Self-care is more than just bubble baths and getting enough sleep. Here at Vespertine, we’re ready for a new take on this trend — one that prioritizes your intimate health as well.

“Sexual health is something that is often not spoken about enough even though it plays a large part in our daily lives. It also has a strong impact on both our physiological and emotional health. I believe it’s time to shine a spotlight on the integral role it plays in our overall health, wellness, and happiness while working towards improving this aspect of our lives,” says Dr. Asif Luqman, MD, OB/GYN at Jefferson Healthcare Clinic.

When developing a self-care routine, it’s important to start small. To make it as easy as possible, we’ve put together a short list of ways to incorporate intimate health and wellness into your New Year’s self-care routines.

Self examinations

Routinely examining your breasts and genitalia keeps you in tune with your body and gives you the opportunity to check for abnormalities in between doctor visits.

The Penis Book by Aaron Spitz prominently features an easy-to-follow holistic five-step plan for optimum penis health. Breast: the Owners’s Manual by Dr. Kristi Funk is a comprehensive, practical, and accessible guide to breast health.

Now is also a great time to schedule your annual exams, including your breast and prostate exams if you’re over 40!

Invest in a good lube

As we get older, it’s normal for our body’s natural lubrication to diminish. Invest in your vaginal health with a quality personal lubricant that you can use anytime you need it. The Love Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel by Good Clean Love is formulated to mimic the body’s natural equilibrium with perfectly calibrated Ph levels, salt balance and the same type of beneficial lactic acid produced by healthy lactobacilli for a truly natural and healthy lubricating response.

Lubrication also plays an important role in caring for and protecting your skin. When moisture is lost our dermal layers become more vulnerable to infections as we age. Deciding between water-based, silicone-based, oil-based or hybrid lubricant can feel very tedious but finding the right one for you can improve your skin and make intimate activities more enjoyable. Experiment with different lubes in varying amounts to see what feels best to you. If you are planning on using condoms or toys, remember to choose a compatible product.

Come clean

Cleaning your vibes before and after each use is important to protect your body from unwanted germs and bacteria and to keep them in tip-top condition. One of our favorite cleansers is the Hand & Vibe Cleaner by Dame.

Choose to be shame-free

Our society has been indoctrinated to feel shame about our bodies. But what if we all practiced compassion for ourselves and others? What if we all chose radical self love and allowed ourselves to not only love our bodies but to celebrate them?

Sonya Renee Taylor, author of The Body Is Not An Apology, “invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies.”

This is why we chose this book to be our first official Vespertine Book Club book! We’ll be starting in January and plan to check in monthly to discuss ideas and ask questions and we’d love for you to join us. Each read will be focused on topics relating to Vespertine’s message of lifelong sexual wellness and we’ll explore ideas like body positivity, sexual health and self-care.

We encourage you to try something new in 2022! If you have any questions, visit Vespertine Boutique at 914 Water St. in Port Townsend, or call us at 360-344-2654.