Baths are an ancient healing practice in almost every culture around the world, from the hothouses of Scandanavia and banyas of Russia to mud baths in Ecuador, hot springs in New Zealand, and ancient Indigenous parajes of the American Southwest. The therapeutic use of water to soothe mental and physical ailments (also known as hydrotherapy), […]
self care
How Weighted Blankets Improve Sleep, Stress, and Anxiety (& The Best Ones to Buy)
The health benefits of sleeping under heavy blankets have been documented throughout history, but the trend has emerged again in the digital age as an antidote to insomnia, stress, anxiety. As it turns out, sleeping under a weighted blanket is a particularly effective treatment for people who find themselves struggling with an inability to “wind […]
“Self-Care” vs. “Self Comfort” (And Why You Need Both)
Here’s a novel idea: consider that self-care alone might not be enough to truly resolve your inner feelings of stress and wellbeing. This is because many wellness experts talk about “self-care” when what most people really need is the ability to “self comfort.” Self-care is all the usual stuff— diet, exercise, meditation, time with friends, […]
10 Cool New York City Workouts (According To Insiders & Locals)
When I first moved to New York after college, one of the things I loved most about the city was the incredible array of boutique fitness offerings. Categories of gyms and fitness programs I had never even heard of before– like aquacycling and megaformer pilates– caught my interest. Previously, I was a runner, a yogi, […]
Understanding Ho’oponopono: A Beautiful Hawaiian Teaching About Forgiveness
People who struggle with the concept of forgiveness– both for themselves and for others– often find comfort in a deeply healing age-old practice that comes from Hawai’i. The beautiful Hawaiian teaching for Forgiveness is called “Ho’oponopono” (pronounced HO-oh-Po-no-Po-no), and it’s lovely. This ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness functions as both a communication concept for reconciliation […]
A Prayer For When You’ve Hit Rock Bottom
So– you’ve hit rock bottom, you’re feeling scared and lonely, and this is what you consider to be your lowest point. Maybe you’re sick, maybe you’ve experienced massive loss, maybe your worst fear or greatest terror in life has been realized: Now what? Even if you’re not religious, you can still use mindful self-talk– which […]
15 Delightful Yoga Gifts (Eco-Friendly + Stylish Props)
I know I know: you don’t need another gift guide. But sustainable yoga gear is all the rage among today’s yoga lovers. This gift guide for eco-friendly yogis spotlights all the latest, coolest gifts for yogis that make the practice more fun. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or trying to find some nice swag for […]
5 Great Eco-Friendly Comfy Clothes Companies
With remote work and digital nomad-ing on the rise, eco-friendly, ethically-made comfy clothes are more desirable than ever. As we previously wrote in our viral Gift Guide for Stressed Out People, today the average person spends more time in their pajamas than in their work clothes. Why not make them just as nice? Studies show […]
25 Helpful Gifts for Stressed Out People
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that people really only want gifts that will make their lives easier. That’s why I put together this collection of gifts for stressed-out people– a collection of beautiful, functional stress relief gifts that promote mental health and well-being. We live at a moment in history when divisive […]
Mustard Baths: A Surprising Stress Hack for Relieving Tension + Sleeplessness
Here’s a hot new-but-old health trend you probably never could have predicted: mustard baths. Mustard baths are a rich and alkalizing way to eliminate acid waste and balance the body’s pH, with a storied history of use in Ayurvedic medicine– and Western research is just now emerging to support these claims. The combination of mustard […]