Healthy Living

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not good with change. And this in-limbo transition from summer to fall is not doing me any favors. While I love a sun-kissed glow as much as the next girl, I could do without the triple-digit heat we’re bracing for in LA, seasonal allergies, and overall fatigue.
As we begin our September, I can only hope that sweater weather suddenly appears with the drop of all things pumpkin-spice-flavored at Trader Joe’s. I’m ready to say au revoir to hot girl summer and welcome all the cozy fall feels with open arms—give me all the fuzzy blankets! From switching up how I sweat it out to how I care for my skin, I’m spicing up my wellness routine this fall. Read on for five simple summer-to-fall swaps to hit reset and embrace the season ahead.  

1. Reassess your workouts 
A new season is a perfect time to reassess what type of movement is working for you. Your body needs different things at different times, so taking the time to update your workout is crucial. If you’re going through the motions with your hot girl walk routine, it may be time to switch things up. Try adding a pair of wrist weights to level up your current workout. Or, switch up your workout itself by introducing intervals of lunges, push-ups, or squats into your routine. If you enjoy running, try changing up your route.
When the crisp autumn air finally hits, take it inside and try a new workout on obé Fitness. If your body is craving more low-intensity workouts than high-energy exercises, channel your inner Hailey Bieber and become a Pilates girl. No matter what your workout routine looks like or what your body is craving this time of year, take the time to check in with yourself and do what feels best for you. 
If there’s ever a good excuse to get some new workout clothes, it’s a change in seasons. There’s no denying a new workout ‘fit puts a pep in your step—and makes it harder to skip the gym to rewatch Gilmore Girls for the umpteenth time. So don’t be left in the cold (literally) in a sports bra and biker shorts. Work in a pair of new leggings or, better yet, a matching set that screams fall (think: olive greens, mauves, and browns) into your activewear rotation.

2. Revamp your skincare regimen 
PSL season means it’s time to start thinking about layering more than just our clothing. That’s right. I’m talking about your skincare products, ladies! Sub out your lightweight summer products for richer creams and serums to avoid the dry skin that accompanies cooler weather. That’s not to say you need to overhaul your entire skincare routine—a few minor adjustments will do the trick.
Start by swapping your gel cleanser and moisturizer for cream-based alternatives. Opt for a serum with hyaluronic acid. These quick swaps will help lock in moisture. Consider adding vitamin C oil to boost your skin’s antioxidants and achieve a J.Lo-esque glow. Keep your SPF on hand because those UV rays are still strong in the colder months. As tempting as it may be to slough off any dry, flaky skin, cut down on exfoliating if you’re prone to irritation, and forgo products with fragrance and alcohol. Oh, and don’t forget to hydrate the rest of your body to limit any itchiness that the drop in humidity can bring.

3. Reach for local, in-season fall produce 
Eating what’s in season not only provides your body with more nutrients but also helps you save money and the environment. So, what foods should you be stocking up on come fall? Opt for fruits like apples, pears, and citrus fruits, along with root veggies like squashes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. This time of year, these fruits and veggies are preferable to raw, cooling foods like smoothies and salads. To round out a well-balanced diet, load up on healthy fats (think: coconut oil, avocado, and nuts) and warming spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cumin. From soups to pasta to desserts, there’s no shortage of fall recipes that are as comforting as they are nourishing. Bottom line: Fill your plate with warm, grounding foods à la Ayurvedic practices to keep your body healthy and balanced. 

4. Re-establish a consistent sleep schedule 
With the buzz and laid-back vibes of summer, my beauty rest hasn’t exactly been on point. (Those under-eye bags don’t lie.) In anticipation of the shorter days ahead, getting our healthy sleep habits back on track is especially important. Getting quality rest requires waking up at the same time every morning, making sunlight your first order of business daily, prioritizing movement, keeping your bedroom at a cool 65 degrees (give or take), and creating a healthy pre-bedtime routine. And, no, that routine does not include binge-watching. Incorporating some light reading or journaling can do wonders to quiet your mind for a restful night’s sleep.

5. Marie-Kondo your life
Who says sprucing up your home is reserved for spring? It turns out that taking a page out of Monica Gellar’s book can improve your mood, reduce stress, and increase productivity. So with the onset of autumn, take the time to declutter and clean your space for the sake of your physical and mental health.  
What better time to slow down and look inward than this seasonal shift from summer to fall? As we prepare for the new season, it’s the ideal time to let go of what’s no longer serving us. Ask yourself, “What’s weighing you down?” Consider what may be holding you back in your health, career, and relationships. It may even be helpful to write this out. Then, shed any limiting habits, thoughts, and fears to make room for new energy and opportunities. In other words, “Out with the old, in with the new.” Once you’ve released this baggage, set new intentions and create a clear path to follow through with them. Could you use more self-care? Pare down your to-do list, leaving only the necessary tasks, meetings, and appointments. This will allow you time to focus on your well-being. 

How To Get Out of End-of-Summer Health Slump More

I’ve always had the reputation around the office as the girl who would try anything: cycle syncing (did it), affirmation training (crushed it), face washing with honey (made it my personal revolution). It’s a well-earned reputation, as I very literally would try anything on the quest to become my best, healthiest, most energetic, and happiest self. I suppose I’m a bit of an over-achiever, or as friends and family might say, too extra.
But Ayurveda is different. It’s not a trend I heard about on TikTok and will forget about in a few months. I actually first learned about Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system with roots in the Indian subcontinent (stemming from the ancient Vedic culture), years ago in my freshman year of college. A lightbulb immediately went off, and I spent the next few years researching Ayurveda, going to an Ayurvedic practitioner, and even writing my senior thesis on the relationship between Ayurveda and religion. It’s what got me started on my own healing journey and made me interested in health and wellbeing enough to turn it into a career. 
Before we dive into rituals that you can start implementing into your life today, know that Ayurveda is incredibly complex; it’s an entire system of medicine with spiritual and emotional elements. It cannot be summarized in one article–especially not by me who is by no means an expert. I am sharing tips that I implement in my everyday life, but if you’re new to Ayurveda, I urge you to learn more about the history, culture, and complexities of the form of medicine that’s been practiced for the past 3,000 years—it just might change your life as it did mine. 

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine that’s still widely practiced today. In Sanskrit, ayurveda translates to “the science of life.” To briefly summarize (but how do you fit 3,000 years into 1,500 words!?), Ayurveda identifies three principal energies of the body: vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth), known as doshas. “If one element is out of balance, they all have the potential to be affected,” explained Tracy Adkins, a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic practitioner. Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, everyone has their own particular pattern and balance of doshas. The practice of Ayurveda is to create a balance of body, mind, and consciousness (according to each body’s individual constitution). 
“Ayurveda teaches us to have as much respect for our external surroundings as we do for our inner milieu, empowering self-care, personal wisdom, and promoting lifelong health,” Adkins said. Finding your dosha and lifestyle recommendations tailored to your individual constitution is a detailed exploration and extremely complex that can be done with an Ayurvedic practitioner, but there are lots of quizzes online to get you started (I like this one from Sahara Rose).

Ayurvedic rituals that have changed my life

1. “Healthy” means something different for every body
PSA: Every body needs different things, and healthy looks different to everybody. “Ayurveda is based on the premise of balance and individuality,” Adkins explained. “What is balanced for one individual will not be the same for the next person, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.” If you’re working on eating healthy and creating a workout routine, don’t just follow diet and exercise trends because your favorite celebrity or influencer promises weight loss or glowing skin. Instead, Ayurveda tells you to eat and work out depending on your dosha balance.
For example, “Most Kapha-dominate individuals should follow a lower carb diet, and exercise vigorously most days of the week to feel energized and optimal,” Adkins stated. “If a Vata-dominant person followed the same regimen, they would likely end up depleted and ill. A Pitta person would end up irritable, hungry, and with some skin breakouts.” Bottom line: Eat and exercise based on what is best for your body and dosha. I’ve spent my life eating salads thinking this was “healthy” for me but got consistent stomach cramps and nausea after eating them. Switching to warm, dense foods like stews or soups has relieved my digestion issues because it’s not just “healthy,” it’s healthy for me.

2. East seasonally
So you already know that eating foods in-season is better for nutrients and taste, but the Ayurvedic practice goes beyond foods grown at each specific time of year. “Our bodies change along with the weather,” explained Sahara Rose, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Best-Selling Author, and Host of The Higher Self Podcast. “When the temperature cools down and the air dries out, our bodies follow suit. We begin taking on more qualities of the Vata dosha, comprised of air and space energy. Our bodies require more grounding and warming foods to counterbalance Vata’s cold and dry energy. Root vegetables are grown under the ground, so they have the most warming qualities.” 
Basically, indulge in whatever is opposite of the season to balance out the effects of the weather. For winter, that means eating warm foods with grounding vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and turnips. In summer, you can have raw salads or cold sandwiches to cool you down. Besides just the temperature, also be mindful of the humidity in your area. If it’s wet (raining or snowing), eat more dry foods like roasted vegetables or nuts and seeds. If the weather feels very dry (leaves falling off of trees, low humidity, etc.), load up on soups and stews.

3. Scrape your tongue
Ayurveda teaches us that we can learn a lot from our tongues. Not only can your tongue help determine your dosha, but it can also tell you about your health. “The tongue gives away clues as to what’s going on within the body and where,” explained Adkins. “It reflects what’s happening inside our body, the level of ‘toxins’ or ama, and is a direct manifestation of our diet. Looking at your tongue day after day you will begin to notice changes in the quality and quantity of its coating.”
Fuzz, film, or bumps on your tongue show up in the mornings if you have clogged organs or undigested food. To avoid re-ingesting the toxins on your tongue, you need to scrape them off. Before I even drink my morning cup of water with lemon–and for sure before any cup of coffee–I always brush my teeth and scrape my tongue to get rid of all the toxins to avoid swallowing them back into my body. I use a tongue scraper, but you can also use the tip of a metal spoon.

4. Use the six tastes in every meal
Ayurveda recognizes six different tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. “The six tastes are a guiding principle in Ayurveda, which states that like qualities increase each other, whereas opposites promote balance,” described Adkins. “Each of the six tastes are integral to our diet and physiologic needs. Knowing which dosha (or doshas) are prominent within you helps to determine the proper combination of tastes (or rasas) that you need.”
Every fruit, vegetable, grain, nut, etc. have a particular taste or combination of a few, and ideally “each of the tastes are present at every meal–or at least every day–to ensure proper digestion,” Adkins said. “Your current doshic balance (vikruti), environment, lifestyle, age, and other qualities will guide you in choosing foods with particular properties to eat in larger or smaller quantities to promote or maintain balance, thereby reducing the chance of illness.” Besides, adding spices, herbs, and lemon juice makes meals so much more flavorful. For most meals I eat, I go through a checklist to make sure there’s a little bit of every taste—not only for the optimal nutrients but also for the optimal deliciousness.

Sweet: carbohydrates and natural sugars
Sour: organic acids and fermented foods (probiotics)
Salty: salts (which contain crucial minerals)
Pungent: spicy foods (ignites digestion)
Bitter: dark, leafy greens and herbs (anti-septic and detoxifying qualities)
Astringent: legumes; raw or dry produce

5. Don’t just focus on what you eat but how
Obviously, what we eat is a big part of the wellness equation: Eating a wide range of nutritious foods (specific for our doshas, of course) while avoiding the foods that upset our systems. But the way we eat is just as important as what we eat. The fix to digestive issues could be as simple as making sure your posture is upright and your stomach is relaxed or eating slower and without distractions (read: no TV, phone, or emails).  
Ayurveda suggests that digestive problems occur because the digestive fire (or agni) is weak, so igniting it before meals is crucial to proper digestion. Adding spices like cumin or turmeric to meals will aid in digestion or taking a teaspoon of fresh ginger with a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of salt before meals can activate salivary glands to produce the proper amount of digestive enzymes. Ayurveda focuses so much on proper digestion as it recognizes that it’s the way our bodies absorb nutrients and feel best. I eat slower, better, and drink ginger tea most days to keep my digestive system on track (literally).

6. Try self-massage
Massage is not just a self-care activity or indulgence in Ayurveda; it’s an essential healing practice. Abyanga (or self-massage, also spelled Abhyanga) is a form of medicine that involves massaging the body with dosha-specific oil. “A daily Abyanga practice restores the balance of the doshas and enhances well-being and longevity,” Sandhiya Ramaswamy, an Ayurvedic practitioner, educator, and chef wrote for Chopra. For me, this practice is the most luxurious time of my day. After a shower, I rub oil between my hands to warm it up. Ramaswamy recommended applying oil first to the crown of your head and massaging down to your feet, but I skip the head because otherwise, I’d be walking around with oily hair, and nobody wants that. I start at the neck and make sure to take my time massaging in the oil. 

7. Schedule your day based on your body’s needs
Not only do the kapha, pitta, and vatta doshas make up our “selves” as a whole, but they also make up times in the day. Ayurveda essentially tells time through these different cycles of the doshas. “The Ayurvedic clock helps us to determine which activities might be the best for us as individuals throughout the day,” explained Ashley Katzakian, an Ayurvedic practitioner and founder of So Hum Collective. “The clock is split into six sections, each dosha appearing twice within a day. The times of any particular dosha are when those doshas have the strongest presence.” 
While it’s nearly impossible to follow a strict schedule these days (because life happens), I have made a lot of shifts that have helped immensely. When I can, instead of squeezing in a workout first thing in the morning, I wake up slowly and peacefully. I also schedule checking off tasks and sending emails in the later morning/early afternoon and wait to write articles (like this one) until later in the day when I’m more creative. The slight adjustments have also helped me to understand what’s going on with my energy levels throughout the day and identify what my body really needs and when.
Katzakian guides us through how best to schedule our days: 

6-10 a.m. is the time when kapha is most active, meaning you should be peaceful and grounded. Start your day by meditating, eating a light, nourishing meal, and tending to self-care.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. is pitta time, when you have the most drive or motivation of the day, so try getting your most difficult tasks accomplished during this time or squeezing in a workout. When the sun is at its highest peak (noon), your digestion is at its most powerful, so your lunch should be eaten around 12 p.m. and be your biggest meal of the day. 
2-6 p.m. is when vatta is the most active, meaning your creativity and ability to think abstractly and problem solve is at its peak. If you can, schedule your most creative activities at work for the end of the day. Try to paint, write, or cook in the late afternoons and evenings.
6-10 p.m. is the second cycle of kapha time, allowing us to feel more peaceful, grounded, and ready to wind down for a restful night’s sleep. Eat a lighter meal and keep stimulation low. 
10 p.m.-2 a.m. is another cycle of pitta, the dosha of fire, digestion, and transformation, which resets your system for a new day. This is a crucial time to get in quality shut-eye to allow your body to properly detox and digest. 
2 a.m.-6 a.m. is the second cycle of vatta, which controls our sensory experiences and begins to slowly wake us back up for another day (also why you might have more vivid dreams during this time). 

10 Ways Yoga Drastically Changed My Life More

Between TikTok trends and brands that promise their product will cure all your health woes, finding the best wellness products for you can be challenging. It’s no secret that we all want to be our happiest, healthiest, and best selves, but health and wellness is not a one-size-fits-all approach. A product that your favorite influencer swears by might not work well for you (I know I’m not the only one who’s fallen victim to good marketing). 
As a registered dietitian, I often focus on what foods I eat, but I also believe in using products that make me feel my best inside and out. Ahead, I’ve rounded up 10 health and wellness products I use (almost) daily that keep me feeling my healthiest self, and I hope they will do the same for you. 

Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
If you are “Little Miss Never Leaves the House Without an Emotional Support Water Bottle” (me), then you need this water bottle in your life ASAP. The LARQ water bottle uses PureVis technology to self clean and purify, eliminating up to 99 percent of bio-contaminants (like E. coli) from the bottle and your water. I’ve used this bottle for over a year, and I love that, with the click of a button, I have clean, purified water, making this water bottle ideal for work and travel. Although it’s an investment, I can confidently say that having a self-cleaning water bottle makes meeting my hydration goals a breeze. 
5 colors available

Natural Deodorant
Deodorant might not be the most glamorous wellness product out there, but after being on the hunt for an aluminum-free natural deodorant that actually offers long-lasting protection, I finally found the one. If you haven’t tried any of the products from Megababe, I suggest you run, don’t walk to your local Target. I love this deodorant because it’s not only free from parabens, aluminum, phthalates, and more, but it also keeps you smelling fresh all day long with its geranium and lemon scent.

Yoga Mat
I personally believe everyone needs a yoga mat, not only to practice yoga, but to roll out for all of your at-home workouts. I use my yoga mat almost everyday either for pilates workouts, yoga, or stretching after a long day of sitting. While there are a variety of yoga mats out there, I suggest investing in one that is both grippy and cushiony. This one fits both of those descriptions and comes at a great price point.
20 colors/designs available

Supergoop!
Mineral SPF Powder
If there’s one thing I never walk outside without, it’s SPF on my face. And even though applying SPF is locked into my morning routine, re-applying it throughout the day is not. Enter: Supergoop!’s Mineral SPF Powder. This powder is easy to throw into your work bag or purse and comes in four shades to wear over or under makeup. Did I mention it’s mattifying? Say goodbye to unwanted shine and protect your skin in one easy brush.
4 shades available

Bob’s Red Mill
Chia Seeds
A strange but true fact about me is that I sprinkle chia seeds onto at least one meal a day. I could go on and on about all the health benefits of these tiny seeds, but I’ll spare you the details and leave you with this: Packed with fiber, chia seeds help keep your gut moving. (See: the viral TikTok internal shower.) I’m here to tell you that if drinking them isn’t your jam, pairing them with your favorite yogurt or sprinkling them over avocado toast just might be. 

Nathalia Westmacott-Brown
A Little Book of Self Care: Breathwork
Perhaps one of the most powerful changes in my wellness routine was becoming mindful of my breath. The breath is truly connected to everything we do and, for me, it’s the key to managing life’s daily stresses. For a deep dive into breathwork, I highly suggest this book. A Little Book of Self Care: Breathwork provides 50 step-by-step practices that you can use at home, each with expert advice on body position, visualization, duration, repetition, and more. I love that the author highlights traditions and different breathwork practices found around the world while also discussing the significant physical and mental benefits breathwork can have. From breathing to relieve stress to boosting your resilience, there’s a breathwork practice for everyone.

Sneakers
I remember seeing these shoes advertised as walking on a cloud, which of course instantly piqued my interest. After trying them out for myself, I can confirm they are cloud-like. They offer more cushioning than the average running shoe and, quite literally, put a pep in my step. If you’re looking for a new pair of shoes for your next hot girl walk, these are it.
17 colors available

Organic Cotton Tampons
Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic: period products. When it comes to feminine care, it’s important to know what’s in the products you use potentially 5-7 days every month. I switched to LOLA two years ago, and it has put me so much more at ease knowing my tampons and pads will arrive at my doorstep without any chemicals in sight. Founded by females, LOLA uses 100 percent organic cotton in their products, and their applicators are BPA-free. If tampons and pads aren’t your thing, they also have period underwear and menstrual cups.
4 absorbencies available

Youth to the People
Purifying Face Mask
My Sunday night ritual includes treating myself to an at-home facial, this face mask included. Recognized as a part of Sephora’s collection of clean beauty products, this clay mask absorbs excess oil while exfoliating and supporting your skin’s moisture barrier. I find this mask to be very gentle and helpful in soothing my skin when breakouts occur. I highly recommend this face mask for weekly use, but talk to your dermatologist before bringing new skin care products into your routine. 

Wellness Journal
I’m a big fan of journaling to clear my mind and work through hard emotions. But when I discovered gratitude journaling, it completely changed the journaling game for me. In fact, writing down what we are grateful for has been shown to have positive effects on our mental health. Coming in multiple colorways, this wellness journal offers space to write out what you’re grateful for each day and additional prompts to track your goals, daily habits, and more! If journaling hasn’t been your thing in the past, this might be the one to make the habit stick.
8 colors available

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PSA: Starbucks‘ Pumpkin Spice Latte is returning on August 30. That can only mean one thing: Summer is on its way out. And bidding adieu to sun-kissed skin, laid-back vibes, and the peak of hot-girl-walk season is a hard pill to swallow. If you’re like me and experiencing the so-called “August Blues” (think: “Sunday Scaries,” but lasting for a month) as summer is coming to an end, the feelings of sadness and anxiety have set in. Your wellness routine is nowhere to be found, and you’re in an in-between funk. Sound familiar?
Whether it’s the dog days of summer (extreme heat and humidity that leaves you exhausted), your going-out-and-drinking-more summer habits, or the notion that everyone else is on a European excursion while you’re at work, the August Blues are real. The silver lining? There are simple ways to get motivated and prevent playing Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness on repeat. Ahead, seven tips to get you out of your end-of-summer health slump and start looking forward to fall (read: pumpkin spice everything). 

1. Prioritize your mental health 
When it comes to health, we often only think of and take care of the physical aspect. But if the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s how equally important it is to prioritize our mental health. It goes without saying that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health, so get in sync with your mind and body and listen to what you truly need. Perhaps that looks like seeking help from a therapist, reaching out to a family member, or taking a walk with a friend. Bottom line: Rather than isolating yourself in your slump, turn to your support system. 

2. Set new goals 
You know that excitement you get from getting something new—a workout set, an apartment, a relationship, a desk organizer (#adulting)? Goals should be no different. Let’s say your health routine has gone out the window (and that’s OK)–start fresh by developing a new set of small goals to strive for. If your eating habits are bringing you down, make it a point to grocery shop and meal prep over the weekend so you have ready-to-go healthy fare on hand for the week. Maybe your social calendar has been so packed that you haven’t taken any time for yourself. Schedule a self-love date every week where you try a new hobby, volunteer, or re-read a favorite book. 

3. Make future plans that will bring you joy
When you have something to look forward to, you look to the future instead of dwelling on what was or should’ve been. So whether it’s booking your dream vacay (or a staycation), meeting a friend for a long overdue catch-up, or nabbing tickets to a Harry Styles concert, pencil in things in the near future that will give you a boost of feel-good energy. Whatever you schedule, make sure it’s out of pure joy and not out of obligation or FOMO. In other words, be intentional with your time and fill it with what you value. The result? You’ll only have plans you’re excited about, and the August Blues will be a distant memory. 

4. Catch up on your Zzzs
It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. A restless night or lack of sleep altogether can lead to not only those horrifying dark circles, but also mood swings and anxiety. And let’s face it: Summer has a way of putting us in vacay mode (even when we’re technically not) and keeping us up later at night, making it harder to get quality shut-eye. What’s a girl to do?! For starters, make the last call for alcohol or food 2-3 hours before you hit the hay and cut off caffeine at lunchtime. If your sleep schedule is out of whack (same), try establishing a sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. Lastly, keep it cool—your bedroom, that is. The temperature sweet spot is between 65-72 degrees.

5. Get moving 
If there was such a thing as a cure-all, it would be movement. From enhancing your mood and promoting better sleep to giving your sex life some oomph, I could go on and on about the benefits of exercise (I’ll spare you). So dust off your gym shoes and get those endorphins going again with your workout of choice. And for bonus points, do it outside (you might as well take advantage of the warm weather while we’ve got it). Take to the streets for a hot girl walk, channel your inner Pilates girl, or see for yourself what all the hype is about with pickleball. 

6. Use your PTO 
Sometimes a break from everyday life or a change in scenery is all it takes to get out of a slump. Ladies, it’s time to push the, “I’ll take my PTO next year when things slow down” or “I’m saving up my PTO for when I take a big trip,” aside and take some much-needed and much-deserved time off. Take one day to catch up on some self-care or a few days to visit an old college friend. Either way, hitting reset will help avoid burnout, increase productivity, and reduce stress. In fact, according to a study released by the American Psychological Association, vacations can improve mood and reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety. You don’t have to take a week-long trip—even a three-day respite has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. If you can’t take time off from work, dedicate your day(s) off to breaking away from the day-to-day and doing something that fills your cup. 

7. Refresh your home and look
I feel like a new person when I get my hair done (who’s with me?). In the same vein, my home has a renewed energy after I’ve given it a good clean or decorated it with a new piece of art. For a mini-makeover and mood-booster in one, get that haircut you’ve been eyeing, update your wardrobe, switch up your bedding, or add a houseplant to the mix. And if you’re on a tight budget or sustainability is your middle name, you’d be surprised what a difference a little consignment shopping and rearranging furniture can make. 

6 End-of-Summer Outfits for When You’re Over the Heat More

Ladies, it’s time for us to break up with the pre-Monday jitters. While I believe the adage “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” rings true, shifting from laid-back weekend vibes to 9-5 work mode isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Without fail, when the clock strikes 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and the last hours of the weekend are dwindling, the anxiety sets in: I ruminate over the impending list of to-dos waiting for me, and the thought “if only I had one more day” plays on repeat as if I could will it enough to come to fruition. 
There’s no denying Monday has a way of showing up too quickly, but with some planning and get-ahead hacks, you can, dare I say, be excited about the workweek. Read on for a breakdown of the ideal Sunday reset to combat the Monday blues and start the week off right.

1. Get moving 
I don’t have to tell you that dwelling on what you didn’t get to do over the weekend isn’t going to make a case of the Mondays go away. The best solution? Stop with the pity party and move your body. Because, when do you ever regret a workout? Breaking a sweat will rev up your feel-good hormones, letting those “Debbie Downer” thoughts and feelings fall by the wayside. And when you have obé Fitness to turn to, there’s no shortage of workouts at your fingertips to snap you out of a funk. Whether you feel like dancing it out, crave cardio boxing to work out your stress, or need to slow it down with some Pilates or restorative yoga, they’ve got you covered. Plus, with live and on-demand options that range from 5-60 minutes, you can check off scheduling your week of workouts. To get you started, use code TEG50 for a 7-day free trial + 50% off your first month of obé! 

obé Fitness
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Use code TEG50 for a 7-day free trial + 50% off of your first month of obé Fitness!

2. Do a quick clean-up and get organized 
IMO, there’s nothing worse than my house in disarray: the bed not made, miscellaneous clutter on the kitchen counters, laundry piled up. Call me a perfectionist or anal (it’s no secret I’m a Type One)—a clean and organized space equals peace of mind. So before you call it a day on Sunday, ask Alexa to set a timer for 10 minutes and throw a load of laundry in the washer, put strewn items where they belong (that goes for the stack of papers you’ve been avoiding on your desk), purge anything you no longer need, and do a quick sweep of high-traffic areas. So when Monday morning rolls around, you can start fresh and get straight to killing it at work. 

3. Wash your makeup brushes
I’m here to deliver the dirty truth: Your brushes are hotbeds for bacteria. If you can’t remember the last time you gave your cosmetic tools a good scrub, they’re long overdue for one. While it’s not the most fun thing to do and you have bigger fish to fry, sudsing up in the name of preventing breakouts is 100 percent worth it, if you ask me. What’s more, giving your makeup brushes some weekly TLC can extend their lifespan and help make beauty products go on easier and smoother.

4. Be fully present
PSA: Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be a daunting task. When you roll out of bed (hopefully bright-eyed and bushy-tailed) Sunday morning, make it a point to live in the moment, no matter how you decide to spend the day. It’s only natural to think about what you’re going to do or eat next, but when you find your attention wandering from the present, take a pause. That can look like taking a deep breath, focusing on your five senses, going for a walk, connecting with a loved one, or saying affirmations aloud. By learning to stay present, we can rewrite the anxiety-ridden thinking that Monday brings and begin to look at it in a positive way. 

5. Get between the sheets
If there’s one day to sleep in and stay in bed all day, it’s Sunday (although, I can’t be the only one who fantasizes about it every morning), making it the ideal day to engage in sexual activity. Whether it’s a morning quickie or experimenting with new sex positions, the Sunday romp is where it’s at. The cherry on top? Orgasms reduce stress, helping shake off those Sunday Scaries. And if you’re going at it alone, even more reason to get sexy (you don’t need a partner to have a good time, BTW).

6. Treat yourself  
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like receiving gifts? Treating yourself to something that brings you joy will help flip the script on a negative mindset. For me, the simple act of taking myself on a matcha latte date instantly boosts my mood (the caffeine pick-me-up doesn’t hurt either). Then, there’s always retail therapy to turn a frown upside down (hello, new matching set). If it’s food that speaks to you, cook up some comfort food with your bestie IRL or over Zoom. And if all else fails, there’s always chocolate. It’s been shown to improve your mood, after all.

7. Set boundaries
If there’s one surefire way to dredge up the all-too-familiar anxiety, it’s having to follow through on an engagement you didn’t want to say “yes” to from the get-go. So be honest with yourself and only commit to plans you truly want to participate in, no matter what day of the week. If that means getting over FOMO and declining a GNO or dinner date invitation ahead of time to take care of your needs, brava! And it doesn’t only apply to your social calendar—don’t agree to taking on another project or helping a co-worker with a task if you’re already spread too thin. You’ll be a better friend, partner, and employee when you show up for yourself. 

8. Establish an intention or goal
Banish the Sunday Scaries by setting a clear objective, or your “why,” for the upcoming week. Perhaps you want to feel good. What are things in your control that you can do this week to give you that warm, fuzzy sensation? Is it working out, volunteering, or quality time with your SO? Having an attainable purpose to set your sights on will not only help create a positive association with the week ahead but also ease any fears of what might or might not happen. 

9. Give yourself a lymphatic massage
OK, I know it doesn’t come close to going to the spa and actually getting a rubdown, but your body will thank you for some in-between upkeep à la you. Did I mention lymphatic drainage massage detoxes the body of gunk that has built up in your tissues, boosting your immune system, reducing water retention, and promoting relaxation (read: you look and feel better)? Convinced? Once you’ve got the green light from your doc, give it a go. 

10. Wind down early 
ICYMI, self-care Sunday is a thing. Do yourself a favor and start your wind-down routine an hour earlier Sunday night to allow yourself ample time to just chill (don’t get that confused with Netflix and chill). Resist the urge to cue up your latest show obsession or doomscroll and opt for pre-bedtime activities that promote relaxation, like reading, journaling, or listening to music. You’ll be glad come Monday morning when you feel well-rested and ready to take on the day. The best part? You’ve set a positive tone for the entire week. Back-to-work dread, be gone!

I Grilled a Life Coach and Her Tips Will Transform Your Anxiety

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

As a Wellness Editor and Health Coach, I get it: Wellness is confusing. Every season brings a new “weight loss pill,” “magic supplement,” or “miracle diet” that promises to be the cure-all to health woes. We end up spending $$$ on the next big thing that an influencer or TikTok brand promotes because we so desperately want to heal our symptoms, feel happier, get more energy, and look our best. As my job is to help you get healthier, I’ve quite literally tried it all–every pill, potion, app, and diet out there. Most of them did not make that much of a difference or feel sustainable enough to impact my well-being long-term. But I keep a very small arsenal of wellness products, that I’ve used for a long time and have genuinely made the biggest difference in my life, to recommend to readers and clients in an effort to cut confusion over what’s really worth the money. 
IMO, these 10 products are truly worth the hype: a claim that I do not take lightly (the last thing I want is more women spending time, effort, and money that doesn’t actually help them feel happier and healthier). My hope with this list is not to add more noise to the ever-confusing wellness industry but rather to give you insight and genuine recommendations that I have seen make a big difference to myself and other women. Yes, I believe these products are so good they could do wonders for anyone, but just remember that the body is not a one-size-fits-all pair of socks; what works for me may not work for you. Read on for the top 10 wellness products that made the biggest difference in my life in case they may help you too, and always listen to your body first and foremost. 

Ankle/Wrist Bangles
It’s true: IMO, Instagram’s favorite workout accessory is totally worth it. After ogling over them for months, the start of the pandemic finally convinced me I needed these dreamy weights in my life, and it changed my at-home workout game. I’m a huge studio-workout person (like, pre-pandemic I had not worked out at home once), but these have made a huge difference when I don’t have time to get to a workout and can do a quick 15 minutes of pilates on my living room floor. They so seamlessly strap on, so you can wear them anytime to make anything a workout. For example, I like to wear them on my wrists when going for a walk to add in some muscle work (without even trying) and wear them on my ankles when cooking to fit in a little leg lifts while waiting for pasta water to boil–revolutionary, right?
7 colors available.

Motivational Water Bottle
I’ve now used this (and only this) water bottle for over eight months now, and I can honestly say that I’ve never been so hydrated (don’t worry, I have three different bottles). Because it’s so much bigger than other water bottles, I don’t need to keep refilling throughout the day while sitting at my desk, so I naturally am drinking so much more. I drink A LOT of water, and I only need to refill this bottle once every day. With convenient time stamps, motivational sayings, and an adorable design, you’ll refuse to drink out of any other water bottle too. I like to add lemon and mint because I believe we should all make our wellness routines a little sexier.
11 colors available.

Tongue Scraper
If you don’t have a tongue scraper, yes, YOU NEED ONE. My personal mission is to get the whole world tongue scraping. It’s an Ayurvedic practice that has been a beloved daily ritual for hundreds of years, and there’s now modern science to back it up. Here’s why: Bad bacteria and toxins form on your tongue while you’re sleeping, and if you do not remove them before drinking or eating, you re-ingest the toxins and bacteria when you swallow. If you still need proof, just trust me, get a tongue scraper, and see what comes off your tongue first thing in the morning—you will never be able to go without it again. Try scraping your tongue every morning (that means before your oat milk latte!) and rinsing the scraper before and after use.

Metabolism Powder
There’s not a lot of brands that make me geek out over EVERYTHING they make, but Sakara is the rare exception (like, I think I am their biggest fan). While I also use their water drops and cookbook daily, if I had to pick a must-have item, it would be this. I love the Metabolism Powder so much, it’s basically my desert island product. For someone with gut issues, ingredients like L-Glutamine, black pepper piperine, and horsetail extract have made a huge difference in my symptoms. I have much more sustained, balanced energy, and I experience less afternoon slumps. If this is starting to sound a little too witch potion-y for you, it tastes like a really rich, delicious hot chocolate when you add the powder to hot water or warmed almond milk with a little honey or maple syrup—it’s so delicious, in fact, that it has totally replaced my morning coffee because I prefer the taste more. The very best part is that it’s only the best, most natural, cleanest ingredients—nothing you can’t pronounce and no hidden ingredients.

Summer Fridays
SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
SPF will always be a crucial part of my wellness routine. As much as I love getting sunlight, long-term exposure can be extremely dangerous to your health, and we’re exposed more than we think–through windows, driving in the car, hot girl walks, etc. I strongly opt for non-toxic beauty products—especially SPF. This one from Summer Fridays is my new favorite because it uses minerals instead of chemicals to protect from the sun (safer for your health and the environment!), contains ingredients like squalene and vitamins to boost glow and skin health in addition to sun protection, and glides on so smooth with absolutely no residue.

Finishing Touch
Facial Massage Ice Roller
A confession: I run puffy. I will wake up after even the best night of sleep and not even recognize my reflection because my eyes are overpowered by severe under eye bags, and my jaw and cheekbones have gotten lost in all the puffiness. Enter: an ice roller. I’ve tried a lot of different techniques, but ice rolling is the one practice that I can’t live without. It’s an instant de-puffer, plus it takes very little time or effort (which is an automatic win for me). Ice-rolling can reduce puffiness and redness in the skin and can help boost circulation, but I also use it on my neck and temples when a headache is coming on for immediate relief.

Calm Capsules
Arrae is another brand where every product becomes an instant favorite of mine. They use only the highest quality herbs and natural ingredients to deliver powerful results. I’ve struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember, and—while there’s no quick fix for mental health—this supplement is such an important part of my mental health toolbox. Regular therapy, daily meditation, etc. help keep my anxiety at bay, but taking a Calm Capsule (with ingredients like magnesium and, passionflower) is one of the few things I’ve tried that actually works when a stressful meeting is coming up or I’m feeling extra anxious one day.

Foam Roller
My doctor first recommended I order a foam roller when I was experiencing tight hip flexors and lower back pain a few years ago, but I got lazy and did not figure out how to use it or make it a regular ritual until going to pelvic floor physical therapy at the beginning of this year. When my physical therapist taught me how to use a foam roller, it changed my life. Of course, it’s great for sore muscles after a workout, but I’ve noticed it also can release a lot of tension and stress. Many women store stress and tension in their hips without even realizing it, causing everything from digestive issues to pain during sex. If you have these symptoms, obvi talk to your doctor for a solution that’s best for you, but for me, foam rolling my hips, back, and inner thighs (in addition to physical therapy) has helped release so much tension and also relax my muscles to ease all kinds of symptoms.

8Greens Tablets
By now, I have talked approximately 10 friends and family members into hopping on the 8Greens bandwagon. My #1 can’t-live-without health product will always be whole, leafy greens (one of nature’s greatest medicine, IMO). I always aim to add greens to at least two meals a day because it makes the biggest difference in my skin, energy, digestion, immune system, etc. However, sometimes we don’t have access to fresh, leafy greens (traveling, eating out, going on day four of not getting groceries because you just can’t be bothered). Enter: 8Greens. Made with spinach, wheatgrass, kale, blue-green algae, spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, and aloe vera, each tablet is packed with a variety of nutrients that make you feel amazing. In the form of a convenient tablet you just add to water—it’s like a DIY green juice on-the-go. I also drink 8Greens when I need an extra boost of nutrients in addition to leafy greens, like if I’m starting to get a cold or feel extra drained.

Superhuman
Superhuman Meditation App
Meditation was something I knew would make a huge difference for me and was so important for my overall well-being. But try as I might, I just could not get a practice to stick. Sitting in stillness did nothing except make me feel more stressed (my mind just does not stop thinking, and then I get frustrated I can’t meditate “right…”), and then it felt like such a chore that I would push off even the five minutes I made my goal. Enter: The Superhuman App. Spending $30 a month felt like way too steep of an investment, but it has Changed. My. Life—I would pay the monthly fee a thousand times over. The app contains guided meditations for any amount of time (from one minute to 45 minutes), on any subject (manifesting, reaching your health goals, improving self-love, and more). But the best part is that there are many categories for walking meditations, cleaning/running errand meditations, or even getting ready in the morning. It’s transformed the way I think of meditation and has made a huge difference in my life. Also, putting money toward something has really helped me make it a daily habit because I don’t want the money to go to waste!

Our Wellness Editor Swears These 9 Realistic Habits Transformed Her Body More