Even before the pandemic, we’re already all about self-care. We promoted leaving the office on time, meditating, aromatherapy, and more. This led to self-care becoming a culture. As such, many brands came up with their own self-care products, and new brands were born with unique products claiming to benefit our minds and bodies.
From yoga mats to Himalayan salt lamps, the range of self-care products is ever-expanding. It makes it hard to choose what we actually want. But the real question should be, “What do I need?”
The self-care culture has blurred the lines between self-care and self-indulgence and self-esteem and vanity. While it’s okay to be vain and indulgent at times, it shouldn’t reach the point where we’d justify our excessive spending for things we don’t truly need. Taking care of ourselves should result in our lives changing for the better. If it results in financial troubles and worsened mental health, the so-called self-care can lead to self-destruction.
It’s okay to buy things you don’t need, as long as it’s not preventing you from acquiring your needs. So before buying self-care products, take note of these items that are actually worth it and those that can stay on your last priorities.
Essential Self-care Items
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Calming Herbal Tea
If your coffee addiction is starting to break the bank, slowly transition to teas. There are at least ten herbal teas you should try. For starters, green tea is popular. Its strong flavor can be reduced with honey or lemon, or both. Green tea can reduce blood sugar levels, inflammation, and risks for diabetes. Try to consume it without sugar to maximise its health benefits.
Chamomile tea is also well-loved by many. If your caffeine intake deprives you of sleep, drinking chamomile tea can give you your much-needed deep sleep. Aside from that, it can give your body antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protecting benefits.
When your taste buds have learned to appreciate tea, you can start trying more varieties, such as ginger tea, peppermint tea, hibiscus tea, and more.
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Yoga Accessories
Both yoga beginners and experts benefit from yoga accessories. Blocks help maintain your balance, mats make your sessions comfortable, and straps help you reach your feet or hold them up. Yoga accessories aren’t required in all practices, though. But if you’re about to transition from beginner to intermediate, you’d most likely need at least one accessory.
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Expert-approved Foot Spa Machine
Since we can’t visit salons yet, your feet are probably craving some TLC. Good for you because foot spas are actually beneficial. But if you’d buy your own machine, make sure it’s expert-approved. That doesn’t automatically mean expensive. Just check out different brands and their reviews. Chances are you’d stumble upon a testimonial from a pro.
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Massage Chair
Out of all self-care items, the massage chair is probably the most beneficial. It doesn’t just, well, massage your body. It also stimulates your skin to release toxins and aid in your breathing, posture, and digestion. Cancer patients and survivors will also find it helpful in combating the side effects of their disease.
Purchase a massage chair only from legitimate in-store or online retailers, like osim.co.uk. It’s quite a splurge, so it’s important to choose your retailer wisely.
Nonessential Self-care Items (But are Still Amazing)
Again, just because they’re nonessential doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy them. You can consider them at a later time, after buying the essentials:
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Himalayan Salt Lamp
This fancy-looking lamp filled our Pinterest feeds, enticing us to buy them. Retailers claimed the Himalayan salt lamp has health benefits, such as purifying the air we breathe. But in fact, no scientific studies prove this. The Himalayan salt lamp does emit ions, but not the negative air ions air-purifying machines emit. As such, the lamp’s ions don’t remove dust and pollution from the air.
Still, the Himalayan salt lamp makes a good decoration. If you want to spruce up your room to feel happy every time you retreat to it, this lamp may do the trick.
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Crystal Face Rollers
Face rollers improve the blood circulation in your face. As a result, your skin can feel firmer and brighter. But you don’t need a crystal face roller to get that benefit. When used right, any facial roller can improve your blood circulation and give you a firmer and brighter complexion.
Some people claim that crystal face rollers also improve your mood. True, but it’s not because of the material. It’s simply because massage therapy reduces anxiety. Also, it’s untrue that face rollers slim down your face. They can only contour it, not make it thinner.
When buying self-care products, research the myths and facts about each product first. Less is more in self-care, so you don’t need every item advertised to you. Keep that in mind, and your self-care rituals will result in a better, happier life.
