A quick note from me: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use, love, or believe can support your healing journey. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me create free, heartfelt resources for women like us.
Healing from emotional abuse isn’t a straight line; it’s a tender journey filled with quiet breakthroughs and deep inner work. Over the years, I’ve realized just how important the right self-care essentials are, especially for women like us who’ve spent a lifetime putting others first. If you’re anything like me, you may be over 50 and just now beginning to reclaim space for yourself—for rest, peace, and healing.
I’ve been there, wondering if joy would ever feel natural again or if I truly deserved softness. What I’ve learned is this: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival. It’s how we begin to come home to ourselves.
In this post, I’m sharing twelve self-care essentials that helped me feel whole again. These aren’t just products, they’re gentle reminders that you are worthy of comfort, love, and renewal at every stage of your life.
1. Journal for Reflection
Journaling has been a lifeline in my healing journey. It offers a safe, judgment-free space to process emotions, reflect on experiences, and track growth. Putting thoughts on paper can bring clarity, peace, and perspective when everything feels heavy or overwhelming.
One of my favorite self-care tools is the 5-Minute Gratitude Journal. It is simple, gentle, and compelling. A few minutes daily can help shift your focus toward hope, appreciation, and emotional balance. Over time, this small habit can boost self-awareness and self-compassion—two things every healing heart needs.
If you’re unsure where to start, try these 50 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery and Growth to guide your reflections and deepen your healing journey.
2. Book for Emotional Healing
Understanding how trauma affects both the mind and body was a turning point in my healing. For years, I carried emotional pain without realizing how deeply it was stored in my nervous system.
One book that truly helped me connect the dots was The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. It breaks down the science of trauma in a compassionate, relatable way and offers healing practices like mindfulness, movement, and EMDR. This book gave me language and tools to release what I had held in for so long.
To learn more about Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and his work on trauma and healing, visit besselvanderkolk.com.
3. Calming Tea for Moments of Stress
There’s something incredibly soothing about wrapping your hands around a warm mug when the world feels heavy. Yogi Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea has been one of my favorite self-care rituals during stressful moments.
The calming blend of herbs helps me slow down and breathe more deeply. Whether easing into the day or winding down at night, this tea reminds me to be gentle with myself.
4. Himalayan Salt Lamp for Mindful Ambience
A Himalayan Salt Lamp was one of the first things I added to my healing space. The soft, amber glow helps me relax instantly. I keep it near my journal or beside my bed, and it sets the tone for reflection, stillness, and calm.
It’s a small but powerful way to create a peaceful environment, especially when life feels overwhelming.
5. Weighted Blanket for Comfort and Sleep
Sleep was hard for me after trauma. My mind would spin, and rest felt impossible. Adding a weighted blanket to my routine helped change that. It’s like being wrapped in a hug, soothing, grounding, and safe.
The gentle pressure calms my nervous system and helps me drift into deeper, more restorative sleep. It’s now one of my most trusted nighttime self-care tools.
6. Aromatherapy for Emotional Balance
Scent has an incredible ability to shift my mood and bring me back to the present. I keep a few essential oils on hand for moments when I feel tense, anxious, or overstimulated.
A few drops of lavender, bergamot, or eucalyptus essential oils in a diffuser or warm bath help me feel more grounded and supported. Aromatherapy has become one of my favorite self-care tools to reset throughout the day.
7. Gentle Movement with Yoga or Stretching
After emotional abuse, I felt disconnected from my body. Gentle movement became a way to rebuild that trust. Whether stretching or a few minutes of breath-focused yoga, it helps me release tension and return to myself.
I use a supportive and comfortable non-slip yoga mat, which makes it easier to show up for the practice even when my energy is low. Movement isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about moving with intention and care.
8. Creative Expression Kit
Art journaling, coloring, or crafting is a gentle, screen-free way to process emotions and reduce stress. These creative outlets help you reconnect with yourself while supporting your mental well-being.
One of my favorites is this Inspirational Coloring Book for Women, filled with encouraging phrases and beautiful designs that calm the mind and spark joy. I often reach for it when I need a break or want to unwind before bed. It’s a soothing reminder that healing can also be creative and enjoyable.
9. Boundary-Setting Workbook
For many women healing from emotional abuse, learning to set healthy boundaries is a game-changer. It helps reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and create a stronger sense of safety and calm.
One resource I’ve personally found helpful is this Boundary-Setting Workbook for Women. It offers simple, practical exercises that guide you through identifying your limits, communicating clearly, and prioritizing your needs without guilt. Whether navigating relationships, work dynamics, or reclaiming your time, this workbook can be a powerful support tool on your healing journey.
10. Soothing Bath Soak
There’s something soothing about sinking into a warm bath at the end of a long day. When I add Epsom salts with lavender, my whole body takes a deep sigh of relief. The tension softens, my mind quiets down, and I can finally just be.
This little self-care ritual has become an integral part of my week. It is a gentle way to reset, reflect, and return to myself with tenderness and care.
11. Noise-Canceling Headphones or Sleep Mask
Rest is one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) forms of self-care. Creating a peaceful sleep environment has been essential in my healing. I rely on noise-canceling headphones and a soft sleep mask to help quiet external distractions and support deeper rest.
Whether meditating during the day or trying to fall asleep at night, these tools help signal to my body that it’s safe to relax.
12. A Daily Affirmation Deck or Mindfulness Cards
One of my favorite morning rituals is drawing a card from my daily affirmation deck. Each card has become one of my favorite self-care essentials. It’s a gentle nudge and a truth I can hold onto throughout the day.
These cards sit right by my mirror as a reminder to lead with intention, kindness, and self-compassion. They’re a small but meaningful way to reconnect with your inner voice.
This Is Your Time to Heal
Healing from emotional abuse isn’t linear or straightforward, but it is possible. I hope this list of my favorite self-care essentials is helpful for returning to yourself. Remember: you are allowed to rest. You are allowed to feel joy again.
I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of these self-care tools or if you have others that have supported your healing. Let’s keep this conversation going.
With love,
Angelia xoxo
Quick List of My Self-Care Essentials
Here’s a simple roundup of the self-care essentials I mentioned throughout the post, each one chosen to support your healing, rest, and emotional well-being:
5-Minute Gratitude Journal – for daily reflection and mindfulness
The Body Keeps the Score – to understand trauma and begin healing
Yogi Honey Lavender Tea – for calming moments of rest
Himalayan Salt Lamp – to create a peaceful, grounding environment
Weighted Blanket – for comfort and deeper, restorative sleep
Yoga Mat – for gentle movement and reconnection with your body
Creative Expression Kit – for mindful relaxation and creativity
Boundary-Setting Workbook – to reclaim your voice and protect your peace
Epsom Salts with Lavender – for calming, healing baths
Noise-Canceling Headphones or Sleep Mask – to create space for rest and restoration
Daily Affirmation Deck – for morning inspiration and emotional grounding
A quick note from me: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use, love, or believe can support your healing journey. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me create free, heartfelt resources for women like us.