Hey! It’s July, and on July 4th we celebrate the 250th (maybe final) birthday of the good ol’ U.S. of A. Watching the dismantling of the Constitution by nihilistic idiots causes my cortisol to rise, producing a fight-or-flight response, which in turn makes me want to crawl out of my skin to escape the fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. Luckily, there’s a day in July that reminds us to give our weary minds a break. July 24th is International Self-Care Day! International Self-Care Day was conceived and established in 2011 by the U.K.-based International Self-Care Foundation. Dr. David Edward Webber (RIP) was the founder and president of the ISF. Through the establishment of the Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU), he was an instrumental figure in understanding the importance of implementing self-care protocols in medical systems and academia. The ISF promotes seven “pillars” of self-care: health literacy, mental wellbeing, physical activity, healthy eating, risk avoidance, good hygiene, and “rational use of products and services” (i.e. moderate use of medication and supplements). Devilish worry can cause malfunctions in all of our bodily systems. Got a major headache, digestive distress, and insomnia? Well, these symptoms might be directly related to the sudden, mysterious death of your beloved 14-year-old cat (RIP Hedwig Claude Theriot a.k.a. The Jackass Prince of Lesseps Street). Oh wait, that’s the origin of *my* heartbreak and burden. Shit. Is your heart beating out of your chest and are you having trouble breathing? Perhaps the culprit is the massive income inequality in this country, or the numerous barriers to vital healthcare for 49% of Americans, or maybe it’s our oxygen-like dependence on our dopamine-producing smart phones, which causes problems with cognition, increased loneliness, body dysmorphia, and reduced self-esteem. I know, the word “self-care” sounds a little hokey, so how about we call it self-preservation. It’s that important. In my opinion, you should take a little timeout—a mind reboot—every day, if possible. I’ve recently taken up lap swimming. When swimming, my mind is fully focused on not drowning and so is not indulging in one of the many outrageous and improbable scenarios that anxiety tries to convince me will definitely happen. Anyway, think of what calms you down that is doable on the daily, and do dat. Recently, a phrase has been bonkin’ around in ma noggin: Don’t wait to give yourself a break until you’re nearly broken. I’m now gifting this sentiment to you. Now take a load off (you deserve it), and read the cleaning questions and answers below.
How do I wash my crystals?
Aw yeah, I love me some crystals. I like to call them nature’s glimmering miracles. Whether formed from cooling magma and hydrothermal potions, from beaucoup pressure and heat, or even arriving from outer space via meteorites, these flashy rocks are captivating. On the rare occasion that I go out for a night on the town, I wear my eyecatching, ginormous, and gorgeous gold-chain-and-rope-attached quartz and amethyst necklaces, made by the insanely talented artist and jeweler Adina Mills. I’ve had this jewelry for about 10 years, and the stones definitely need an occasional wash and polish to bring back the shine. Place a towel in the bottom of your sink (so as not to scratch the crystals on the sink), and fill it with enough warm water to completely submerge your crystals. Squirt a small amount of dish detergent into the water. Place the crystal into the water, swish the water with your hands a little, and let it sit for about an hour. After the hour is up, grab a soft-bristled toothbrush, dip the head in some baking soda, and lightly massage your pretty stone. After brushing every inch, rinse it with warm water. Now dip your toothbrush into some white vinegar and give that beautiful bauble some more love. Rinse once more with warm water. Grab a microfiber cloth and dry the crystal. I also really love Hagerty Crystal Care cleaner for a little extra sparkle oomph.
How do I clean my essential oil, water-based diffuser?
Very good question. Like the fragrant oil that you add to your diffuser, keeping your perfumy vapor-producing vessel clean is essential. Do you like inhaling E. coli? How about mold? If you say yes to these questions, then let your dirty diffuser rip! If you’d rather inhale clean, smell-good vapor, follow these steps. First, remove the water tank from the base, dump the yucky muck into the sink, give it a quick wipe with a clean towel, and fill the container about halfway with water and two tablespoons of white vinegar. Reinstall the tank, turn it on, and let the vinegar and water mixture circulate through. Unplug the diffuser, remove the tank again, and pour the remaining liquid into the sink. Dip a cloth in some white vinegar and wipe out the water tank thoroughly. Dry the vessel with a rag. Refill the tank with plain water and let it diffuse for 10 minutes. Now she’s ready to poof a smelly mist into your face! OR, if you want to forgo the need for water in your quest for aromatherapy, try a waterless diffuser. These babies use pressurized air or cold atomization to transform essential oils into a super fine (pronounced foin) vapor. Because the particles are so itty bitty, they float in the air longer and so keep your house’s good scent lingering (you can hook some of these blowers up to your HVAC system and waft the odor into every crevice of your home). P.S. Waterless diffusers might actually be better for your health than watery ones. Plastic water-based diffusers can potentially release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which can cause headaches and nausea and even damage to your central nervous system. I hope you choose the aromatic adventure that works best for you!
illustrations by Ben Claassen III
