Welcome to the second series of our Self Care Sundays! This week, we'll delve into the transformative power of gratitude, laughter, and eco-friendly relaxation. Join us as we uncover the benefits of practicing gratitude, embracing laughter for a better look, and creating a sustainable relaxation corner for a happier, healthier, and more environmentally conscious you.
Feel better: Practice Gratitude to Romanticize Your Life
There are many things in life that happen naturally, and we get used to the convenience they bring. We may even think that everything is "normal" or taken for granted. But when something unexpected happens and disrupts our daily routine, we may face many difficulties. For example, arriving on time to catch the bus or subway, having breakfast stalls open for business, or having caring and considerate family members.
Take some time this week to reflect on the things that are taken for granted but are essential in your life. Think about the people who may be silently working hard to make those things happen, and write down how you feel about them.
Gratitude represents curiosity, appreciation, and admiration for life, and it can help us realize how lucky we are. Practicing gratitude means paying attention to the present, appreciating your life today, and what makes it so unique.
Studies show that people who are always grateful are happier, more energetic, more hopeful, and more likely to experience positive emotions. According to a Gallup survey in 1999, 60% of people reported that expressing gratitude made them happier.
Compared with people who are less likely to be grateful, people who practice gratitude are often more helpful, empathetic, mentally tolerant, and enjoy life more. Furthermore, the more grateful a person is, the less likely they are to be troubled by depression, anxiety, loneliness, envy.
Gratitude can help us better deal with stress and anxiety in these ways:
First, gratitude can help us sort out our resources. Studies show that grateful people know how to ask for help and emotional support, which can help us mobilize social resources to solve problems.
Second, people who practice gratitude can view the world with a more forgiving and friendly perspective. When facing difficulties, they won't feel personally attacked, which can free us from emotional troubles such as opposition, self-blame, or avoiding problems. Instead, we can focus on solving the problems and taking proactive and planned responses.
What are the things that you are thankful for this week? Take some time to think about them and write them down.
Laugh better, look better
Did you know that people laugh an average of 18 times a day? However, most people don't even realize they're laughing after the fact. Laughing frequency varies greatly among individuals, with the least frequent laughers going a whole day without laughing, while the most frequent laughers laughing up to 89 times a day!
Laughing is a social signal that was first studied by Charles Darwin, who believed it to be a unique facial expression used by primates to convey social signals. Modern research has shown that people smile about 30 times more frequently in social situations than when they are alone.
Laughing doesn't always require something particularly amusing to happen. It's a means of interaction and communication, with even simple phrases like "What are you up to?" or "Nice to meet you" being able to elicit laughter. Laughing can create a friendly and positive atmosphere, which in turn can foster good interpersonal relationships.
People with a sense of humor are more likely to perceive amusing things in daily life, bringing joy to themselves and those around them. Compared to laughter that occurs naturally in everyday life, humor-induced laughter can bring about a more intense feeling of pleasure.
According to cognitive psychology, humor is a process of perspective-shifting. By calling upon creative and alternative explanatory methods, cognitive dissonance can be reduced. Therefore, humor reflects people's ability to use their brains actively to solve problems in daily life.
Long-term exposure to stress can cause the body to secrete large amounts of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, but laughing can reduce these hormone levels, strengthen cardiovascular function, and boost immunity.
In a study, participants were divided into two groups based on their level of laughter: those who laughed a lot and those who didn't. The group that laughed a lot laughed an average of 30 times or more per day, while the other group only laughed about 6 times per day.The researchers recorded the participants' activities and stressful events for three consecutive days and found that those who didn't laugh as much experienced more negative emotions when reviewing their day at night, whereas those who laughed more didn't seem to be affected by the number of stressful events they experienced during the day.
Laughing more is not only a fantastic self care Sunday routine but also an excellent way to embrace joy in life and share it with your loved ones.&Better's face bar and face cream are perfect companions for your laugh-more self care routine. Crafted with simplicity, natural ingredients, conscious sustainability, and a minimalistic design, these products align with the core values of joy and laughter.
The Face Cleansing Bar, made with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, olive pomace, shea butter, and aloe vera extract, gently cleanses your skin, providing a refreshing and revitalizing feel. The addition of bentonite clay and essential oil blend helps to detoxify and rejuvenate your skin, ensuring you look your best as you laugh with your loved ones.
Do better: Eco-Friendly Relaxation Corner
As you embark on your journey of self care and mindfulness, it's essential to create a space within your home that embodies tranquility, relaxation, and eco-friendliness. This personalized sanctuary will serve as a constant reminder to prioritize your well-being while also demonstrating your commitment to the environment.
You might ask, why do I need a physical space dedicated to self care? A study found that people who had access to a personal space, such as a corner or room designated for relaxation, reported lower levels of stress and higher levels of well-being.
Furthermore, having a physical corner or space for self care can help to create a sense of routine and consistency in one's self care practices. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Science found that people who had established self care routines were more likely to experience improved mental health and overall well-being.
In addition, having a physical space for self care can serve as a visual reminder to prioritize self care and make it a priority in one's daily life. This can be especially helpful for individuals who struggle with making time for self care activities. Also, for most of us who’re spending almost all of our time in digital spaces, having a physical space for self care will help us build up the routine.
So how to start your Eco-Friendly Relaxation Corner? Here’re some tips.
Start by selecting a quiet, comfortable area in your home that can be transformed into your haven of peace. This could be a cozy nook, a spare room, or even a quiet corner of your bedroom. Choose a space that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and encourages you to focus on your inner self.
Next, fill your relaxation corner with items that evoke a sense of serenity and promote eco-friendliness. Complement your eco-friendly candles with plant-based textiles like organic cotton, linen, or bamboo. These fabrics are not only soft and inviting, but they're also sustainable and gentle on the environment. Consider adding a cozy blanket, meditation cushion, or throw pillows to enhance the comfort and appeal of your space.
Lastly, consider adding a few air-purifying plants to your relaxation corner. Not only do they contribute to a calming atmosphere, but they also help to purify the air and bring an element of nature indoors. Select plants that are easy to care for, such as snake plants, pothos, or spider plants.
Bravo on completing the second week of our Self Care Sundays 21-day challenge! By incorporating these activities into your routine, you're fostering a more grateful, joyful, and eco-friendly lifestyle. Keep an eye out for next week's activities as we continue to build on our self care journey together.
