Over the years, self-care has become one of my highest priorities. No one knows our internal needs better than ourselves, and developing a self-care routine that worked for me was vital in bringing balance and calm to my life. Through trial and error, I’ve realized the simplest rituals are what work best for me. Standing barefoot on the earth, enjoying the sun, taking naps, eating healthy, and staying hydrated are cornerstones of my daily practice of self-care.
One of the routines that has most resonated with me is the traditional Chinese practice of using a jade roller. Jade has long been a staple in the most ancient of medicines for its unique healing properties. This soothing green heart chakra stone is known to purify and protect as well as help circulate blood in your facial tissue. It can also aid in draining your lymph nodes, calm redness, relieve pressure, and soothe inflammation and puffiness. Every part of our body needs to be massaged, and our face is no exception!
Steps
1. Cleanse your face first. I love an organic, mild cleanser or facial mist of lavender or rose.
2. You can use the roller alone or with your favorite organic facial serum, which the jade roller will help massage deeper into your skin.
3. When using the jade roller always go “upward and outward” toward your lymph nodes.
4. Begin with the larger roller in the center of your neck, working upward and outward.
5. Move from the jawline toward your ears.
6. Move upward from the side of your mouth.
7. Move to the side of your nostrils and outward toward your ears.
8. Switch to the small roller next, starting at your nose and moving upward.
9. Gently roll under your eyes and outward toward your temples.
10. Now slide the roller between your eyes and up your forehead.
11. Finally, roll above your eyebrows, sweeping upward and outward toward your hairline.
“This soothing green heart chakra stone is known to purify and protect as well as help circulate blood in your facial tissue.”
A Few Tips
Always finish by cleaning your roller with a little warm soapy water and/or a spritz of colloidal silver. Dry the stone well, and never submerge the roller in water, as the metal could rust.
I like to do one entire side of my face first, then repeat the movements on the other side. See if this works for you! Maybe you’ll enjoy a mirror-image approach better.
You can keep your jade roller at room temperature or store it in the fridge for a cooling effect. Either way, you can’t go wrong—part of the fun is trying a few different things, and figuring out what best works for you and your body.
This has become a wonderful and easy nightly ritual for myself that my whole family loves doing as well. One of the sweetest parts of my night is seeing my five-year-old son, River, practice his jade rolling. ;)
x Christy
