Taking time to recharge and refresh after a busy season

I think one of my favorite memes I’ve seen on Facebook was the quote, “On Saturday mornings I like to sit on the couch and sip my coffee for 30 or 40 hours to recharge.” Pretty cute and so very much me. I hate mornings with a passion that I come by very naturally from a long line of nocturnal people. My dream in this life would be to not have a schedule. To be able to rise and fall as my body dictates. To work or rest as I feel like. But I guess that’s pretty true for all of us isn’t it?

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

I envisioned a life unbound by the constraint of time, where no clock dictated my pace and every moment unfolded freely: slow mornings, endless stacks of pancakes, music drifting through the air, aromatic bath soaks, traditional Thai massages, romantic comedies, friends sharing stories on the couch, and so much more. When I say this out loud, it seems like (contrary to public opinion) true luxury is not found in cars, designer bags, or glittering jewels but in the unhurried grace of slow life.  

Shifting back to reality, I barely remember moments of me taking time to slow down and enjoy my presence. Lately, our world has been designed to prevent good sleep, slow movements, and, especially, a quiet life. The relentless clamor of working 9 to 5, being a devoted friend, girlfriend, wife, or mother, and striving to meet endless expectations is an unbearable symphony of exhaustion.

I know I am not alone in this. Probably many of you are constantly wondering what to do when the world gets too loud and the pressure seems unbearable. Therefore, I intend to share with you how I managed to recharge and rejuvenate after a busy season.

I bathe the tension away

Now I understand why Roman, Greek, Middle Eastern, and Japanese societies have embraced cleansing both body and spirit through purifying baths. While a simple warm bath can do wonders to calm the mind and relieve tension, I have discovered some additives that are completely a game-changer:

• Clary Sage Oil’s scent spiritually, emotionally, and cerebrally clarifies my mind.
• Lavender is a lovely floral fragrance that eases the days when I feel anxious or frazzled.
• Sandalwood, with its warm, woodsy scent, always silences my thoughts and prepares my mind for meditation.
• Lavender Oil gives me a peaceful, restorative sleep.
• Epsom salt, aka magnesium sulfate, relaxes muscles, relieves pain and tension, and is a good way to cope with anxiety and migraines.

I pour my story onto the paper

When I was a teenager, the diary hidden under my mattress was my favorite place in the world. Thus, the habit of confessing my struggles and fears on paper is no stranger to me.

However, once I reached adulthood, I started to perceive journaling as a foolish hobby that stood in my way of becoming a full-time grown-up, and eventually, I gave up on it. Little did I know that one day, I would embrace this habit again, making it a helpful tool in managing my mental health, especially after a busy period.

The trick about journaling is that it forces me to take a seemingly impossible problem and compress it into something more controllable. Gaining insight into my chaotic thoughts helps me untangle confusion and restore a piece of mind that I have long wished for.

My best friend is the beauty salon

The moment I enter a beauty salon, I feel how depression, anxiety, and the hormones that sometimes make me hysterical are slowly leaving my body. I would dare to say that your hairstylist is like your best friend, but there is a huge difference between them: The hairstylist is not going to fall in love with your ex-boyfriend.

Anyway, I’m ready to fight for peace in the world when my hair looks good. Nothing compares to this feeling. Please try it!

I find solace in shopping (Am I a shopaholic now?)

This paragraph is for all the women out there who have publicly stated that shopping beats therapy and have been referred to as ignorant and vulgar. Please don’t listen to them; you were right!

No man can make a woman feel the butterfly she experiences when the courier calls. Every single trip to the mall makes my brain release dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and other happiness—or pleasure-related chemicals.

Art comforts me like no other

First of all, why hasn’t nobody told me before that art can do such wonders to the human brain? Second of all, there’s one thing that I have started doing recently, and I consider it a lovely activity that’s sure to entertain you as well. Even when you don’t feel like going to the museum or if you don’t have a nearby museum to go to, there are plenty of online art galleries that allow you to indulge in this hobby. Gaze at a painting without the weight of context, and let it speak to you in its silent language.

Let it stir something within you, something raw and unfiltered. Only after you have absorbed its essence can you seek out its true meaning. Compare what you’ve felt with what was intended, and in that contrast, discover not just the art but yourself within it.

Sweating becomes glamorous when I run my worries away

Over the years, I have watched many series that use very artistic cinematic scenes to portray running as the ultimate mind-freer. Imagine this scenario: you’re racing through an open field when the sun barely shows in the sky, and the wind sweeps through your hair, tugging it widely as it whispers past your ears. Each stride pushes away the weight of your thoughts, leaving only the rush of air and the freeing pulse of your body. It sounds marvelous, right?

In reality, running is very simple but not easy. You will feel aches and pains and maybe cough in a way that echoes the braying of a donkey. But let me tell you, it is definitely worth it. I am still fascinated by how running slows things down, making my mind feel calmer, clearer, and more relaxed.

Let’s not forget about my comfort drinks

I love my comfort drinks, and I definitely enjoy the process of making them. Among some of my favorites, there are:

• Vanilla Turmeric Golden Milk Latte.
• White Wine.
• Cinnamon Ginger Tea.
•  
• Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte.
• Anti-Inflammatory CBD Infused Turmeric Latte.

Final thoughts

One of the most striking ways you can deceive yourself is by underestimating the importance of taking breaks. Recentering and regrounding have become imperative in our bustling modern world, which allows little space for moments of peace, tranquility, and mental clarity.

Don’t lose yourself along the run!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)