As we re-enter something close to our former lives, we’re trying more than ever to find balance. Whether that’s work/life or family/life, it can be a battle to keep all the different elements of life in proportion. Form the minute we wake up to the moment we hit the pillow, we’re on a quest for harmony in all aspects of our lives. What we do for our skin on a daily basis has a definite impact on its overall health and feeling of balance. Finding time for self-care is so important, below find five ideas to help you relax and find balance this week:

Breathe in

A scent diffuser can deliver a long-lasting mist of essential oils into your room, whether you want something uplifting, like lemongrass, or more restful such as lavender. Essential oils can have a positive effect on your mood and sense of wellbeing. I also really like scents that smell like the sea, such as Seavite’s new Atlantic Blue candle, created by the Galway brand that specialises in seaweed-based skincare, and with ten per cent of proceeds going to support Clean Coasts. You may not be going away this year, but you can at least enjoy the fresh, energising scent of the coast; re-use the blue glass afterwards. €30, www.seavite.ie.

Take some time for yourself

Whether it’s a quick 15-minute manicure or a full-on indulgent spa day, we all need to take time for ourselves every now and then. The most comprehensive is Swan into Summer at The Spa at The Shelbourne, which includes everything from body exfoliation to a manicure and blowdry in the beautiful salon on St Stephen’s Green. The whole treatement lasts around two and a half hours and is available for €249 per person (until August 31). Extend it further with a special overnight rate to stay at The Shelbourne post-treatment, from €379 to include breakfast and car parking, based on two people sharing. www.TheShelbourne.com

Stretch

As yoga teacher Maura Rath emphasises, even getting up from your desk at regular intervals is vital. So you might not have time for a full hour’s class, but do take two or three minutes to stand up, stretch and move, the more often the better – take a ten-minute break and have a walk outside. And if possible exercise first thing to set yourself up in a good mindset for the day ahead. There are so many good classes available now both back in studios and online: make this the month you try Pilates (www.reformdublin.ie) – we recommend Laragh’s gentle beginner’s classes, and Aoife’s more challenging, lively and fun sessions.

Cool down

Try two minutes of cold water at the end of your shower – if that’s too bracing, use something energising like a menthol-based shower gel: Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion with Menthol (from €6.12) is both refreshing and hydrating for the skin, with Aveeno’s Triple Oat Complex to soothe and nourish dry or irritated skin. Start your skin moisturising in the shower – it saves time and works wonders. At pharmacies nationwide; www.aveeno.ie.

Warm up

… your skin, that is. Many of us find that a touch of self-tan can help us feel a bit more summery and healthier – people will say you look well even though you haven’t been further than Dun Laoghaire. I’ve been using Amanda Harrington’s foolproof formulas – forget messy mitts and use her face or body brush to buff on the colour seamlessly. It’s hard to overdo it, and the result is brilliantly natural-looking. Try the Jet Set Duo (€35) in natural honey, rose or olive. If you want a sunless tan, this is a luxurious answer. At Harvey Nichols, Dundrum, Brown Thomas and Arnotts. Another option is cruelty-free brand Balance Me’s Gradual Tanning Drops, just launched in Ireland, so that you can create your own custom colour – it’s part of a Glowing Skin Edit (€50), together with glow-boosting skincare steps, available at www.mybeautyedit.com.