When was the last time you stopped to consider your hands in detail?
I do not mean the way you quickly check them for any chipping, scratched polish or for any irritant skin in need of lotion.
I mean simply engaging with your hands, feeling them and most importantly, being there for their maintenance.
And in today’s age, we are always in a hurry to finish our beauty regimes as they are strategically placed between meetings, runs, and social gatherings.
However, there is real beauty in the art of self-care, slowing it down and being present in the moment, especially in regards to hands and nails.
These are body parts that do a lot for us, every day, and yet they often go under-appreciated.
With caring of your hands and nails comes the element of mindfulness which transforms the routine, which in itself is of aesthetic concern into a practice that imparts health benefits as well.
Now, let’s proceed to see how hand and nail care can be a form of mindful beauty.
Why Mindfulness Matters in Beauty
Let us first look at the practical benefits, and then explain the role of mindfulness in beauty.
Most people practice beauty regimes either as a necessity or as a luxury.
When you practice mindfulness, however, these regimes become much more than just a practice.
You learn to stay in the moment and learn to enjoy the process instead of just focusing on the end result.
When you do this and focus on the feelings of the hands and the hands themselves, you are in a way deploying oneself into the body.
You will begin to notice the different textures and smells and sensations which before seemed out of reach due to distractions.
Just this attention and concern may completely change your view of beauty and self-care.
Consider it a short-term course in meditation, where the final reward is exquisite nails!
Step 1: Setting the Intention
The initial procedure in integrating hand and nail care with mindfulness is to set up motivation.
This is more than just wanting nails that do not chip or hands that are not rough; it is about making the experience valuable.
What do you want to achieve with this particular moment?
You might need something to help you feel more settled inside after being so busy all day like this activity, or maybe you simply want to care for yourself in a fun way.
Whatever the case may be, let it in for a second before tackling the task at hand.
It could be something as basic as, ‘This is the time when I care for my hands and I will try to be present in this moment.’
This orientation organizes your thoughts in such a way that it takes the focus away from the outcome and directs it toward the process.
Doing your nails doesn’t have to be a race against time to get everything right, but an act of self-care.
Step 2: Creating a Calm Space
Honestly it could be a challenge to be in the moment with so many distractions around.
Your phone ringing, the television blaring or thinking of the tasks that you have lined up for your later self…..
Therefore, before you begin the hand and nail care routine, be mindful and prepare the environment, making it conducive for relaxation.
There’s no need to get a few dozen candles lit or get a meditation album ready unless of course that is your kind of thing.
Just ensure that you are in a peaceful environment and will not be interrupted.
For instance, you may silence your mobile device, and if it is possible, you may shut the door to the room in order to avoid interruptions.
A reprieve from all activity for just five minutes without any interruption can be very effective.
Also, as you prepare for the activity, pay attention to how the environment affects your body.
For instance is the light harsh, soft or at the right brightness?
Are you at ease with your seat?
Such simple observations can ground one in the present moment and ready them for the upcoming task.
Step 3: Touching Base with Your Hands
Having established your environment and grasped the purpose of the activity, let’s take a few minutes to pay attention to our hands.
They are tools that we all use for almost everything including typing, texting, writing, cooking, looking after others, and so on.
Start by extending both hands in front of you and taking a couple of deep breaths.
Pay attention to the sensations.
Are they painful?
Are they warm, sore, knots, or dry?
Do you have any pains or tightness in your hand?
In this manner, you are already mindful since you are practicing mindfulness in your hands.
You are aware of how your hands feel without being judgemental of it at that particular moment.
You may also use this as a time for gratitude and appreciation.
Remember all the tasks and processes that involved your hands today.
They have probably been typing, lifting, carrying, maybe even making something delicious to eat, and so forth.
Just take a moment and appreciate them without speaking out.
Step 4: Be Present with Every Step of Your Routine
Now, after having checked in with yourself, it is time to navigate through the procedure of nail and hand care.
Treat each process respectfully, rather than quickly applying some lotion or resorting to hurried nail filing.
This is how you can incorporate and practice mindfulness in every aspect of the work done:
Hand Washing
Begin the process with slowly and intentionally washing your hands.
Become acutely aware of the touch of water on the bare skin: is it warm, cold, or just in between?
Observe the smell and texture of soap as it is used and foams.
Rather than rushing to fast forward this part, go for patience.
Imagine the currents of water falling over your hands and be totally in the moment.
Exfoliating
In case you decide to exfoliate your hands, pay attention to the scrub’s feel against the skin primarily.
How does it feel as you rub it in?
Is it coarse in texture or silken?
This also seems like a good opportunity to pay attention to some areas that may require extra care such as rough or dry patches.
Filing and Shaping Your Nails
It is worth trying to take your time and pay attention to how the file moves.
Observe how the nails sculpt differently with each stroke and be aware of the pressure exerted as well.
Paying attention to the finer details helps you avoid over-filing (we have all suffered from that!), and the entire experience becomes much more calming.
Moisturizing
Applying moisturizer to the hands, and subsequently enjoying its effects, is undoubtedly one of the most pleasurable and exciting processes.
It is a very easy, but very indulgent activity.
When you rub the hand cream on your skin, try on the lotion texture while it is absorbed.
Use the cream in a circular motion, paying attention to, and massaging in, the skin around the nails and the knuckles.
Also, consider the scent of the cream and the tactile sensations that come with applying it to your hands – each application seems to make the hands softer, with every stroke.
Now would also be a good time to incorporate a little bit of a hand massage.
Calmly rub your hands together, flex your fingers, and rotate your wrists.
Who knows, maybe you will find out how much stress has been locked in your hands!
Step 5: A Gentle Nail Polish Ritual
If you’re one of those who loves painting their nails, the best part is coming.
I prefer to perceive the application of nail varnish as a form of meditative practice.
First, find a nail polish that fits your current emotional state.
Maybe you are feeling bold and want to go for an extravagant bright color or probably something warm, fuzzy, and color-wise basic but appealing.
As you brush on each coat of polish, pay attention to the act of painting itself, each stroke of the brush.
Observe how the color fills your nail, how it feels when the mixture of colors is applied, how inclined the soft brush-head is to your nails, and the slight push of the brush.
Take all the time you need after each coat, waiting for the polish to dry.
This is a good moment to stop, breathe a few times to calm yourself down, and just stay in the moment.
Step 6: Mindful Reflection
When you have completed your routine, pause for a moment and evaluate what you feel.
Do your palms appear to be more tender and pampered?
Is there any kind of tranquility in the atmosphere?
You might even have spotted a few details about your hands that you did not pay attention to earlier.
This contemplation is not about evaluating the outcome of the task or finding flaws in the work (definitely not the vibe we are going for!).
Rather, it is about acknowledging the nurturing aspects of the practice toward oneself.
Recognize your striving to remain in the moment and the meaning it added to the overall experience.
You can even take this reflection a step further by thinking about how you want to carry this mindfulness into other areas of your life.
Within the confines of that window, can you be more mindful while putting on makeup?
Or while taking a shower?
Such brief periods of awareness may work together towards a more at peace and equilibrated day.
Final Thoughts: Mindful Beauty for the Soul
Hand and nail care is not simply a cosmetic process but a therapeutic one too, and incorporating such a change may seem trivial.
However, it can be very effective.
By simply slowing down and being in the moment, you are not just providing the required attention to the hands but also providing respite for yourself from the overwhelming hustle and bustle of life.
Tip for the next time you are getting your hand cream out or onto your nail file pause for a few seconds take a breath and relish the moment.
Who knows, you just might realize that carrying out your beauty processes is one of the most relaxing activities within your day.
