70s Self-Care Rituals: How to Embrace Retro Wellness Today

Somewhere between flower crowns and lava lamps, a softer kind of self-care bloomed. Long before apps, green juices, or hustle culture, 70s self-care was about tuning in—not zoning out. It was soulful, slow, and filled with peace, plants, and personal power. There were no to-do list hacks or productivity podcasts—just incense, herbal tea, and a deeper connection to your body and the Earth.

And honestly? We could all use a little more of that mellow magic today.

If your soul is craving rest, simplicity, and a little flower power sparkle—this post is for you. Let’s take a deep breath, slip off our shoes, and explore the groovy rituals that defined a gentler kind of wellness… and how to bring it into our lives now.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share things that truly vibe with my retro soul.

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Peace, Plants & Personal Power: The Roots of 70s Self-Care

70s self-care wasn’t trendy or polished—it was earthy, intuitive, and deeply personal. For many, especially women and people of colour, tending to the body and spirit was a quiet act of resistance. A reclaiming of softness in a world that demanded hardness.

And at the heart of that care? The Earth herself.

The kitchen table was the altar. A mortar and pestle. A handful of dried chamomile. A bundle of herbs hung to dry near the window. From peppermint for digestion to lavender for calm, natural remedies weren’t just wellness—they were wisdom.

✨ Self-care was sacred. Rooted in rhythm, ritual, and what the Earth gave freely.

Want to create your own groovy apothecary corner?

• Brew a soothing herbal tea (this organic peace and calm tea blend is one of my faves)
• Crush dried herbs in your own little wooden mortar. Just like the ones that sat on every herb-loving granny’s shelf in ’75.
• Burn a bundle of lavender while letting your breath slow down

This groovy ceramic incense holder or this “Trippy Hippie” mug adds that retro soul touch—like something straight from your grandma’s sunlit kitchen in 1974.

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Analog Nights: A Screen-Free Ritual Worth Reviving

Back in the 70s, “unplugging” wasn’t a buzzword—it was just life. Evenings flowed with vinyl records, soft candlelight, handwritten letters, and slow conversations under dim lamps. There were no notifications, no doomscrolling—just music, stillness, and presence.

✨ This was 70s self-care at its quietest and most soulful.

Recreate that vibe with your own analog night:

• Spin a dreamy record
• Light a candle and write a letter by hand
• Curl up and journal in a soft-lit corner while your cat claims the coziest chair in the room

To set the mood, this retro style Bluetooth speaker and groovy notebook are perfect companions for turning any evening into a mellow moment. No screens. No pressure. Just vibes.

Don’t miss my post on “The Joy of Analog” for even more soulful slow-living inspo. 🌙

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Astrology, Crystals & Spiritual Care

The 70s were spiritually rich. Astrology columns filled every magazine, tarot decks were shuffled at candlelit gatherings, and crystals were more than decoration—they were tools for healing and self-awareness.

But spiritual care wasn’t loud. It was personal. Private. Grounded.

It looked like this: a bundle of palo santo tied with twine. Lavender for clarity. Amethyst for calm. Rose quartz for love. Lighting a candle with intention, pulling a tarot card in the quiet of morning, or journaling by moonlight.

✨ This is what 70s self-care looked like: slow, sacred, and soft.

To create your own mellow ritual:

• Keep a little pouch with rose quartz or amethyst
• Light a candle and let the scent guide you inward
• Journal or draw a card under the moonlight

This starter crystal kit is perfect for beginners, and I’m obsessed with this 2025 moon phase wall calendar to help sync your energy with lunar cycles. (I’ll update this with a 2026 version as soon as it drops!)

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70s Self-Care Through Movement: For the Soul, Not the Scale

In the 70s, movement wasn’t tracked—it was treasured. A gentle bike ride through town. A stroll to the market with flowers in your basket. Dances that ended in laughter, not sweat. People moved to feel alive—to connect, not to perform.

✨ This was movement with soul. Movement with stories.

Forget the grind. Forget the burn. In the world of 70s self-care, movement was freedom. It looked like:

• Cruising through town on a vintage bike with nowhere to be
• Pedalling slowly past cafés and record shops, just to soak in the world
• Wandering with music in your ears and a daydream in your heart

This wasn’t fitness. This was flow.

This was your body as a vessel of joy—not a project to fix.

Want to keep that mellow magic alive? Don’t miss “3 Groovy Ways to Slow Down” for even more retro restfulness.

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Express Yourself: Beauty as Self-Care

In the 70s, beauty wasn’t about blending in—it was about beaming out. A swipe of blue eyeshadow, wild curls let loose, bell bottoms sweeping the floor… fashion and beauty were love letters to your inner world.

✨ It was expression. It was ritual. It was power in soft form.

Today, embracing your look can still be deeply grounding. Brush your hair slowly while music plays. Dab on that floral perfume. Slip into something that makes your soul feel seen.

Throw on that embroidered kaftan. Try those oversized sunnies. Tuck a flower behind your ear—just because it makes you smile.🌼

I’m in love with this boho kimono. It turns lazy mornings into vintage rituals, where you sip tea, spin records, and sway like it’s 1974.

And this absolutely gorgeous headband set that comes in multiple colours, adds instant 70s flair to any outfit.

If you want even more fashion inspo, check out my blog post on how 60s and 70s Fashion Trends Still Inspire Today for more groovy outfits.

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Final Thoughts: Mellow Is a Lifestyle

70s self-care wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence. A slower, softer way of living. A candle lit with intention. A teacup cradled gently between your hands. A flower tucked behind your ear just because it made you feel beautiful.

It was rebellious in its tenderness. Radical in its rest.

✨ So light the incense. Dance barefoot. Brew the tea and let it steep for a while longer. You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to be soft.

The groovy life isn’t gone—it’s right here, waiting for you to step back into it.

🌸 Psst… want to create your own mellow rituals?
I’ve made a self-care journal bundle and a heartfelt eBook full of gentle, soulful tips—inspired by retro wellness and flower-power vibes. You can grab them in my Etsy shop right here. They pair perfectly with a cup of herbal tea and a groovy playlist. ✌🏽🌼

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🌺 Shop the Vibe

✨Everything I’ve shared in this post is chosen with so much love — little pieces of the 70s reimagined for today’s gentle rebel soul.✨

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🌟 Keep the Mellow Mood Going:

• Romance in the 60s and 70s: Why It Still Matters
• Why the Women of the 60s Still Inspire Me Today
• 5 Groovy Lessons from Woodstock That Still Matter Today

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💬 Let’s Chat:

Do you have a favourite retro self-care ritual? I’d love to hear it. Drop it in the comments or come hang out with me on Pinterest @mellowvibesonly. Let’s spread the flower power blooming together. 🌼

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Peace and Love ✌🏽🌼

Angie