Happy National Relaxation Day! Take Some Time To Unwind With These Self-Care Essentials (As Seen On CBS Austin)

It’s National Relaxation Day! And, while you likely can’t take the day off of work (unfortunately, it’s not a federally recognized holiday!), you can still celebrate the sentiment behind the day by carving out some time to decompress and pamper yourself. To offer some ideas on how to do R&R with flair, I chatted with my friends at CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin.” Make sure to check out the segment here and keep reading for some ideas on how to unwind!

OLAY BODY FEARLESS ARTIST SERIES

Do you speed through your morning or evening shower routine, rushing to either get dressed for work or to shimmy into your PJs and hop into bed as quickly as humanly possible? Well, make a point to slow down, to take some time to enjoy the experience! Next time you step into the shower, try to be present in that moment, to truly enjoy the calming sound of rushing water and the slippery feel of the those droplets as they rush down your back, to massage your body wash onto your skin and breathe in its beautiful scent. To luxuriate in the shower and pamper your skin properly, check out the new Olay Body Fearless Artist Series a collection of three body washes with rich ingredients like cocoa butter, aloe, and vitamin C — all designed to deeply hydrate and, in turn, to nourish, restore and balance skin.

The three body washes in the collection are: the Olay Body Fearless Artist Series Balances & Evens Skin Body Wash with Vitamin C, which helps to boost skin’s radiance and tackle discoloration and features notes of apple cider vinegar; the Olay Body Fearless Artist Series Nourishes For Glowing Skin Body Wash with Cocoa Butter, which softens and smooths dry and rough skin while giving it the sweet scent of Manuka honey; and the Olay Body Fearless Artist Series Restores Soft Silky Skin Body Wash with Aloe, a chamomile-scented option that calms and  replenishes thirsty skin.

Not only will the body washes improve your skin’s health and help to make your shower routine more indulgent,  but they’ll infuse some color, vivacity and joy into your bathroom space with their beautiful packaging. The stunning bottles feature museum-worthy artwork by African-American artist Avery Williamson. In fact, the Olay Body Fearless Artist Series is a reflection of the brand’s ongoing commitment to elevating the stories of women of color in the fields of art and science. And what’s more beautiful than that?!

Each body wash is $7.99 at Target and Walmart stores.

SPA ESSENTIALS FROM MISS A

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars at a high-end spa to enjoy some serious pampering. In fact, there are plenty of top-notch products available at Miss A, a dollar beauty and lifestyle shopping destination, that will allow you to recreate a spa-like experience from the comfort of home — all without the prohibitive costs!

For instance, if you love the gentle scalp massage you receive at the salon when your hairstylist shampoos your strands, then pick up the A+ Shampoo Scalp Massager Brush ($1.88 at ShopMissA.com), which features an ergonomic design and  boasts 44 soft silicone bristles . After applying shampoo to wet hair, reach for this brush and gently press the bristles against the scalp, then start moving the brush in small circular motions to replicate the sensation of a massage. By doing so, you’ll be helping to exfoliate the scalp, combat dandruff, and promote circulation (which can, in turn, stimulate hair growth).

Once you’re done shampooing and conditioning your strands, dry your body off with your bathroom towel and then wrap your damp hair in the A+ Microfiber Hair Turban Towel ($1.88 at ShopMissA.com). Available in four colors, it’s made of a super absorbent microfiber material, helping to dry hair faster while combatting frizz. You just place the towel over your head and twist the remaining material, then bring it up to the top of the head and secure using the loop and button closure system. This will keep the towel in place, so you can let your hair dry naturally as you lounge or work from home. Not only is this a healthier way to dry your hair than standard blow-drying, but it also helps to keep your hair out of your face when you’re doing or removing makeup, cleansing your face, and so on.

Lastly, if you spend most of your day starting at your computer screen, chances are your eyes are feeling quite tired come 5 pm. And that’s where the Official Key Items Warming Eye Mask ($1 at ShopMissA.com) will help to provide some relief! Available in rose and lavender scents, this single-use mask uses heat and aromatherapy to soothe tired eyes. The lightweight mask is air-activated, and it boasts a warming effect that lasts around 20 minutes, so you can kick back and just enjoy the ride!

You can find these spa-worthy treats at ShopMissA.com and look out for the new Miss A Store opening this month at Barton Creek here in Austin!

ENFUSIA BUBBLE BATHS & BATH BOMBS

Many of us eschew baths in favor of quick showers, citing our jam-packed scheduled and our lack of free time. But there’s nothing like a warm bath to relax the body and mind, which is why any self-care guru will prescribe some tub time to those seeking to enhance their wellness routines. And we can always make time for a nice soak! To make the experience as blissful as possible, pick up some bubble baths or bath bombs from Enfusia, a vegan and cruelty-free line of artisanal bath and body products. All Enfusia products are made by hand using natural ingredients and botanical extracts, and they contain no harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.

Enfusia’s products are available in a variety of scents, including Lavender, which many studies indicate has a calming effect and can reduce anxiety. Another great choice is Eucalyptus Lavender, which combines the relaxing effect of lavender with the sinus-clearing and mentally stimulating quality of eucalyptus. If allergies have you feeling congested, you might want to check out the Breathe Easy scent which marries mint, rosemary, and tea tree oils with lavender extract to help clear the sinuses and enhance your respiratory functioning. Another great choice is Soothing Detox, which incorporates activated charcoal to detoxify skin and help soothe aches and pains.

These Enfusia products are available at Central Market, Whole Foods and H-E-B, and prices range from $6 to $12.

SAATVA ORGANIC WEIGHTED BLANKET & WEIGHTED EYE MASK

It’s next to impossible to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep when you’re feeling stressed and mentally running through the week’s to-do list. But the right bedding and sleep accessories can help you achieve the calm state necessary for a peaceful slumber. That’s where Saatva comes in!

Headquartered in New York and Austin, Saatva specializes in made-to-order mattresses, eco-friendly bedding, and sumptuous accessories. Saatva’s beloved mattresses are always hand-delivered to the room of your choice with complimentary white glove delivery and never compressed in a box for doorstep shipping. Saatva mattresses offer the perfect foundation for restful sleep, while the brand’s luxurious bedding and sleep accessories elevate your experience and make it all the more divine.

To get into a relaxed frame of mind and enjoy more restful sleep,  curl up under Saatva’s Organic Weighted Blanket ($345 to $445 at Saatva.com). This diamond-quilted, 100% organic cotton velvet blanket is filled with all-natural glass beads that provide gentle, even pressure, creating a sensation akin to that of being hugged. By mimicking a science-backed technique called deep pressure stimulation, this plush weighted blankets helps to relax the nervous system and produce a sense of calm. It’s available in 2 colors, taupe and graphite, and you can choose between a single size or a queen/king size.

Similarly, the Saatva Weighted Eye Mask ($75 at Saatva.com) uses deep pressure stimulation to calm tired eyes and ease tension headaches. Made of the finest quality mulberry silk, the mask is perfectly contoured to block out light, helping your body produce more of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Plus the natural proteins and amino acids found in silk can soothe the delicate skin around the eye area, while also preventing the friction that leads to creases on skin. It’s available in two shades: Sand and Slate.

Through the end of the month, “We Are Austin” viewers can visit Saatva.com/cbsaustin to enjoy exclusive discounts of up to $500 with any mattress purchase

WELLNESS ESSENTIALS FROM BED BATH & BEYOND

We know we can find amazing pillows, comforters, curtains, storage solutions, and housewares at Bed Bath & Beyond, but did you know it’s also a top destination for wellness essentials? That’s right! At Bed Bath & Beyond, you’ll find plenty of goodies to help you harness  your Zen — from sound machines to tub trays, foot spas, and massage guns.

To loosen up stiff and achy muscles, pick up the Sharper Image Powerboost Deep Tissue Massager ($129.99 at BedBathandBeyond.com), an excellent tool for both athletic recovery and overall relaxation. The handheld massager uses percussion to help release tight knots and relieve sore muscles, plus it has 5 different speed settings and 4 nodes so you can target hard-to-reach spots and apply the exact amount of pressure desired.

Another way to soothe tired muscles and calm the senses is with an Epsom salt bath. I love the Dr. Teal’s Therapeutic Solutions Epsom Salt Soaking Solution in Lavender ($6.99 at BedBathandBeyond.com), which does wonders to relax your mind and body before bed. Epsom salt, of course, has long been used by athletes to help recover after tough workouts, and the addition of lavender essential oil helps to make your soak all the more relaxing.

Once you’re ready to hit the sack, you can expedite the process of falling asleep with a little help from the Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Sleep Spray ($6.99 at BedBathandBeyond.com), which combines melatonin with lavender and chamomile essential oils. You can spritz some on your body, on your pillow, your eye mask, or your bedding and let the calming aroma sweep over you.

And when picking up these relaxation essentials in store or online at BedBathandBeyond.com, make sure to enroll in the new cross-banner Welcome Rewards program. That way, when you shop at Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuyBABY and Harmon, you’ll get free shipping benefits, 10 points for every $1 spent in-store and online, and a $5 reward for every 5,000 points.

SOMAVEDIC

We know that the artificial blue light emitted by our electronic devices can negatively affect our circadian rhythms, but there are other ways in which technology may be interfering with our sleep and health. In today’s modern world, we’re constantly exposed to man-made electromagnetic field or EMF radiation from our WiFi routers, cell phones, Bluetooth devices and 5G networks. Some studies suggest that prolonged exposure to EMF radiation can result in oxidative stress, cellular DNA damage, brain fog, decreased energy and sleeplessness.

Enter Somavedic, a frequency therapy device that can mitigate the unwanted effects of EMF radiation. It’s designed on the principle of controlled release of energy from precious and semi-precious stones, creating a coherent field that spans a radius of 100 feet in all directions to protect you from indoor digital pollution. Many users report experiencing less headaches, enjoying better-quality sleep, and feeling more alert upon awakening in the morning.

Some Somavedic models can also harmonize water! You simply place a bottle of water next to your Somavedic and, within 15 to 20 minutes, you can enjoy structured water.

Prices start at $498 on Somavedic.com and Amazon. Through August 18th, “We Are Austin” viewers can visit Somavedic.com and enjoy 11% off with the code RELAX