Gift yourself a little self-care this Valentine’s Day

Ready to show yourself some self-love this Valentine's?

Valentine’s Day is the holiday that celebrates all things related to love. And while it’s usually considered a day for romance and spoiling your partner, Valentine’s Day is also a fabulous opportunity for self-love and self-care.

In today’s world, nurturing your best self is more important than ever. Developing healthy routines and dedicating time to mindfulness and wellness practices can reduce stress and anxiety, and help make life a little more manageable.

A day focused on you doesn’t need to be costly either. You can save on cards and flowers and get creative with an at-home experience that will leave you feeling loved-up about yourself.

Sound good?

Top 5 tips for planning the ultimate self-care Valentine’s Day.

1. Create a relaxing space

Have you ever noticed the smoothing effects scented candles can have on the atmosphere of a room?

Whether your nose is a fan of lavender, sandalwood, bamboo or vanilla, light up your favourite scent and allow the aroma and light to boost your mood.

Fun fact: The smell of scented candles is believed to stimulate your limbic system, the part of the brain that’s home to memories and emotions.

This is sure to add a doze of extra self-care this valentines.

2. Submerge yourself in a warm bath

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing bath to cleanse the body, mind and soul.

This Valentine's Day, make sure you take all the time you need to wash away any worries — big or small.

Submergence in water calms the mind and nervous system and comes with a host of additional health benefits. From helping to reduce pain and inflammation to reducing stress and anxiety levels in the body, and improving your overall mood.

If a bath isn't available, simply go for an Everything Shower. 

3.  Nurture your skin

If you’re someone who loves that freshly shaved feeling, then use Valentine’s Day as a great excuse to give yourself the shave your skin deserves. 

There's nothing quite like the feeling of smooth skin and knowing it's all for you! 

While in your bath or shower, take the time to slowly exfoliate your skin with a natural loofah or body scrub. Exfoliating before shaving shaving is one of the best kept skincare secrets.

Buffing away dead skin cells leaves your skin feeling refreshed and preps the skin for an even smoother shaving experience. If you're looking for a natural exfoliating experience, we recommend the Body Buff Duo by Make My Shave. 

Follow your exfoliation experience by lathering up your skin using a skin-kind shaving foam or Shave Cushion. 

Once your skin feels revitalised, clip in a fresh razor head and run your Make My Shave Razor across your favourite shave areas.

Complete your self-care valentine's routine by hydrating your body from top to toe with a moisturising cream or a touch of soothing aloe vera.

4.  Breathe deeply

While we're not suggesting you take the plunge directly into The Wim Hof method, noticing your breath and taking the time to breathe deeply for as little as 5-minutes is one of the easiest self-care techniques out there.

Deep, conscious breathing can help reduce stress, lower your heart rate and regulate your blood pressure.

If you’re not sure how to master the art of breathing, there are apps like Headspace that can walk you through simply mediation and breathing exercises. 

We also highly recommend the book Breath by James Nestor.

5.  Write yourself a love note

When was the last time you wrote or received a love letter from yourself?

If you're planning on upping your level of self-care this Valentine's Day, take a moment (or two) for some reflective writing.

Write yourself a love note. Say how proud you are of the things you’ve accomplished and what you're grateful for. Don’t forget to remind yourself just how AMAZING you are! 

Reflective writing has proven benefits in decreasing anxiety and increasing creativity and confidence.

If you're struggling for things to write on this day of love, here's a letter we drafted for you:

My Dearest [Your Name],

As I sit down to write you this letter, my heart swells with love and gratitude for the incredible person you are. You, my dear, are a force of nature, a woman who has weathered storms and danced in the sunshine.

First and foremost, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. The journey you've embarked on has been nothing short of extraordinary. The highs, the lows, and all the messy, beautiful bits in between – you've navigated them with grace and resilience.

Remember those moments when you doubted your strength? Well, here you are, standing tall, a testament to your own power. Life threw challenges your way, and like a phoenix, you rose from the ashes, stronger and wiser.

Your kindness and compassion have touched lives, mine included. The way you extend warmth to others, the empathy you carry in your heart – it's a gift. Never underestimate the ripple effect of your actions; you are creating a more beautiful world.

Now, let's talk about your dreams. Oh, the dreams you hold – they are like constellations lighting up your path. Keep reaching for them. Your ambition, paired with your hard work, is a formidable duo. Trust the timing of your life; everything is unfolding just as it should.

And love, ah, love. You've loved deeply, and you've learned valuable lessons along the way. Cherish those moments of connection, for they are the threads weaving the tapestry of your existence. But also, remember to love yourself fiercely. You are deserving of the love you so freely give to others.

As you stand on the precipice of another year, another chapter, embrace it with open arms. The adventure continues, and I can't wait to see the brilliant, awe-inspiring woman you evolve into. You are your own hero, your own sanctuary.

So here's to you, my beautiful soul. May you always recognise the magic within you. Keep shining, keep growing, keep loving.

With all the love in my heart,

[Your Name]

  

Are there more ways to self-care this Valentines?

There are plenty of ways to show yourself more love and self-care this Valentines.

Your act of kindness to yourself could be as simple as making yourself a cup of tea and taking a break from the world. Take time to appreciate your own company, join a yoga class, read a good book, listen to your favourite Spotify playlist or treat yourself to a spa day.  

However you choose to self-care this Valentine's Day, know that you deserve it. 

Final thoughts:

On behalf of the Make My Shave team, we wish you a smooth and wonderful Valentine’s Day filled with self-love.