Healthy Living

Ah, summer–the season where relaxation is embedded into our daily routines and indulging in an extra scoop of ice cream is always acceptable. It’s easy to let our health goals fall by the wayside when everywhere we look people are either jet-setting around Europe or lounging lakeside with a glass of rosé. It feels like a lifetime ago when we set the goal of working out three times a week or meditating every day for 10 minutes on January 1. If New Year’s Day is made for setting resolutions, then summer is the ultimate test of those goals.
While it may be tempting to put a hold on your health goals this summer, there is a way to stick with them and still make the most of the warm weather. So whether you want to keep up with your workout routine, maintain a healthy diet, or improve your mental health, here are six hacks to keep your health goals in check (while still fully enjoying the season). 

1. Adapt to the season and make a plan
Back in January when you set your health goals, you were probably eager, motivated, and committed. Six months later, the initial enthusiasm you felt to see them through may have dwindled, and that’s OK. It just means it’s time to reevaluate and make a new plan, specifically for summer. Review your goals and see where you can make adjustments to make the most of this season. For example, if your goal was to work out more, but the idea of going to a gym while it’s sunny outside sounds awful, move your workout outdoors. Writing out your plan helps put it in motion and holds you accountable for your intentions. 

2. Set aside dedicated time for your goals
For most of us, summer is the busiest time of year. We’re traveling more, attending weddings, and have a busier social calendar, making it harder to find time to prioritize our health goals. But being able to enjoy all that summer has to offer is dependent on our health, so we have to make time for it. Carving out time to carry out your aforementioned plan should be prioritized the same way you would a work meeting or meeting up with friends. Schedule a time block in your calendar every day or every week for the duration of summer, and stick with it!

3. Provide positive reinforcement
Remember being rewarded for something good you did as a kid? Perhaps it was a cookie after lunch for completing your homework or a playdate with friends after doing your chores. Now I’m not saying you should reward yourself every time you get one step closer to reaching your goals, but sometimes a change in mindset can help. Try reframing how you approach your goals by planning fun events or trips as the “pat on your back” for your hard work. It’s the best way to ensure you stick with your goals without sacrificing your summer.

4. Adjust for travel
If you’re anything like me, you eagerly count down the days to your vacation, but also get anxious wondering how you’re going to maintain some semblance of a wellness routine while away. Over the years, I’ve learned to adjust my wellness routine for travel so I can still enjoy the time off and feel good about my health. This might mean fitting in a 15- or 30-minute workout in the morning before everyone else wakes up, packing supplements that can help support your system (I always bring digestive enzymes, a B-complex, probiotics, and a greens powder), or taking some time each day for yourself to meditate or journal. No matter what your health goals are, there is a way to adapt them for travel. Your routine may not be exactly the same as when you’re at home, but that’s part of living a well-balanced life.

5. Find a buddy
Having an accountability buddy not only makes you more likely to stick with your goals but also makes executing them a lot more fun. Find someone who shares similar health goals with you and make a plan together on how to maintain them. Sign up for the same workout classes, make grocery shopping dates, or check in via text with one another each day. Having someone you can share your health journey with allows for a more encouraging environment. 

6. Reflect on your progress
With any long-term goal, it’s necessary to take the time to reflect on your progress, assess everything you’ve learned, and make any adjustments as needed to continue. If you’re six months into your goal of meditating daily, and you’ve stuck with it, congrats! But if you’re someone who fell off the wagon a couple of times, that’s OK too. No matter where you are on your journey, be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Wellness is a lifelong journey, and reflecting on your progress is one of the many joys of it.

Forget #HotGirlSummer–Here Are Lizzo’s Best Tips for Self-Love Summer More

You probably know her best as the pop culture-obsessed Kelly Kapoor in The Office or the hopeless romantic Mindy in her eponymous hit show The Mindy Project, but what you might not know is that Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam and was the sole female writer for the first season of The Office. And ICYWW what she’s been up to since her days at Dunder Mifflin, she’s been hard at work building a media empire with her very own production company, shows Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls, three books, and co-writing Legally Blonde 3—all while maintaining her infectious smile, raising two kids as a single mom, and keeping up her wellness routine. So what’s her secret to juggling it all? After getting to know Mindy through countless interviews (seriously, ask me anything about her), I uncovered seven values she lives by. Hint: They only further prove the point that she’s the BFF everyone wants to have.

Work out because it makes you feel good 
If there was one takeaway I got from reading up on Mindy and her workout regimen, it’s that her MO is focusing on movement that brings her joy. Whether that’s Pilates or PLATEFIT (think: lunges, dips, planks on a vibrating device), she’s a self-proclaimed group fitness junkie who is first in line to try the latest “it” workout. But her tried-and-true forms of exercise? Running on the tread, stretching, and walking. “Surprising the body with lots of different things I think is really good, particularly for my body… I’ve really been mixing it up and knowing that if a workout doesn’t necessarily make me soak my clothes with sweat, that it still was a good workout… It does not have to be punishing,” Mindy told People. “The endorphins that I get from working out centers me. I’m kind of an anxious person and it makes me feel centered and makes me more focused. And I have some of my best creative ideas when I’m working out.” I think we can all agree on that. 
It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows when it came to Mindy’s relationship with her body and exercise though. Because she didn’t fit the mold of what a “healthy” body should look like, she put herself through grueling workouts and hid her enthusiasm for being active. “I used to look at fitness as, like, It’s not successful unless you look a certain way at the end of it, and I’m never going to look a certain way,” she said in an interview with Byrdie. “I used to think there was no point if I wasn’t running for 45 minutes five times a week and then doing an hour of lifting. But, the point is that I feel so much better mentally if I’m in better cardiovascular health.” The moral of the story? Any sort of movement gets a gold star, and the best form of exercise is the one that you find the most fun and will stick with. 

Drink up first thing in the morning 
When it comes to hydration goals, Mindy is queen. In her interview with Byrdie, she said she drinks an “enormous amount of water with lemon” as soon as she gets up. She admittedly does it against her will but keeps up the ritual every morning as a pick-me-up (she doesn’t drink caffeine). And her H2O routine continues with 100 ounces of water throughout the day (if math isn’t your strong suit, like me, that’s equal to 12.5 cups). 
Since coffee and matcha are off the table, Mindy also reaches for a green smoothie, created by celeb nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, in the AM. Mindy’s take on it, or her so-called “cheaty version,” calls for lemon, apple, romaine, celery, spinach, banana, frozen pineapples, and coconut water. Mindy told Marie Claire that regardless of what she eats the rest of the day, she knows she got in a healthy dose of fruits and veggies to start her day. 

Keep your skin in check
Sure, Mindy has her green concoction partly to thank for the glowing complexion she wears so well, but she also credits her beauty product line-up: Dr. Lara Devgan’s Vitamni C+B+E Ferulic Serum, Joanna Vargas’ Daily Hydrating Cream and Daily Green Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen.
There’s no denying that we at The Everygirl dig a good drugstore find, and Mindy is no different. She keeps Cetaphil in her skincare arsenal to cleanse her oily and acne-prone skin (who would have thought?). Chalking her good skin up to not wearing makeup every day, Mindy shared that she feels the most confident with just foundation, strong liner, lots of mascara, and blush. Her favorite part of her whole low-key process? Washing off a day of makeup. “I find it very meditative to take it all off. It feels like self-care,” she told WhoWhatWear. As someone who takes her bra and “face” off as soon as I get home, I totally feel her. 

Embrace self-care
Her face-washing habit, walks, a solid bubble bath, and Selling Sunset are just a few things Mindy calls self-care. “I used to be very conscious of the term self-care because I was worried it seemed self-indulgent,” she says. “But in the last couple of years, I’ve started to really embrace it. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, and it’s really the simplest things that have such a unique power to elevate your mood,” she elaborated to Real Simple.
With the little downtime Mindy has, you might also find her in the kitchen whipping up and sharing a meal of coconut curries with vegetables with her loved ones. And the long-time foodie in her will take her me-time in the form of having dinner out with friends any day. But the foundation of self-care for Mindy comes down to a few small and ordinary hacks she let us in on in her interview with Forbes: hitting the hay at 10 p.m., leaving her phone in another room when she goes to bed, preventing the endless scrolling on IG, getting quality shut-eye, and taking her probiotic. Because sometimes keeping it simple is best. 

Don’t underestimate manifestation
There’s no denying Mindy works hard to get what she wants, but even A-list celebs like her use manifestation to set goals. Mindy’s go-to practice? Vision boards. At first skeptical of their efficacy, she now considers them “a nice mix of creativity and reflection.” 
In her one-on-one with Vogue, she explained her experience creating vision boards: “…in the last month of the year, three of the things I had put on there came true—and they were three big ones—and I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, it was that damn vision board.’ I just had to be patient. And I thought that was a really good lesson because when you put up a vision board it’s not like asking Santa for things. So one of the things I have on the new one is patience, because last time, I took it down. This year, I’m going to try not to do that.” Excuse me while I go gather all of my magazines and make a trip to Office Depot. 
In the same vein, Mindy swears by practicing gratitude to put her in the right headspace. On any given morning, you’ll find her sitting cross-legged, saying what she’s thankful for aloud. “There’s something about having to say it that makes it really real,” she expressed.

Practice body acceptance
Mindy doesn’t let not looking a certain way stand in the way of her love of style and getting dressed up. One quick scroll through Mindy’s IG and you’ll see it’s a collage of colorful, lust-worthy dresses and matching sets. Rather than being confined by societal pressures, she embraces self-awareness and body positivity (you go, girl!). “I’ve always steered away from light-colored jeans or white denim because I’ve never felt comfortable wearing light colors on the bottom half of my body, I think a lot of women feel this way. I’ve decided to make the commitment that when it gets to the dead of summer, I’m going to wear white jeans,” she told Forbes. 
Like for most of us, body acceptance hasn’t come easily or naturally for Mindy. She confessed to Shape that she once held herself to restrictive eating habits the weeks before award shows and fashion events but has since bid them adieu. “I love to eat at restaurants, I love to eat home cooking, and I don’t like restricting my diet. And [now] I’m like, as long as I’m getting enough nutrients and feeling like my heart and my lungs are really getting exercise, I don’t really beat myself up about that.” Mic drop. 

Be unapologetically you
Mindy has made a name for herself as a multi-hyphenate and bringing fictional characters to life on screen. But off-screen, she stays true to herself and makes it a point to bring her most authentic self forward. Case in point: Her snapshots of being a mom and laugh-out-loud memes on IG. In her recent exclusive with People, she articulated how she keeps it real while still striving to grow: “There’s this Maya Angelou quote that’s like, ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’ So to me, that’s what I’ve just been doing.”
When Mindy spoke to Byrdie, she recalled feeling repressed and uncomfortable in her own skin as a young adult, a far cry from the mindset of the actresses on her two shows Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. “Every day, I am struck by how brave and authentic the young women I’m working with are… They are courageous activists and not ashamed of being that way. They love their bodies, and they’re still quirky.” Taking a cue from Mindy and her counterparts, why not be your unique, beautiful self? There’s no one else like you—flaws, insecurities, and all. When you find yourself lost or lacking self-confidence, remember the piece of advice Mindy’s late mother left her: “Always be your own best friend.” 

Sydney Sweeney Swears By These 5 Wellness Habits More

If you’re a member of the skincare and wellness-obsessed club like me, you have go-to treatments that help you either achieve a glowing complexion or zen out. And while we should make time for all the self-care, let’s be honest: It doesn’t always happen. If only there was an all-encompassing remedy that checks off all the boxes…
Behold: red light therapy (AKA RLT). The latest “it” method to hit dermatologists’ offices, spas, gyms, and even homes alike promises everything from skin-enhancing perks to anxiety-alleviating effects. The skeptic in you might be saying, “Is it legit?”, so I turned to experts to get the full scoop on red light therapy. And, of course, I had to see (and experience it) for myself. Ahead, a breakdown of RLT and what happened when I gave it a whirl. 

What is red light therapy?
Considering you’re a fellow wellness junkie, my guess is you’ve seen influencers and celebs donning light-emitting diodes (AKA LED) masks (some reminiscent of horror movies, IMO) flooding your TikTok and IG. Well, they’re treating their face to the magic of RLT. “Red light therapy is a novel light-driven treatment that applies low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to deliver red, far-red, or near-infrared light targeting to modulate cellular metabolism and the functioning of a variety of tissues, including the central nervous system and the brain,” explained Dr. Julie Landry, a board-certified clinical psychologist. In other words, the non-invasive practice sends red wavelengths of light through the skin that our cells absorb and convert to energy, leading to a host of benefits (more to come on that). 
But the regenerative goodness doesn’t stop at your face and masks at home. You can get your glow on in the form of full-body light panels and beds popping up at health-minded hotspots. So how do red light therapy DIY devices compare to treatments you’d find at, say, a health and fitness center? “At-home options cost less and can be used whenever it’s convenient,” said Eden Danaher, Manager of Upgrade Labs Human Upgrade TM Centers in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, the world’s first biohacking (read: the practice of altering your biology for optimal performance) health and fitness facilities taking workouts and recovery to a whole new level. On the other hand, “Professional treatments are more powerful than the at-home varieties, so users can see results sooner and need fewer treatments.” 

What are the benefits?
Anti-aging
According to a study from The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, RLT has been shown to augment tissue repair, promote regeneration and skin rejuvenation, and boost the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin. The result? Getting a leg up on fine lines, pore size, texture, and wrinkles.

Stimulate healing and reduce inflammation
Sounds too good to be true that light can reduce inflammation in the body? A study by Dr. Hamblin of Harvard Medical School may suggest otherwise. When cells absorb red and near-infrared light, ATP (an energy-carrying molecule found in cells), oxygen, and protein production increases, creating anti-inflammatory agents and speeding up healing. To sum it up, RLT can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, and spinal cord.

Muscle recovery
Listen up, fitness fanatics: this one is especially for you. Based on a study determining the effectiveness of RLT on muscle recovery, subjects who received RLT immediately after exercise experienced significantly reduced muscle soreness, muscle strength loss, and range-of-motion impairments. What’s more, another study found that RLT used on college athletes with a wide range of injuries substantially (and safely) reduced their recovery time (nearly twice as quickly as those who did not receive the treatment). 

Mental health 
While Dr. Landry explained that further studies are needed to confirm efficacy, clinical guidelines, and dosing standards, she cited that red light therapy has recently shown promise as a treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. A study in Behavioral and Brain Functions also found that RLT may help improve depression as soon as two weeks after a single treatment. Talk with your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist if you’re interested in adding red light therapy into your mental health routine. Know that more studies need to be done on RLT’s effect on mental health, but if you’re interested in trying it for the other benefits, boosted mood may just be a fringe benefit. 

Are there any side effects or drawbacks to it? 
As with any beauty or wellness program, it’s best to do your homework and check in with your doctor to make sure RLT is safe and effective for you. But generally speaking, there are little to no known risks tied to it. “Red light therapy is relatively safe to use, as it does not contain any UV rays,” said Vanessa Coppola, FNP-BC, a board-certified nurse practitioner, aesthetic specialist, and Owner of Bare Aesthetic Medical Spa. “Although many studies have indicated the potential for benefits of red light therapy, the current literature is lacking in conclusive evidence for its benefits. Bottom line, it appears relatively safe to use, it may help, but there is no current hard evidence that it actually does.”
Danaher added that people on Accutane and other medications that can make the skin photosensitive (sensitive or reactive to sunlight) should avoid RLT. Additionally, RLT should not be used in the case of pregnancy, heart disease, melasma, or hyperpigmentation. 

My experience
Is red light therapy really the holy grail of skin and wellness treatments? I went to Upgrade Labs in Beverly Hills to find out. I stepped into my private room and settled onto the futuristic-looking bed of red LEDs in nothing but my Hanky Panky underwear and goggles (I was told it’s best to have direct contact). Almost immediately, the warmth of the lights put me in a relaxed state, and I fell fast asleep until the 20-minute mark to turn over. As an added bonus, there was a mobile RLT panel that hovered over my face—you better believe I was going to bathe every inch of my body in the light to get the most out of it. 
My final verdict: I would give RLT an 8/10, mostly for its soothing and muscle recovery effects. I had a killer leg sesh before basking in the glow of RLT, and normally I’d be waddling the next day, but to my surprise, I didn’t wake up feeling like I couldn’t walk. While I didn’t notice a change in my complexion, I did get a solid, restorative night of Zzzs without any interruptions. It was a welcomed change since I usually wake up in the middle of the night thanks to all the water I drank taking my nighttime supplements or by my to-do list taunting me. And for the crème de la crème of benefits, I felt after RLT: a sense of being more grounded. It’s safe to say that I’m normally riddled with worry and anxiety, but during and immediately after the 40 minutes of bliss, I was able to tune out the excess noise and reconnect with my body. I was calm, yet simultaneously recharged the rest of the day, with my mind and body at ease. The fountain of youth, closest thing to a cure-all, an all-natural wellness experience—call it what you will. I’m all for it. 

Get red light therapy at home

Please consult a doctor or a mental health professional before beginning any treatments. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

I Tried a Lymphatic Drainage Massage—Here’s What Happened More

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: I’ve been stressed lately. I recently moved across the country, am adjusting to life back in my hometown where there are a million friends and family members to see constantly, am in the home buying process with my partner, and I work two jobs. Sounds like a lot, right? My body thinks so too. I feel like it’s nudging me from the inside and saying, “Hey sis, I know you feel like you have to do everything right now, but why don’t we take a few deep breaths because otherwise, this whole long-term stress thing isn’t going to be pretty.” 
Stress inevitably comes in waves throughout stages of our lives, but it’s how we choose to move through it that determines how we show up for ourselves, our relationships, and our work. For me, I am choosing to intentionally add more zen into my life—even on the not-so-zen days. There are 10 stress-relief products that have helped me calm the chaos and enter my zen-girl era, and I’m sharing them here. No matter what you’re experiencing in life right now, you can incorporate them to help you become the most rested and relaxed version of yourself.

Equilibria Women
CBD Drops
If you ask our team what they have in their toolbox to increase a sense of calm and balance in the face of day-to-day stress, you would hear Equilibria Women CBD products on repeat. These Daily Drops from Equilibria are perfect for fast-acting relief and quickly channeling your inner zen-girl. Our best advice is to add your Daily Drops to your morning latte or smoothie to help improve stress, mood, relaxation, and energy levels, even on the busiest of days.
Use code THEEVERYGIRL for 20% off of your first order at Equilibria!

Essential Oil Diffuser
There are essential oils for literally everything (stress, sleep, productivity, you name it), but they all have one thing in common: They have the ability to enhance our mood and overall well-being. The Vitruvi diffusers are not only beautiful and can act as sleek home decor, but they will help you create an environment that will is grounding (and that smells good too).

Kindle
Staring at a screen for work and then following it up by scrolling the internet to “unwind” is not the road to your zen-girl era (at least not every night). Instead, pick up a book! Many of our editors file their Kindle under “Can’t Live Without” because they are convenient as heck and honestly, encourage us to read even more. Leave it on your bedside table and/or take it with you on your commute to encourage you to read instead of scrolling when you have a few spare minutes. This small switch can do wonders for your anxiety.

Intelligent Change
Gratitude Journal
According to Harvard Health Journal, “gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships,” so it’s no wonder why everyone on TikTok and Instagram is sharing their gratitude journaling practice in their morning routines. If you’re new to journaling or you’re not as dedicated as you’d like to be, The Five-Minute Journal is the perfect way to incorporate a quick, effective, and consistent journaling routine.

Yoga Mat
Yogi or not, this mat is perfect for your zen-girl era. Whether you use it for your daily practice or you roll it out in your living room to do some deep stretching in the morning or before bed, it doesn’t matter how you show up on the mat—it just matters that you do. This offers you a chance to turn inward, notice what you need, and ultimately, improve your mental and physical health.

Moon Juice
Magnesi-Om
Moon Juice calls this magnesium blend “meditation you can sip” because it helps restore cellular balance for relaxation, sleep, brain health, and regularity. Whenever you need an extra dose of calm, all you have to do is dissolve a little bit of this magnesium powder into water. I love it because it dissolves instantly and tastes like berries. Plus, it is 100% traceable, unadulterated, and sustainably sourced which is a total win in my book.

Girlfriend Collective
Matching Set
Matching sets have a way of making us feel like we have our lives together. With little to no thought and a quick outfit change, you can go from feeling “meh” about life to feeling prepared and confident. Wear a matching set to a yoga or pilates class, on your “hot girl” walk, or to meet a girlfriend for coffee. Forget worrying about what to wear, and say hello to an easier, more relaxed way of life.

Primally Pure
Spa Kit
Now, this is the way to the relaxation station. Plan at-home date night(s) for yourself with this spa kit. Start by dry brushing to stimulate your lymphatic system. Next, add in one of the bath soaks—both help to soothe sore muscles, add minerals back into the skin, relax the mind, and detoxify the body. And finally, finish off by applying the body oil to nourish and hydrate your skin. Even writing that process made me relaxed. *Adds to cart*

Sleep Mask
We could go on and on about the side effects of bad sleep, but heightened anxiety is at the top of that list. Think about it: It’s hard to show up as the best, most prepared, and composed version of yourself without being well-rested. This high-quality sleep mask is one small thing you can incorporate into your sleep routine to help your sleep hygiene and ultimately, your mood.

Restore Alarm Clock
I don’t know about you, but the sound of my phone alarm would jolt me awake, spike my cortisol, and send me into a total spiral all before I even opened my eyes. Thankfully, there is a new way to wake up (and wind down). The Hatch Restore gently wakes you up to a custom sunrise alarm clock that supports healthy cortisol levels. It also has soothing sounds, white noise, and a soft-glow reading light.

Sleep Is the New Self-Care: Here’s How You Should Upgrade Your Routine

This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Equilibria, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

Picture this: It’s Monday afternoon, the tail end of a glorious long weekend, and you’re reflecting on a three-day holiday well spent. Laid out poolside while reading and sipping on rosé? Check. Had an epic GNO? Yep. Made the most of an extra weekend day in the summer? You bet. Whether you have a major case of the Monday Scaries or are ready to take on the week like a boss, what you do at the end of a long weekend can make or break the rest of your week. While a magic pill or the snap of a finger can’t promise a happy, healthy, and productive week, there are a few things you can do now to hit the “refresh” button and get ahead. Read on for eight healthy habits to adopt now to set yourself up for your best week, without sacrificing your social life and sanity. You can thank me later. 

1. Prep your mornings for the week
We’ve all been there: You hit snooze one too many times your first day back after a holiday weekend, and now you’re rushing to log in to work, forgoing your entire morning routine. The frenetic energy from said morning throws off the rest of your day. To avoid that nightmare, set your alarm for the week and get up when it goes off (no snooze!), program your coffee maker, pack your lunch (or set it aside in your fridge if you’re part of the WFH club), and choose your ‘fits. While you’re on a roll, prep some make-ahead breakfasts, like overnight oats or hard-boiled eggs. Sure, doing those tasks will take up some of your weekend, but you’ll be glad come Tuesday morning when you have extra time to journal, work out, or enjoy your coffee. You’ll likely notice an increase in your productivity and happiness too. How’s that for a win-win? 

2. Hit the grocery store
I dislike grocery shopping as much as the next girl, but there’s something satisfying about having a fully stocked, organized fridge. It means you have ready-to-go snacks and ingredients to whip up dinner within reach, taking the guesswork out of meals and saving money you’d otherwise spend on Postmates. When you’ve already navigated the aisles of Trader Joe’s and loaded up on cauliflower gnocchi and GoneBananas! (IYKYK) for the week, check out your local farmers’ market. Seeing (and sampling) the fresh seasonal produce just might spark some new meal inspo, whether you’re the next Julia Child or an amateur cook. And, if all else fails, Instacart or Amazon Fresh to the rescue. 

3. Have something to look forward to
When we get stuck in the mindset of living for the weekends, it should come as no surprise that we dread the week ahead. You may feel overwhelmed by your long list of to-dos for the week or bummed that your weekend self-care plans fell by the wayside. But who says you can’t get that lymphatic massage on a Tuesday or set up a matcha date with your BFF mid-week? Instead of viewing the upcoming week as a drag, try romanticizing it by sprinkling in activities or things that fill your cup: sign up for a cooking class with your SO, work from a co-working space or a coffee shop you haven’t tried, or get your nails done.  

4. Plan out your week 
I’m not just talking about work meetings and doctor’s appointments. Those are important but so is taking the time to prioritize whatever motivates you, excites you, and helps you live your best life. Add your workouts to your calendar, pencil in loved ones, and reserve time for self-reflection. Oh, and don’t forget to squeeze in some downtime and sexual pleasure (whether you go solo or with a partner). Because let’s be real: I’m all for spontaneity, but things get in the way (read: life). Remember that aforementioned dread? Mapping out your week will also help you bid farewell to it and its annoying friend, anxiety. 

5. Set financial boundaries
Before you roll your eyes and mutter “ugh” under your breath, hear me out. Knowing where you stand financially and planning your goals accordingly will not only set you up for success in the coming week but also months and years down the line. Look over your expenses with a fine-tooth comb (especially if this holiday weekend got you out of your fun budget for the week or month) and see what you can eliminate or cut down—those little charges add up quickly. The light at the end of the tunnel? Bringing home the shoes you’ve been eyeing, booking the trip to Paris, paying the down payment to your first home. And if you find that you have some extra cash in your pocket after stashing some away, consider outsourcing tasks so you can free up time for something more enjoyable like an impromptu wine tasting to spice up your week.

6. Take a social media break
You probably guessed this was coming. Between work, the news, and show binges, we’re on information overload. Then, there’s the comparison trap we fall into going down the IG rabbit hole. So why not give yourself (and your self-confidence) a break and go on a social media hiatus? Delete the apps for the weekend or keep them off your phone all week long. It’ll do your mental health wonders, but don’t just take my word for it. According to a 2022 study, taking a one-week break from social media improves well-being, depression, and anxiety. Once you’ve reset and you’re ready to re-enter the digital world, FOMO will be a thing of the past.

7. Prioritize sleep
When I think of waking up on the right side of the bed, I equate it to the scene in Cinderella where she dances and sings “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” as she gets out of bed and ready for her day (while birds and mice make her bed and lay out her clothes, of course). Well, getting quality shut-eye isn’t only for fairytales. Substitute fitting all of Season 1 of The Summer I Turned Pretty into one night for a wind-down routine that doesn’t involve a lot of stimulation, like stretching or reading. And as tempting as it may be to sleep in during your three-day weekend, wake up around the same time you normally would during the week. You’ll be more likely to soak up sunlight first thing in the morning which will not only help you sleep more easily at night but also enhance your mood. Plus, you’ll be up and at ’em when that 6 a.m. alarm goes off Tuesday morning. Follow these simple sleeping hacks and Cinderella will have nothing on you (except maybe for her fairy godmother). 

8. Put pen to paper 
In our fast-paced culture, we constantly have countless tabs open in our heads, making it difficult to focus on or remember any given thought, idea, or to-do. Call it journaling, a brain dump, or reflection, writing down the barrage of contents in your mind will help you declutter it, just like you would tidy up and organize your home. Take a few minutes to record anything weighing on you: concerns, problems, unfinished projects, or limiting thoughts. This exercise can help you release anxiety, create space for new ideas and creativity, and establish a jumping-off point for setting goals so you’re refreshed for your week ahead instead of dreading coming back after a long weekend. And if you want to take it a step further, jot down three things you’re grateful for, because it never hurts to practice gratitude. 

How To Get Back on Track When Feeling ‘Meh’ About Life More

Even if you wouldn’t call yourself a “morning person,” the wee hours before the day begins can serve as a great opportunity for self-care, wellness, creativity, reflection, and productivity. Your morning routine and what you do when you first wake up matter because how you spend your morning can set you up for success for the rest of the day. So stop scrolling through TikTok or hitting snooze, and try these 12 things right when you wake up.
FYI, you don’t need to check every item off the list every day to be considered “healthy” (no one has time for that!). The goal is to offer inspiration for you to prioritize your health, turn happiness into a routine, and make the most of your mornings—whatever that looks like to you. Use these 12 things as inspo to experiment with or adapt to your morning routine in whatever way feels best, but above all, make your mornings work for you (yes, even before 8 a.m.). 

1. Drink a big glass of water
Drinking more water is one of the best things you can do for your body. Especially after sleeping all night, it’s important to rehydrate as soon as you wake up as a part of your morning routine to feel more energized. Make it a goal to drink a big glass of water in the morning right after you get out of bed (or before—no judgment). Before downing a cup of coffee, grabbing a bite to eat, or taking a shower, make it a part of your usual morning repertoire to rehydrate your body as soon as possible to avoid feeling sluggish or tired.

2. Establish a skincare routine and stick to it
So you work out, eat well, and drink water, but don’t forget to take care of your skin too. All you need is a quick routine, but if you have extra time or you love extra indulgence, put on a face mask or massage in oil while you brush your teeth. You’ll be taking care of your skin for the long term while reaping serious instant-glow benefits for the rest of the day. And remember that it’s not just the skin above your neckline that’s important. Take care of the rest of your body with hydrating body lotion or oil, and apply the same care as you would to your face on your neck and décolletage.

3. Set your alarm a few minutes earlier than you need to
If your mornings feel like a race against the clock, consider waking up a litter earlier to have a slow, calm start to your day. You might have limited control over your mornings (like an early work start time or a child to take care of), so waking up just 10-15 minutes earlier than you need to will help you feel more in control and calm throughout the entire day. Whether you spend your time meditating, indulging in a luxurious skincare routine, or simply listening to the quiet and satisfying sound of your coffee brewing, you will not miss the few extra minutes of sleep.

4. Don’t look at your phone
If the first thing you do after your alarm goes off is check your email or answer text messages, we need to talk. You’re starting your day off reacting to what others need from you instead of giving yourself time to focus on what you need. Give yourself a little time to be fully present instead of falling prey to a reactive, response mode from all of your notifications and alerts. Stay off social media, don’t check your email, and ignore text message alerts for at least 30 minutes after waking up.

5. Make your bed
Not only will it feel good to get into a made bed later at night, but it’s also important for the success of your day. Making your bed first thing every morning means one small win before you even have a cup of coffee, which subconsciously will motivate you to achieve thousands of small wins throughout the day (and you know what they say about small wins: They lead up to really big ones). Plus, Gretchen Rubin found in her research that it’s the easiest and most common daily habit you can do to boost happiness.

6. Carve out 15-30 minutes for yourself
Maybe you’re used to getting straight to work tasks or your to-do list, and you tell yourself you’ll meditate, move your body, or sit and read later in the day, but how often does that really happen? Place “me time” at the top of your to-do list instead of hoping you’ll have time later by setting aside 15-30 minutes every morning to do something just for you. Write, draw, paint, listen to your favorite playlist, practice French—whatever it is, make sure it’s something you’re excited to do. Another option is to spend a few minutes reflecting before beginning your day by journaling or meditating.

7. Connect with someone you love
We’re all about some alone time, but connecting with the people you love is a crucial part of your self-care routine too. Connecting first thing during your morning routine will give you the warm and fuzzies all day long and help you remember that the point of life is to enjoy it. Pause for a minute to pet your dog, smile at your roommate, call your mom, kiss your significant other, or write a thank you card to a coworker. All it takes is 60 seconds to check in and reconnect with the people you love most. 

8. Eat (or prep) a healthy breakfast
PSA for those of you who claim to not have time for breakfast: Breakfast is a crucial opportunity to fit in more nutrients and give your body energy to get through the day. If you don’t feel like eating when you first wake up, no worries. You can always eat something later in the morning when you are hungry—just try not to skip straight to lunch altogether. Not sure what to make? Try these breakfast bowls, healthy breakfast ideas, and sweet or savory options. If your mornings are usually rushed, prep your breakfast the night before to make your morning routine a little quicker.

9. Clean one area of your home
Ugh, we get it. Who wants to do chores before a long day of work? We’re not suggesting you pull out the mop bucket or deep clean an entire room first thing in the morning (we can’t all be Monica Gellar!). You can truly make a huge impact in less than 15 minutes by putting away laundry, wiping the counters, or unloading the dishwasher. You’ll be able to enjoy your day and feel less scattered when your space is clean. Plus, you won’t be pushing off more chores to do later. 

10. Prep lunch or dinner
Eating healthy requires thought and preparation. If you wait until you’re starving to think about your next meal, you’re more likely to go get fast food or heat up something from the freezer. If you only have a minute, plan what you’re going to eat for the rest of the day, much like you plan out your calendar and to-do list. It can either be a recipe based on what you’re craving or what you’re going to order from the restaurant down the road. If you have 10-20 minutes, start chopping veggies or even throw ingredients into your instant pot. It will save you time later and ensure you’re making the healthiest decisions possible. 

11. Make a to-do list
It’s easy to start the day with your head swimming with everything you need to do. Stop, take a breath, and start writing. Writing everything down on paper will make it easier for you to focus on one task and feel less overwhelmed. Don’t forget to also prioritize life goals. Of course, you’ll always have to do the mundane house chores or tedious tasks, but figure out where you can outsource those items and prioritize what will get you closer to your goals first.

12. Move your body
Aside from helping you feel accomplished, adding a workout to your morning routine will help your body feel more awake, energized, and productive throughout the day. But don’t worry: If you don’t have the time (or energy) to go on a run, do a fitness class, or get to the gym before 8 a.m., you don’t need a full workout to reap the benefits. Try going on a walk to get outside, doing a quick yoga flow to move your body, or stretching to warm up your muscles. No matter what type of movement your body craves in the morning, it will help wake you up and keep you energized all day.

These Products Will Make You Excited to Get Out of Bed

  More

Let me set the scene: It’s a Sunday morning. Your mouth is drier than the Sahara desert, your head hurts from a Saturday of dancing and sipping on margs, and you’re desperately trying to forget the horror that was you, singing a cringeworthy rendition of Celine Dion to a bunch of strangers during last night’s karaoke sesh. The only thing that will spare you from extinction? An ice-cold, blue Gatorade. You beeline through the CVS aisles, secure the bag, and head to self-checkout. The kiosk reminds you to “grab your receipt” and you find yourself baffled at the concept of how one singular item can yield 6 whole feet of paper. But then you remember—you’re too hungover to care.
I’ve been using “CVS receipt” as a unit of measurement for as long as I can remember, and while it’s not a standardized length, it’s synonymous for “ungodly long.” There’s no better way to describe a to-do list that contains a massive number of action items including, but not limited to, responding to emails, prepping for meetings, getting a few steps in, and following up on project after project. And on days where my to-do list is CVS-receipt long, I tend to lean on my holy grail CBD products from Equilibria.
I used to be a person who was up for the challenge of an impending deadline, straddling multiple tasks at once, and being a “yes” girl to any last-minute task that came my way. Now? A bursting-at-the-seams, busy day is enough to send me into a spiral, which can negatively impact my mood, my ability to focus, and the wind-down when it comes time for sleep. To make sure my mind and body are right on my busiest days, these are the three CBD products I lean on.

1. To calm my nerves as anxiety creeps in:

I have a love-hate relationship with to-do lists. They’re the only way that I can keep my life together, but, also, when it starts to get long, my anxiety tends to creep in and get to a point where it cripples me from even tackling tasks, which—you guessed it—leads to even more anxiety. Enter my Equilibria Rapid Calming Melts, which I reach for when I feel my flight-or-flight response kicking into a self-sabotaging overdrive. I love these because they have a rapid onset and help bring some zen to my inner chaos without making me sleepy.

Equilibria
Rapid Calming Melts
When you need fast support from your CBD, these mint-flavored, Rapid Calming Melts have your back. With innovative technology focused on maximizing absorption, these help provide you with greater calm in little to no time at all.
Use code theeverygirl for 20% off your first order at Equilibria!

2. To get in a flow state that yields results:

One of the biggest selling points that enticed me to start taking CBD in the first place was learning that it can help improve focus. And once I realized there would be a possibility that my brain wouldn’t jump from singing the Empire Carpet theme song to re-experiencing the embarrassment of the most recent time I said “you too” when the waiter told me to “enjoy my food” in a matter of 0.02 seconds, I said, say no more. I especially feel like my attention span is poor when I’m stressed (see above: anxiety) and when I have caffeine on board, which, let’s be honest, I almost always do.
I love using the Daily Drops from Equilibria in my coffee or matcha latte in the morning to help me zone back in and get things done. My caffeine helps me perk up a bit while the CBD helps me block out the noise and focus, which has proven to be such a great solution when it comes to achieving a flow state that helps me produce results.

Equilibria
Daily Drops
These editor-favorite Daily Drops are perfect for targeted, fast-acting results. Looking to regulate your mood and stress levels, manage discomfort, and increase focus? Look no further. These CBD drops have you covered.
Use code theeverygirl for 20% off your first order at Equilibria!

3. To wind down after working in overdrive all day long:

By this point, it’s no secret: I’m a bit of a head case. On busy days when I’m jumping from task to task and grinding it out, it can be really hard for me to turn my brain off and carve out time for relaxation and rest. And if there’s one thing I learned over the past few years of burning myself out with work and life, it’s that finding time amongst a busy day to do things I love, recharge, and truly rest is absolutely crucial for my ability to bounce back the next day. When it comes time for bed, I love taking the Equilibria Sleep Gummies and lulling myself to sleep with a light, low-stakes read. 
I’ve used a lot of sleep aids to help me wind down in the past, but truly, nothing works as well as Equilibria’s formula. These gummies contain 25 mg of CBD and 5 mg of cannabinol, which helps to synergistically enhance the CBD’s effectiveness. I take them one hour before bed and have such an easier time calming down, falling asleep, and staying asleep. It has been such a game-changer for me to wake up feeling rested, better able to manage my anxiety, and ready to take on whatever the day (and the CVS-receipt-esque to-do list) has in store.

Equilibria
Sleep Gummies
Sleep Gummies are formulated with powerful, premium, high-quality CBD along with CBN and a botanical blend of Chamomile and L-theanine. Boasting rich notes of Bordeaux Cherry, these gummies are a delicious way to maximize calm and lull you to sleep.
Use code theeverygirl for 20% off your first order at Equilibria!

13 Summer WFH Essentials That Will Elevate Your Desk Setup

This post is sponsored by Equilibria, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More