Taking time out for yourself doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort so here are some suggestions to help you look after yourself:

Calm app

This is an app you can download on your phone, put your headphones in, and listen to a few minutes of calm. It has a wide variety of short mindfulness sessions to suit everyone and will help you relax. It even has sessions that guide you through breathing properly to fill your lungs and calm you down

Take a walk

As we have said above, taking a walk in nature, even if it’s only for fifteen minutes will help reduce your stress levels. You become more grateful for your surroundings and have more of an appreciation for nature. You will probably want to look after your world more when you have been for a walk because you will realise it helps you feel good.

Have a nice hot bath

There is nothing nicer after a long day than dipping into a nice hot bath. Lower the lights if you can and light some of our fabulous honey-scented Beeswax candles. They help purify the air and the honey scent will help you feel calm and tranquil.

Ground yourself

Have you ever been outside and stood on the grass barefoot for a few minutes? You are connecting with mother earth and it can help reduce your stress levels. Even if it’s a bit wet outside, remember you can wash your feet afterwards. If you don’t fancy wet feet, then try it when the ground is dry, breathe deeply, and send all your cares down to mother earth … she can handle them for you.

Watch the candle flame

When practising meditation or mindfulness, some people choose to focus on a candle flame because it helps clear the mind. The flicker of the flame can be mesmerising and relaxing and before you know it you have calmed your mind down for ten or fifteen minutes. Doing that just a few days a week will go a long way to reducing any overwhelm you have, getting out of your head, and having time and space to make conscious choices to help yourself and your world.

Spend time with your pet

Research has shown spending time with animals to have a beneficial effect on our mental health. It may be playing catch in the great outdoors or simply snuggling on the sofa, whatever you do with your pet is beneficial for you both.

And finally … Mindfulness does not have to be complicated or time consuming

The ideas above are simple and easy to do and don’t take long. Not all of them mean you have to sit cross legged and be quiet for hours at a time. We think mindfulness simply means to be mindful about your everyday life, be aware of what you are doing, and make conscious choices that help you and help save the planet. Because if you can’t look after yourself, you can’t look after anybody else, the animals, or your world. Mindfulness starts with you.

To help you relax, unwind, and take time out, head on over to our Etsy store below. We make a variety of eco-friendly candles and personal care products. They are all made lovingly by the Northern Flock mother and daughter team, Eileen and Annaliese Lamb. The ingredients such as Beeswax, organic cotton, and essential oils, will bring a smile to your face, and your mind and body will be happy too:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NorthernFlock