National Renewal Day is here! This means you finally have an excuse for taking the time you need to refresh, revive, and feel renewed.

This year, probably more than most, people are feeling sluggish and run down from a long winter, a difficult safer-at-home period, and new challenges with school and work from home. 

There are also a lot of mental health concerns associated with quarantine and dealing with the worries involved with illness. This makes focusing on renewal even more important and beneficial.

The road to renewal

Make the most of this day by trying some beauty-boosting activities that also improve energy and put a spring in your step. 

From work to time off

A transitional ritual that takes you from work mode to relax mode will help you let go of work and feel “free.” This can do a lot to help with the blahs. 

Whether it’s a few deep breathing exercises that help you re-center, a walk, a change of clothes, or anything that enables you to let go and relax can help you transition and feel renewed. The best part is you can work your transition into your daily routine, so you can reap the rewards regularly.

A little pampering

Try letting your hair down, removing your makeup, or taking a bath, and spending some time thinking of the things you’re grateful for. Add a pampering moment to each day to be appreciative of all things “you.” Putting yourself first in little ways can help you recapture that refreshed look and feel. It also gives you a few minutes to revive that good hair and skin practice you’ve let slide.

Practice gratitude

Speaking of acknowledging the things you’re grateful for, a daily gratitude habit can help you look and feel better while simultaneously boosting your energy levels. 

Negative emotions create negative energy, which is draining and can be emotionally devastating if left to fester and grow. Banish those feelings by turning your thought process around and focusing on the positives and the things you’re grateful for. 

Rewiring your brain to let go of the negative and focus on positive things takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it.

DIY massage

Giving yourself a facial or scalp massage can do wonders for your appearance and your energy levels. It’s a wonderful way to increase circulation and speed the delivery of those vital nutrients to your hair and skin. 

One way to make the most of this time is to do a scalp massage with a few spritzes of Hair La Vie’s Renewing Growth Treatment. All-natural botanicals revive your scalp and hair for an instant refresh that gets incrementally better over time.

Me time

Rethink your calendar. If you’re not scheduling “me” time, then you’re missing a key ingredient in your own happiness and mental well-being. 

What items on your agenda can be delegated to someone else, what can be tackled more efficiently, and what things can be totally canceled so you can focus on caring for yourself? By actually scheduling time in your calendar, you’re less likely to forget or skip it, so go that extra step.

Sleep

If naps are possible, then nap away. If you can’t manage to schedule a quick nap, then bedtime needs to be prioritized. While you’ve probably heard it repeatedly, adequate sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Did you also know that how you sleep can affect your skin and hair? It’s true! 

Quality sleep is needed for protein synthesis and the release of growth hormones and enzymes that are key in hair growth and cell rejuvenation. Regular, restful sleep is crucial to looking and feeling your best.

Final thoughts

National Renewal Day is just one day where you have an excuse to focus on letting go of the old you and embracing the rejuvenated version. But, if you play your cards right, you can turn a few extra self-care moments from a one-day experiment into a regular part of your routine.

By focusing on adding beauty routines or steps to your day that not only help you look better, but also give you more energy, you’re making your time more valuable. That added energy can work hand-in-hand with beauty rituals to make them more meaningful and enjoyable. In turn, you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Don’t forget that putting yourself first helps you be a better person–and you’re worth it!