DIY mental health: a spa day for the soul

The power of the mind is a remarkable force that can shape our lives in ways we may not even realise. In the next 24 hours, it is estimated that over 70,000 thoughts will enter your mind – that’s an average of one thought every 1.2 seconds!

Scientific evidence shows that our thoughts have a powerful impact on our emotions, behaviours, and overall well-being. Positive thoughts can improve our mood, boost our immune system, and increase our resilience to stress, while negative thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, and a weakened immune system.

Sadly, statistics show that many people neglect their mental health, treating it as an afterthought rather than a priority. In fact, depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and anxiety affects over 40 million adults in the United States alone.

It’s time to start treating your mental health as a spa for the soul – a place to nurture and harness your inner narrative, so you can feel good enough everyday. Let’s imagine the mind is a garden and you would take the time cultivating positive thoughts, weeding out negative ones and nurturing self-confidence.

Making your mental health a priority, you can unlock your full potential and live the life you deserve. So, we hope to inspire you to make a commitment to yourself to tend to your mind daily, and reap the benefits of a positive and satisfying life.

Mental health is crucial to your overall well-being. It affects how you feel, think, and behave, and it impacts every aspect of your lives. Unfortunately, mental health issues are taking control of darker hours of life, and many people struggle with them. But the good news is that there are simple things we can do to prevent you from experiencing poor mental health. This is why we invite you to treat yourself to a spa for the soul.

In this article, we will explore the concept of a spa day for the soul and how you can create one for yourself in the privacy of your own home. We will discuss various activities and practices that can help you relax, de-stress, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.

Taking time out for the soul

A spa for the soul is an intentional time dedicated to self-care and nurturing your mental health. It could be a whole day or a few minutes a day when you take a break from your routine, slow down, and focus on yourself. It’s a time when you engage in activities and practices that bring you joy, peace, and relaxation.

You can include various activities, such as meditation, yoga, journaling, flower waters or a cold shower. The intention is to create a nurturing and rejuvenating experience that helps you release stress, boost your mood, and improve your overall mental health.

The mind can be thought of as a garden, and you are the gardeners. Just as a gardener tends to their garden, you must also tend to your mind, nurturing positive thoughts and weeding out negative ones.

Just as a garden needs sunlight and water to grow, your mind need positive influences and experiences to thrive. Surround yourself with uplifting people, listen to inspiring music or podcasts, and read books that motivate and encourage you.

Same way a garden needs regular maintenance to stay healthy, our minds need daily care and attention. Take time each day to meditate, practice mindfulness, or engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This will help to keep your mind healthy and happy. Who is weeding out the unwanted plants to make space for the beautiful flowers? Remember to weed out negative thoughts during self-talks. Challenge negative thoughts and reframe them into positive ones.

As the gardener of your mind, you have the power to cultivate a beautiful, healthy, and thriving garden. With regular attention and care, your mind will flourish and you will reap the benefits of a positive and fulfilling life.

How to create your own spa day for the soul

Creating a spa day for the soul is easy and fun. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or go to a fancy spa. You can do it all from the comfort of your own home. Here are some steps to get you started:

Plan Your Day

The first step in creating a spa day for the soul is to plan your day. Decide on a day and time when you can dedicate a full day to yourself. Clear your schedule, turn off your phone, and make sure you won’t be disturbed. Set the mood by lighting candles, playing relaxing music, and creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Engage in Mindful Activities

The next step is to engage in mindful activities that help you relax and de-stress. Here are some ideas:

Meditation is another powerful tool for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable position, and focus on your breath.

Journaling is a therapeutic practice that helps you express your thoughts and emotions. Set aside some time to write down your feelings, fears, and aspirations.

If you imagine your body is a house, it needs some tender loving care, to make you feel good and pampered. Here are some ideas:

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve physical and mental well-being. You can use a diffuser or mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil and massage it into your skin.

Taking a bubble bath is a classic self-care activity that helps you unwind and relax. Add some essential oils or Epsom salt to your bath for an extra soothing experience.

Nourish Your Body and Mind

The last step is to nourish your body and mind with healthy food and inspiration. Here are some ideas:

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Everything starts in the mind and this is exactly where we invite you to go today. A mental health spa day is all about pampering yourself and indulging in self-care practices to relax,relief stress and rejuvenate your mind. The best part is that you can do it all at home and on a budget. Here are some tips to help you plan your DIY mental health spa day:

Set the mood

The first step in creating a spa-like environment is to set the mood. Turn off your phone, switch off the lights, light some scented candles, and play some calming music. This will help you to relax and create a peaceful atmosphere.

Get comfortable

Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel relaxed and at ease. You can also add some cozy blankets and pillows to create a comfortable space.

Start with a warm bath

Taking a warm bath is a great way to start your DIY mental health spa day. Add some Epsom salts or essential oils to your bathwater to soothe your muscles and calm your mind. You can also light some candles and play some calming music to create a peaceful ambiance.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep breathing can help to calm your mind and reduce stress. Find a quiet place and spend some time practicing mindfulness. You can use guided meditation apps or simply focus on your breath to achieve a state of mental relaxation.

Take care of your skin

Taking care of your skin can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Use a facial mask or a body scrub to exfoliate your skin and promote cell renewal. You can also use essential oils or body lotions to hydrate your skin and give it a healthy glow.

Enjoy a healthy snack

Eating a healthy snack can boost your mood and energy levels. Prepare some healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts, or smoothies to nourish your body and mind.

DIY mental health spa day is a very effective way to zen, taking care of your mental health and wellbeing. Make fun and easy to create a relaxing and peaceful environment at home and indulge in self-care practices and induce stress relief and mental rejuvenation. If you can’t take out a whole day on regular basis, plan a few good moments every day!

Finding you sweet spot

Creating a mental health spa day is a great way to start nurturing and harnessing your inner narrative. However, it’s important to keep that feeling of inner peace and self-acceptance throughout the day. This can be challenging, especially in a world that constantly bombards us with negative messages and expectations.

But the good news is that research has shown that taking breaks throughout the day to engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being can help to boost our mood and foster our mental health. According to a study published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, taking a break during the workday can help to reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.

Your mind is where everything happens first and turning it into sanctuary of inner peace is about finding a sweet spot to relax and rejuvenate. This could be as simple as taking a walk outside, listening to calming music, or practicing mindfulness exercises.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that self-compassion is linked to better mental health outcomes, including reduced levels of anxiety and depression. To practice self-compassion is not easy, as perhaps you are always your hardest critic but try to be kind and supportive to yourself throughout the day. This means treating yourself with the same level of care and understanding that you would offer to a close friend. When you make a mistake, try not to be too harsh on yourself, pay attention to the words you are using in the self-talk. Instead, offer yourself words of encouragement and kindness.

Taking breaks to engage in relaxation activities, practising self-compassion and being kind to yourself can help your mental well-being and improve your life quality. So take some time out of your day to nurture your senses and create a sanctuary of inner peace. You deserve it!