When I first found wellness as a makeup artist, I wasn’t really sure what the word meant beyond what I knew of as a way of marketing ideasand products. I came to learn that wellness is really about the active process of  becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and more fulfilling life. Yet, it all seemed like it was geared towards people with a lot of extra time and disposable income. It did not look or feel like a place where I fit, or honestly, was welcome. As I began to explore what wellness really was, I began to find tools and talismans, thoughts and actions, exercises and activations which allowed me to keep moving forward in a manner that felt more mindful, and that I could personalize to my lifestyle. I realized that self-care was crucial to being a better artist, business, husband, friend and human. Making conscious decisions and taking actions every day has allowed me to explore, embrace and understand things about myself that I was not able to in the past, and put a plan in place for who I want to be and how I want to move forward. With Mindful Action, I am sharing my plan for making daily decisions through small moments and measurable acts allowing you to take self-care into your daily makeup artist journey.

CLEAR
Self-care is about actions we take to protect and improve our own health, well-being and happiness. Sometimes self-care involves things you don’t even think of as self-care at all, like decluttering and clearing away the past. Decluttering is essential to self-care, as clutter can often cause feelings of discontent and unhappiness with your home. Holding on to the past or negative pieces from the past can stop you from living in the moment and looking forward. Sage and Cedar are a few great herbs to burn while letting go.

MEDITATION
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to alleviate stress, enhance awareness, decrease anxiety, boost compassion, but perhaps most importantly, structurally change the part of the brain that monitors focus and self-control. In an age of distraction, this is a perfect way for artists to be in the moment. If meditation seems like too much, try an app like Headspace or a few minutes listening to your favorite song and you will see how this practice allows you to let go. Remember it is practice so you don’t need to be perfect.

IDEAS
Journaling and letter writing are two powerful ways to work through emotional, spiritual, mental and social self-care. Write out your deepest thoughts in the safety of pages no one will ever see. Put an actual pen to paper. Pen a letter to yourself, a friend or  someone you admire, letting them know what you are feeling. Be honest. Be brave.  New ideas will form and you will feel the immediate release and renewal.

MOVEMENT
For many people, when they hear the word exercise they think of it as a chore or a task because it doesn’t feel motivated by pleasure. But there are a wealth of studies that demonstrate the benefits of moving our bodies including improved mood/mental health, decreased symptoms of anxiety, depression and ADHD, improved blood pressure and cardiovascular health and more. Before you pick up your phone in the morning, take ten minutes and have a walk, gently stretch or try some yoga, dance, shake it out or hit the gym.

CALM
Many aspects in life can bring us chaos on a regular basis. Keeping calm helps you focus on what you need to do and getting it done more quickly. Calmness can also impact your creativity, empathy and communication. Our most creative ideas come in moments when we’re not actively focused or stressed. Meditation, baths, a cup of tea; there are so many easy ways to let your body wind down. Pair one of these or your favorite activity with a lavender candle or fresh lavender for a little extra help in letting go.

RESPIRE
Breathing is a powerful way to regulate emotions. Through your breath you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, the calming response in your body. One of the most calming breathing exercises you can do is to breathe in (count of four), hold, and then breathe out for up to twice as long (count of eight). Gently constrict your throat, making a sound like the ocean, which is used in deep relaxation breathing. As you’re doing this, you’re activating the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing your heart rate and blood pressure.

CREATIVITY
When we hear the word creativity we can start to feel stress or anxiety. It’s not a word that most people would associate with wellness or selfcare. Creativity requires vulnerability and a commitment to work. You’re creating something new, which can feel overwhelming. Creativity is good for brain health and physical health. It helps us connect with who we are on a deeper level and allows us to imagine and explore.

COMMUNITY
Self-care and community are deeply connected. We need both for healthy and resilient lives, relationships and to build a better world. Taking care of others takes our mind off our troubles and makes us feel good. When we are supporting someone else, we remember our own strength and connect to another who can help us as well. It is about leveraging your privilege, gifts and strengths, and finding support in the areas you need help in and knowing someone in the group will get it.