It’s probably an understatement to say that the past year and a half has been stressful. As such, many people have found new ways to relax, unwind, and recreate, spurring a variety of trends that you may have seen while doom scrolling on social media. That being said, seeing what the latest trends are and treating yourself to them are a world apart, especially if you’re still working from home and struggling to carve out some time for yourself that feels separate from living on top of your spouse, children, and coworkers 24/7.
If you need a little nudge in the right direction, here are a few different trends to consider trying that don’t take too much effort or time to enjoy.
Look to nature for a new way to relax.
One form of supplement that’s been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years is CBD. If you’re wondering to yourself, “What does CBD stand for?” you’re not alone—although you can still potentially reap the benefits of CBD without pulling out the dictionary. Put in its simplest terms, CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the active ingredients in the cannabis plant or hemp plant. CBD products use cannabinoids in order to offer a variety of potential benefits to consumers, from helping alleviate feelings associated with pain and inflammation to promoting calm.
One thing to note about cannabinoids and cannabidiol is that different CBD products have different effects on different individuals. Additionally, since CBD oils aren’t monitored by the FDA, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first before you introduce CBD supplements into your daily routine.
Pamper yourself and spice up your beauty routine.
If your daily beauty routine has fallen by the wayside during the pandemic, now’s the time to get back to it! Even if you don’t have acne or wrinkles, using a toner or cream to boost the moisture in your face can be totally luxurious.
Skincare is something that’s easy to spruce up with just a few products and can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. If dry skin, wrinkles, acne, pores, sensitive skin, or redness are holding back your self-esteem, consider looking into how an SPF sunscreen or various cleansers and serums can help you learn how to improve your beauty routine.
Get a friend and harness the power of retail therapy.
Who said shopping wasn’t a valid coping mechanism? If you’re trying to relieve some pent-up stress after being stuck inside for so long quarantining, a great solution is to go shopping. Make it a social event and bring one of your best friends, someone who you trust to advise you on when to swipe your card and when to call it quits for the day.
In small doses, retail therapy can actually be a great way to improve your mood, just so long as you don’t go full-fledged shopaholic. Consider supporting a women’s boutique in Portland, OR, or another local shop so that you can help local businesses regain their footing following the pandemic.
A lot of the time, it’s important to consider the amount of effort you’re going to expend on self-care in relation to the outcome you can expect to receive in return. For example, you may have a friend that loves massage therapy; however, if the closest masseuse is a 20-minute drive away and has a hard-to-use website for booking appointments, you may not want to go through the hassle of scheduling a massage.
It’s important to consider both effort and reward when planning your self-care, even if the most trendy option looks exciting on Instagram. With the above advice, you’re bound to find something that’s as rejuvenating as it is trendy.
