Category Archives: Self-Care

This is a sponsored post. Opinions are my own.

I know we’re living in a time where self-care and wellness are a priority and that means good things for women and their health. Reducing stress, eating a nutritious diet, sleeping well, and taking time for yourself are all paramount for living a healthy life. I think it’s quite important, however, that in this moment of self-care that we continue to shine light on a serious health concern for women: cervical cancer.

The purpose of this post today is simple and serious, not to raise fear, but to raise awareness of this disease all women are susceptible to, a disease that takes the life of one woman every two hours. What’s even more alarming is that more than half of new cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never or rarely been tested. Whether it’s access, concerns about time or co-payments cost , or a lack of education, I’m encouraged today by the #ChangeThisSTAT campaign to share some interesting and helpful information about cervical cancer.

Like…did you know that every hour another woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer? One third of U.S. women diagnosed with cervical cancer die, and that about 8 in 10 U.S. women will contract the virus – HPV – that can cause cervical cancer. Scary stats, ladies.

There is a lot of hope when it comes to this disease however, but it falls squarely on your own shoulders to keep yourselves healthy.  It entails visiting your doctor yearly for your well-woman exam and asking about getting a Pap test and HPV test together.  You should also spread the word in your own community on the critical importance of visiting your OB/GYN for your yearly exam. Going to the doctor, even if you’re busy, or perfectly healthy, is one of the best forms of self-care out there. 

I personally like to see my doctor during my work day and always schedule at least 90 minutes for an appointment. It’s easy to get caught up on missed emails, but a missed doctor’s appointment could have long-term consequences on your health. As a business owner, I encourage all of my employees to do the same, and it’s a company policy that we prioritize our health, even if it means arriving a bit late or leaving a few minutes early. I’d suggest speaking to someone in your company’s HR department, or ask your boss about how they feel about making time for a woman’s wellness check. Then, schedule away!

Important Info About Preventing Cervical Cancer

• If the cost of screening is a concern for you, there is a way to get tested. Cervical cancer screening is covered under the Affordable Care Act – meaning you won’t be responsible for the co-pay, deductible, or other out-of-pocket costs. If you don’t have health insurance, there are clinics across the United States that provide testing at low or no cost. Women, no matter their circumstances, can and should get tested.

• For women ages 30-65, the best way to protect against cervical cancer is to see your doctor and ask about getting a Pap and HPV test together. Pap+HPV Together is the preferred strategy for this age group, as it detects almost all cervical cancers and identifies more cases of pre-cancer and cervical cancer than either a Pap test or an HPV test alone. For women 21-29, leading health organizations recommend Pap testing alone.

• If your test results are abnormal, don’t panic. Schedule a follow-up with your doctor to discuss further. It may end up being nothing to worry about, but ignoring it is the worst thing you could do. When cervical cancer is found early, it’s highly treatable.

Make time for this, and together we can reduce the number of women dying of cervical cancer. It starts with going to the doctor and asking about getting a Pap test and HPV test together.

For more information visit ChangeThisSTAT.com.

Spring has been a tease the last few days but I think it’s finally here to stay which means we can toss aside our stylish yet equally functional beanies we hide our bad hair days under!

Between the harsh cold air and blow-drying, my hair gets super dry and drabby, I guess you could say winter sucks the life out of it! Now that warmer weather is upon us, I’m holding myself accountable,making sure my hair looks fab at all times and only wearing a hat because it goes with my outfit and not because my hair is lookin’ a little rough!

One of my favorite ways to restore some life back into my hair is by doing a deep conditioning hair mask! I could go to the salon or use one of the many hair products on the market right now but I’m a huge fan of DIY and saving a few extra bucks each month! 

Just how I like using random ingredients in my kitchen to make a new recipe, I love using what I already have to make a home made mask and 3 ingredients that you will ALWAYS find at my place are avocado, honey and olive oil-this combo is ideal for an ultra moisturizing and repairing hair mask! 

This is a great mask to do if you have damaged hair and use hot tools often. The oils and fats found in avocado and olive oil are extremely hydrating and help to repair your dry, brittle hair while the honey is what will help to retain moisture and give your hair that Pantene commercial shine! I’ve read that adding a few drops of lavender essential oil can be helpful if you’re experiencing itchy skin and dandruff, I personally haven’t tried it but if anything it’ll at least help make it smell good!

Now to the fun part…mixing your magical hair savior together! 

All you will need is:

• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons honey

Simply blend all of the ingredients together in a food processor until smooth and apply to damp hair! If you have thin hair or tend to have oilier roots, then I suggest starting an inch down from root and applying throughout your hair, focusing on the ends. Now if you’ve got thick, curly hair then apply GENEROUSLY all over! Once you’re done applying, toss it up in a bun or clip and let sit for about 30-45 minutes then rinse as usual! If you really want to make sure all of the nutrients get deep into your scalp then try putting on a shower cap and applying some heat to it either by use of blow-dryer for 15 minutes or sitting outside and letting the sunshine do its thing! 

It might look like you have guac in your hair but that’s ok, embrace the look because you are about to have soft, shiny, luscious locks once you’re rinsed and blow-dried! *hair flip*

Did you know that you don’t have to limit practicing self-care to just your off days?? It’s true babes! If anything, you should be practicing it on the reg, especially at work because lets face it, work and everything that comes along with it, can be stressful as hell!

Whether you work corporate or from home, there’s no escaping stress, it’s even possible for it to creep up when you’re at networking/social events so it’s important to always tune into your mind and body and know when to take a breather because guess what..taking a moment for yourself is OKAY!

Business trips also induce stress into our lives, we’re taken out of our routine, we’re expected to absorb or relay a certain amount of information in a small amount of time and more times than none we’re not actually able to enjoy the fact that our day to day has switched up even if it’s just for a day or two.

While speaking on a panel at SXSW in Austin, we were able to shed light on the importance of self-care in a work environment and believe it or not, while sitting up there alongside other badass women in business, I took a moment to really be present and feel grateful that I was even able to be there and share my passion with so many people.

All you need to do to get a little recharge to get back into the grind is take 1 minute, 5 or even 10 to focus on something other than work. I personally feel like my life is never ending stress therefore I make it a point to take plenty of ME moments throughout the day.

Below are some of my quick tips and tricks on how to not go totally insane when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed!

Be Present for 5-10 minutes

Being present means to simply be. I’m guilty for having my “break time” be a few minutes scrolling on the ‘gram to see what other people are up to but this doesn’t really help your motivation to keep working so I find it best to totally power off when I take my 5-10 minute break. I take this time to sit back, take a few deep breaths, think about what I’m grateful for that day and just be still. This allows me to hit refresh on my brain and focus my energy towards the rest of my work day.

Brush Your Hair

Bet you weren’t expecting to read that huh?!LOL Not only will you give yourself a little touch up visually but by brushing your hair you’re actually stimulating acupuncture points which help to calm your mind and help blood flow to your brain!

Express Yourself Through A Stream Of Consciousness

We’re all human, we all carry and express our emotions differently but the important thing is to get them out and not bottle anything up. There are times where I’m just having a shitty day and I unfortunately take that to work and end up having an even shittier day so I found that journaling and writing down what I was feeling as my day went on actually helped me to get rid of any negativity I may have been feeling. Somehow putting my thoughts down on paper actually helps me to realize that some things aren’t that big of a deal and I just need to take a chill pill. It’s also useful when I have a million different ideas going on in my head and need to quickly jot them down that way I don’t forget in the midst of a hectic day. Don’t stress yourself out by carrying around so many thoughts…write them down, get back to work and re-visit them when you have another free moment.

Have A Sensory Experience

Give your mood a boost during the day by tapping into your senses! In an article recently published by Forbes covering the panel at SXSW, I mentioned that “Taking a moment for yourself during a busy moment like SXSW can actually help you experience the event more fully. Try this mindfulness practice of focusing only on a sensory experience:the smells coming from the food trucks, the feeling of your body in a chair during a panel, or the noise from a band. That moment of focus will help to relieve any stress you may feel.” I find that having a sensory experience is not only important at events or at the office but it’s especially important you do this if you work from home. Take a moment to have a jam sesh and listen to your favorite song, this will help to boost your energy and concentration. I also find that lighting candles or even having fresh flowers on the table can automatically put me in a more relaxing mood when I take a deep breath and inhale scents I enjoy.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to bring me back to life when I feel like I’m on the verge of a complete burn out. Take care of yourselves guys, no amount of work/stress is worth you sacrificing your sanity!

There ain’t nothing cute about having dry, chapped lips during the winter which means I carry lip balm with me at all times and about 2 or 3 tubes for back up in case I lose one!

Whether you like a classic cherry Chapstick or go for the pricier Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment, moisturizing your lips should be an essential step in your daily skin care/makeup routine!

Just like you exfoliate your body to get rid of dead skin, you should be exfoliating your lips one or two times a week as well,this is the key to keeping your pout smooth and plump! With there being so many scrubs on the market now it can be hard to choose which one to go for-my long time favorite has been Fresh’s Sugar Lip Polish but I was recently introduced to Frank Body’s, The Star Crossed Lovers Kit which contains a lip scrub & balm and I’ve been hooked ever since! The scrub is a mix of ethically sourced beeswax, coffee and sugar making this an ideal blend for buffing away noticeable flakes and dead skin…plus the coffee makes it smell amazing! The balm is a whole other game changer too because it not only keeps my lips hydrated but I can also use it on my cuticles and Lord knows they suffer just as much as my lips do during the winter!

Even though you should only use a lip exfoliant once or twice a week, you should be moisturizing every single day and by moisturizing I do not mean licking your lips, that only dries them out even more!

During the day I like to use lip balm that contains SPF to protect my lips from any harmful UV rays plus it helps to keep them super hydrated. Nivea Smoothness Lip Care with SPF 15 is my go to when I’m looking for smooth lips with a little extra sun protection!

When I’d like to add a little tint to my lips, I’ll usually go for Glossier’s, Balm Dotcom in Rose to give them a little pink color to make them look a little more healthy and luscious! They also have a flavor called Birthday Cake which smells INSANE and adds a little shimmer! These balms will nourish your lips all day but warning:your boo won’t be able to stop kissing you because of how good the flavors taste so make sure you remember to reapply as needed! 😉

When my lips are feeling extra thirsty that means it’s time for me to use a thicker lip balm or mask and for that I use Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask! I let this baby work its vitamin C and antioxidant enriched magic overnight since it forms an 8 hour time release moisturizing layer over my skin. I fall asleep with the smell of a berry mix complex on my lips and wake up to a hydrated, soft, pucker-ready pout!

For both day and night use, I go back to basics with Vaseline! Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter is one of my all time favorite lip balms, I have so many of these little guys in my purse, apartment.. pretty much anywhere that has a compartment you will find one! It’s thick enough to keep my lips moisturized at night while I’m sleeping and it’s perfect for giving a subtle shine during the day as well!

Whatever your preference is ladies, remember it’s all about moisturizing daily and exfoliating twice a week so find what works best for you and maintain those kissable lips all year round!

Feeling bloated BLOWS!

Whether it’s because of traveling, about to get my period or I’m just backed up(sorry if that’s TMI but hey it’s life) being bloated sucks! There are honestly so many things that can cause bloating that it’s a wonder we can ever feel 100% ourselves!

I would say traveling is the biggest culprit for my bloating. Being out of your routine and in different environments can seriously mess with your gut’s bacterial balance- your sleeping routine is disrupted, you may be eating foods your body is not necessarily used to and your normal eating schedule can be thrown off as well which all leads to constipation and just feeling off overall. I’ve found that the best way to deal with bloating while traveling is by taking a probiotic pill to help balance out the good & bad bacteria BUT I also love taking Bye Bye,Bloat from Love Wellness, it’s an absolute MUST of mine when traveling because it contains digestive enzymes which help with water weight and digestion!

Below I’ve shared a few other ways to deal with that inevitable belly bloat no matter the cause!Find what works best for your lifestyle and say BYE FELICIA to being bloated!

Yoga

I know exercising while feeling bloated is the last thing you want to do but if you’re on or about to get your period then I suggest doing a gentle yoga flow! By moving and stretching your body you can help move your bowels to help ease bloating and any abdominal pains. A downward facing dog or even a standing forward fold can increase blood flow to your lower half offering you some relief! (Applying a few drops of peppermint oil to your abdomen can also help with bloating while on your period!)

Eat A Banana

Having trouble moving things along?? That could be a sign you need more fiber in your life! Eating a ripe banana can aid with bowel movements due to the potassium they contain! I’ll often add slices of the fruit to my oatmeal in the morning and trust me…they work!

Drink Water With Freshly-Squeezed Lemon Juice

If you’ve consumed a lot of salt in your diet lately then you might need to flush out some of that extra sodium that’s causing you to bloat! Staying hydrated in general will help to keep your regular but adding lemon juice to your water will help speed up the process since it stimulates the digestive enzymes in your system!

U Massage

Did you overeat or just inhale your food on your 20 min. lunch break?! Yea, you’re probably feeling uncomfortable AF after that but by doing a simple U Massage you can help to relieve that super full feeling. Begin on the lower right side of your abdominal area and press up toward your ribs,across to your left side and back down in a U-Shape, this massage traces the colon’s path toward the rectum so you’re basically guiding your food to where it needs to go!

Tea

Specifically Ginger and Peppermint Tea. Ginger is known for it’s anti inflammatory properties which is perfect for calming down your intestines. You can either eat a few pieces of raw ginger or make yourself a nice ginger tea by steeping a few slices of the root in boiling water for about 10 minutes and adding honey and lemon as well! Peppermint tea has been growing on me lately. Peppermint helps to relax gut nerves, facilitate gut movement and resets the bacterial balance of the gut. Whatever your flavor of choice, sip on some tea after your meal for immediate relief!

If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t find relief for your bloating then it’s time for the D word babe! D as in Doctor that is! If you’re experiencing any kind of pain with your bloating that just doesn’t seem to go away then it could be a sign of something more serious so be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

Valentine’s Day…you either hate it or you love it, there really is no in between! I personally feel like too many people get hung up on the Hallmark ideal of this holiday- there’s the pressure of what to get your significant other, the gray area of “I don’t know what we are, do I buy them a gift or nah?” and then there’s the whole “I’m single, this day is so lame” aspect of it as well. You want to know what I think about February 14th? I think of it as just another day to show yourself and those you appreciate most a little extra lovin’!

There are about a million different things you can gift your bae, your girlfriends ( I love me a fun Galentine’s night!) and even yourself on Valentine’s but there’s no better gift than that of self-care so I’ve come up with a few wellness related gifts you can give your loved ones this upcoming holiday!

Relationship

Wine & Dine At Home. Don’t even bother dealing with making reservations on Valentine’s Day, restaurants get way too crowded, there are insane wait times and if you do manage to get a table you end up spending way too much money! Avoid the headache and opt for a night in instead! Whether you want to surprise them with dinner or would rather cook together, try making something you’ve never attempted before and have fun with it! Not sure what to chef up?? I recently made an Italian inspired White Bean and Tomato Chickpea Pasta With Fresh Herbs that tasted ridiculously good and it’s the perfect dish to go with your favorite bottle of wine!

Shapehouse Gift Certificate. Give the gift of sweat! Ok, that sounds kind of icky BUT why not get in a good sweat sesh together?! You’ll both leave feeling recharged, relaxed and your endorphins will be flowing!

Weekend Get Away. There’s probably no better way to practice self-care than to actually get away and escape all of the stresses in the world..even if it’s just for a weekend! If you do your research you can actually plan a fun, relaxing trip without breaking the bank! This is a great opportunity for you and your babe to decompress and spend some good quality time together.

Galentine’s

Love Wellness, New Routine Kit. This is the ultimate “I care for you!” gift for your gals! This kit is going to seriously help your girls out in every aspect of their lives. You’ve got your #Mood Pills supplement to boost your mood, the Lean Queen which helps manage your metabolism, Lights Out to improve sleep, Do It All Wipes (travel size) to keep you fresh on the go (great for post-workout) and it also includes The Killer which is amazing for your vaginal health. ALL the ladies in your life need this kit ASAP!

Mani/Pedi. Ahh a classic. Whether you make a day of it and join your bestie for a well deserved mani & pedi to catch up or she enjoys it solo, you can NEVER go wrong with a mani/pedi!

Celebrate You Self-Care Set. I recently came across this set from Maggie Wu and decided all my girls needed it! It includes a Rose Quartz Facial Roller and an Amed Eye Mask. It’s the perfect duo for traveling!

Me, Myself & I

Massage/Facial. Girl, you’ve been working hard, show yourself a little love and relieve some stress with a full body massage and while you’re at it get your glow on with a nice facial!

Dark Chocolate. If you’re not one to really make a big deal out of treating yourself but love all those heart shaped candy boxes then do yourself a favor and grab some dark chocolate on your way home from work! Dark chocolate is the healthier alternative and it pairs well with wine! 😉

Retail Therapy. This doesn’t necessarily mean go spend thousands of dollars and worry about all the money you spent later,that totally defies the wellness part of this gift.LOL Just buy yourself a new lipstick color you’ve been wanting to try or even book a workout class your friends have been dying for you to go to. Go on babe, gift yourself a little somethin’…you deserve it!!