Self-Care Sunday + Teeth Whitening with Smile Brilliant
Thank you to Smile Brilliant for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
Once the weekend rolls around, I’m all about exploring Baltimore with my boyfriend, running errands here in Annapolis with my mom and meeting up with friends in DC for drinks. Having so many options within driving distance is definitely a perk of living in the DMV, and it’s one of the reasons my weekends are so full.
As someone who likes to stay busy, I look forward to the adventures I have on Friday night and Saturday. But when it comes to Sunday, I like to reserve the day for self-care.
I know that self-care isn’t something that you have to save for Sunday (or any specific day of the week for that matter), but here’s the thing: while there are plenty of ways to build self-care into your everyday routine, like going to bed earlier or drinking more water, there are some practices that won’t always fit. Trust me, I would love to take a long bubble bath after a manic Monday, but that’s just not realistic for my current schedule.
So instead, Sunday is the day I set aside for the acts of self-care, like the six I’m sharing below, that I don’t have time for during the week.
Digital Detox
01. LOG OFF INSTAGRAM FOR A COUPLE HOURS
Sunday is a popular day for twenty-somethings on Instagram, and it’s easy to spend a good chunk of the day scrolling to see what everyone was up to over the weekend. Before you know it, 5 minutes on the app can turn into over an hour of mentally playing “who had more fun?”
As a content creator, there’s no denying how much I love Instagram. But I do like to take a digital detox for a couple of hours every Sunday. Without distracting notifications on my phone, I’m able to enjoy my Self-Care Sunday so much more.
02. READ A BOOK IN BED
On Sunday mornings, I find such happiness in reaching for a book instead of my phone. With nowhere to be and nothing but time, I love to stay cozy under the covers and read until noon.
Practice Mindfulness
03. GET PERSONAL WITH A JOURNAL
Looking back at the journal I kept in high school can be so embarrassing, but also inspiring and full of perspective. These days, I don’t write secret diary entries, but I do like to scribble down my thoughts in books like The Five Minute Journal and 52 Lists for Happiness: Weekly Journaling Inspiration for Positivity, Balance and Joy.
04. FOLLOW A GUIDED MEDITATION
I’m sure I could Google the benefits of guided meditation and get lost in the results, but I’d rather just speak from my experience.
Truthfully, I’m not great at meditation — my mind tends to wander and I struggle to find a natural rhythm. What I love about guided meditation is that a voice will literallyguide your body and mind into a deep relaxation through mental imagery and spoken word. It’s as peaceful as it sounds!
My favorite app to use for guided meditations is called Calm. Although it’s a subscription-based service, there are a few free guided meditations that you can try — I’m currently participating in the 21 Days of Calm program!
Indulge Yourself
05. TAKE A LONG BUBBLE BATH
Like I said before, baths are not usually something I can indulge in during the week. I’m a strict “5-minute shower and go” kind of gal when I’m on a tight schedule. But, not when I have an entire day dedicated to myself!
06. WHITEN YOUR TEETH WITH SMILE BRILLIANT
Whether I’m soaking in the tub or cozied up on the couch, odds are I’m whitening my teeth on a Sunday at home. It’s so effortless to pop in my custom whitening trays by Smile Brilliant when I’m reading or watching TV, and the best part is that while I’m relaxing, my smile gets brighter by the minute.
In the past, I used over the counter whitening strips and thought they were pretty good but not great. I was always curious about custom whitening trays, but felt weary of the financial investment. So when Smile Brilliant reached out to collaborate, I was so excited to finally give them a try to see for myself if they were worth it!
From the dental lab to your door, the convenience is the best part. Everything you need to make your impressions is included with step-by-step instructions that outline the 30-minute process. Then you mail them off (with pre-paid postage!), and in just a few days you have custom-made trays waiting for you!
Since switching to Smile Brilliant my teeth are noticeably brighter, and it’s become a staple of my Self-Care Sunday ritual! If you’re on the fence about at-home whitening, you’ll be happy to know that Smile Brilliant has a 45-day trial period with a full re-fund guarantee, plus a comprehensive FAQ section and a friendly staff — I say go for it!
What are your favorite Self-Care Sunday habits?