Living with a chronic condition means spending time on yourself is more important than ever. 

When you’re constantly in pain, being gentle to your body becomes an act of self-love and defiance in the face of an invisible enemy.

So it’s the little things that we have to hold onto to help us get through the day, whether we’re feeling flare-up free or unable to get out of bed.

I rounded up a list of my five favorite little things that I use throughout my day that help bring me joy. I’ve found that if I surround myself with small things, their benefits really start to add up after a while; whether it’s just wearing my favorite lotion (shoutout to Lush, always!) or taking a shower with a foaming, calming body wash, it’s easier for me to express my gratitude to the world this way.

 

 

  

a fresh cup of tea

can make all the difference in the afternoon. being chronically ill means that I often feel chronically fatigued, but I don’t want to overdue it on the coffee if I need a caffeine boost. a nice cup of Sloane’s Fine Tea is my absolute favorite loose leaf variety, and several of their options have anti-inflammatory properties, too! my three favorites are the Heavenly Cream, Earl Grey, and Peaches & Cream.

 

 

a creamy, lightly-scented lotion

helps me get through the days when my joints ache and I need a little something extra to keep me going. LUSH lotions are my go-to because they’re vegan, self-preserving, and the scents are to die for. i’m obsessed with lavender everything, so I keep a jar of “sleepy” lotion by me at all times.

 

 

invest in a good body wash

with my endometriosis comes my fibromyalgia flare-ups. these are two chronic conditions that unfortunately affect the way things feel on my skin, so i’m hyper sensitive to fabrics and sensations. my new favorite body wash is from RITUALS because it instantly foams into the creamiest soap, making it easy for me to wash off without using a rough surface like a loofa. after using this, i’ll never go back.

 

 

candles set the tone

i’m obsessed with keeping candles lit wherever i’m working because they are an easy way to evoke the senses and really set the tone. if i’m feeling stressed, i find my favorite lavender candle to calm my nerves. focused? the champagne candle from Bath and Body Works is my favorite equalizer.

 

work magic with the right scent

there’s a common theme for me when it comes to my self-care: scent is really important. anything lavender or rose scented makes me feel like my body and mind align. it’s also an easy way to bring peace and joy if i’m in a lot of pain physically or mentally. it’s so important to find the right scent that speaks to you and find ways to sprinkle it in throughout your day and keep your mind and body centered!