How to use crystals in your self care practice

We hear about self-care a lot lately: people doing it, people telling us to do it - and maybe we're even carving time out of our own busy schedules, to be kinder, gentler, and more loving to ourselves.

Crystals can be a great addition to - or starting point for - self-care! There are a number of ways that you can incorporate the beauty, function, and energy of crystals into your self-care routine. 

Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.

Excerpt from: What Self-Care Is - And What it Isn't

Are You Practicing Good Self-Care? 

We hear about self-care a lot lately: people doing it, people telling us to do it - and maybe we're even carving time out of our own busy schedules, to be kinder, gentler, and more loving to ourselves.

Incorporating Crystals Into Your Self-Care

Crystals can be a great addition to - or starting point for - self-care! There are a number of ways that you can incorporate the beauty, function, and energy of crystals into your self-care routine. Keep reading, to learn about just a few! 

Do a Crystal Meditation

One of the easiest ways to begin working with crystals and also take some time to (and for) yourself is to use them to meditate with. This doesn't have to be anything fancy - you don't need laser focus, a "totally blank" mind, or any kind of belief system to begin. This also doesn't have to be a "mediation" in the way we usually think of.

So what do I mean? Well, it's easy: Grab a crystal (or a few), sit (or lay) down, close your eyes (if you want), relax, and breathe. That's it! No "woo woo," no technique, no stress. Sit and relax as long as you'd like.

If you haven't heard, meditation and mindfulness (being aware) have been found to have a whole host of benefits. Give it a try - if nothing else, it will give you a few minutes of time to yourself - and we could all use more of those!

Have (Sweeter) Crystal Dreams 

Have you ever gone to sleep holding a crystal? Or with one on your nightstand or, perhaps, even under your pillow (put them inside your pillow case, to keep them from rolling around)? It's a common (and easy!) way to work with your crystals without much effort - since you'll be asleep!

So what does it do? Well, to begin, it helps you focus on something positive (the crystal) and, possibly, the properties of the crystal (such as the calming effect of blue calcite). Focusing on the crystal (or the calming) helps take your mind off of the other things that might be on it - work, kids, car repairs... Taking a few minutes before bed to focus on something positive or relaxing can have a beneficial impact on your sleep.

Wondering what some calming crystals are, that would be great beside your bed? Try out any (or all!) of the following: blue calcite, rose quartz, celestite, smoky quartz, and amethyst. Focus on them for a few minutes before you drift off, and let me know if you start sleeping better!

Drink Some Gem Water 

Have you ever tried gem water? Also called gem elixir, gem water is water that has been infused with - you guessed it! - crystals. Gem water is an easy and fun way to hydrate with water that has been enhanced with the vibration of crystals. It also looks really pretty :)

How do you make gem water? Easy! Just take a few of your favorite nontoxic, water-safe crystals, drop them in your glass (gently, so the glass doesn't break), set it in the sun for a few minutes, and voila! Gem water. Enjoy!

What crystals are safe to use? As a good rule of thumb, you can use quartzes (clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, citrine, green aventurine) and agates (blue lace agate, carnelian). Look for stones that are tumbled (instead of raw/rough), so that they don't have any jagged edges that could break off. Also make sure to give them a little wash before you drop them in your water - you want them to be clean, before you put them in your drinking water ;) And be sure that you are avoiding toxic stones! These are not safe to put in your water, as they contain toxic substances that you don't want to ingest. Stick to the ones listed above, if you are unsure! Oh - and be careful not to swallow them! I've seen infuser water bottles around that would be perfect for gem water!

Wear Some Crystal Jewelry

Crystal jewelry has been been adored as long as humans have walked the Earth. From rings, to headpieces; from earrings to masks, to pendants and everything in-between, adorning oneself with gemstone jewelry has been and will always be a way to show a person's style, culture, and individuality.

Wearing crystals keeps you close to them, and puts you within the range of their vibration. They can also be pieces that bring joy, beauty, and flare! Crystal jewelry can be found at a range of retailers and for a range of prices - there is truly crystal jewelry for every budget, person, and style! Choose the crystals, the style, and the price point that suit you: just be sure to treat yourself some crystal jewelry that speaks to you! If you love it, you can be sure that you aren't choosing a "wrong" piece.

Take a Crystal Bath 

Baths are a perfect form of self-care and many of us already indulge in them. So, while we're at it, why not add some crystals? There are several easy ways to add crystals to your bath. You can:

Add them to your bath water: You can use any of the water-safe crystals mentioned under "gem water" in your bath.

Set them around your tub: For the ones that are not safe to put in your water, you can simply keep them near you. This works for almost any stone - so grab any that you'd like to spend some time with and set them all around your tub.

Use Himalayan salt: Salt has many cleansing properties and Himalayan salt is one of the top-tier varieties. You can purchase fine or course-ground Himalayan salt in bags at most holistic or whole-food stores. There are also large chunks perfect for including in baths. You can also pop a Himalayan salt heart into to your bath and let it dissolve while you soak.

However you choose to use crystals with your bath, enjoy the time to relax and recharge!

You can also check out our free guide to crystal baths, or our downloadable, PDF e-book, The Ultimate Guide to Crystal Baths for much more about crystal baths, including water-safe crystal suggestions, recipes, and more. 

Do (or Get) a Crystal Massage 

Everyone loves a massage, right? Getting regular massages has some pretty great health benefits, anyway - but what if you could add some crystals to the mix?

Hot stone massage is one way to incorporate the healing power of stones into a massage. In a hot stone massage, the therapist places heated stones strategically on the back, legs, or palms, to allow the heat to penetrate deep into the muscles. This relaxing practice can help to alleviate soreness, increase circulation, and make muscles more pliable/relaxed, as the therapist works.

Another way to incorporate crystals into a massage is by using a stone massage wand as a tool. Massage wands can help you target specific muscles or painful areas; stimulate acupressure or reflexology points; or just help save your hands from fatigue.

You could even try a jade face roller, to give the delicate skin on your face some much-needed love! Jade rollers are popular now and are said to provide many benefits with regular use, including fewer wrinkles and healthier skin - but they are also fabulous to use at the end of a long day, simply because the smooth, cool stone feels amazing on your skin!

Set the Mood with Crystal-Filtered Light 

The soft, natural glow of candles is unbeatable when it comes to relaxation; they are a fantastic way to sink into the evening. And they are even better when you take them up a notch and use crystals as your candle holders!

There are so many types to choose from: Quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, green aventurine, fluorite, sodalite, Himalayan salt, and selenite are just a few of the ones I've seen. Himalayan salt candle holders, of course, have the same benefits as salt lamps; and selenite is a super high-vibe stone that you'll definitely want around. Crystal candle holders are a perfect way to indulge in some self-care and add crystals into your existing decor!

You can shop crystal lamps right here. 

Enjoy Some Crystal Therapy 

Have you heard of far-infrared heat? This deeply penetrating heat is relaxing and is said to have a number of health benefits, including lowering stress, reducing soft-tissue pain, and aiding sleep.

Far infrared and crystal mats combine far-infrared heat with the power of amethyst and tourmaline - two crystals believed for centuries to have healing properties! There is also a far-infrared mat that uses jade. I cannot make any healing claims (I am not a doctor or medical professional and the statements on my site have not been approved by the FDA; please read the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page, for more information) - but you can read through the product description and the many reviews and decide for yourself whether you think it's worth a try!

I actually purchased this product recently and have been very happy with it! It's definitely warming, relaxing, and a great way to unwind and loosen up at the end of a long day. The one I have is the amethyst and tourmaline mat - so if you try a version with jade, be sure to drop me a note and let me know what you think!

I hope you've found some ways to use crystals in your self-care practices...or maybe even found something different that you'd like to try, to give yourself some love. If you'd like even more suggestions, check out my Amazon Affiliate page, for product ideas and recommendations. (Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through the link below. There is no additional cost to you).