4 Must Have Self Care Essentials That Every Woman Needs in 2021

If there's one thing that the whole world has in common right now, it's been the extraordinary year that we've been through together. The global pandemic has really forced us to adapt quickly to constantly-changing circumstances, disruption in our lives and routines, and a daily struggle to stay positive. It's been a hard year, and while hope stays alive, it's never easy to see the silver lining in everything.

With all of the disruption, it's more important than ever to ensure that you're taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. These two things go hand-in-hand. When you're not physically at your best, your mental state can suffer. The same is true for mental health, which can cause our physical state to decline. This is why it's so beneficial to find comfort in small things that can make a big difference in both physical and mental well-being.

The Mental Health Foundation, a UK thinktank, has been pursuing study for years on the links between mental and physical health. The study has determined that there is such a strong link between the two, that individuals who let one or the other slip too much run a higher risk of contracting severe diseases, such as cancers or heart disease. These individuals are also at extreme risk for other mental and physical ailments, such as depression, anxiety.

So, now that we know that tending to both aspects of our personal well-being is so important, what are some of the small things we can do that can make a big impact on our overall mental and physical health? 

Having just four small things in your feminine care kit can lead to huge positives in every aspect of your life. Read on below for more!

Sleep

One of the biggest factors in both mental and physical health is sleep. Too little or too much can have dramatic effects on your state of mind, as well as your body's ability to keep itself regulated. One of the small things you can do, that may have a significant impact on your ability to sleep better is to use a sleep mask. According to HealthLine, sleep masks can lead to an overall better rest in several ways. Dr. Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, explains that sleep masks can have a variety of benefits, such as:

• Blocking out artificial light, which causes a reduction in natural melatonin
• Reducing dry air from entering the eyes
• Especially helpful for those with incomplete eyelid closure

Basic hygiene

One of the easiest things to let go, when you feel down, if your basic hygiene. Things like not showering regularly, or letting your fingernails and toenails grow, because it just seems like too much effort. These small things can become a big chore in those suffering from depression. Neglecting small things like this, though, can have huge impacts on our physical well-being. Build-ups of bacteria from unwashed skin can lead to illness. Unkempt nails can cause cuts or scratches that lead to infection. Dead skin pollutes bedsheets, which can effect sleep. 

Hair Care

We all worry about hair. It is too long, too short, too messy? How often do you wash it? What hair care products do you use? How often should you trim split ends? How do you keep it from being tangled? Hair is complicated stuff. One of the most simple things you can do to keep your hair in great shape, though, is to take care of it while you sleep. Using things like soft, silk scrunchies, or sleep headbands will reduce some of that hair-care anxiety. By reducing friction while sleeping, you'll cut down on those split ends and tangles that lead to hours of trimming and painful brushing.

Appearance

Everyone wants to look their best. Even though we may be going out less right now, keeping up our appearance is no less important. What's also vitally important is what you carry your cosmetics in. For the gal-on-the-go, your portable makeup bag is an essential accessory. However, one of the biggest challenges is keeping that bag clean over time. Makeups, lipsticks, liners, and other beauty products tend to spill, leak, smudge, and create a huge mess in your makeup bag. One of the best purchases you'll ever make is a washable cosmetic bag. This way, you can keep it clean, and tend to the ever-necessary restocking and reorganizing of your cosmetics.

The Essentials

So, we've run down 4 essential self care items that every woman needs to keep on hand this year. 

• Sleep masks
• Hair care
• Hygiene
• Appearance

While all of these things can be found individually, we've put together the perfect kit that covers it all right here. And guys, if there's a woman in your life, Valentine's day is coming. We've all had a rough year. Something very practical and useful, like the 4 essentials for every woman, can go a long way toward making it a better year.