Bye, Bye Stress!: Fun And Quick Ways To Dive Into Self-Care For The New Year
We openly admit that we were all too happy to bid adieu to the things that stressed us out in 2021. Everyone we spoke to vowed to say goodbye to any/everything that negatively interfered with their healthy lifestyles. You know the saying… New Year, New You!
We recently chatted with the owner of Body By Brooklyn, and he confirmed that if you've been stressed in the last year, you're not alone. “In today’s times, we tend to be more tense than normal,” Terrance Spriggs tells BET Lifestyle about the rise of physical and mental stressors we’ve all encountered in recent years.
With over 15 years of management in the areas of spa and wellness, Spriggs is well qualified to share with us the importance of prioritizing self-care, especially at the top of a new year. He explains, “Self-care is imperative because it allows us to really focus on our mental, physical, and for some people, all-around spiritual energy. At Body By Brooklyn, we believe one of the most important things you can do is reconnect with yourself. Self-care is all about healing.”
Located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, the Black-owned European day spa allows guests to refresh and renew with everything from a steam room and an arctic cold plunge pool to plush cabanas and a full-service menu.
There is no argument that we all need to prioritize healing in the new year. But how do you do it? While Spriggs professionally advises everyone to visit a spa at least 4 times a year, he does remind us that self-care starts with reconnecting with ourselves, even at home.
“We all need moments of intentional relaxation and rejuvenation with everything going on in the world right now. It’s important that we make conscious efforts to stay focused on our wellness journeys. Self-care is a form of taking care of yourself,” reminds us before adding that both meditation and massage therapy are forms of self-care.
Hopeful to get you started on your wellness journey, we created a list of fun ways to dive into self-care in 2022—without any stress. We hope you find these tips helpful!
Remix Your Wash Day To Nourish Both Your Hair And Mind
Just the very thought of prepping for our weekly hair routine has us rubbing our arms in pain, especially when we think about the lengthy process that includes hours of washing, detangling, and deep conditioning. However, it needs to be done.
To make the self-care task less overwhelming, think of fun ways to remix your wash day with mindfulness. Consider celebrating your natural beauty while detangling your curls, or perhaps, treat yourself to a soak in a foot spa while nourishing your tresses with a hair mask. It is all about thoughtfully multi-taking. We want you to beautify yourself physically and mentally.
Soak The Stress Away And Pamper Yourself With A Comforting Bath/Shower
The relationship between self-care and bathing is powerful (and in some ways synonymous) for more reasons than one. As we all know, there is a serious feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation when the stress of a workday flows down the drain.
To further enjoy this moment, consider put on your favorite relaxation playlist and release the tensions of everyday life with a soothing bath/shower. Use this time to focus on the healing of self.
Follow Up Your Daily Workout With A Healthy Snack
There’s nothing like the comfort of food. After your daily workout—don't forget to meditate—complete your day's fitness journey with a healthy snack. You deserve it! Use this time to focus on resetting and refueling.
- advertisement
Treat Yourself To Something That Makes You Happy
Self-care should ultimately leave you feeling happy. This is why we encourage you to treat yourself to something that makes you smile at least once a week. As long as it is healthy and won’t harm you or others, you shouldn’t deprive yourself. And remember, there is no rule that self-care can only happen on the weekend.
** Editor’s Note: This story/interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
