One silver lining that’s come out of all this time spent at home is how we’re all leaning so heavily into self-care. Making sure your mental health is in check with all the stress and anxiety that’s going on is number one, and treating yourself to some serious self-care via skincare and beauty can do wonders for your mood. I wanted to share my personal, self-care checklist today in case you need some new ideas or products to consider or just a fun, light-hearted list to read!

Take a bath. I’m not typically a big bath person, but it has become a new ritual for me during this time. 20-30 minutes in the tub with a glass of wine, a candle, and a book has been so appreciated!

Exercise. Okay, I haven’t been 100% the best about this, but when I have worked out, it has helped me feel so much better and less stressed.

Meditate. I’ve been trying to start every morning with a 5 or 10 minute meditation on Headspace. It really sets the tone for the day.

Get outside. We have been going on family walks as much as we can, and it feels so good to get outside and get some fresh air while we can’t really go anywhere else.

Take a break from the news. I always say, “ain’t nothing on the news but the blues.” Of course it’s good to stay informed, but having the news on all day every day can get so depressing. Turn on Some Good News instead!

Zoom with friends & family. This has been such a highlight of quarantine for me – my favorite night was when my best friends from high school got together one night for a Zoom. They are all still in Iowa (and MN), so it was so much fun to see all of them again. It’s important to keep interacting with people, especially if you live alone.

Stay hydrated. I’m definitely guilty of having days where I go from coffee, to Diet Coke, to wine. Not good lol. It can be so easy to push water to the side. We’re doing the water challenge again & I pulled out my Hydro Flask to get me through the day and then some. I don’t know why, but for some reason this water bottle makes me drink so much more water than I would otherwise. PS – I think the straw cap is essential! 

I’ve relied heavily on Nordstrom to provide all the self-care essentials (free shipping + free returns, lots on sale), and they have not disappointed! Most of these are things I already owned, but I did order a few new things to try! Here are my favorites…

MAC Lip Scrubtious- I love MAC’s lip exfoliate so much. It’s sugar-based and effectively buffs away dry, flaky skin, leaving you with the softest lips! I use it a few times a week and use a tissue to wipe off any excess. So simple and so effective!

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment – I’m using this abundance of down time to treat myself to deep hair treatments and I love this product for just that. This unique blend of ingredients works to draw all the impurities out of your scalp and hair follicles, while leaving it un-irritated thanks to the peppermint and spearmint oils. It only takes 1-2 drops of this treatment to provide a strong foundation for your hair!

Barefoot Dreams Robe – This has been my go-to robe for years, and I’m loving it now more than ever! A tip for washing anything Barefoot Dreams: wash on cold/gentle, and do not dry (hang to dry).

Slip Sleep Mist – I spray this in my bedroom every night before bed. It helps create a calming environment for sleep. I’ve been sleeping so well since I bought this! Speaking of Slip, I also love these hair ties!

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask – I don’t discriminate when it comes to facemasks, especially right now! I want to try them all, but I am loving this particular one from Herbivore Botanicals. It’s an intense mask and recommended for those with oily or blemish-prone skin, but can be used with sensitive skin as well! Just leave it on for 5 minutes if your skin is sensitive, and for 15-20 otherwise!

Bobbi Brown Instant Detox Face Mask – Another facemask I am loving right now is this one by Bobbi Brown. It draws out oil, dirt, and toxins like no one’s business! Simply apply it and let it completely dry before washing it off with a warm face towel. 

Deborah Lippmann & Dior Polish – We’re all becoming our own nail techs right now, and because of that, I’ve ordered a few bottles of nail polish. Both Deborah Lippman and Dior’s product are so high-quality. I’ll be honest, I can’t wait to get my nails done professionally, but these are definitely the best polishes for at-home manis! Plus, there are so many fun colors to choose from.

St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse– Since spray tans and laying out at pools or on beaches is out of the question until further notice, I’ve been relying on all of my fake tan products to give me that sun-kissed glow. The best thing about this mousse is that you can customize it so you get the exact sort of tan you’re looking for. If you want just a touch of color, leave it on for an hour. For a more golden glow, let it sit for two hours. If you want to be a bronzed goddess, go for three! Also love that you don’t have to sleep in it! Make sure you use a mitt. 

Remember that your own well-being matters so much during this time, and these are a few of the things I have found to help me during this time! 

More of my self-care favorites…

Thank you to Nordstrom for partnering on this post!