The Art of Intentional Self-Care

The American Psychological Association (APA) agrees with pop psychologists that self-care is not selfish, and is, in fact, a significant part of maintaining physiological and psychological balance in our lives.

Our consumerist, workaholic society is feeling a collective burnout, and the value of taking some time to unwind is becoming increasingly apparent. From gratitude journaling and morning pages to modern-day sabbath rituals, many burnt-out millennial women are putting self-care into practice in a very intentional way. 

Create Ambience

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word ambience as “a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing.” Although the quality of a specific setting can be almost impossible to define with the limits of language, we all seem to intuitively understand the importance of ambience across cultures.

However, despite these attempts to put words to universally understood feelings, it is safe to say that ambience is remarkably difficult to define. The mood and atmosphere of a place can exert tremendous influence over our emotions and even our physical health. Yet it remains a largely mysterious area of human experience that cannot be easily quantified.

One thing is for sure: candles have always improved the ambience of a room. Since the pre-Industrial Age, candlelight has provoked feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and sentimentality that have enabled individuals to be their best and most empowered selves.

Recognize Problem Areas

 Without any particular guidelines to follow, it can be challenging to create the optimal ambience for your daily life. If ambience can’t be defined or described, how can you know you’ve found the ideal combination of elements that will balance you?

The reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer, nor are we qualified to offer medical advice. However, we know that stress manifests internally and externally, so a good place is to start recognizing your particular constellation of symptoms.

If you experience disrupted sleep or nighttime anxiety, lavender is a calming alternative or addition to drug therapy. Excessive daytime tiredness can be improved through the regulation of your circulatory system, something you can achieve with the help of lemongrass.

There are many benefits to aromatherapy, and we encourage you to experiment once you have first spoken to your doctor. A medical professional can help you create a game plan: a holistic approach to improving your mental and physical well-being.