Well, my new year is off to an interesting start. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you would probably need only one guess to predict what I’m about to say: Work. Went. Crazy. (I am now picturing all of your shocked faces.) I also have not been feeling one hundred percent this last week, party because of what was likely a minor cold and partly because work has been physically and mentally taxing. So I have been very intentionally spending my evenings taking care of myself, and not letting my workaholic tendencies take over. As a result, I have been especially grateful for several items that are great for regular self care and wellness. 

Foot Massager

When I’m conducting training, coordinating events, or running between meetings and conversations, I don’t get a lot of desk time, and even well chosen shoes can’t stop all that from taking a toll. Here in the United States, studies have shown that 70-80% of adults experience intermittent or chronic foot pain, and I’d guess that just about everyone has felt the ache that comes from a long day in motion. If you experience chronic or serious pain, you should discuss it with your doctor, but for everyday foot fatigue, an in home massager is fantastic. Mine has both massage and heat, and usually ten minutes is enough to wipe out the effects of the day.

Vaporizer

Dry air isn’t good for your skin, eyes, or sinuses. Keeping a healthy level of humidity in your home helps maintain both health and comfort, as well as leading to better quality sleep (and that’s always a good thing). A lot of people feel that vaporizers are only for when they’re sick, but regular use leads to increased overall health and comfort. I have a Vicks model that has slots for Vapo Pads, which I use any time I’m feeling slightly congested. It works like a charm.

Heated Mattress Pad

This is a relatively new addition to my home, a gift from my sister Audrey. There are two reasons I absolutely adore this gizmo. First, I hate being cold. I mean I despise it. I sleep under a blanket and a comforter unless the weather is over eighty degrees, and then I’m still tempted. An even greater benefit, though, is that it’s also like a full-body heating pad. Before, when I came home aching from a physically taxing day, I would use a standard heating pad, sometimes moving it around from back to calf to forearm and so forth. Now, I can just lay in bed for awhile, get heat everywhere, and feel the soreness ease. I’ve also found that I’m a lot less stiff when I wake up in the morning.

What are your essential self care and wellness items?