A Soft Luxe Healing Ritual at Home

 

Some days, our bodies whisper, “slow down.” A few days after our Vigan trip, mine spoke louder — a sore throat, heavy eyes, and the kind of tired that makes you want to wrap yourself in something soft. My son got my sister's bug and I got it from him. 

I wanted to push through and write, do my chores, etc. But I got to thinking. The more I push, the longer it will take me to heal. So, instead of pushing through, I decided to turn recovery into ritual. Healing, after all, can be luxe too.

Tea as Comfort

The first thing I reached for was my Japanese tea pot. Its design is simple. It didn't have a matching tea cup when I bought it, so I paired it with a completely different tea cup. The mismatch didn’t bother me. I find beauty in mismatched things. 

I made a simple honey, strawberry, and lemon tea, poured it steaming into my cup, and waited for it to cool down a bit, as I cannot drink hot beverages. As I held it, I reminded myself that not everything in life needs to be curated. Sometimes, it’s the imperfections that make the moment feel more alive. 

I fell in love with this cup the moment I saw it. I got one for myself and another for my son.

Cozy Breakfasts

One of my go to dishes whenever someone is sick at home is chicken congee. This time, I added some onsen yolks instead of hardboiled eggs. I couldn't taste it, but I know it was so creamy that it paired well with the congee. I couldn't take a bite without a piece of it! My son gobbled up one as soon as he tasted it. 😁

Each bite was both grounding and indulgent, reminding me that care can be beautiful in its simplicity.

Another simple breakfast I prepared was leftover luncheon meat + eggs + kewpie pressed sandwich that I prepared for the morning of our Vigan trip. I would have cooked something more nutritious, but at this point, I was really sick so I chose something that I can just reheat in the oven. I also had some apple squares. I normally don't eat apples this way (I prefer big, thin slices), but my throat was burning, so I opted for smaller bites. 

Hello Kitty food picks from maybe 20 years ago, back when I was still bringing bentos to the office!

Steam Eye Mask to Soothe

My body can't handle heat and warm things. It triggers MCAS and histamine flares. But as I'm healing, I found that I can now handle short bursts of heat. My eyes have been benefitting from that improvement. So, naturally, I used this eye steam mask as part of my healing ritual. 

White Peach and Oolong Eye Steam Mask

This is white peach and oolong. The other one I used was pomelo. This white peach and oolong mask felt spicy. Yes, you read that correctly! While the pomelo was a gentle, fruity warmth, this mask had some spicy notes in it. Don't get me wrong. It doesn't sting or hurt. That's just how I describe the warmth I felt. A sharp warmth. My eyes still felt relaxed after, though. Although I'll be honest. During the first few minutes, I thought of removing it, but I left it on as I was curious to see what the effect will be. I'm glad I did. 

A Body Warmer to Bring Me Back to Equilibrium

I was feeling cold. I didn't have a fever. Instead of raising my body's temperature, my system drops it. I have no idea why! Back when I got covid, instead of having a fever, my temperature dropped. I felt feverish and cold, but the thermometer says I have a normal temperature. 

This time was no different. So, I got one of these body warmers and placed them in my holder and rotated it between my hands, feet, and areas that were painful. Oh, did I mention that Lady Flo decided to join the party as well? So I was nursing a cold and the first day of Lady Flo's arrival. Lots of painful dysmenorrhea. My whole body was aching from the multiple onslaught! 

A Shiatsu Back Massager to Calm Angry Muscles

My back and hips were hurting pretty bad. The body warmer wasn't enough anymore. Luckily, I remembered that we had this! I spent 15 minutes for my upper back and another 15 minutes for my lower back on this device. My muscles felt looser afterwards. The pain also went down as a lot of knots were dissolved.  

The Gentle Reset of an Epsom Salt Foot Soak

After Flo, my body always asks for a quiet reset. One of my favorite rituals is a simple Epsom salt foot soak — a small basin,  water, and a few spoonfuls of salt. It may look humble, but the benefits ripple through my whole body.

I've had this foot spa machine for 20 years! Can you believe that? 

Why it works:

Magnesium release → Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) seeps gently through the skin. Magnesium is known to ease muscle tension, soothe cramps, and calm the nervous system. After Flo, when body aches and fatigue linger, this is pure relief.

Improves circulation → The soak draws blood flow back into the feet, easing heaviness and refreshing tired legs.

Supports detox → Warm water and salt together encourage the body to let go — flushing out what it no longer needs.

Grounding ritual → Beyond science, the act itself is healing. Placing my feet in water signals: it’s time to release, reset, and rise again.

For me, this soak isn’t just about soft skin — it’s a sacred pause. Magnesium eases the body, salt lightens the spirit, and water carries away the weight of the past cycle.

Sacred Flow Inhaler

I am an aromatherapist and I use essential oils regularly for health and healing. Here is one I call Sacred Flow for days when Lady Flo visits. I inhale this 2-3x a day during red days. The essential oils in this blend also help fight colds. 

The Quiet Comfort of a Humidifier

One of the softest luxuries you can add to your healing space is a humidifier. It may look simple, but its impact is profound — especially in an air-conditioned room. AC keeps us cool, but it also strips the air of moisture, leaving our throat scratchy, our nose dry, and our skin tight.

That’s where the humidifier becomes a quiet guardian. By returning gentle moisture to the air, it:

Soothes a dry throat and nose — perfect while nursing a cold, preventing that raw, uncomfortable feeling.

Supports easier breathing — hydrated air calms congestion and lessens irritation.

Keeps skin supple — no more waking up with tight cheeks or flaky patches.

Creates a cocoon of comfort — the light mist feels like a soft veil, turning the room into a true healing space.

For me, this simple addition makes a world of difference. Instead of waking parched and restless, I can breathe easier, sleep deeper, and allow my body to focus on healing. A humidifier isn’t just a gadget — it’s part of my ritual, a symbol of soft care and quiet protection.

The Shield of an Air Filter

When we think of healing, we often focus on what we put into our bodies — food, supplements, rituals. But what we breathe is just as vital. That’s why I keep an air filter running in my healing space.

In an air-conditioned room, air tends to recirculate, carrying with it dust, mold spores, pet dander, and unseen particles. For someone nursing a cold, or for those like me who are sensitive to triggers, this can make recovery harder. An air filter quietly removes these irritants, giving my lungs cleaner air to rest in.

The benefits I notice most:

Easier breathing — no heaviness in the chest, less irritation.

Fewer allergens — dust and mold are captured before they reach me.

Deeper rest — my body can focus on healing, not on fighting the air I breathe.

Peace of mind — knowing the air around me is clear, fresh, and safe.

For me, an air filter is not just about hygiene — it’s about creating a shield. Every breath becomes lighter, calmer, and more healing.

My Favorite Throw to Wrap Me Up in Comfort

I can't quite capture the real color of the throw. The color is like pine green trees covered in snow, my favorite. 

To complete the ritual, I wrapped myself up in my favorite luxe chenille throw. It's texture alone made the moment softer, like a cocoon where I could pause. I prefer to use this instead of a comforter to allow my skin to breathe. We don't bundle up when we have a fever. We use a light blanket or throw to prevent the heat from being trapped. 

From time to time, I wore my cardigan to layer warmth and comfort. Just enough warmth until the room itself felt like it was exhaling with me. 

As I sipped my tea, surrounded by little touches of softness, I realized healing isn’t just about getting better. It’s about giving yourself permission to stop, to breathe, and to treat recovery as sacred time.

More Cozy Details

I took vitamins and supplements, ate and drank a lot of healing foods, nebulized when I needed to. I napped when my body asked for it and took everything slow. I didn't take any allopathic medicines. I supported my body and listened to her cues. I heal better this way. 

I listened to music and talked to my support system all throughout the healing process. As I type this, I'm still recovering from the lingering effects of that cold. My body is taking longer to heal because she was already weak from the beginning - lack of sleep and physical exhaustion. But I'm not worried. I'm healing. Every day I see signs of that. And that's what's important. I'm not rushing her. That's my soft luxe healing philosophy. 

Healing is Part of Glow

Glow isn’t only about skincare or makeup — it’s also about what happens on the inside. Rest, nourishment, softness — these are as essential to beauty as any serum or palette. Today’s ritual reminded me that a mismatched cup, a warm throw, and my curated ritual can be just as powerful as any luxe treatment.

✨ My reminder to you:

You don’t need to wait for burnout or illness to pause. You don’t need permission to soften. Your body already knows what it needs — listen to her.

💬 Tell me, Glow Girls — what’s your healing ritual when you’re under the weather? Do you keep it simple, or do you add a little luxe touch to make the moment special?