There are so many things in our day-to-day that we do without thinking. We brush our teeth, we pack our lunch for work, we walk from the parking lot to the store. We get it—sometimes we’re busy and have other things on our mind. But these are also opportunities to stay in the present rather than multi-task for the future.
How does that toothpaste taste? How good does your lunch of pasta salad smell? What does the sunset look like as you’re walking out of the store? These are all chances to bring mindfulness into your everyday life. Studies show that mindfulness reaps plenty of benefits, including decreased stress, a factor that can zap the glow right out of your skin. That’s why one of our favorite ways to decompress is by creating a mindful skincare routine.
The beauty of turning this everyday to-do into something more mindful is that you can tailor it to your schedule. Maybe you have a few minutes and can only cleanse and moisturize. Or maybe you have a half-hour to do some exfoliating and masking. Make it your own but keep it mindful.
Here are some suggestions:
Turn Off the Lights, Turn on Some Candles
It’s about setting a mood, which may help without the bright lights of your bathroom. We love softening things with our favorite candles and playing some music. It’ll set the tone and keep you busy during some of your more time-intensive steps, like a mask.
Take Your Time With Cleansing
Are you a five-second cleanser? Well, experts say at minimum you should swirl on that cleanser for 20–30 seconds, even 60 seconds to really make the product work its magic.
Smell Everything
When you’re using high-quality products—ideally ones without toxins or harmful ingredients—you can bask in scents like neroli, papaya extract, and coconut. These kind of clean products aren’t always the cheapest; get the most out of them by appreciating the feel and smell.
Give Yourself a Massage
Maybe it’s working in a serum with a jade roller or giving your arms a squeeze while the timer ticks for your face mask. Treating yourself to an extra-long skincare session comes with perks (if you take them).