five things friday: maybe we all need a salt scrub
Published: Fri, 04/11/25
April 11, 2025
Hello there,
While talking with my coach
about my high levels of anxiety and dread over the state of Things (you know, tariffs, totalitarianism, tragedies...) she non-sarcastically suggested, perhaps we all need more salt scrubs. As in there is something grounding and calming about scrubbing our bodies clean, ridding ourselves of coarse dry skin, and increasing healing circulation to our bodies largest organ.
Will a bit of
body care solve the problems of this time? Nope. Might it help regulate the nervous system and leave the skin oh so soft and glowing? Yup. Might that scrub contain some bits of magic that focuses us on the one place that all action, healing, change, and life stem from- our body- and thus might just catalyze something life affirming to happen? Maybe. Worth a try in my book.
If you have
a fancy scrub, treat yourself, but why not make it yourself? It could not be easier and is way more magical. I bet you have everything you need already.
Let's mix up a spell, shall we?
1.
Get some salt.
A generous palm full is good, more is too if you want to go a little extra. Any kind is great. The one with the girl in a yellow dress under an umbrella works just fine. If fancier sea or Himalayan salt is what you have, go for it.
Salt is detoxifying and protecting. It brings out the flavor of life like it does with the flavors of food. Invite these
qualities into your scrub.
2.
Grab some honey if you want.
While not essential I personally like a little sweet
with my salty, in scrubs and life. About half to equal-ish the amount of the salt depending on how scrubby you want your scrub.
Honey brings sweetness, it helps the goodness of life stick. It is hydrating, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It heals and calms. If using, invite these
qualities into your scrub.
3.
Add in some oil.
Mix in enough to make the consistency you want. Again, how
scrubby do you want your scrub? I use olive or coconut because that is what I have on hand. Use what you got.
Oil is softening, soothing, easing and healing. Invite these qualities into your scrub as well.
4.
Scrub a dub.
In your next shower or bath slather and rub over you body. Be mindful of any scraps, cuts, or irritations. The floor of the shower or bath will be slippery from the oil so take care.
Let the grit of the salt slough away old skin that need to be shed (literally and metaphorically), let the sticky honey draw sweetness to you and add hydration and nourishment, let the oil sooth and ease the tight and rigid places in your body and spirit.
Rinse.
Repeat as desired.
Appreciate your softness.
It is a radical thing to allow yourself to be soft
and embodied in times such as these.
5.
A blessing for your week:
(The Illustrated Herbiary by Maya Toll, art by Kate O'Hara)
May your fierceness be rooted in the strength of tenderness.
