Ah, January! With the new year marks a time for new beginnings and new commitments to self-improvement. You may be refreshing your routines, dedicating yourself to changing your mindset, putting intent behind a new skill.
However, as the excitement over the new year begins to wean, so, too do the commitments to resolutions. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not here to judge — we can confidently say that we’ve all been there.
Whether you got a little overzealous with the resolutions or life simply got in the way, sometimes a reset button on the new year’s commitments is much needed. Instead of taking on a major life overhaul, we’re fans of focusing on adopting small practices that evolve into habits which are much more manageable and beneficial in the long run. For us, we’re sticking to what we know best: skincare
Is there a part of your skincare routine that could use attention? Take a look at these suggestions and pick 2-3 to stick to in 2019!
- Stay up to date with your dermatologist appointments
We can’t stress this one enough. Considering that skin cancer affects one of out every five Americans, regular dermatologist appointments are a must. At the very least, make sure you’re scheduling an annual skin check to make sure no new moles, freckles, birthmarks or otherwise are a threat to your health. Skin cancer aside, your dermatologist should be your first line of defense against skin disorders. So, this year, instead of self-diagnosing that skin problem, make a habit of seeing a doctor to get the issue solved!
- Drink more water!
While you may be tired of hearing this, the proof is in the metaphorical pudding: a hydrated body is a happy (and healthy!) body. Challenge yourself to drink your eight glasses of water a day and keep track of it! That way, you’re holding yourself accountable for your hydration.
- Show your hands some love
Our hands work hard — day in and day out they’re exposed to the elements, washed multiple times a day, and subjected to all sorts of temperatures of water. Slathering products all over our faces seems like a no brainer, but how much love do you show your hands? Commit to always having a travel-sized moisturizer with you and try to moisturize every time you wash your hands. In these colder months, you may find yourself needing something more intense than a regular application of your favorite cream. In this case, adding in an overnight hand treatment to your nightly routine once a week can work wonders. To do this, liberally apply a heavy-hitting hand cream of your choice (we’re loving the super-rich shea butter cream) and then immediately put on a pair of gloves that you don’t mind getting cream on. Wear these overnight and rinse off any excess cream in the morning for silky-smooth hands that are ready to take on the day!
- And your feet, too!
Have you ever touched your feet only to be met with what feels like sandpaper? Do your feet look like you’ve just dusted them in powdered sugar? Your poor feet need love, too! Make it a habit to use a foot file or a pumice stone in the shower to remove calluses. Follow that up with a weekly overnight deep conditioning treatment: liberally apply a deep conditioning foot cream onto your feet and follow up with a comfy pair of socks to sleep in.
- Set an AM and PM skincare routine – and stick to it
This one is a bigger commitment, but one that will have your skin thanking you in a major way. Before you brush this one off, know that we’re not telling you to commit to a full on 10-step beauty routine but rather to taking the time to put together morning and night time routines that make sense for both your skin and your time. For some people, this may mean adding coconut oil as a pre-wash oil cleanser every night or making sure to use a toner. For others, it means graduating from an occasional wash to a multi-product lineup and routine.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum, we can’t stress the importance of giving this commitment time. A major issue that many people run into with skincare products is one that’s totally in their control: patience. An overnight skin perfector has yet to hit the market, meaning that visible results from a product you’ve just introduced to your skin will take time and dedication.
- Meditate your worries away…
Between the holidays and the promise of a new year, excitement is a word that gets thrown around a lot. However, many don’t talk about the other side of this busy time of the year — stress. The toll that stress takes on the body isn’t one to be ignored but can be managed by adding a few minutes of meditation into your day-to-day. Did you know that you can practice meditation wherever you are? On a walk, in the car, in a waiting room… it’s just a matter of creating the habit. Even five minutes of meditation can help you clear your mind and restore a sense of peace and calm. Consider trying out a meditation app like Headspace if you’re a true beginner to get the hang of it.
- …And stay calm with the help of aromatherapy
Sure, essential oils have a knack for making your environments smell wonderful, but did you know that they have major therapeutic benefits as well? Think about how relaxed you feel when you walk into a room that smells good: maybe you feel relaxed when the smell of lavender hits your nose or invigorated by a citrus-y scent. For thousands of years, aromatherapy has been used to aid with everything from pain management to stress reduction. Finding the scents that work for you might take a bit of trial and error, but that’s half the fun! It's time to say goodbye to artificial sprays and wall plug-ins in 2019 and go natural instead.
- Give your hair a weekly boost of hydration
We couldn’t possibly write about self-care without talking about hair! For many of us, the endless holiday parties, family events and pictures have left our manes looking… not great. Heat styling, cold weather, and an overload of styling products often leave our tresses looking dry and lifeless, making this the perfect time to develop the habit of weekly deep conditioning sessions. Pick a day that works best for you and commit to coating your locks with a moisture rich a hair conditioner. Look for treatments with hard-working ingredients that will repair and restore your hair.
Pro tip: Go simple! While we love a good masque, a hot oil treatment with 100% Coconut Oil or 100% Argan Oil is a highly effective way to keep your hair shiny and bouncy all year long.
If you’re like us, it may seem hard to pick just a few of these to try out but remember, the key to turning a new addition to your daily routine into a habit is to keeping things manageable. Start with 2-3 in these first few months, and if you find that it’s easy to keep your new, healthy habits going, add more in, one at a time! Self-care is all about YOU — now let’s make this year the best one yet!