How to De-Stress When Life Gets Hard | ft. L’Occitane en Provence

Life is hectic we all know that. I’m the type of person who gets so consumed with day to day activities, that I keep going and going until I can’t go anymore. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s important to listen to the warning signs of my body and give myself time to slow down and tend to the needs of my body and mind. It is the only way that I can keep going and get to where I need to get without burning out. It’s also the hardest part: finding time in my day, carving out those little moments to myself.

It’s not about going to a fancy spa, booking an exotic vacation or waiting for a special time. That only adds more pressure and sets out unrealistic expectations that are seldom met. It’s about creating a relaxing and soothing atmosphere within the comfort of my home and making the most of the little luxuries I already have. It’s about welcoming little de-stressing rituals that help re-energize my body and calm my mind.

L’Occitane is a brand that captures the true meaning of indulgence by transforming your daily routines into little acts of self-care that allow you to recharge, replenish and keep going. Their products are meant to become part of your everyday life and enrich every aspect of your life, whether you’re just showering after a busy workday or taking your makeup off before bed.

So when life gets hectic, I try to create my own relaxing moments within the four walls of my home. I use products that I already have to help me de-stress and reach a place of inner serenity. I’ll share these little self-care rituals with you in hopes you find them useful.

1. Turn Off

At the end of a busy day, what I most look forward to is calming my racing mind, slowing down my thoughts and gaining control of my breath. It all starts with putting my phone down, slipping into something comfy and starting my evening skincare routine. That sends a signal to my brain that a day that was hopefully full of purpose is now slowly coming to an end.

I adore using facial oils as part of my evening skincare. I find the experience of massaging the oil onto the face so relaxing and soothing. One of the lushest oils I’ve ever tried is the L’Occitane Divine Youth Facial Oil.

Highly concentrated in Corsican Immortelle Flower Essential Oil, this product helps improve the skin’s ability to fight environmental aggressions and aging. My stepmother introduced me to this oil a few years ago and I’ve been using it on and off ever since. I love that it has a light texture that immediately melts into the skin. It works for all skin types and does an excellent job nourishing the skin, improving its texture and luminosity. I like to mix a few drops of the oil with my moisturizer or layer it over my moisturizer on those nights when my skin feels a little tight. I use a Jade Roller to massage the oil onto the face as described in a previous post here.

2. Soak and Unwind

Every now and then, when I feel the weight of my work week on my aching shoulders, I like to soak my entire body and sink into a bath full of bubbles. There’s something so comforting, so indulging about a bubble bath at the end of a busy day. I leave all my stresses and worries at the bathroom door. I run the water and a few drops of my L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath. The beautiful aromas from the Lavender Essential oils ease my nerves and calm my spirit. I find therapeutic oils such as the ones blended in the L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath, extremely effective at enhancing the state of our physical, mental and emotional well-being. They turn your bath experience into a meaningful tranquil ritual.

3. Pamper and Indulge

Our bodies carry around much of the stresses we battle in our heads every day. It is equally as important to tend to the needs of our bodies as it is to take care of the skin on our face. For me, my body care routine is my Me time. I enjoy every aspect of the process and that has made me more likely to stay consistent and look forward to those times, especially when life gets hard. The L’Occitane’s body care range is one of my favorite! From texture to scents, these luxurious products offer a sensorial immersion in natural beauty and provide an instant feeling of well-being.

Using their Almond Supple Skin Oil is simply the most luxurious experience for both skin and senses. Infused with more than 50% of almond oil sensibly sourced from the South of France, this moisturizing body oil deeply hydrates, nourishes, firms and smoothes the skin. It’s become my go to on those days when my skin and senses are in need of a little treat.

On those days when my skin feels extra dry and depleted, I reach for the L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream with 25% Shea Butter. This cream has a beautifully soft texture that leaves the skin feeling moisturized, smooth and revived. I like to apply it all over the body, focusing on areas that tend to get really dry such as my knees, elbows, the soles of my feet.

It’s by far one of my favorite parts of the day, switching off and treating my body with luxurious products that leave my skin feeling nourished and my mind feeling so Zen.

4. Nurture Yourself

If there is one and only one thing to take away from this post, is this: take care of yourself. It’s never about that trip to the spa or that big vacation you’re waiting for every year. Look after your mind and body. Nourish them with positive thoughts and great skincare products. As egotistic as it might sound to some, it is the little acts of self-care that you do or don’t do for yourself that make all the difference in how you feel on the inside, what you show on the outside and how you interact with others. We might not be able to change certain situations or completely eliminate stress from our lives. But it is these little moments that you take for yourself that allow you to face anything that comes your way with a calm and level-headed attitude and ultimately, enjoy the here and now.

It really is the little things that make all the difference. What are some of your ways to unwind after a busy day or when life gets hectic? Do share your Me time de-stressing rituals in the comments down below.

This is NOT a sponsored post. I was sent a PR package from L’Occitane a couple of weeks ago under NO obligation to review. While I appreciate that as bloggers, we are sometimes given products from brands, I pride myself on the fact that my opinion is always my opinion. It cannot be swayed or influenced. I can honestly say that I do love and have enjoyed these L’Occitane products very much. And if the brand turned around asked me to pay the price for their products, I would have paid it. In fact, these are actually also products I have purchased myself in the past with my own money. L’Occitane uses ingredients of great quality that I believe in and stand behind. Their products go beyond tangible benefits to create a unique sensorial experience that uplifts spirits and improves the sense of well-being.

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