We are now back to a simpler time. Uninterrupted by office walls or arduous deadlines, travel setbacks or exacting journeys. We are at home, witness to undulating afternoons and new companions - familiar pets, plants, people. No parties, no gatherings. No busy eateries and bustling cafes. We only have ourselves.
If you’re like most of us, you’re probably uncertain about what to do with all this time. What is this concept of self-exploration that everybody’s going on about? Is it really necessary during times of quarantine?
What’s The Best Way To Use This Time?
You’re right, you don’t have to feel the pressure to do anything during this period of quarantine. You certainly have long durations of time free, and you aren’t wasting hours travelling or hurrying to-and-fro between social events and home. This is probably the most time you’ve had to yourself in a number of years!
However, this doesn’t mean you need to overwhelm yourself with tasks. Maybe you’re a task-setter and you’re used to keeping to-do lists to optimize your time. Maybe you never had the time to make to-do lists, and you were always rushing between personal and professional obligations. Maybe you were at home, looking after loved ones and handling domestic responsibilities.
There is absolutely no need to feel like you have to do something right now. We recommend that instead, you practise simple rituals to centre yourself - and this means doing things that benefit you, at your own pace, in your own time.
Enjoy This Period Of Silence
If you’re privileged enough to be working from home, and you’re lucky to be safe and healthy, it’s time to be grateful. You’re in an amazing position today. So many have had to suffer thanks to this pandemic, and the economy is literally in a crunch down. Many are dealing with the consequences of these challenging times and are practically displaced from their homes and livelihoods.
Where we can, we must help others. At the same time, staying home and avoiding social contact is the safest thing you can do for your community. So sit tight, be thankful for the position you’re in, and take a moment to be mindful of the fact that you’re healthy, safe, and that you have a roof over your head.
Two Detox Rituals For Self-Care
The whole world is going on about how to implement self-care rituals into your day, now that you’re whiling away time at home. The past weeks have been a whirlwind of changes, and there has been an undercurrent of anxiety for most of us. We say try some self-care rituals only if you feel the need to, and only if it helps calm you down.
The idea is to give your body and soul a break from the race of everyday living. The goal is to calm your anxiety, and basically help you detox from the paranoia of change.
Here are two detox rituals we recommend for daily self-care:
A few minutes of deep breathing can give your body a great deal of energy. It can aid your heart function and the physiological dynamics of your body.
Try something simple to start with. Take a big breath in. As you do, count to 6 or 8, depending on what’s comfortable for you. Hold your breath in for the same duration, and exhale slowly for the same duration. Ensure that your exhalation is slow and mindful, like your inhalation. You will notice your breathing slow down, and with this, the pattern of your breathing will calm your entire body down.
Practise this for 5 minutes a day and you’ll feel much stronger. You can explore more complex breathing exercises by browsing the internet. Find something suitable to your needs, that isn’t harsh or difficult on your body. The ritual will detox your body gently and make you feel all the better.
As silly a ritual as this sounds, it can go a long way in making you feel good. You can make your own mask at home, using all-natural ingredients that are readily available. Be mindful of only using ingredients that you can during these trying times, without running out of resources or eating into those your community is struggling to use as well!
Cucumbers are super refreshing, packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, all of which brighten, tone and moisturize your skin. Aloe vera, on the other hand, hydrates, cools and heals like no other natural herb you’ve ever used. In fact, it has for centuries been made use of by skin practitioners because of its immensely soothing properties.
First, cleanse and exfoliate your face with our Arata’s Face Wash. Pat your skin dry. Next, blend half an unpeeled, chopped cucumber with a few tablespoons of aloe vera. Apply the cooling mix on your face, and leave for about 15-20 minutes. Unwind during this time! Lay back on your bed, listen to some of your favourite songs, or even catch a nap. Once you’re ready, rinse the face mask off.
Our Hempocado oil is super nourishing! It’s a cold pressed blend of pure Hemp Seed oil and Avocado oil. Apply this to your scalp and ends as is, or mix some all-natural ingredients with it for a nourishing DIY hair mask.
We recommend raw honey and lemon because the two ingredients are great for dry, damaged hair. Raw honey contains sugars and enzymes, which not only moisturize but also pump your scalp with antioxidants and anti-bacterial goodness. Lemon has antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which make it a brilliant, hydrating remedy for your hair.
There are two ways you can apply these ingredients. First, you can blend all three ingredients together and apply the mask to your roots and your strands. Second, you can massage our Hempocado oil in for about 10-15 minutes, and then follow up with a mask of raw honey and lemon. Wrap your head with a hot towel and leave the ingredients on your scalp for about 15-20 minutes. As mentioned earlier, use this time to unwind! Relax, put your feet up, and read an interesting book.
Take a shower and cleanse the mask off with a gentle shampoo. We recommend the Arata Cleansing or Hydrating shampoo, depending on how hydrated and soft you want your hair to feel. All our ingredients are plant-based, which makes the shampoo super gentle and nourishing for your hair. Follow up with our plant-based conditioner, rinse out, and you’re good to go!
Conclusion
Remember, it’s best to use this time of change to your benefit. Let’s not get bogged down by the transformation of routine, and let’s instead embrace all the good it brings. Indulge in detox routines that make you feel good about yourself.
We believe that wellness products should make your skin and hair feel incredible, and what better way to do this than with all-natural formulas?
Read about Arata’s self-care range of wellness products, created with non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients at www.arata.in.