Happy Friday Foodies!

As we come to the end of an action packed week, we always feel like we could use a bit of grounding and a reminder to prioritize joy, happiness and self-care going into the weekend.

So, we put our heads together to come up with an awesome list of ideas to inspire your self-care routine. These things are super simple and don’t take up a lot of time - but they can really make a world of difference in your mental and emotional well being.

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”

— Mandy Hale

15 SELF-CARE TIPS - TO FEEL HAPPY TODAY!

1. GO FOR A WALK IN NATURE

Fresh air, sunshine and connecting with nature are key to health & happiness. In fact, A deficiency in Vitamin D - "The Sunshine Vitamin" can be an underlying factor in depression and other health issues. Going for a walk in nature can energize the body, release endorphins and dramatically shift your mood. Even better - connect with a friend for a “walk & talk”…..we highly recommend!

2. GIVE YOURSELF A COLORFUL PEDICURE

We love self-care that’s both creative and therapeutic. Bright, fun colors can lift your mood every time you look at your toes! If you are looking for non-toxic nail polish brands check out this list from Sustainably Chic. You can take your favorite polish to the spa or nail salon if you prefer!

3. LISTEN TO AN INSPIRATIONAL PODCAST

Whether you’re out for a walk, on your morning commute, or preparing a meal in the kitchen - listening to an inspirational podcast is a great way to sneak in a little self-care and learning. Here are a few that our Team Tuesday is listening to now: Armchair Expert, Abby Wambach, The Gabby Reece Show, The Tim Ferris Show

4. GIVE SOMEONE A COMPLIMENT

There is ample evidence that giving someone else a loving boost, whether giving compliments or expressing gratitude, has a mood-lifting effect and contributes to well-being. It always feels good to make other people feel good!

5. DIVE INTO A GREAT BOOK

When you need an escape, there’s really nothing like getting lost in a great book. Did you know that reading fiction results in very similar brain wave patterns as practicing meditation? When reading, you "let-go" of everything in your mind and become absorbed in the story on the page. It’s this act of escaping from your own thoughts that allows you to relax, much like meditation.

6. LIGHT A CANDLE

Create some ambiance and light your favorite candle! You don’t need to wait for a special occasion or a romantic date to use candles if they bring you joy- they are a simple way to add something special and sacred to the everyday! We are obsessed with these beautiful non-toxic candles from Pure Plants Home - So cozy and comforting!

7. SAY “NO” WHEN YOU WANT TO

If you’re feeling emotionally drained and the thought of committing to something fills you with dread - then don’t! Learning to say "no" to things that don’t serve you or aren’t on your priority list right now helps open you up for the things that bring you joy and peace of mind. Our mantra: “If it’s not a HELL YES! than it’s a NO!”

8. DRIVE THROUGH A CAR WASH

We just love the simple, All-American joy of the automatic car wash! It turns the chore of washing the car into a magical ritual. And here’s a bonus - you can turn the whole experience into a random-act-of-kindness by generously tipping the car wash attendant or paying for the person in line behind you.

9. TAKE AN EPSON SALT BATH

The ultimate end of day self-care treat! Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) create a wonderful, therapeutic soak for your body. You’ll absorb some of the magnesium through you skin to help relax your muscles. Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil ( we love lavender and eucalyptus) will enhance your experience and allow you to fully de-stress. Dim the lights, light a candle and add some peaceful music for an even deeper relaxing effect.

10. MEDITATE

Mediation has been known to help reduce stress and anxiety, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness. From my our own experiences - we would say this is so true!

A note from LC: “When I meditate my day goes better. I have more energy and I feel less stress. I am more creative and focused in my work. I am more compassionate with myself and others. Meditation, even ten minutes in the morning, gives me a sense of ease and positivity that carries me through the day.”

We have tips on how to get started here: Hot To Start Meditating

11. BUY A PLANT OR FRESH FLOWERS

So simple, yet so lovely. Make a point to pick up flowers when you go to the market and place them somewhere that’ll brighten your day every time you enter the room.

12. GO TO BED EARLY

Easier said than done, right? But here’s the thing - with better sleep, we digest better, our hormones function better, we’re in a better mood, our skin looks clearer, and we’re more mentally focused and productive. Try to get in bed an hour earlier (even if you aren’t tired yet) so you can read and unwind without screens. If you are struggling with insomnia try a high quality magnesium supplement before bed. (Kelly is a big fan of power naps too!)

13. DRINK MORE WATER

Did you know that dehydration is a common cause of chronic fatigue? We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces every day. Filtered water and herbal teas are the best choices to cleanse your body, boost your energy, and give your skin that healthy glow!

14. WRITE IN A JOURNAL

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Try journaling (with no grand writing expectations!) and see what is revealed - simply acknowledging your emotions, collecting inspirational quotes, prioritizing your to-do list, noting things you’re grateful for, or even writing a sweet or silly poem.

15. INDULGE IN FUN

Dinner with true friends, laughter, chocolate, wine or whiskey, doing something crafty, watching a great show or movie….indulging in fun can take as many forms as you can imagine. Guilt of any kind is immediately disqualifying!