in past years, i remember how i would somehow always get sick in the fall/winter time, usually with some sort of sinus infection. i thought it was just what happened when the seasons changed, but it got to a point where i finally decided to try to combat this yearly problem by being proactive in my wellness all year round. since i've started to incorporate these tips into my lifestyle, i (thank goodness) feel ill waaaay less.
below: a few things i like to remember/eat/do to help keep my body above the wellness line:
1. hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
i'm pretty sure we all know how good it is to drink your recommended daily water intake ("remember, half your weight in ounces!") but i must admit, i often forget this one.
in the past few years, i've started bringing a 20-32oz water bottle with me, pretty much everywhere i go to help remind myself to keep drink all throughout the day, which has really helped! i like to set a goal of ~100oz. a day—sometimes i hit it, other times i don't, but it's the thought that counts, right?
2. eat well
i love filling my diet with a whole lotta whole plant foods (fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes) and healthy fats (salmon, chia seeds, olive oil, avocado), AND fermented foods (yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir), especially as the fall/winter seasons come around.
i've recently been really into crockpot recipes—i love that they require minimal preparation, are low maintenance, and the end result is absolutely delicious. i usually take stock of what's currently in my fridge and cupboards, head over to pinterest, and search until i find a hearty & healthy meal.
(if you're into meal prepping, this is a great way to plan and prepare your main meals for the week. i like to do most of all my cooking on saturday or sunday, letting the recipes simmer in the crockpot as i go about my weekend to-dos. at the end of the day, my kitchen smells uh-mazing and i have at least half of my meals for the week ready to go!)
3. sleep soundly
i've always kinda been that person that loves to wake early (5:30am is priiime time for me) but always struggled winding down at a good time at night to get 7-8 hours of sleep. but, as i've been more intentional about heading to bed early, i've found i actually have much more energy and a better mood the next day (not to mention a boosted immune system to fight off sickness.) prioritizing sleep is one of the best things i've done for my health, by far.
a simple way to do this is to create a mindful morning & night routine. the key: start with the time to need to be on your way to work or onto your morning chores and work backward. from there, block every single thing you want to accomplish in your routine—5–10 minute increments per activity will do. it takes intentional planning, but in the end, you'll have a realistic plan for a productive & restful morning, not to mention your ideal bedtime too.
4. move every day
every day!! preferably outside! whether you choose a daily walk around your neighborhood, a 20-min hiit sesh, or a heavy lifting workout, moving your body has maaaany benefits. not only does it boost your immune system, but also uplifts your mood, strengthens your body, and (if you're outside) is a great way to get vitamin d from the sun.
lil shameless plug here: i personally do all my workouts from home and LOVE it—i can workout anywhere there's wifi and space, they're only 20-45 minutes depending on the program i'm doing, and there's hundreds of real-time workouts to do, all created by professional fitness trainers—it's the best.
5. take your supplements
speaking of vitamins, supplements!! i am admittedly the woooorst at remembering to take my supplements. it is embarrassing. however, keeping the pills in a labeled pill case (i love this one!) and out in the open defeinitly helps. a few supps i personally take (& would recommend) for extra immune support would be zinc, vitamin d, a high-quality multivitamin and probiotic, and elderberry.
6. diffuse essential oils
i love diffusing essential oils! not only do they smell lovely and create a cozy atmosphere, but there have been many scientific studies showing how oils can purify and cleanse the air; nothing like adding a little extra protection to your home and health! my personal favorites for the fall/winter are thieves, lavender, eucalyptus, breathe again, raven, and frankincense.
7. minimize stress
stress is a normal part of life, but when it gets out of hand, our bodies can suffer. the solution is not necessarily to get rid of stress (this is not realistic) but to minimize it. be intentional about your time. create space in your busy schedule for rest. have fun! try something new! learn to be flexible when plans change and go with the flow. enjoy this season of life you're in—it won't last forever. (a fresh cup of coffee, a warm bath, and dark chocolate definitely help too.)
hopefully, these few tips help you stay well this season and inspire you to create new rhythms in your daily life. how are you staying well this season?
*disclaimer: this blog post is not intended to treat, cure, or provide medical diagnosis, and is for educational purposes only.*
i don’t want to forget these days—the in-between, the not-yet, the still-figuring-out-everything moments of life. i want to savor it all up for a rainy day, years from now, and remember the story that was—that is—being written.
the early bedtimes and earlier mornings, usually.
the ups and downs of my 4w5 creative processes.
the discoveries of new hobbies.
the spontaneous drives out of town.
the laughter with lifelong friends, new and old.
the journaled prayers and morning matcha.
the tensions of figuring out life as a twenty-something-year-old.
& even with all the unknowns and (more) change ahead and (lots of) dreams for the future, one thing i do know:
there is nothing sweeter than growing closer to Jesus; nothing compares to knowing Him.
even in the change,
even in all the unknowns,
we can trust Him. He our true home, our steadfast rest, our forever peace that passes all understanding. we can trust Him with our stories, from beginning to end—the deep joys and deep pains, the blessings in disguise and undeserved grace—all for our good and His glory.
as the new year is right around the corner, i have been thinking about some things i want to change for the upcoming months and why i feel called to strive for more simplicity in 2021. i know all the rage recently has been about minimalism, and I'll admit, i'm into it—it's definitely my favorite kind of style and aesthetic. however, as i begin to dig deeper into the concept of being a 'minimalist' and see what the Bible has to say about how we should live, i've found this is something I definitely want to maintain in my life.
as a Christian, i am called to live a life of simplicity and thankfulness, and knowing this, i want to start (and continue) to simplify my life in all areas. leading a simple life has more to do than just getting rid of things, although that can definitely play a part in it. it also plays a role in our thoughts and how we live our lives every single day.
there are specifically three areas where i want to see a change in my own life as i continue to strive toward a more simple way of life, allowing me to focus on the things that really matter. in no way will i ever be perfect, and it will look different for everyone, but every stride in the right direction is positive movement towards in the right direction, which to me, is worth it.
1. we are saving up treasure, either for this temporary life or our future eternal life.
where are we saving our treasure? i think it becomes easy for those of us living in first world countries to be captivated—and even consumed—by material things (guilty of this) and things of this world, whether it be clothing, cars, fame, popularity, status, success, food, number of followers/likes on social media, comfort... the list goes on. every day, we have the choice to ultimately store treasures for ourselves in this world or store treasures in heaven. the beautiful mystery of it all is that God offers a treasure to us that will last forever: a relationship with Jesus. and that, my friends, is amazing; there is nothing worth more than knowing Jesus.
2. we are called to be content.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content... for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." I Timothy 6:6-10 (emphasis added)
"Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15 ESV (emphasis added)
both of these verses point to many things, but ultimately, it calls us to be content with what we have been blessed with. there is much to be said about someone who is content with what they have. our lives shouldn't revolve around wanting more and more, for that is not why we are here on this earth. our main goal should be to bring glory and honor to God in everything we do. (Matthew 28:18-20) but how can we do these things if we are caught up in always wanting more? and more? let us be content with what we have been given, keeping the focus on Christ and not on possessions.
3. we are called to be thankful.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:9 ESV (emphasis added)
when we have an attitude of gratitude, our perspectives are shifted from self to others. we become more focused on the blessings God has given us, rather than on the things we don't have. let us ask God to reveal these idols in our hearts, the ones that have captured our attention away from Christ, and repent. may we be captivated by Jesus as the new year comes, with all its anticipation and excitement. may we strive to live simpler. it's a process, and definitely doesn't happen overnight, but i think as we realign our perspectives, the easier we can let go of the clutter and things that overtake our homes and hearts. (i wrote this post about simplifying 10 specific areas of your life that might help if you need a place to start.)
◠ because companies are sneaky. unfortunately, grocers and stores these days are fiiiilled with everyday products that are marketed to be clean, pure, organic, or botanical, but the ingredients inside would say otherwise. this is called 'greenwashing'—when marketing companies use strategic design (little green leaves, lavender stems, sun rays, ect.) in the branding to make them look natural, but they are actually still filled with subtle & hidden toxic chemicals. this is why it is so important to research the companies you are buying from!
◠ because it’s a health investment. it’s much easier (and better) to keep my body above that wellness line and take preventative measures now, rather than wait and try to fight illnesses when they would come down the road. i'm all about taking preventative measures for myself and my future family instead of waiting for sickness to come.
◠ because there is peace of mind. after doing research, i know that the products i’m bringing into my home are actually clean, plant-based, and pure. i can use them around myself, family, and friends without the fear that unnecessary toxic chemicals are seeping into my home and health.
2. it cleans everything. like, every single surface in (or outside) the house. from the toilet to the oven to the windows to the carpet to the car to the kitchen table. it even gets wrinkles out of your clothes!
3. it keeps me above the wellness line with its plant-based, oil-infused ingredients. (fun fact: the infused essential oil blend of cinnamon, rosemary, thieves, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove add extra *oomph* to the cleaning properties & double as a really great immune boost for the body. i can clean my home AND boost my immune system at the same time? #winwin. )
4. it gives me peace of mind. when you have a cabinet full of all sorts of cleaners that smell like synthetic fragrances and give you chronic headaches, you can prooobably guess they are doing more harm than good for you, which is so sad because I feel like most of us are just trying to clean our homes in the best way possible so we DON’T get sick. this is why i use and love thieves—i trust young living's seed to seal promise and their integrity to not cut corners or compromise the health of their customers. i know i am investing in my own (and my future family's) health right now and for the future, which is incredibly comforting and empowering.
5. it’s inexpensive. when you break it down, each 16oz. bottle like the one above costs about $1.60. and for an all-natural cleaner?? yep, just the best out there. (for perspective, my one bottle of concentrate has lasted me over a year and it’s still not gone.)
here are my most common (and favorite) ways to use my thieves concentrate:
"the point of simple living: a soft place to land,
a wide margin of error, room to breathe."
leo babauta
personal
after a while, it can become easy to let clothes and accessories that you don't *absolutely* love collect dust in the closet. from the change in seasons, growing out of old clothes, fit, styles, or simply forgetting what's there, it is time to sift, sort, and organize. one thing that helps me when simplifying is to put my clothing into categories (workout, loungewear, outerwear, casual, business) and then go through each item i have in those categories, only keeping what i absolutely love/need.
now is the perfect time to go through all of those old/unused products you no longer use.
life
4. update/re-purpose existing items (instead of buying new)
5. discontinue unused services (magazines, newspapers, home phone, netflix...)
6. if you haven't already, create a realistic budget/emergency savings (for peace of mind + frugal spending)
4. spaces
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. tables, counters, junk drawers, bulletin boards (clear 'em off + organize)
2. basement/attic/closets (sort through, organize, give away, throw out, recycle)
3. old magazines, newspapers, books (sort through, organize, give away, throw out, recycle)
5. meals
↓ ↓ ↓
things to remember:
1. buy from your local farmers market (it'll be cheaper + healthier, guaranteed)
2. only buy what you need (aka stick to the list)
3. plan what meals to eat weekly/biweekly (to save time + energy)
4. meal prep your planned meals for the week (to save time + energy)
5. make a recipe book or box of your favorite/go-to meals (for easy access)
6. drink more water (it's good for ya)
7. use reusable bags when buying groceries
tip: don't go grocery shopping when you are hungry, or you'll most likely buy waaay more than what you need.
technology
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. photos (save + organize or delete)
2. documents (save + organize or delete)
3. unnecessary files (delete, repeat)
4. save files to the cloud or an external hard drive
5. delete unwanted bookmarks/saved pages
6. organize wanted bookmarks/saved pages
7. delete unwanted emails (and unsubscribe from them while you're at it)
8. delete, update, + organize music playlists
7. social
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. unfollow/unfriend (it's not personal, don't overthink it!)
2. delete apps (those that are unnecessary or taking up space)
3. set aside time to stay off the media (to keep a clear mind + refocus on the present)
4. delete old text messages (that are taking up space)
self
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. write down 5 accomplishments of the year (and the steps it took you to succeed them)
2. write down 5 lessons learned or areas of growth of the year (and your takeaways from them)
any goal that does not have a plan behind it
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. buy/make a planner, schedule, or calendar
2. plan coffee dates to connect with friends (write down actual dates!)
3. write down upcoming events/appointments/meetings
4. set phone alerts/reminders for said upcoming events/appointments/meetings
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. write your goals down! (and put the list somewhere visible)
2. share your goals with others (get them excited about it too)
3. have accountability partners (who can help you stay on track)
4. give yourself grace (it's not about perfection, but progression)
"there is beauty in simplicity."
the leaves have slowly started to change from lush greens to golden yellows & rusty reds, creating firey patterns alongside the highways and lonesome country roads. the air, nostalgic of rainy afternoons and musty leather, has just a hint of chill. i'm often drawn to reach for my favorite, oversized sweater that i've had for years and refuse to retire, just yet. the crockpot cooks most dinners these days, filling the room with savory aromas and all the best, cozy feels.
the s l o w n e s s of the early, morning hours when the world is still sleeping, when every movement and sound is its own kind of magic. frosty mornings are accompanied with lingering fog and dewy grass that glistens in the soft sunlight. the pitter-patter of rain from a late morning storm creates kaleidoscope patterns on my car windshield. the evening hours are here sooner, with shadows that dance across the walls as the last rays of sun disappear beyond the horizon line, leaving painted streaks of colors fading into the sky.
my fingers gravitate towards thoughtlessly scrolling through social media—the grand highlights of others' lives; my calendar fills with to-dos, zoom calls, meetings, appointments; my days span from sunrise to after dark, and even then, can i squeeze 6? 7? hours of sleep in for the night? but my mind stays awake, already racing towards the happenings of tomorrow.
it's come to a point where i've realized how i've been running full-steam ahead without stopping to smell the roses. i've been hustling towards so many things that i have forgotten to enjoy this season i'm in. currently. right now. but it's ok (and much, much needed) to slow down.
it's ok to quiet the noise of other people's lives on the internet.
it's ok to leave some open space in my schedule.
tomorrow will come, today is what we've been given—let's really savor these moments. let's take time to rest, to lean into the changing of the season, and feel that shift in ourselves too. are you in tune with this season of life, with ears and eyes open to what you can learn? how you can grow? what you might be missing?
i don't know about you, but for me, i'm striving for a slower pace, for intentionality, for a mindset of gratitude. i want to be more attentive to small details and simple beauties. i'd love to start reading more and spending time outdoors and grabbing coffee with friends, just because.
even if i can make a few small adjustments to my days, that's at least a start, i'm willing to try.
——
below: a few thoughts on how to be mindful in slowing down and soaking up our everyday:
1. limit time on your phone
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