Washing your face every night before bed may be a skin-care must in terms of keeping acne-causing bacteria at bay, but in rushing through the process, you may be missing a lot of other benefits.
For some beauty gurus, pampering the skin is a great way to wind down after a long, stressful day, practice necessary self care and maximize the beauty benefits of sleep. And finding the time to actually relish each step without a sense of urgency, a practice called mindfulness meditation, could deliver additional benefits. According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman, incorporating meditation techniques into your beauty and skin care routine can benefit the mind, body and skin. “These techniques improve your overall mood and slow down the aging process,” she says.
Curious to know how to reap the benefits of meditation just by doing what you’re already doing every day? We share a few easy tweaks to your daily beauty regimen, ahead.
1. Turn off distractions
The first step in creating a relaxing, meditation-like environment is to tune out the distractions. Turning your phone on silent mode—or better yet, leaving it in the other room—can ensure your mind is better focused on your beauty routine, aka yourself.
2. Play some relaxing music
Another way to set the mood? Play some relaxing music. Music is often used in meditation as a way to soothe the mind, draw attention to the body and help keep distractions at bay. Using meditation music during your beauty routine can help create a more spa-like environment that allows you to keep your focus on your beauty intentions while offering peace of mind.
3. Light some candles
While we don’t always have time to put together the perfect meditation environment (i.e. sage the room, make a crystal grid, turn on an essential-oil diffuser—you get the picture) lighting some candles can be a quick and easy way to make magic happen. So, whether your beauty routine involves a relaxing bath, hot shower or an at-home facial, light a couple of candles, dim the lights and allow yourself to succumb to the relaxing environment.
4. Focus on your breathing
Another key component of meditation? Your breath. Whether you’re practicing deep, cleansing breaths or focusing on your breathing patterns, using your breath to guide you through a meditation can make the difference between a relaxing meditation and a distracted one. And, get this: Using your breath in beauty also counts for something.”When we take deep breaths, we boost circulation, leading to healthy, glowing skin,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Skin cells are their healthiest when they have enough oxygen,” she adds.
Also Read: 9 Foods You Should Eat More Often for Wrinkle-free Skin
