Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or you don’t even remember the last time you took time for yourself! Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! It can be so easy to forget to show ourselves love sometimes. There’s a stigma that self-care is selfish, but chances are if you can’t even remember the last time you took a second for yourself, being selfish should be the least of your worries!

Here are a few simple self-care tips you can use to ease your stress and anxiety. Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, these tips will help you relax and give you some well-deserved rest.

1. Dried Lavender

Lavender is known for its relaxing qualities. I’ve seen bunches of dried lavender that you can just plop in a vase (bonus for being pretty décor!) or small sachets of lavender. These are great for placing under your pillow at night, in a dresser drawer, or just holding in your hands when you’re feeling stressed. Honestly anything lavender will reduce anxiety and make you feel more at ease, that’s why you can also use lavender for some of these other self-care tips!

2. Linen Spray

Before going to bed or snuggling up to take a nap, I like to spritz my sheets with some linen spray! My husband found a lavender blend from this cute store back in Savannah that sells all things lavender. Alternatively, you can make your own by combining distilled water with 10-30 drops of your favorite oil or blend in a spray bottle.

3. Weighted Blanket

Probably one of my favorite ways to relax is to take a nap with my weighted blanket. Seriously the best naps I’ve ever had are when I use this blanket! I never wake up feeling tired or groggy. Although the sense of security and comfort make it hard to want to get up! There are a lot of options out there, but I use the 8 pound Luxome Cooling Weighted Blanket. It’s so soft and simple to wash- I love it!

4. Eucalyptus

Another great source of aromatherapy is eucalyptus! Check the floral section at your local grocery store for a bundle (I found mine at Whole Foods). Then tie it up and hang it upside down from your shower head. The steam from the shower will release the oils from the eucalyptus and basically turn your shower into a giant diffuser!

5. Diffuser + Oils

Speaking of diffusers… one simple way you can practice self-care is by squeezing a few drops of your favorite oil into a diffuser. Carry on and relax as it fills your home with aromatherapy throughout the day. I bought my diffuser during my senior year of college and I probably used it every day until the end of the semester! I haven’t experimented too much with blends, but my go-to oils are lavender (of course) and peppermint!

6. Meditation

Meditation doesn’t always have to mean sitting in a circle chanting “om.” If you’re into that, that’s cool! But it can also just mean spending some intentional time away from any distractions and relaxing. You can use a guided meditation, take time to journal, or even read a book. I used an app called Calm for a bit and I really loved the bedtime stories! Turns out they’re not just for kids! I found that it really helped me relax while still giving my mind something to focus on.

7. Relaxing Music

I always put on a long track of relaxing music when I’m working or just want to tune out the noise of the world for a bit. It helps me stay focused on the present moment and relax. My go-to music is usually instrumental with rain or thunderstorms in the background. You can find tons of options on YouTube, but my favorite channel for relaxing music is Ambient Worlds!

Remember, these self-care tips won’t make your anxiety magically disappear, but they can help ease the symptoms. And the more we take time for ourselves and make self-care a priority, the less of a hold our anxiety will have on us.  I hope these tips help you feel a little less stressed and a little more loved!