"You" Time - It's time.

We're 100% sure that 2 months ago none of us would have guessed we would be sequestered at home. It seems that everyone is shouting from the hilltops that we need to take care of ourselves during this time. We agree. Stress is compounded if we don't practice some self care to take the edge off. We get it - we are meditating and going for some nice doggie walks and trying not to freak out.

There are lots of resources in Victoria and Saanich regions to help you if you feel that you need mental health support. @gingertherapistyyj is just one. Ginger Henderson, as well as her team, are a group of amazing therapists in Victoria who have the tools and experience to help you through this difficult time, if you need it.

We are doing well and staying healthy, however, as you all know, we are a small biz in Victoria that hasn't been open very long (3 short months), so we really feel the shutdown of businesses in Canada too. In saying that, we want our blog to be a place of love and peace so we will concentrate on some fun things to get us through this time, including some awesome at home "self care" tips. Our routine (minimally on Sunday nights) always included, and still does, bath and @elaspa face mask time. We can't think of many things that are better than a good long fragrant soak.

We are actually really excited right now as we are creating a few batches of aromatherapy organic bath salt recipes to add as a bonus to our "@elaspa "Facial In a Box" kits that we are selling via private message and email (newdayskinstudio@gmail.com) - but more about that later. Now that we are at home we'd love to share some bath recipes with you. If you have the ingredients, of which you don't need too many, you can create your own.

We always use Epsom Salts in our baths. Did you know that Epsom Salt is not really "salt"at all? It is actually Magnesium Sulfate (made up of Magnesium, Oxygen and Sulfur). Despite what you may think, there is not a ton of research about whether or not taking Epsom Salts baths have any real medicinal value, but there is something to it or it would not be so popular and recommended. We DO know it helps us sleep, keeps us calm, relaxes our muscles and eases tension. Don't need a medical study to tell us that. We feel that the ritual of a warm, beautifully scented Epsom Salt bath is beneficial due to the sheer fact there is a chemical reaction in your brain as stress falls away and you start to relax. Cortisol is quickly reduced as you relax. Cortisol is the stress hormone that can keep our body in "flight or fight"mode. Probably a great thing to work on right now. Right? So to help you out with that, here is a great, easy to create recipe that you can make at home, to go along with your @elaspa face mask. If you don't have a mask we will give you a little "at home" recipe for that too.

Okay, here is one of our favourite recipes from Hello Glow's website (www.helloglow.co), also one of our fav's).

• 2 cups Epsom Salt

• 1 cup Sea Salt

• 1/2 cup baking soda

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil, like grape seed, almond, jojoba, coconut oil

• 20 drops lavender essential oil (or another relaxing or uplifting essential oil such as Chamomile, sandalwood, geranium or rose or combo of these.

Combine essential oil with carrier oil, stir into remaining ingredients. Pour 1-2 cups (or less if you like) under warm, running bath water and soak for 20 minutes. Combine Epsom salt with lavender essential oil, which has soothing properties that are known to promote a better night’s sleep.

Don't worry if you don't have sea salt, using epsom salts alone is totally fine. Also don't worry about baking soda if you don't have any. Baking soda is great for softening water if you have dry skin but not 100% necessary. Enjoy.

For face masks.... well where to start. Obviously we LOVE @elaspa face masks as they are 100% natural, organic and very active with regard to providing results.

Here are a couple of our favourites:

The Rejuvenating Stem Cell Mask

This is a transforming anti-aging mask that rejuvenates, firms and moisturizes the skin. Organic grape stem cells work to reverse the aging process. Amazonian clay instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin. Smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles and brings a glowing appearance to the skin. Doesn't get any better right? Check out these ingredients

- Grape Stem Cell Extract

- Japanese Seaweed Extract

- Brazilian Clay

Newsflash: We are adding this face mask to our at home kits for people to enjoy while relaxing at home as well.

Detox Algae Mask

This ultra-purifying mask with activated charcoal helps to clean out the pores from environmental toxins and debris while providing a gentle exfoliating and brightening effect. Leaves the skin purified, refreshed and calmed. Awesome for detoxing acne prone skin.

Ingredients:

Activated Bamboo Charcoal: Bamboo Charcoal has a natural ability to "bind to" and remove impurities from the pores.

Aginate: Alginate is a sub-product of Algae that prevents water loss and stimulates skin's metabolism.

This mask peels off and leaves your skin cool and feeling clean without being dry. NICE! We will include this in our home care skin kits if your skin would benefit.

So, of course this is just a little sample of our favourites from @elaspa, but we also understand that not everyone can commit to buying a skin kit from us right now. With layoffs rampant, we get it. Here is an awesome recipe for you to try at home that we found and tried:

Nourishing Chamomile & Honey mask: Brew one cup of Chamomile tea with two tea bags and let cool completely. In a small bowl, stir together one tablespoon of Manuka or raw honey, and one teaspoon of nutritional yeast. Add just enough chamomile tea to the bowl to create a thicker paste that's still runny enough to spread across your skin, but not too watery. Apply a thin layer to your face and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry. Moisturize afterward. Bonus: While relaxing with the mask on , use the cool tea bags on your eyes for a rejuvenating and de-puffing eye treatment. Next step?: Smile, get some fresh air and have a good nights sleep.

Well friends, that's it for our latest blog. A little bit of info and some recipes for a relaxing spa day (with our kits, or by making some fun products for yourself). See our insta and facebook posts in the next day or two for info on how to get our at home facial and bathing ritual kits. Much Love :)