Instant gratification
While following social distancing measures and quarantine protocols are vital to keeping us safe during these distressing times, more and more people have been succumbing to other alarming afflictions: loneliness and isolation.
In fact, a joint study from the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute reveals that 78% of Australians have felt their mental well-being worsen due to the pandemic.
In light of this, it’s important to take an active stance and try to take care of our loved ones despite being physically separated from each other. While staying in touch through technology has definitely made life in quarantine easier, you can go the extra mile by surprising someone you are missing these days with a special gift for instant gratification.
With that being said, one of our lovely contributors here at CF, Jennifer Birch, has created a short guide of thoughtful gifts to help a loved one weather through these tough times — all without breaking the bank.
Something to Keep The Skin Nourished
Despite not being exposed to outside pollutants, our skin is still prone to different triggers, like stress, changes in diet, and dry indoor air. This could lead to different skin issues like breakouts, eczema flare-ups, and dry skin. That’s why it’s still highly advised to stick to your skincare routine even if you’re not wearing as much makeup as before.
One good product to add to your skincare routine or gift to a loved one is rosehip oil. Other than helping seal the moisture in your skin, rosehip oil is loaded with Vitamin C, which can help brighten your complexion. There are a lot of brands that carry rosehip oil, but the one in Sukin’s line is created with an intense hydrating miracle formula that has earned its status as their holy grail product. You can either apply it directly to your face or combine it with your favourite moisturiser. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it can be used on all skin types and won’t cause any breakouts.
A facial spray is another nourishing skincare product that you or any loved one will appreciate. As the humidity indoors is often lower compared to outdoor environments, our skin needs a moisture boost from time to time. Jurlique’s Herbal Recovery Signature Mist is a fantastic facial spray made with their signature blend of rose, lavender, calendula, and marshmallow root extracts. This facial mist is packed with antioxidants that can help skin stay fresh and nourished in quarantine.
Something For Self-Care Junkies
Self-care is of utmost importance— especially now that everyone’s experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. In essence, self-care is doing any activity that makes you focus on yourself, pay attention to your needs, and help you achieve emotional wellness. So, why not try to purchase items that can help you and your loved ones elevate your me-time?
Drawing yourself a bath is one way to practice self-care. You or your loved one can use the time soaking to catch up on a book, listen to relaxing music, and focus on positive thoughts. Plus, Lush’s consciously made bath bombs can enhance the relaxing atmosphere. The great thing about Lush is that they’re known for championing their workers and the environment, and this can be seen in the way their products are made and presented. Other than being manufactured using the finest essential oils and ingredients, Lush’s bath bombs come in various shapes, sizes, and colours that can transform relaxing bath experiences into something that’s close to magic — making it a perfect instant gratification for yourself or a friend.
Another self-care treat that more and more women are appreciating today is luxury lingerie. We believe that’s indeed true when they say that it’s what’s on the inside that counts — the right bralette, camisole, or robe can boost your mood and let you conquer each day with confidence and boost an instant gratification feel trough our body. This can be a fantastic gift to give to yourself or a close friend, and with local lingerie brands like Eco Intimates, you can now buy sustainable, bespoke pieces to help you appreciate your body more. What’s remarkable about Eco Intimates is that their pieces are still quite affordable despite being produced in Bali and made with only organic textiles.
Something For The Home
Since many of us are spending most of our time indoors, it’s best to make our living situations as cosy as possible. If your budget doesn’t allow for comfy furniture pieces, you can always look to mini luxuries that can make your own or your dear friends’ living space feel homier.
One fun gift for the home is a scented candle. While most scented candles can help you honour your space and give it character, not all are created equal. Most that you can find in the market are primarily made with paraffin wax, a substance that can harm the environment. So when looking for a scented candle for yourself or a friend, make sure that it’s made with environmentally safe ingredients like soy wax and are infused with pure essential oils. Australian brand Palm Beach Collection has a beautiful line of candles that are made with a non-toxic, soy-coconut blend that can keep your space or your loved ones’ smelling great for more than 50 hours.
Buying yourself or a loved one an indoor plant is another way to spruce up and inject life into your living space. But other than being a nice piece of decor, a Japanese study also notes that indoor plants can become a healthy, restorative distraction from stressful triggers. Another great thing about indoor plants is that they don’t cost much and you can easily buy one from various plant sellers online.
