Indulging the Mind and Body with Self-Massage

Happy Monday! I'm fresh off of a long gorgeous weekend celebrating family love and the amazing nuptials of our brother and sister-in-law. As always, after a few days of decadence and late nights, I'm keen to immediately restore my balance with good detoxifying foods, an increased intake of liquids and the reintroduction of slow and luxurious self-care rituals that were passed over in lieu of dancing and extra hours of sleep. 

Self-massage is one of the most beloved parts of my daily routine. It is so simple, yet invigorates the skin, encourages blood flow, and helps open the door to relaxation. I find it to be a wonderful way to really get in tune with your body and calm the mind by inserting a mindful pause into your day. There is even an ayurverdic practice called Abhyanga which is daily oil massage that promotes overall wellbeing. Below are a few basics when introducing self-massage to your self-care routine:

• Use a good oil or butter. For the past few weeks, I've been loving on Sun Potion's Wildcrafted Shea Butter, which is a heavenly skin food. It's solid in the jar, but becomes soft and heated when rubbed between two palms and massaged into skin. Other favorites include Coconut or Jojoba Oil. 
• Warm the oil, either in your hands, or by heating it slightly in a microwave safe cup or immersing a 1/2 cup of the oil in another cup of hot water briefly.
• Start from the top. A gentle scalp massage followed by a facial massage relaxes the muscles, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and drains any puffiness from bloating or allergies.  
• Flow downwards. Use broad strokes and work from the neck, to the arms and legs, to the abdomen. Finish with the feet to help re-balance and ground.
• Consider timing. Self-massage is wonderful pre-shower (to allow the oils to penetrate before taking a warm - not hot! - rinse), post-shower (to moisturize and luxuriate) and before bed (to calm the mind and prepare for rest). 

Happy weekend...

Happy Friday, and happy May! Apologies for the radio silence, but I think I've just wrapped up one of the most busy weeks in quite a long time. I feel a shift towards newness and light, and I'm excited for what's to come. I'm looking forward to settling into this new space (literally, and physically) and enjoying some warm weather. Here are a few things that kept me grounded this week:

• Revisiting Paul Simon's "Concert in the Park" this time of year feels so fresh and right, and has me yearning for my years of concerts on the Great Lawn, at Rumsey Playfield and along The Mall, as the sun set in New York City's beautiful refuge.
• Bringing all good vibes to our new apartment by burning some Palo Santo incense sticks.
• Loving this travelogue of a drive up the California coastline, and jonesing to get back to that windy and unplugged open water highway soon.
• And finally, a few gorgeous lines by Katrina Kenison that speaks volumes to the type of things I've been meditating on over the course of a few tough months. I highly recommend checking out the rest of the piece, and sitting with it during times of difficulty or unrest:

"When the going gets tough may I resist my first impulse to wade in, fix, explain, resolve, and restore. May I sit down instead.

When the going gets tough may I be quiet. May I steep for a while in stillness.

When the going gets tough may I have faith that things are unfolding as they are meant to. May I remember that my life is what it is, not what I ask for. May I find the strength to bear it, the grace to accept it, the faith to embrace it."

Shedding Winter Skin

In four short days, we're trading our wool sweaters and boots for some sand and sea. And while I'm thrilled for a break from the snow, I truly can't wait to feel a little sun on my skin. Before I do this, however, some targeted exfoliation is in order.

On a weekly basis, there are three tools that I use to boost circulation, encourage cell turnover and slough off dead skin:

• A washcloth
• A good body brush
• May Lindstrom's "Clean Dirt" cleansing clay

On a daily basis, I cleanse my face with a variety of oils, and use a warm washcloth to gently remove before patting dry. Before showering, I also spend a few minutes dry brushing my entire body, in a circular motion and always upwards towards the heart, which helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. 

Several times a week, I also use May Lindstrom's "Clean Dirt" as part of my scrub routine. This divine product is a dry powder of clays, herbs, and spices which foams up when mixed with a few drops of water. Once combined, I paint onto my face and neck, let sit for an invigorating minute or two, and then gently massage for another two to three minutes before rinsing with warm water.

As you've likely noticed, I'm extremely passionate about my personal self-care rituals. I love researching, purchasing small-batch or single ingredient products, and combining to formulate my own potions. That being said, when I discover a company with values and ingredients that I can get truly get behind, I'm all in. May Lindstrom's line falls into this camp, and I've been equally impressed and obsessed with her line since discovering it last year. A true alchemist and artist, May's products were formulated through her own kitchen experimentation, and contain a wonderful mix of wild-crafted, organic, and consciously harvested ingredients.

While these are all elements that I support, what I love most about this line is that it encourages and celebrates the type of personal rituals that encourage overall wellness. I'm a firm believer in the magical power of feeling like you are taking good care of yourself, as mindful self-maintenance can better encourage overall health and self-esteem. Simple techniques like self-massage and aromatherapy lift your mood, lower cortisol levels, and promote good health and immunity. Combine them with a gentle scrub, and you've got yourself fresh skin and a nice routine.

For more on dry brushing, read more here. For May Lindstrom, click here.