3 rituals to elevate your every day
At this point of the year, anything you can do on a daily basis to bring yourself out of your head and back into your body is the gift of self-love. Practices that feel luxurious but are deeply restorative and deliver resounding benefits. Here are some of our favourite indulgent rituals to leave you feeling replenished.
A high-vibration bath ritual with crystals, essential oils and sound healing
Soaking in a warm, luxurious bath after you wind down from a long day is exceptionally rejuvenating for the mind and body. It helps to restore from fatigue and mental and physical distress. Essential oils revitalise the body, while their soothing scents elevate your bathing experience into something multisensory. And while a bath with essential oils is undoubtedly a soothing ritual in itself, a lot of people who suffer with stress can benefit from the addition of sound and energy healing. Sound can help us achieve more balance by returning to our natural state of wholeness, where the mind, body and spirit are in harmony. Through sound meditation, you really focus your energy and tap into your awareness, creating more space within yourself to embrace healing. Then there is the healing power of crystals, each of which possess their own innate power. For example, a rose quartz crystal is known for its gentle energy that reminds you to approach all relationships with compassion, kindness and love - including your relationship with yourself. These exquisite essentials work on a vibrational level to leave every inch of you soothed, pampered and deeply replenished.
Aphrodisiac elixirs using adaptogens and superfoods
We all know about the typical aphrodisiac foods like chocolate and oysters, yet there are many foods and supplements that also support sex drive and increased libido. Adaptogens like ashwagandha (known for reducing stress), maca and ginseng have been shown to be effective in increasing desire and performance. Ashwaganda comes in many forms, while ginseng is usually prepared as a tea, and maca powder is best mixed into a smoothie. Key foods such as avocado, almonds, and as previously mentioned, chocolate, also yield aphrodisiac results. Making yourself up a daily elixir with the addition of a superfood or adaptogen can support your health, but always check in with a healthcare professional beforehand.
Create a home spa day with lymphatic drainage, gua sha and dry brushing
A whole-body check-in morning and night will shift your energy, mood and improve your skin. Give yourself a body massage every morning for a boost to the skin (and mind) using self–massage oil. In particular, a lymphatic drainage massage is designed to increase the flow of fluids in the body to improve circulation and immunity, while reducing inflammation. Lymphatic self-massage uses gentle, light and slow strokes over the lymph nodes to reroute the fluid to other lymph nodes in the body. You can try it on yourself on the neck, thighs and abdomen. For the face, the ancient Chinese technique called Gua sha, is known to depuff skin and also support lymphatic drainage. It uses a sculpted face tool to glide over the skin, leaving it glowing and clear. Dry brushing also invigorates the body and is a great ritual to implement before showering or bathing. It smooths away roughness and helps reduce cellulite. Use brisk and firm enough motions, brushing up your legs and arms towards your heart.
Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do – it starts with self-care rituals that become part of your routine. View our tutorials on Gua sha and self-massage by becoming an Ora Collective member.