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3 Signs It's Time To Switch Up Your Self-Care Routine
Over the last year, I have been more intentional about my spiritual journey, which led me to develop a self-care practice. Every morning I would meditate, read Scripture, and work out. I would also make time to read self-help/ inspirational books to learn more about myself and the woman I want to be. My self-care practices had become so important to me that I even made it a part of my writing business, The Posh Writer. But little did I know that it would all come to a halt.
After a somewhat uncomfortable conversation I had with a guy that I had been entertaining for a while, I felt something was off with myself. Why did I feel the need to force things? Why must I always have to be in control? Well, I decided that it was time to try energy cleansing.
To sum it up, energy cleansing is when you remove blockages that may keep your energy from flowing throughout your body. In my experience, I went to a Black-owned wellness studio in Atlanta and worked with an energy practitioner who used sound healing and crystals to rebalance my chakras. After the process, she recommended some affirmations, crystals, and some new self-care practices, such as journaling, to incorporate into my routine.
While the actual energy cleansing was a beautiful experience, for me, the real eye-opener was afterward as I began having revelations about myself that left me stunned. However, one of the things that it taught me was the importance of changing up your self-care routine every now and then. Below, I listed three signs to look for when your self-care routine is no longer working.
Anxiety
I’ve always dealt with anxiety, but over the last couple of months, it was coming out in ways that I didn’t always expect. I would have days where I would get so overwhelmed and emotional out of the blue, and then I would get anxious about dating. (I later realized that I also deal with anxious attachment, but that’s another story for another time.) My energy practitioner suggested that I do some meditation that focuses on my root chakra.
Muladhara aka root chakra is the first chakra in the body and it's located at the base of the spine. It represents grounding and stability. She also gave me a journal prompt to use, and I ended up buying their frankincense essential oil roll-on as aromatherapy that helps with anxiety.
Routine Ain’t Routine-ing Anymore
I’ll admit, my routine did become a bit…routine. I began to find my mind wandering off a lot during meditation, and a lot of times, I didn’t even bother to refocus. I use the audio version of the Bible, so when I was reading, I wasn’t always paying attention. Everything had become so mundane and ineffective, and it was like I was in a daze for a long time and didn’t realize it. However, I am glad that I woke up out of the daze. One of the new things that I have incorporated into my self-care routine, which usually takes place in the morning, is saying affirmations.
The energy practitioner gave me an affirmation to use, and I also found others that I like, such as the Feminine Energy Morning Affirmations on YouTube.
Reverting Back To Old Habits
I started my spiritual journey last year and had already begun seeing some positive changes. However, because my routine had become stagnated, some old patterns began to creep back into my life. One of those patterns was my need for control. Not having control leads to anxiety, and the next thing I know, I’m left questioning what is wrong with me. The fear of not being in control (inability to let go) is also related to the root chakra.
Some of the other self-care suggestions by the energy practitioner were to get massages, do grounded yoga or hot yoga, and listen to binaural beats, which is the music that is generally used during meditation.
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London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
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Featured image courtesy
Looking for ways to level up your solo sex sessions or your partnered sex play? Entering the wonderful world of arousal oils might be exactly what the doctor ordered. As its name suggests, arousal oil arouses. And they might very well be the pleasurable vessel through which your mind-blowing orgasms can be beckoned. Specifically, arousal oils are a pleasure-enhancing sex lubricant intended to increase the sensitivity to your nipples, your vulva, or your clitoris, just to start.
With an ingredient list that can include the likes of CBD, ashwagandha, and essential oils, arousal oils act as an aphrodisiac in a bottle, maximizing intensity and heightening the levels of pleasure you feel, thereby making your climax that much more attainable.
Keep reading for our selection of some of the best arousal oils in the game right now.
Bloomi Luxe Arousal Oil
Described as a "sensual pleasure oil," the Luxe Arousal Oil by Bloomi is clean with plant-derived organic ingredients. With 2-4 pumps, a gentle massage with this oil-based intimacy oil is formulated to intensify pleasure to your clitoris, your vulva, your thighs, or anywhere else you care to use it, before and during the act.
Foria Awaken Arousal Oil
Not only do reviewers rave about the "incredible o's" from Awaken Arousal Oil, but this best-seller is also known for its sensuous aroma, slip, and feel. With the uncanny ability to enhance sensations, users of the product have reported reinvigorated orgasms and renewed sex lives. And all we have to say is, say less.
Mood Maker Pleasure-Enhancing Intimacy Oil for Couples
Amazon
The Mood Maker had us at hello. Christina Aguilera's sex oil is where luxury and intimacy meet. Thanks to the relaxation facilitated by magic mushrooms and pleasure-enhancing adaptogens, the Mood Maker lays the groundwork for easeful foreplay, sex, and even an encore. With its texture like silk and warm scent, the oil effortlessly sets the perfect mood for pleasure play and allows your body to follow suit.
Lure Deluxe Intimacy Oil
Sultry, clean, and moisturizing are the cornerstones of this intimacy oil. The oil is formulated with organic ingredients like MCT coconut oil and CBD, so there is no need to worry about throwing off your pH balance or leaving behind a sticky residue when using it for intimate moments. The silky texture provides a sensual slip that is all gas no brakes, creating a slip n' slide glide during partner play, as well as solo play.
Bonus points: since it's all-natural, it's also oral-friendly. So Deluxe Intimacy Oil is queening-approved.
Green Compass Intimacy Oil
Green Compass
Entice and awaken your pleasure and your senses with the Intimacy Oil by Green Compass. An intimacy oil made for every body, this oil is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free and formulated with plant-based and organic ingredients. With ingredients like organic hemp flower extract, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, the pleasure felt and experienced in intimate areas becomes even more intense upon application.
FOCL CBD Arousal Oil
Loved by users for its "perfect texture," its "warm wonderful feeling," and the fact that it's "non-irritating," the CBD Arousal Oil by FOCL is definitely worthy of a spot in your tox boy. Like other CBD oils, the hemp-derived product is said to ease tension and promote blood flow, which are major keys to enhancing and maximizing your sexual pleasure.
Sensuva On Arousal Oil
Amazon
Looks like we saved the best for last. Available in Lite, Original, and Ultra to give you the ability to choose the intensity that suits your intimate moments best, the On Arousal Oil by Sensuva is said to be one of the most powerful arousal oils on the market with good reason. With a "unique, buzzing vibration sensation on the clitoris," in 1-2 drops, On Arousal delivers more sensation during sex, helps women achieve orgasms quicker and more intensely, and can also help curb any issues with vaginal dryness.
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