The self-care purchases you need to make this winter

It’s that time of year once again, the dark nights and frosty weather are back. ‘Tis the season for giving, but this doesn’t exclude giving to yourself! The turmoil of the past year has shown us how important it is to take an extra bit of time to yourself, and whether self-care is as simple as changing your bed sheets or looks like a DIY spa day, here’s a compilation of the self-care purchases that you need to make to give yourself that extra bit of TLC this winter.

Face masks

Face masks have been a focal point of self-care trends in recent times. However, finding the perfect products can be intimidating with new products and formulas seeming to emerge every week. Looking after your skin is an easy way to make yourself feel that bit better, and an easy starting point is a face mask. Some personal favourites of mine are The Body Shop’s Biodegradable Vitamin C sheet mask and the Prince of Darkness charcoal clay mask from Lush. Treat yourself to a weekly facemask to get your face feeling fresh and bring the summer glow to your skin through the darker months – the perfect recovery-recipe from all the time spent hiding under the other type of face mask.

Bath time

Take some time to light a candle and run a warm bath, a perfect opportunity to clear your mind and float away. Keep bath time fun and festive with some refreshing bath bombs or bubble baths which please your senses. My go-to bath product at this time of year will always be the Snow Fairy range from Lush: to me, it just smells like winter. After a cold, blustery day it’s a great time to stick some music on and become one with the bubbles.

Convenient aromatherapy

Understandably, not everyone has the luxury of a bath, or even the time to have one. Aromatherapy is a big part of the self-care narrative, which is why we all love a candle so much. Now you can experience the combination of the two by treating yourself to an aromatherapy shower steamer, which when placed within hot water and steam release scents such as eucalyptus, lemon, orange, and cinnamon into the air. It is perfect for making the shower experience even more relaxing whilst combatting any FOMO from not using a bath bomb!

Reading

While a book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is something eternally relaxing about detaching from your reality and joining someone else’s through the pages. One of my favourite books that I would recommend to anyone who hasn’t read it already is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson – even if a story about murder doesn’t seem all that relaxing. Investing in a good book to get comfortable and cosy with is a perfect mode of escapism, giving you a breather from the real world (which can at times be unforgiving).

Journaling

Although sometimes overlooked, journaling can be an intimate and exciting way to fall in love with yourself. Grab yourself a new notebook and a pen (never underestimate the power of fresh stationery to spark inspiration!), and your warm drink of choice. Some of my favourite nurturing journal prompts are by writing the good and bad parts of your day, writing positive memories, making a gratitude list, or thinking of positive activities you can do to make each day better. And if you don’t fancy being confronted by entirely blank pages, there are plenty of self-love and wellness journals available online, including The Self-Love Journal by Note and Shine.

Take yourself on a date

Whoever said you can’t go on a date with yourself was wrong – love yourself! Grab your best winter outfit and head to a coffee shop (taking advantage of the fact that the festive specials are out now) and relax. With no expectation, no anxiety and no one to impress, a solo date is one of my favourite self-care tactics to recharge and feel at peace with the world.

Image courtesy of Andrea Donato via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image.