Monday

"I can pause without losing momentum."

Welcome to Monday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Why you might be resisting rest

• The surprising way a bath can relieve stress

• What is sound healing?

• Signs it’s time for a mental health day

Why You Might Be Avoiding Rest

Rest sounds simple, but for a lot of us, it doesn’t come naturally. You finally sit down, but your mind keeps racing. Or maybe you don’t stop at all, telling yourself you’ll rest when you’ve “earned it.”

Sometimes it’s perfectionism. Sometimes it’s a fear that everything will fall apart if you pause. Rest might feel boring or even triggering, especially if it brings up emotions you’ve been too busy to notice.

And not everything that looks like rest is actually restful. Scrolling on your phone or multitasking in the name of “downtime” can leave you feeling wired, not restored.

Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing—it means giving your mind and body a break from pressure. If that still feels tough, you’re not doing it wrong. It just means there’s something worth getting curious about.

A Bath Ritual That Helps You Reset

When your body’s magnesium levels dip, everything feels a little harder—sleep, recovery, even staying calm. The HigherDOSE Serotonin Soak is made with pure Zechstein magnesium, one of the most pristine and absorbable forms of this essential mineral, to help replenish your body from the outside in.

Just one soak helps ease sore muscles, reduce tension, and calm your nervous system, leaving you relaxed, restored, and ready for deep sleep. Infused with grounding botanicals and balancing minerals, it turns your bath into a full-body reset ritual.

Whether you need recovery after a tough workout, a ritual to melt away stress, or simply a moment of stillness, Serotonin Soak turns an ordinary bath into a full-body reset.

Note to Self readers can use code NOTESTOSELF for 20% off through 9/7 or 15% off after that (excluding bundles and full saunas).

Start Your Evening Reset Today

Thank you to HigherDOSE for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Power of Sound for Healing

There’s a reason so many people are turning down the noise of everyday life—and turning up the volume on healing sounds. Sound meditation, or “sound bathing,” is a growing self-care practice that invites you to slow down and tune in.

It’s often done with singing bowls, gongs, or chimes, which create vibrations that move through your body. Studies suggest this kind of sound can help lower heart rate, reduce tension, and ease physical pain, especially when it’s low and repetitive. Some research even links it to better sleep.

You don’t need special gear to start. Listening to calming tones, slow music, or even nature sounds for a few minutes can bring a noticeable shift in how you feel.

Sound gives your brain something steady to follow. That’s part of why it works.

Which HigherDOSE Serotonin Soak Benefit Do You Need The Most?

Your Brain Might Be Asking for a Break

Some days, your brain waves the white flag, but it’s easy to miss the signal. You might feel unusually snappy, exhausted by small talk, or disconnected from the things you usually enjoy. Those are real signs that your mind needs rest.

Changes in sleep or appetite, memory lapses, or even feeling overwhelmed by small problems are all red flags that your stress response is maxed out. Left unchecked, they can snowball into burnout or chronic fatigue.

That’s where a mental health day comes in. The key is setting boundaries and making it count: less inbox, more stillness, comfort, or quiet connection. Whatever helps you reset.

A Note From Us

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False. Cooler temperatures and reduced daylight often make people feel sleepier.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Rest isn’t something you earn, it’s something you need. Your body and mind are asking for it, even when the world keeps moving.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!