It is a huge part of my life, it simply has to be. I’m the kind of person who will keep going and going and going until I cant go any more. The type of person who never listens to the warning signs of my body. Luckily I learnt early on before I well and truly ran myself into the ground that I needed to give myself moments to myself, even if they are fleeting moments when I am able to slow down and take time to myself, those moments enable me to keep going where I need to so that I don’t burn out. So that I am able to enjoy the here and now in life
In Spring, scents are fresh, floral and invigorating, and none more so than the stunning aroma of the Sakura collection from Rituals. My house is situated close to Sakura walk, where for a brief time in Spring the trees which line the street produce endless delicate blossoms which fall in the gentle breeze. The fragrance is intoxicating and perfect to become utterly submerged amongst. The Ritual Of Sakura is inspired by the Ancient Tradition in Japan, Hanami Maturi which translates as flower viewing celebration. The tradition sees the Japanese elite taking time out of their days to sit below the blossoming Sakura trees and marvel at the beauty.
Now we may not have a special day set aside for this tradition but it doesn’t mean we can’t make time for a little indulgence ritual of our own.
[lem_title]Schedule[/lem_title]
The most important part of allowing yourself time, is making time. It seems simple enough but with the way our lives our lately it’s easier said than done. Sometimes it feels as hard as dragging myself up a mountain, to simply drag myself to the tub for some ‘Me Time’. So I started off with picking one day, one day a month where I would give myself some time. It seemed so small and insignificant to start with but soon I found myself looking forward to that day so much that the time became ritualistic. It became engrained in my schedule until the point I decided I deserved more moments to myself where I could reap the benefits of re-energising.
[lem_title]Soak[/lem_title]
‘Me time’ Doesn’t have to be elaborate trips to expensive spa’s. In fact sometimes those can end up being more stressful than they are worth. You can create the most incredible atmosphere within your own home, utilising little luxuries to create the perfect setting. I wait until Ali heads to the gym so that I can make the most of the perfect silence within our home. I run a bath using the Sakura Bath Foam and I make sure the bath is hot, so that the scent fills my bathroom and over-flows into my entire house. Soaking in a hot bath increases the blood flow throughout your body and when your blood is warm your vessels dilate meaning your blood pressure decreases and with it so does your stress levels.
[lem_title]AROMA[/lem_title]
Smells, scents and aroma’s are incredibly powerful. I’m not sure if you have ever walked past a bakery and been caught down wind of their freshly baked loafs but that stuff is intoxicating and that is the power of aroma. Choosing the right fragrance for your indulgence is key to the feelings and sensations you evoke. In winter months I prefer spiced fragrances that remind me of cold nights and festive times but in Spring I opt for more up lifting, refreshing and invigorating scents.
[lem_title]TAKE CARE[/lem_title]
Take care of yourself. Look after your skin with creams and luxurious products, it might seem vapid to some but this little act of self care and showing your body a little extra time really does help with leading a much more well rounded and stress free life. Sometimes you cant completely change a difficult or stressful time in your life but small steps of self worth can really help towards coping better and seeing those times through with a calm and level head.
You can celebrate the new beginning of the Rituals Sakura Collection in their Blossom Booth which can be found on rituals.com/letlifeblossom.
This post is in Sponsored Collaboration with Rituals.