AD - The products mentioned in this post have been gifted to me for a feature on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own and I have not been paid to say good things! Trust me!
I have just completed my last shift after working nine days in a row, most of which were double shifts. Being only one of two KPs at work, when one of us is ill, it really has an impact on the other.
I'm not against working when I'm needed, it's just the amount that I have concerns with. Working consistently for nine days straight, without much of a break in between, coming off the back of being without a dishwasher lends itself to bad mental health.
Recovering From Burnout
I know I have to look after myself, so I have a plan to do just that, starting with a wonderful walk with my Dad which is one of my favourite ways to blow away the cobwebs and also get in some much-needed exercise!
Following on from that I plan to have a much-needed bubble bath with a rather large Gin! Another of my favourite ways to relax and unwind is to climb under the bubbles and forget about everything. I just find it soothes my muscles, takes my stress away and leaves me all-ready for a night on the sofa watching Netflix! I also have a really rather wonderful Thursday planned, starting with meeting my friend for a coffee - much needed in itself as we haven't seen each other for months! I am then getting the train to Leeds for another photoshoot with Matt (getting that gram content!), before coming back and having a night away in a hotel - a little staycation where I can rest, relax, recharge and restore myself.
This is the longest I've worked all at once in almost 2 years so to say I'm not used to it is an understatement. I can't wait to properly unwind and come back to myself again. Luckily now I know the signs and how to prevent burnout, I can implement them into my self-care routine on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis depending on how stressed out I feel.
My Self-Care Routine
As we know, self-care can mean different things to different people. It might sound weird to say, but honestly the Thursday I have planned is, for me, a form of self-care. I am doing things I want to do, for me and me alone.
I guess some people would think having a photoshoot is an odd form of self-care, for me it just means that I'll have plenty of content for my blog and Instagram which will stop me worrying that I don't have anything new to share or be repetitive with the same shots from that one shoot I had!
Plus, it's always good to get away from where I live, see new people, do new things and challenge myself. I now get a high from shooting with Matt and getting new content. This is so good for my mental health that I need to do it more often than I do!
Another form of self-care is obviously a good bath - there really isn't anything better which can relax me and ease my muscles. Plus, I love either playing a banging playlist or watching my favourites on YouTube. Of course, having a Gin or a glass of wine really helps too!
Applying a facemask whilst in the bath, sitting back and relaxing is also good for me. Knowing I'm doing something good for my skin
I have been sent a couple of products recently, which have been really wonderful for helping me unwind after this crazy week and I have found them to be just what I need. I am always trying to find something new to try whilst in the bath and have been loving a Self-Care Bath Soak from Fat & The Moon.
I immediately felt to relaxed after using this that it has now taken precedence over anything else I've been using recently. This has left me feeling so relaxed, silky smooth and calm I can highly recommend it if you find yourself needing a little something after a busy/stressful day at work.
I have also been using a gorgeous Organic Purifying Face Scrub from Orgarid. With Honey, brown rice, sunflower and jojoba oils all help to exfoliate, heal skin, moisturise, soften skin and help to heal redness.
I have only used this a couple of times but already it has made my skin glow like nothing else and has helped to eliminate a few acne scars which I had lingering around after my most recent period.
I love how it turns into a milk when you add water to it before applying it to your face. The finely milled brown rice gently buffs away dead skin cells while a cocktail of organic oils soften and moisturise.
After this I use another gorgeous product from Orgaid -their Youth Serum which is packed with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, which helps to keep the skin moisturised, elastic and healthy whilst antioxidants fight free radicals to reduce the signs of ageing.
Both of these together have been working wonders for me and for the first time, other people have been commenting on my skin which just always makes me feel amazing because as you now, I've had quite the journey with my skin!
When products work like this, it lifts my mood which makes me feel good all-around really. Whenever my skin is looking good on the outside, I feel good on the inside too. Even now, I always check the mirror in the morning to see how my skin is looking and more often than not, nowadays I have more good skin days than bad.
Post Bath Routine
Once I've had a good bath and am all nicely moisturised, I like to snuggle down in my pyjamas and dressing gown with either a glass of something tasty or a cup of herbal tea depending on how I'm feeling. I also like Horlicks for when I can't sleep.
Seeing what's good to watch on Netflix is also something which calms me down. There's always something new to watch that I haven't seen, or an old series I haven't yet watched.
Following Netflix on socials means I'm always kept up to date with new series/seasons coming out and which films are coming to this streaming platform.
Getting an early night and ensuring I have good sleep hygiene is essential if I am to feel good about myself. If I haven't slept well my mental health will be low and I'll just be grumpy and that's not good for anyone!
All of these steps can be done individually or together, the main thing is that I can unwind, reset, relax and recharge.
I have to look after myself for me to be able to function on what everyone else would assume to be a 'normal level', I am jealous of everyone else who can easily switch off and feel really alert and 'normal' the next day!
Changing Priorities
My mental health, how I feel in myself and then how I come across to other people is so important to me. I will not sacrifice my well-being for a paycheck anymore, to me it just isn't worth it.
I would much rather work less and have a better work-life balance than work myself into the ground for the sake of a few extra pounds in my bank.
To some people that would seem crazy, but I have come to understand that for me, it is. To work efficiently and be at my best, is when I'm well rested, happy and in a good place mentally. There is so much more to life than just working for a paycheck.
So much else to see, do, explore and understand. It's only in these last 4 years that I've come to realise just how much.
Love, Sarah xoxoxo
