When did you last take a little time just for you?
Between being mums, wives, partners, daughters and sisters, keeping up with friends and juggling careers, our days can fill up quickly.
We make room for the people we love, remember appointments, and work through our to-do lists, but our own needs usually fall to the bottom of a very large pile.
At Arella, we believe women deserve space for themselves. Self-care isn’t selfish, and you don’t have to earn it by looking after everyone else first.
Your wellbeing deserves a place in your day, too, and we’re here to help you make space for your own needs without it feeling overwhelming.
Take Five Minutes For Yourself In The Morning
Before opening your emails or getting caught up in the day’s demands, try setting aside five minutes that belong to you.
You might enjoy your first cup of tea or coffee without scrolling, sit by an open window to listen to the birds sing, or take a few gentle stretches while the kettle boils.
Take a moment to notice how you feel and what you need that day before you get drawn into doing everything.
This can also be a good moment to take any wellness supplements you’ve chosen for yourself.
Pairing them with something you already do, like breakfast, can make them easier to remember and bring that small act of self-care into your everyday routine.
Here at Arella, we take our collagen in the morning with a breakfast smoothie to set us up for the day.
And remember, if your mornings are already full, find another moment that works. A quiet pause after the school run or before starting work can be just as welcome.
Put Pen To Paper
Day-to-day life can easily become overwhelming, and holding everything in your mind can leave you feeling exhausted. This is where journaling can really help.
You don’t need pages of things to say to start journalling; jotting down a few honest lines is often enough.
In the morning, as you sip your first drink of the day, you could write down what’s on your mind, something you’re looking forward to or one thing you’d like to make time for.
Before bed, you might prefer to reflect on your day to help empty your mind before sleep, or you may want to put tomorrow’s tasks on paper.
Sometimes knowing where to begin is the hardest part; we designed the Arella journal with that in mind.
Each page contains gentle guidance and prompts to help you focus on yourself and what you need most.
Make Room For Rest
It’s easy to see rest as something we’ll get around to once we’ve finished everything. How often does that moment actually arrive?
Try giving yourself a little time to wind down in the evening. Close your laptop, put your phone aside and choose something you enjoy, whether that’s reading a chapter of a book or having a warm shower.
You can make room for rest during the day, too. Take your lunch away from your desk or sit down for a few minutes between tasks. You don’t need to fill every spare moment.
When bedtime comes, give yourself a peaceful space to settle into. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet; try to stick to a regular bedtime; and reach for your sleep mask to block out unwanted light.
For more simple ways to wind down, explore our tips for a better night’s sleep.
Find Movement You Enjoy
Exercise is important, but it shouldn’t feel forced or like something you dread.
And when your schedule is busy, it can feel like just another demand on your time.
Start with movement you actually look forward to and can comfortably fit into your day.
That might be a walk on your lunch break, gentle yoga at home or dancing in the kitchen to your favourite songs while you cook dinner.
We find that exercising with others helps us stay committed, so a walk or a class with a friend can be a good way to keep it up while making time for a catch-up along the way.
Give yourself permission to adapt your routine to your energy and circumstances. Some days you’ll want to do more; on others, a gentle stretch might be enough. And that’s perfectly okay.
Turn Your Skincare Into A Moment For You
Your daily skincare routine can be a lovely opportunity to slow down and give yourself some attention.
Take a few minutes to cleanse your face and apply your favourite skincare products without rushing straight to the next task. Notice the textures, enjoy the familiar ritual and let yourself linger for a moment.
We’ve introduced our face sculpting tool and copper body brush to help create these moments of connection with yourself.
Whether you make time for a facial massage or add body brushing to your routine, it’s a chance to pay attention to your body and give yourself a little of the care you give to others.
Keep it as simple as you like and start with a routine you enjoy and have time for.
Make Space For What You Love
Beyond the everyday essentials, think about the things you enjoy just because they make you happy. And if you can’t immediately think of anything, cast your mind back to what brought you joy as a child.
Perhaps you could get back into a hobby you used to love, listen to your favourite music, spend time in the garden or catch up with someone who makes you laugh. It’s easy for these things to slip down the list when life gets busy, but they’re also the things that often fill up our cup the most.
Choose one and make a little room for it this week. You deserve time that reflects your interests as well as your responsibilities.
Start Small With Wellness And Make It Yours
You don’t need to introduce all these wellness tips at once. Choose one that feels achievable and see how it fits into your day.
At Arella, we believe looking after yourself should feel like care, not another expectation to live up to. Your routine can change as your needs change, and a busy day doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
You make space for so many people in your life; there deserves to be some space for you, too.
