ALL THE WOMEN, WHO INDEPENDENT, THROW YOUR HANDS UP AT ME

Your alarm goes off, and you immediately immerse yourself in the world of your phone. Sound familiar? It’s all about the inbox, replying to work emails, and diving into social media. It’s so common, but the repercussions of this behavior create a tsunami of bad vibes for our health. 

Here’s why. When you first wake up, your brain changes from delta waves that occur during deep sleep to theta waves, which are correlated to a daydreamy state (yum). The brain then moves along again, into alpha waves when you’re awake, relaxed, and still not processing a lot of information. 

Backtrack, and you can see why nosediving into your phone first thing forces your body to skip the important theta and alpha stages. This seemingly innocuous habit means we go straight from the delta stage to the beta state, AKA being alert and awake. While we’re at it, know that the theta stage is especially important as it’s the ideal time for people to tap into the subconscious mind, visualize goals and desires, and free-flow thinking without censorship or guilt. 

Reframe the morning phone ritual now, and you’ll see how checking your phone first thing can induce stress, which carries through the rest of the day. You’re essentially prioritizing work emails and putting yourself on edge by simply seeing or reading something negative when you should be fetal, cozy, and vulnerable. 

What to do? Our step one is all about setting yourself up for success by creating a mindful, sacred morning ritual. That’s with zero phone time. Aim big and try to avoid your phone for the first hour after you wake up, and if that isn’t possible, give yourself what you can, even if it’s just 10 minutes. This little, powerful act will create a phone-free ritual and a space to set positive intentions for the rest of the day. 

Instead of your phone-filler, try incorporating some of these into your sacred morning routine:

• Mindfully make your morning coffee or tea. That means taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and being in the moment. 
• Make time for some meditation or breathwork practice. Studies show activities like this can balance your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety. 
• Prioritize exercise or go for a walk. That could be the school run or an actual run. What’s important is getting out into the world. 
• Spend time outside. Remember that getting direct sunlight in the morning can improve your sleep, boost mood, and support overall wellness.
• Listen to music or a podcast while you get ready. Escapism and a sense of connection can transport you to a happy place. 
• Gratitude and self-affirmation journaling. To refocus, reframe, and refuel your happy vibes. 

Have you heard of vagal tone? Well, vagal tone refers to how well the vagus nerve is functioning. Simple! And the vagus nerves are the main nerves of your parasympathetic nervous system. This system is integral to regulating essential physiological functions including digestion, immune system, and heart rate. 

If you think about it, as the vagus nerve serves as such a critical part of the gut-brain connection and other systemic connections, if it isn’t working like a dream, you’re at greater risk for experiencing conditions like gastrointestinal issues, depression, anxiety, and heart disease. 

In good news, the practices that help support the gut and brain (think exercise, deep breathing, and a healthy diet for starters) can also help strengthen your vagal tone. But it doesn’t end there, because there are additional practices you can do throughout the day to stimulate the vagus nerve. Singing, humming, laughing, (yes, really!) and cold-water exposure can all support vagal tone. At the same time, these things also offer mood management and immune system benefits. If that’s not a reason to “turn up our happy”, we don’t know what is! If you want to get really into it, specific vagus nerve exercises like voo techniques are another way to address moments of overwhelm and stress head-on.

Consistent exercise has been proven to enhance mood, strengthen muscles and bones, and boost energy levels among other perks. So, why do we often cringe at the thought of it, and how can we change that kneejerk reaction? 

The key to consistency starts with doing the exercise you love. This will help you to create achievable habits and stick with them. For you, that might be a Pilates class with your girlfriends, walks with your family in the evenings, or a quick gym and sauna session. There are no rights or wrongs here, so take the time to find what type of movement you like and get excited about making it part of your life. 

Admittedly, some days you might be more blah about working out, or your PMS might slow you down. When this happens, try other feel-good ways of activating your body like stretching, gentle yoga, sauna, massage, or utilizing active recovery tools. And remember, carve your own path here. Some people feel energized and ready to rock at work after an AM workout, and others like to burn off tension in the evening. Do “you” here and find what works best for you and your wellness routine.

Starter fact for you: did you know that up to 50% of Americans are magnesium deficient? Why does this matter anyway? Knowing that magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzyme reactions puts it into perspective. If fact, magnesium helps with essentials like combating depression and anxiety and promoting better heart health. 

Also note, a magnesium deficiency can cascade into other issues like vitamin D deficiency. Any vitamin or mineral deficiency can cause a myriad of symptoms, cueing further issues down the road. If we had to sum up, suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies can impact your quality of life in all aspects and compromise your badassery!

We advocate getting your vitamins and minerals from whole food sources, but if needed, supplements can be a good backup option. Before you race to the supplement aisle, focus on a nutritious, whole food diet to give your body the nourishment it needs. Also, get some blood work done so you can supplement or make changes in your diet with intention. Working with a nutritionist can also help optimize overall wellness so your body is fueled in the best way possible. This is all about nourishing your body mindfully to boost your longevity and reclaim your power. 

Take it from us, it’s never too late to start dating yourself. Maybe you’re in a loving relationship or happily single but taking yourself on dates is still an empowering way to meet your own needs. 

Solo dates allow you to “get to know you” and develop a relationship with yourself. It’s all too easy to get consumed with relationships with others, or even slam ourselves mentally like we wouldn’t do a friend. Through all this, we forget the importance of being kind and checking in with ourselves, equaling a head-on impact on all our relationships with everyone else. 

The question is where to begin! It can be as simple as taking a bath alone with all your favorites (yes, that might be our Soak Indulgent CBD Bath Salts) and asking yourself intentional questions. You can also try self-massage, which can release tension and reduce stress and anxiety. Add this to the benefits of CBD creams, and you can amp up the feel-good factor even further.  

Each time you take yourself on a date, you can start to open up deeper. This helps build that critical self-trust for supporting yourself, understanding your core values, and exploring your dreams and goals. Here are some of our favorite solo date ideas:

• Enjoy a meal at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to visit – bringing a journal or book can help make this feel less awkward
• Take a class like candle making or painting
• Get outside for a walk or a hike
• Visit a museum or art gallery
• Book a spa day or have one at home
• Self-massage your hands, neck, and feet for optimum relaxation