The I Love team Self-Care favourites.

Our Marketing Executive Sara Batule Chaudhry’s Self-Care routine:

Engaging in a self-care routine reduces or eliminates anxiety and depression, reduces stress, improves concentration, minimizes frustration and anger, increases happiness, improves energy, and many more…

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to mental health, self-care can help manage stress, lower  risk of illness, and increase energy.

Sara states “There are certain self-care habits I have religiously stuck too over the past few years that have kept me feeling like myself. These habits fuel my good days, while keeping me from sinking too low on my bad days. I have come to the realisation that we must prioritise taking care of ourselves every day, so that we can stay physically, emotionally, and mentally well”.

Furthermore, Sara also mentions that the longer she practices self-love and self-care, the better she is at dealing with any doubts as well as listening to her body’s needs.

1) Getting some shut-eye (sleep)

Sleep is one the biggest things that people neglect today, people tend to overwork their body with lack of sleep which causes our bodies to regulate hormones that cause stress, a lack of rest can amplify the effects of stress on the body. Long-term sleep deprivation has been associated with increased blood pressure, higher heart rate and inflammation. All of this puts unnecessary strain on our hearts.

Sleep therefore is one of biggest impacts on how we feel, physically and mentally. I ensure that if I’m feeling tired, then I choose to listen to that by taking a little nap, going to bed earlier, having a lie-in, or just switching off and resting. It’s important to notice when you’re feeling tired and run-down and listen to your body by getting some decent shuteye. 

2) Pampering myself

Sara states Pampering is one of her favourites ‘Must do’s’ she states, “Who doesn’t love to treat themselves because I certainly do…”.

Sara states one of her favourite pampering techniques is taking a long hot bubble bath after a stressful day, she says it helps enhance the production of serotonin in her body. Serotonin helps let go of everyday stressors, thereby reducing stress levels. Bubble baths are an easy way to let your body heal. The rested position in the tub, the relaxed atmosphere that accompanies a bubble bath, and the hot water all work together to help her wind down after a long day. Allowing her muscles to relax stimulates her blood flow and lower tensions.

Moreover, sara states “Another pampering tip of mine is giving myself a top-quality facial.  a facial massage activates our sympathetic nerve system and reduces anxiety as well as stress. As our faces have many pressure points, by massaging the estheticians we are stimulating as well as improving our glow and blood circulation”. 


3) Going outside and moving my body

The more fresh air you go out and get, the more oxygen you breathe in, which increases the amount of serotonin (the happy hormone) you inhale, consequently making you happier👃 😊

“Fresh air helps to relieve my stress. As stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity, I use this advantage to take some green time out as time in green spaces significantly reduces our cortisol, which is a stress hormone of ours, as well as boosting endorphin levels and dopamine production, which produces happiness and makes me all smiley…. so I make sure to always go outside on my down days…I have always loved physical activity, going outside and moving around and about. It really does play a huge part in my day-to-day emotions”-Sara. 

4) Blasting some music

“When I listen to music that I love to sign along to at the top of my voice, studies found that are brains release dopamine which is a chemical involved in both motivation and addiction. So, when listening to my favourite music, this causes my brain to release the hormone dopamine also known as the happy or the feel-good chemical which helps me de-stress and feel on top of the world!”.- Sara.

5) Getting cosy

“Getting cosy is my favourite thing ever! Taking time out to relax and de-stress means an improvement in my mood, brain function, and memory. When I relax this allows my mind and body to repair itself. This is a must to repair my mood on bad days”- Sara