
sweetandstrong
November 15, 2017 at 2:39 pm (2 years ago)Walks are great, but mental health days are even better! hehe 🙂
Courtney A. Casto
November 18, 2017 at 10:20 pm (2 years ago)The pictures in this post look so relaxing! I love having candles around my house. There is no substitute for a real flame, as much as I enjoy my LED candles! Oh and yes, I completely agree on buying flowers for yourself. They really brighten a room!
sweetandstrong
November 19, 2017 at 9:25 pm (2 years ago)Yes real candles have such a relaxing feeling, they literally put me to sleep sometimes, lol.