The Must-Have Items Everyone Should Bring To Their Staycation
Now more than ever, the world is learning to slow down and take advantage of self care by finding new ways to connect with ourselves, such as taking much needed staycations. Last week I wrote about 5 things you need to know to have a good self care staycation, well what’s a good staycation without the right products, right?
Self care is something that HAS to be intentional. You know how you intentionally work everyday and come prepared with your laptop, dress code, work badge, etc.?
Well the same applies to your self care staycations. The first time I had a staycation at a hotel, all I brought was myself and a speaker-I really thought I was doing something but when I left, I didn’t have that recharged feeling that I do now. Staycations are much more strategic than a beak from family in a hotel and good music to dance to, it’s meant to be well thought out with the right tools and techniques which you’ll see below:
By the way, staycations can occur at home or in a hotel. It all depends on your budget!
Scented Candles: Candles are a necessity for self care because scents are powerful stimulants for mental well being. They help transform your space into a calm and relaxing vibe to unwind to while reading a book, meditating, praying, drinking tea, or just listening to your favorite self care songs. I love using my Vanilla candle because for one, it smells AMAZING, and the vanilla scent helps with anxiety. Vanilla has an impact on the nerves that induces calm vibes and relieves stress. Why do you think candles are used for romantic settings? They help create intimacy and of course, self care is an intimate moment with yourself! Consider it like a solo date night.
Yoga Mat: Yoga mats help you hold yourself accountable for stretching, plus they make it fun. If stretching isn’t part of your daily self care routine, you need to add it ASAP. Stretching is one of THE MOST important forms of self care. It helps prevent tension, stiffness, back pain and all other ailments you don’t need. I remember having back pains while working a full time desk job while working part time hair as a hair stylist. My back was going through it!! It wasn’t until I caught a muscle spasm and literally had to shut everything down for a week that I realized the power of stretching. Take my advice, get a yoga mat, especially if you’re having a staycation in a hotel.
Bath products: Self care showers and baths are completely different than the daily ones. I feel as though they have to be a luxurious experience, similar to the one that King Hakeem had in Coming to America-okay well maybe not THAT extreme, but you get the point. Gotta treat yourself like royalty. To achieve a royal bath experience, you need to upgrade your products. I recently learned about Eucalyptus in the bathroom, the mint scent creates a physical sensation in the nose with a cooling effect and helps to clear your mind. Here’s a little tip, sprinkle some eucalyptus bath salts on the rim of your bathtub because the steam will activate the scent, which is perfect if you don’t like the feeling of bath salts.
Tea: Let me give you the tea on tea! Tea is meant to help relieve stress, induce sleep, reduce nausea and soothe sore throats. They have multiple benefits for self care and the most popular flavor for relaxation is chamomile. Chamomile containers a phytonutrient element that is said to have sedative effects giving you a restful night and improved sleep quality which is essential on staycations.
Journal: I keep my journal by my bedside at all times but I’d be lying if I said I write in it every night. However, on my self care staycations, writing in my journal is the most important part because I’m able to reflect on my feelings and show gratitude for the things in my life that I often overlook such as having a car, food in the fridge, supportive friends, a healthy relationship, etc. Writing in my journal creates a mental happy place because I’m able to clear my thoughts. When I write, I write as if I’m writing a letter to God. I want Him to know that my communication isn’t just through prayer, it’s also through love letters and I’m able to express myself a little better.
Sleep mask: Sleep masks help block out any light that could be preventing you from your sleep. Our brains are programmed to associate darkness with sleep and they produce more melatonin when they sense an absence of light which helps us have a better sleep. By the way, sleep masks are also perfect for mid-day naps so you can use them on days other than your dedicated self care days.
With these products embedded in your next self care staycation, I promise you’ll enjoy them much more. Your body and brain will thank you and you’ll feel recharged for the days ahead.