We hear about self-care a lot these days. Although it may be today’s buzzword, the medical, social, mental and emotional benefits of taking care of yourself are well-documented. Doctors, physical therapists, psychologists and alternative medicine practitioners all emphasize the importance of staying mentally, spiritually and physically healthy.

As busy women, we often care for ourselves last, putting the needs of children, partners, spouses, parents and other loved ones before our own.

Paying attention to our own well-being helps us stay healthy and maintain a positive self-image and attitude toward life.

The better we feel and the healthier we are, the better we can care for those who depend on us. To do that, we must know what self-care is and how to incorporate good habits into our daily lives. Self-care includes:

• Maintaining a healthy diet and weight.

• Getting enough sleep.

• Staying active.

• Including spiritual time.

Self-care for women may include establishing a beauty routine, setting aside quiet time for introspection or meditation, doing something fun or just zoning out and doing nothing for a few minutes. Here are some easy self-care tips to keep you feeling and looking good

Get Enough Beauty Sleep

Getting enough sleep restores the body and mind, promotes healing and contributes to mental well-being. Experts recommend getting between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. Unfortunately, more than 60% of women get far less than that. Getting enough sleep helps regulate hormones, including those that stimulate the feeling of hunger. Studies show that those who get less than six hours of sleep may have more body fat.

As a busy woman, is it hard to wind down at the end of the day? Do you find yourself making mental lists, thinking of things left undone or mulling over the activities and interactions of the day? Create a relaxing sleep environment and bedtime routine that helps to release the stresses of the day. Leave the connected devices in another room and enjoy a warm bath to soothe tired muscles and relieve stress. Take time for a few minutes of meditation to calm the mind. Several free podcasts and YouTube videos offer guided sleep and mindfulness meditations that promote sleep, quiet busy thoughts and treat insomnia.

Some effective forms of self-care at bedtime include developing a relaxing body and skin care ritual that cleanses and purifies. Try a nourishing cleanser that gently removes impurities that settle on the skin during the day. Spritz with TrūAura’s Balancing Facial Mist, a hydrating spray with probiotics, botanicals, hyaluronic acid and vitamins and minerals that nourish and support the skin. Pat on Replenishing Night Cream that repairs and restores the skin while you sleep. You will go to bed feeling clean and relaxed.

Choose Nutritious Foods with Probiotics

We all know the importance of eating a healthy diet. Nutritional experts go a step further by recommending foods that include natural prebiotics and probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria and yeasts that promote digestion, improve the condition of the skin, help alleviate allergies and contribute to overall health. Each of us carries millions of these friendly microbes in our digestive systems to counter the effects of bad bacteria, aid digestion and promote health. Look for foods that include beneficial live bacteria, such as:

• Yogurt.

• Pickles.

• Miso.

• Kimchi.

• Fermented sauerkraut.

• Sourdough breads

• Cottage cheese.

Including these microbes in a healthy diet boosts your immune system and benefits your cardiovascular system, mental health and metabolism.

These microorganisms also live on your skin, in your mouth, urinary tract, vagina and lungs. Dermatologists note that topical applications of these microbes promote beneficial bacteria on the skin, protect from germs, regulate inflammation and boost the immune system. That’s why TrūAura developed its unique skin care formula that includes prebiotics and probiotics. Our skin care maintains a diverse microbiome on the skin, reduces the likelihood of skin disease and promotes skin health.

Activate Self Care

Establishing a beauty and skin routine is one of several, effective self care ideas for women. Although it may seem self-indulgent, knowing that you look refreshed, neat and clean contributes to a positive self-image. Feeling confident carries through in actions and interactions, which helps us meet daily demands.

Establish a makeup routine that cleanses, nourishes and enhances the skin. Choose skin care products that complement your skin tone and complexion. Keep it simple with light applications of foundation, eye makeup and lip gloss.

Makeup professionals recommend going lighter on makeup as we age. Instead of a heavy application that tries to hide wrinkles and blemishes, go lighter and aim for a glow. The entire routine can be done in less than 10 minutes, giving a finished appearance. It’s worth 10 minutes of your time to feel good and look attractive.

Select a powder foundation in a natural tone that works with your skin type. Powder absorbs oils and evens skin tone. TrūAura’s Beige Perfect Powder Foundation works well with many skin tones. You can brush it on or apply with a sponge. Blend it down into the neck for a more natural look. If needed, use the Medium Perfect Cream Concealer on blemishes or dark spots on the inner corners of the eyes. To enhance a bright, glowing look, try the Coral Color Balance Blush on the tops of cheekbones and blend it in toward the nose.

If your brows are washed out, enhance them with a brow liner in a color that matches your brows. For a natural look, use feather-like strokes to fill in brow hair instead of drawing a heavy line. Smooth the color with a brow brush, following the natural curve of your brow. A light application of Lash Enhancing Mascara enhances the eyes. Finish with moisturizing lip gloss. Reapply during the day to keep your lips moist.

Get Organized by Planning Ahead

Although a rigid schedule often does not work for the ever-changing demands of life, planning does help. Use a calendar to keep activities, schedules and meals organized. Share your online calendar with family or others who need to know your plans and where you are.

Some women color-code entries to prioritize tasks and identify different events, activities or people. Use planning tools and apps that appeal to you to schedule, organize and plan. If you prefer offline planners, place them so everyone who needs to know can find them and add to them as needed.

Plan meals and make a shopping list before you go to the store. If your supermarket delivers, send in your order. It will save time and money because you get exactly what you need without spontaneous buying.

If you know you have special events or late nights at work coming up, prepare meals ahead. You can also buy healthy prepared meals. If you need evening childcare, schedule babysitters, friends or relatives in advance to make sure your evening out is covered. Enlist family members to help with tasks around the house. If you need more help, consider using a professional service to do chores, run errands or do other tasks.

Schedule exercise and workout time, quiet time and a few minutes of personal time to help you reset during the day. Scheduling personal time on your calendar makes it seem as important as everything else—and it is.

Believe in the Value of Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is a priority. When you are energetic, healthy and have a positive outlook, you may notice that those around you respond positively. Staying well-rested, eating a healthy diet, taking personal time, exercising and maintaining your appearance are all aspects of self-care. If you are tired, daily tasks may seem overwhelming, your temper may fray and your coping ability may decline.

Starting your day with a cleansing and personal care routine sets the tone for the rest of the day. Actively communicating, organizing your day, planning ahead and scheduling personal time are all part of self care for women. When you take care of yourself, everyone benefits.

Contact us to find out more about TrūAura’s products. Follow us for more tips on maintaining a healthy microbiome and other self-care topics.

The Importance of Self Care