Ever felt like you're too busy for self-care? Let me introduce you to some simple rituals you can use whenever you need.
Key Takeaways
- Self-care is important, not only for mental health but also for physical health and overall wellness.
- In Indonesia, a traditional wellness practice called Jamu incorporates self-care into daily life.
- Short rituals are a great way to prioritize self-care during busy days.
- Examples include breathing exercises, hand massages, using scents, and brewing a cup of tea or Jamu.
See More: How I Check In With My Body in 60 Seconds (And Why It Matters)
Self-Care for Busy People
Metta Murdaya, co-founder of JUARA Skincare, says:
"Self-care is a daily practice, not a reward. I use simple Indonesian rituals, like a hand massage or applying a scent, to stay grounded even on hectic days."
You probably know how important self-care is. But in the hectic bustle of day-to-day life, prioritizing self-care can sometimes feel impossible.
After all, so many things contribute to our overall well-being. Mental health. Physical health. Getting enough sleep. Sometimes, it feels like there just isn't enough time in the day.
But what if that wasn't the case? What if self-care wasn't just long baths, workout classes, or retreats in Bali?
What if self-care were something as simple as taking a few seconds to sit in the present moment?
Self-care activities really can be as straightforward as that. All you need is a moment.
Once you realize this also counts as self-care, taking care of yourself suddenly sounds a whole lot easier.
Why Self-Care Matters
You probably know the importance of self-care, but it's worth a reminder.
Our mental and emotional well-being is the foundation of our overall wellness. It directly impacts all aspects of life, including our physical well-being, relationships with other people, and ability to focus on our responsibilities.
When stress piles up, taking a moment to breathe can seem counterintuitive. In fact, it's completely necessary.
Prioritizing Self-Care, Even With a Busy Schedule
Making self-care a priority doesn't have to be complicated.
We sometimes think of self-care as an elaborate process. When self-care means elaborate wellness routines and overseas retreats, it's easy to start to conceive of it as a sort of reward.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Instead, try thinking about self-care as the foundation that makes staying healthy and grounded possible.
Bonus: Can Body Wash Be Used as Hand Soap?
Indonesian-Inspired Self-Care Tips for Busy People
This isn't a revolutionary idea. Communities around the world have viewed self-care in similar ways for centuries.
In Indonesia, for example, there exists a centuries-old holistic wellness tradition called Jamu. It's rooted in an herbal tonic of the same name, crafted from botanical ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and tamarind.
"Jamu is not just the drinks," explains JUARA co-founder Metta Murdaya. "It's also the intention of how the drinks are made. You have healers and mothers and grandmothers who passed down the tradition from generation to generation. So it's always made with loving care. You don't just take a ginger shot or a turmeric shot — you make it for someone else, to offer and wish them good health."
The key thing to understand about Jamu is that it weaves these wellness practices into everyday life. Health and wellness are considered a daily practice. It's part of normal life, not just a feature of special occasions.
This timeless wisdom is more relevant than ever. When we're busy, it's important to focus on small ways we can incorporate self-care into our packed schedules.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do this. Here are a few Indonesian rituals you can use to stay grounded, no matter what life throws at you.
Stay Calm: The Pre-Call Breath
If you've ever had to take a work call, you know the feeling of waiting for it to start. The anticipation. Maybe even tension.
That moment of waiting can be tricky, especially if the call is important. With nothing to do, it's easy for our thoughts to spiral.
But there is something you can do. This is the perfect moment for some deep breathing.
It's generally wise to take a breath before jumping into anything. When we rush ahead without thinking, we sometimes stumble in ways we didn't intend. By taking a moment to center and ground ourselves, we can move with intention.
Before you join the call or unmute yourself to speak, try taking a deep breath. Breathe in slowly through your nose, letting the air flow down into your belly. Take in as much air as you can, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
As you exhale, let the air flow back out — again, slowly — through your mouth. If you have time, repeat this process.
Some people find it helpful to place a hand on their chest, or belly, or both. That's a good way to make sure the air is going into your belly rather than your chest.
Another tip is to picture something in your mind to help you relax. It can be an image, a person, or even a calming phrase. It could even be "Jamu"!
Whatever you imagine, make sure it's something comforting. Let the peace that provides radiate through you as you breathe.
Then, when you're centered and ready, click that "join" button.
Stay Connected: Desk-Side Massage
Massages are a staple of self-care. But they don't have to be hour-long, elaborate affairs. You can give yourself one in just a minute, even at your work desk.
Our hands can carry a lot of stress. Throughout the day, they're typing, gripping, scrolling... all that tension can build up.
Many wellness traditions, Indonesia's included, view the hands as maps of the body. Certain points on our palms and fingers connect to points throughout the body, which may also be tense and in need of relaxation.
In other words, your whole body and mind might appreciate something as simple as a short hand massage.
All you need is a little bit of your favorite natural oil. JUARA's Candlenut Glow Body Oil is a great choice. It's dry, lightweight, and nutrient-rich.
Plus, it's got our iconic candlenut fragrance, which mimics a relaxing tropical vacation. If you needed help picturing a calming scene, this scent might be the trick.
Start by applying a small amount of your oil to your hands. Press your thumb firmly against your palm and start to massage in slow circles, working from the middle outwards.
Next, pay attention to your fingers. Pinch, squeeze, and pull from base to tip, massaging out any tension and letting the oil soak in.
Don't forget to pay attention to the spaces in between your fingers, too. Do this to both hands.
When you're done, rotate your wrists slowly to ease tension there.
That whole routine takes less than five minutes. It has tangible benefits, like reducing stiffness and supporting circulation. Plus, your candlenut oil is packed with skin-supporting ingredients.
It's also a chance to take a moment to focus on your body. Think of it as an act of mindfulness, a moment for yourself in an otherwise hectic day.
Stay Grounded: Scent Reset
Smell is more powerful than you might realize. Our sense of smell has a direct connection with the part of the brain that processes emotions.
Little wonder, then, that a single smell can instantly transport us to a different time and place. Smells can evoke memories and stir emotions in seconds.
"In Indonesia, scent is a language," explains Metta Murdaya. "It tells the story of where you’ve been and how you want to feel. Growing up, I watched the women in my family use scent not as a ‘finish’, but as a way to ground themselves in the middle of a chaotic day."
Using scent as a ritual is straightforward. All you need is your favorite candle, scent, or perfume, like JUARA's Tiare Jasmine Perfume Oil, which was inspired by Indonesia's tea fields at sunrise.
When you need a moment to ground yourself, take your favorite scent. Make sure to pause, to inhale, to enjoy all the notes. If you're using our Tiare Jasmine Perfume Oil, search for notes of magnolia petal, violet leaves, palm fronds, and green bamboo.
Then apply your scent. Ground yourself in the moment, enjoying the smell and taking care to notice how it makes you feel.
Over time, your scent can become an anchor, a way to pull yourself into the present and center yourself.
"Even now," Metta says, "one of my favorite 'tiny rituals' is this 30-second pause. These pure, alcohol-free botanical oils melt into your skin, staying with you for a long-lasting, intimate scent experience throughout the day."
Practice Gratitude: Jamu-Inspired Sip
We all need hydration to survive. That's partially why drinking — be it water, tea, or Jamu — is such a popular self-care ritual.
But the ritual goes beyond the mere act of drinking. It starts with the process of crafting the drink.
If you want to try that with Jamu, grab JAURA's Tolak Angin Herbal Syrup. Known as the "get well" Jamu, it's a powerful blend of natural ingredients like ginger, mint, and honey.
First, grab your favorite mug. Empty the contents of one sachet inside. Then pour over the hot water.
Take a moment to enjoy the experience. The warmth radiating from the mug. The steam rising up. The scents, the notes of spicy ginger, sharp mint, and sweet honey.
When you're ready, take a sip. Let the flavors wash over your tongue. Stay rooted in the fact that you are supporting your body, both physically and mentally.
Conclusion
Self-care doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as taking a deep breath before a call, applying your favorite perfume oil, or massaging your hands.
Try integrating these short rituals into your daily life. These practices have helped people stay grounded for thousands of years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Self-Care Take?
Self-care can take as little as thirty seconds. The important thing is taking a moment of mindfulness to center and ground yourself. One example is a short breathing exercise.
What Are Some Examples of Self-Care Techniques?
Some examples of self-care techniques include breathing before a call, massaging your hands, applying your favorite scent, and enjoying a warm cup of Jamu or tea.
Can I Do Self-Care at Work?
Yes! It's important to prioritize self-care, especially when you're busy. Self-care techniques don't have to be complicated. They can be as simple as taking time to breathe deeply in between meetings.
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by learning more about our founders and following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
