5 Self Care Tips from Wellness Expert, Kristy Cimesa

What a very strange year 2020 was and, as we headed into 2021 with all the positivity that a new year brings, we are told we’re once again confined to our homes. On the plus side that means no commuting and a reduction in carbon emissions for the world! However, now, more than ever we need to ensure our self care – did you know there are over 9 million tags for #selfcare on Instagram alone!

Kristy Cimesa, our co-founder at Botanico Vida certainly knows all about this. Educated at The Australian College of Natural Medicine with a degree in Applied Science in Acupuncture, she worked for Space NK as their Spa Development Manager and previously founded skincare brand, Elemental herbology. Following this theme and developing her passion for clinically proven skincare formula, Kristy was determined to create a 100% natural ingredient formula…the result, Omega Oil, Botanico Vida’s hero skin oil with uses for bumps and beyond.

What are Kristy’s top tips for self-nourishment and to create the best rituals into your weekly routine?

1. Start from within. Having ‘fasted overnight, our bodies are literally hungry for nutritious food – a breakfast bar doesn’t really cut it so top tip is to have a quick, go-to solution that means you don’t miss out. A couple of tablespoons of your favourite yoghurt, a handful of nuts and seeds and a couple of strawberries and your body will be thanking you all morning! If you want to build on this then add some omega rich seeds like linseed plus chia and sunflower seeds. Yum!

2. Invest in regular deep tissue massage. Kristy’s tip is to search out massage therapists with a sport or acupressure background. You’ll find these professionals in your local neighbourhood, they tend to offer better value with potentially more healing benefits than a hotel spa masseuse, who is often a beauty therapist as opposed to a body therapist. The deep tissue massage also gives us a chance to shut off the phone for an hour and not be tempted by all those alerts. A recent survey conducted by Common Sense Media, which included nearly 1,800 adults, found that adults spend an average of nine hours and 22 minutes every day in front of various screens—including smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions.  Those are scary figures and by booking those regular massages, you are ensuring time to yourself and a welcome break from screen-time.

3. The classic – a warm bath. Infuse the water with some Neroli and Rose oils to rebalance the body and the mind. Not heard of Neroli oil? Well, Neroli essential oil comes from the Seville orange tree, is spicier and greener than the sweet orange blossom scent and is produced by steam distillation. Some common benefits of neroli include:

• Improving low mood and soothing nerves
• Repairing and rejuvenating the skin at a cellular level due to its antioxidant level
• Improving acneic skin due to its antimicrobial elements to combat bacteria
• Reducing inflammation]
• Boosting circulation in the body

This may sound like an obvious way to relax but in a busy world most of us take a handful, if that, a year, preferring the quick shower before plunging into another busy day. Try 1-2 a week, mix your own favourite blend of essential oils and….relax.

4. Trap the moisture into your skin. If you rub in Omega Oil straight after your bath or shower, it will be much more effective than rubbing it into dry skin. Kristy explains that this is because water helps the oil penetrate the body and then it locks the water into the upper layers of the skin, increasing hydration and making the skin feel smooth and silky. The unique formulation of Botanico Vida is brimming with antioxidants, essential amino acids and nourishing vitamins, including some of the Earth’s richest sources of Omegas 3, 6 and 9, making it incredibly moisturising. So nice to have clinical trials endorsing the lovely results.

5. Take a walk. We can thank lockdown for encouraging so many of us to start a healthy walking habit and it is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. The Better Health Channel says that just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

So that’s it, essentially we need to feed our insides, our brains, our skin and our souls. Not a bad resolution for 2021!