Self-care is so important for overall health, and with today being International Self-Care Day I wanted to share a few favorite self-care tips and tricks from TheSoul Publishing – an award-winning publishing co. behind one of the top five YouTube channels, 5-Minute Crafts.

• DIY Bath Bomb: Baths are a great form of self-care and relaxation. Next time you’re looking to relax, try making this easy bath bomb! Mix baking soda, citric acid, coconut oil, your favorite essential oil, and coloring. Once mixed evenly, place the mixture into an empty ice cube tray and allow it to sit together to dry. Once hardened, pop the bath bomb out of the tray, place into bath water, and relax!
• Make Your Own Moisturizer: Add aloe vera gel, almond oil, lavender essential oil, and cedarwood essential oil into a mixing bowl and mix until evenly spread. Place the mixture into a container with a lid to store, and you’re all set! 
• Honey & Brown Sugar Exfoliator: Struggling with dry, cracked skin? Try this easy-to-make honey exfoliator! Simply mix brown sugar, honey, and coconut oil together in a bowl. Once evenly mixed, scoop out the mixture and rub it onto your dry skin. Rinse off and done! Your skin will be left feeling soft and smooth. 
• Find even more of 5-Minute Crafts’ self-care tips here! 

According to the ASPCA, 23 million households in America welcomed a new pet into their pack during the pandemic. People have been using their backyards more in recent years for everything from working and entertaining to vacationing and working out. But for dogs, this backyard business is old hat. 

“No one loves the family yard as much as the family dog,” notes Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, an organization that advocates for the care for and use of green spaces, as well as pet rescue. “It’s my rescue dog, Mulligan’s, favorite place to be, so I do everything I can to make it safe and enjoyable for her, which ultimately makes it better for me, too.” 

Kiser and Mulligan have advice for creating a dream yard for your pets and the whole family this summer: 
 
Plant Real Grass
Plastic grass is uncomfortable on paws (and bare feet), gets very hot during the summer, is difficult to clean, and is worse for the environment since it requires water for cleaning and usually can’t be recycled. The bottom line: real grass is the best option for pets, people and the environment. 

Select the Right Plants & Grasses 
Choose a type of turf grass that will withstand the “ruff” housing of your pet. Buffalo and Bermuda grasses can be a good choice, depending on your climate zone. For other plants and shrubs, check the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic garden plants for advice before planting. You’ll want soft, sturdy foliage near walkways. Save delicate, decorative flowers for elevated flowerbeds and patio pots. Pro tip: place plants close together in areas you want to designate as off-limits to your dog to create boundaries.  
 
Consider Pollinators & Other Wildlife 
Nature starts in your backyard, which provides habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and more. Each of these species help pollinate food crops and flowering plants, so take them into consideration, too, when you’re selecting plants for your backyard.
 
Plan for Fun  
Add a splash pool, build a sandbox for digging or even create a canine obstacle course to provide hours of fun. After a day of play, your dog will need a place to relax so think of where you can plant trees or bushes that provide shade for snoozing. 
 
Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. 
 
 About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an educational resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

Finding the love of your life is nothing less than dancing on cloud nine. You get to spend time with them, share your happiness as well as sorrows, and do all the cringe yet cute things together. However, if the relationship is long distance, sharing every small moment becomes a daunting task requiring consistent and extra effort. 

Unlike regular dating, in LDR, there are times when you wish your partner to be by your side to share your happiness and sorrows. But, sometimes the distance is too much to cover in just a few hours. 

Luckily, regular calls and texts help keep the relationship going and the connection as unaltered as possible. There are also a few online date ideas that you can try to get closer to each other. 

• Old School Truth And Dare 

The first idea on our list is to go old school and play “truth and dare” to understand each other. It is a great icebreaker and offers you an excuse to talk about things you otherwise would not. The questions or dares can range from basic to wild or cute to cheeky. Even so, make sure to understand each other’s boundaries and avoid making a date awkward. Instead, use the game as an opportunity to learn something new about each other. 

• Try Unique Ways Of Explore Intimacy

Intimacy is very important to keep the relationship healthy. However, for a long-distance couple taking care of their partner’s physical needs is easier said than done. If your partner’s love language is physical touch, a lack of physical intimacy can cause complications. Therefore, you should try different ways of romancing, such as sending spicy texts, using products like Blowjob Masturbator during virtual dates, or trying roleplay. Dealing with other related complications will become much easier when the intimacy is strong. 

• Create A Music Playlist Together

Another fun thing you can try with your partner is creating a music playlist. Music is undoubtedly one of the best ways to express emotions without saying anything. You can both create a playlist including romantic, classic, fun, or other genres. You can also share the song you are currently listening to with your partner and feel their connection. It is a pretty basic idea to try; however, it is surely worth a try! You can also discuss the artists, songs, and what you love about them. Doing so will ensure that you never run out of topics to discuss with your partner. 

• When In Doubt, Veg Out 

Not every day is the same day. That means you are either not in the mood to do anything or are confused about date night ideas. In that case, you can be just you. You both can watch a movie together, talk about your day or share the silence without any awkwardness. Bear in mind that long-distance or not, relationships are about being honest and sharing minimalist moments. 

Wrapping It All Up

While it is not easy to maintain LDR, having a lovable partner who understands and supports you, helps cover the physical distance with other methods. So, try out the above-mentioned date ideas and take your relationship to a new level.