Little Ways Self Care Can Make You Happier Every Day

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: May 26, 2025

From the Editor…Karen Giblin

“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.”

-Yves Saint-Laurent

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Spring is here, and it’s time to go outdoors. And, for me, it’s time that I do something more about my appearance. For instance, I’ve got to get out of those ubiquitous sneakers and wearing my workout clothes as a uniform! I’ve got to fiddle with my hair a little more, perhaps get a new hair color. And, also change my makeup a bit. It’s my belief that we can all look fabulous after 50, and even sexy after 60 and 70 years of age. That is, if we put some work into it.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature but beautiful old people are works of art.” So, for all those Red Hot Mamas, you can look incredibly confident and pretty, too if you give yourself criteria for how you will be seen in public. So, don’t be afraid to show a little attitude and flair this Spring.

Let me share with you what I’ve done. I’ve had a real eye opener when it came to my makeup, as I was not wearing it appropriately. Recently, I visited the makeup counter at my local mall. I learned a lot about how my makeup was aging me. So, let me explain my experience to you.

Sally, the saleswoman, advised me to throw out the powder I had worn to the store that day. She said it had settled into all those fine lines that I’ve developed on my face. She suggested I use liquid makeup for a dewier look.  Another tip, she gave me was that I needed to keep the area around my eyes well hydrated. I admit, I’ve been negligent in doing this in the past.  As a result of the dryness, my concealer looked very cakey around my eyes, which also was aging me.  I could not figure out why I was looking a little washed out and tired looking.  She told me it was because I was using too many neutral colors – browns and taupe.  I thought everyone would look good in neutral shades, but I was all wrong. I desperately needed more vivid colors. Once, I put on a bright sheer pink lipstick, Vive la difference!  It did the trick and really gave me a dramatic flair.

So, I’ve decided that each new season, I’ll take a trip to the mall and get a tip from a makeup artist. It surely has lifted my spirits. And, I’ve learned, the way you age is directly related to the way you take care of yourself.

I hope that this will inspire you that no matter what age you are, you can look and feel sensational and beautiful. It just may take updating your look a little and splurge on a new lipstick or foundation.

Little Ways Self Care Can Make You Happier Every Day…

I’ve also included some daily rituals as part of my self-care program. These personal routines have helped me.

I enjoy listening to upbeat music which seems to have a calming effect on my brain. It also helps reduce my daily level of stress. I’ve also learned that during the day it is important for me to take 10 to 15 minutes to sit down and get uninterrupted relaxation. That is part of my prioritization to my mental health. And it really helps.

And, as we all know, life sometimes isn’t always fun. For this, when I am feeling down, watching a good comedy movie on TV always causes me to laugh, which helps. Petting my dog (Marco) also helps release those feel-good hormones and helps me to reduce any anxiety I might have. There are claims that owning a pet has been linked to better heart health. So, you might consider adopting a pet.

And, lastly, I find the scent of my favorite perfume calms my stress level. So, each morning as part of my daily routine you will find me spritzing perfume on my neck and wrists. According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the flower scent especially of roses, jump starts our nervous system, the antidote to our fight-or-flight response. So, it truly may help to calm us.

In closing, it’s now your turn to take a moment to create your own list of Springtime rewards that brings personal enjoyment to your life. And remember, you deserve it!

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin