As we enter what is often the most stressful time of the year, I’m focusing a bit more on recovery – a form of self-care.
Weekly, I have my recovery ritual, “Saturday Soak,” where I soak in the tub, watch Netflix, drink some tea, and snack. I look forward to it every week, and it helps my body recover from physical activity while clearing my head after a full work week.
The key to recovery is making it as stress-free as possible.
If you don’t already have a recovery routine, here are some tips to help make it a bit easier for you to build your Recovery Kit because let’s be honest: The last thing you want to do is to stress out about how you’re going to de-stress!
1. FOCUS ON THE 5 SENSES
I like to have something I can see, touch, smell, hear, and taste. Some suggestions:
- See – A book, lighthearted TV show, journal
- Touch – A face mask, pedicure-in-a-box, cozy socks, Epsom salt for your tub
- Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt, $5, Ulta
These come in so many varieties, and there’s always a good sale on them! This helps with muscles pain, and most varieties are hydrating, so you leave the tub with your skin feeling softer.
- Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt, $5, Ulta
- Smell – Candles, bath bombs, essential oils
- Mood Cleansing Bath Salts, $39, Bluemercury
- Hear – Music (maybe add a speaker to your kit!) or your TV show
- Taste – A light snack, tea
Think of this as a bath bomb in tea form! You can make it hot or cold, and there’s no steeping required
Into making charcuterie boards? Slice some fruit, add 2 tablespoons of this spread, add in some crackers and cheese, and you are ready to go with an easy mini-board!
2. KEEP EVERYTHING IN A NICE BASKET OR BOX
Keeping everything in a nice basket or box – maybe even one you decorate, if you’re in the mood to be a bit crafty – makes it easy to access when you need it, and keeps you from having to look around for certain items or try to remember what you used last time. Again, make this process as easy as possible!
3. SET ASIDE 5 MINUTES TO BUILD YOUR RECOVERY KIT
I suggest doing this on a day when you’re not planning to use it, that way it feels like a little treat or surprise when you do get to use it.
4. FILL IT WITH THINGS THAT BRING YOU JOY
I love cozy socks and candles, so I know I’m going to always make sure I have these replenished in my Recovery Kit!
I love the candles at Olive & Loom because they’re whimsical and they smell fantastic! Burning these candles is a special treat because they look so unique.
5. MODIFY IF YOU NEED TO
If I don’t have time to soak in the tub, maybe I’ll just light a candle and journal for a few minutes, throw on a face mask, or soak my feet in a foot bath. On those days, I don’t use every item in my recovery kit, and that’s okay. Recovery doesn’t have to be a long process, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make the best of the time you have.
Pedicure in a Box, $14, Olive & Loom
Want a spontaneous pedicure, but don’t feel like driving to the salon? Check out this jelly spa set!
This journal is great because it has prompts, but it also has blank pages so that you can fill it with unstructured thoughts.
This face mask is instantly cooling and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. You can buy these in a single mask or a box of 5 masks. The masks are made of 100% organic cotton!
By day, Alexis Reed (she/her) is a marketing professional in the DC Metro Area. By night, she is a group fitness instructor, yoga teacher, youth volleyball coach, and healthy lifestyle blogger on Flecks of Lex. She hosts The Sweat Fearlessly Podcast and is Co-Founder of DMV Fitness Fam, a local group that promotes diversity in fitness and the great outdoors. Her philosophy is to “Sweat Fearlessly” – having fun and enjoying fitness without worrying about how you look or what other people may think about you. You can follow Alexis’ daily adventures on her Instagram @flecksoflex.
