When I was young, like many small kids, my brother and I took baths together. I guess it’s easier to bathe two kids at once and way more fun to have someone to play with in the bathtub! The baths I remember most of all always took place on Friday evenings when my dad returned home from a week of traveling for work. Friday evenings were the highlight of my week since we’d get to spend fun quality time with our dad.
Friday night bath time with my dad always included his telling us stories about two kids named Pam and Sam; two fictional characters he made up for our listening delight. He’d tell us tales of a little girl named Pam and a little boy named Sam who seemed about the age of my brother and me. And he didn’t just tell us these Pam and Sam stories, he would actually sing them to us. Now my dad, who seemed like a “manly man” to me, would enthusiastically sing his stories as my brother and I giggled and played in the tub.
As soon as my dad got home on Friday night, we’d all head for the upstairs hall bathroom for bath time with dad. As the tub was filling with water, my brother and I would start anxiously screaming, “Tell us a Pam and Sam story, tell us a Pam and Sam story! Tell us a Pam and Sam story! Pleeeease!” He’d plunk us into the bath water and start singing his tales of Pam and Sam’s adventures in the world. He always started his Pam and Sam stories with the same introduction singing that his song was about a girl and a boy named Pam and Sam. He sang each time with the same tune meandering his words with his signature melody. As he robustly sang his story, telling us all the things that Pam and Sam did during the week, we’d scream, “I did that, I did that!” It was amazing that Pam and Sam did so many of the things we had done during the week he was away. It was almost like magic that these two kids, Pam and Sam, were just like us!
After our bath was over and we were squeaky clean, hair and all, we got out of the tub for the second round of grooming. My dad pushed our cuticles back, clipped our nails and towel-dried our hair. This was our big grooming night of the week. When my dad combed through our tangled hair, we’d occasionally wince from the pulling. He’d let us know he was sorry, but that he had to remove the cats and dogs that were in our hair. When we’d wince, he’d say, “Oops there’s a cat, oops there’s a dog! They’re almost all gone! Hang in there!”
We’d get into our jammies when all the bathing and grooming was done, and my brother and I would head to my parents’ bedroom to gather on their big bed to play board games. We’d play Chutes and Ladders and Candyland. I always hated when I’d finally make my way up that ladder to the top and boom, I’d go down to the bottom again. Candyland was much more fun!
During our Friday night baths with my dad, a big part of the joy of this experience was all the stories we heard about Pam and Sam who amazingly did all the same things that my brother and I did. The stories he sang delighted and surprised us as to how these two kids were just like my brother and me. We felt a sense of wonder and awe that two other children in the world, Pam and Sam, lived similar lives to ours. There was comfort and bewilderment in the similarities.
In our childhood innocence, we never questioned how Pam and Sam could do the exact same things we did. I don’t know how long it took us to realize the truth of my dad’s tales. But in time we discovered that my dad was singing about the adventures of my brother and I all along. My mom had updated him during the week about all the things we did while he was away so he didn’t miss out on the adventures of our childhood.
Now that I’m all grown up and my father is gone, the memories of Pam and Sam hold a special and dear place in my heart. I can still hear my dad singing his stories and some days when I slide down in the tub, I close my eyes and smile deeply. I don’t know about you but taking a bath has always been a special part of my life.
]]>All-Natural bath bombs for ultimate relaxation! It’s true that all of Joyful Bath Co’s offerings of bath bombs are all-natural! They are full of ingredients you might find in your kitchen or grown in your garden. Joyful Bath Co offers twelve different signature scents, perfect for kids and scent-sensitive persons of all ages! Sweets, florals, and herbal scents too, there is a scent here for you! Check back often to see what is new!
Joyful Bath Co’s bath bombs are loaded with coconut oil to soften and hydrate your skin. Cornstarch is added to soothe itchy skin and the right amount of Citric Acid to gently exfoliate, but also it has a great fizz! As soon as your bath bomb touches the water, it’s fizz-fizz hooray! Sore muscles get the VIP treatment when they are greeted with a bath full of Epsom Salts! Your body will thank you for the relaxing bath sent from the heavens above to be enjoyed by you. Jump in a bath and release the stress away!
Joyful Bath Bombs and More!
The creation of Joyful Bath Co started with a bath! It was a great idea received by its Founder and Chief Bath Mixologist Rochel Roland. She describes in an article for The Parenting Issue of Bethesda Magazine in the March/April 2009 issue, her interest in making, “luxuriously therapeutic” bath salts. A single thought that catapulted the joy of bathing with healing ingredients from the land and sea to customers all over the Metro DC area. Today, the product line has developed to include an array of luxurious bath bombs, bubble baths, and a CBD line called Hemp Ultra Therapy. A branch of products that includes CBD bath bombs, soaps, salts, and balm in addition to pampering gift sets. Customers all over Maryland to Hawaii and back get to enjoy a full range of joyful bath treats.
Joyful Bath Co has over 5,000 happy customers taking baths with handmade natural bath bombs. No sulfates and no dyes are ever added to these fizzy bath treats! The bath bombs are lightly scented with a phthalate-free fragrance that is kid-friendly and great for those with more sensitive noses. The color used comes from skin-safe mineral colors like mica and iron oxide.
Baths Bombs to Help You Fall Asleep!
Did you take a bath today? Did you know that taking a warm bath bomb bath before bed helps you sleep better? And who doesn’t want a more restful sleep! But please, don’t forget to add a bath bomb in one of the many available scents to make your bath extra special! The scents are amazing! The feel of your skin is soft and luxurious too! When you come out of the bath, towel dry to keep your skin coated in coconut oil and touchable soft. And best yet the clean-up is easy because there is no mess in the tub! Woo-hoo!
Are you starting to think that baths really can be good for you? Splashing in the tub can make you feel like a kid again, but it can also serve as your home office or study lounge during exam week. Yes, you can get fresh and clean, but also baths can help you find the time to multitask. You can meditate in the bath, but do so much more! You can also read your favorite book of the month or watch a tantalizing soap opera on your favorite streaming service. On extra humid days and nights, escape the heat with a cold dip. But whatever you do, don’t forget your bath bombs!
To see all that Joyful Bath Co has to offer check out the joyfulbathco.com to pick up your luxurious bath bombs and have a bath today!
]]>We love our local community and love meeting the people that pop into our shop. We are always curious how people first heard about Joyful Bath Co. Many of our customers let us know they met us at all the various events we attend in the DC Metro area, whether it be at the Downtown Holiday Market, The Flea at Eastern Market or Olney Artists & Farmers Market to name a few. Some folks tell us how they googled “bath bombs near me” and that’s how they found us. Any way they find us, they’re so happy to come into our adorable shop and happy they don’t have to go to the mall to buy their bath and shower treats. They also discover that we have beautiful custom gift sets for unique and elegant gift giving for all occasions and are very excited about that too.
Our cute little shop is in our warehouse located right in the front of where we make all our bath bombs, shower steamers, bubble scoops, soy candles and more! When you walk in, you’re immediately greeted by an amazing aromatherapy experience from whatever we may be making that day. Some days you step into a “menthol vapor chamber” and get the amazing benefits of the menthol in our shower steamers as it fills the air. We hear people exclaim, “Wow – it smells great in here and I can breathe! I want whatever that is!” Many customers are also pleased that they’re enjoying our scents and they’re not overwhelmed or having any adverse reaction like other stores they’ve been to.
When you come visit us, we’re always happy to see you and make sure you feel welcome. We let you in on some goodies that we’re not able to offer on our website such as what we call our Boo-Boos! I know it’s shocking but not all our bath bombs, shower steamers and soaps come out perfectly and we’re very picky! If they’re cracked or broken or crumbs, we put them aside and add them to our “Scratch & Dent” area where the bargains are to be had! The customers who have discovered our boo-boos will periodically call us to ask us if we have any boo-boos available. In fact, we have one customer we lovingly call the “Boo-Boo Lady”! She gets a kick out of that title and even announces herself as that when she comes through the door.
Some customers like to place their orders online, select the pick-up option when checking out and then come to our shop to pick-up their orders. They enjoy the ease and immediacy of getting their goodies and enjoy “sniffing around” while exploring everything we have to offer. You can experience smelling all the soy candles and feeling the texture of the bath accessories – the soap pouches, the ramie puff and the Turkish towels. We have a colorful assortment of our Turkish towels displayed in a full size clawfoot bathtub! We even have a jar of coffee beans to wake up your nose, after you’ve taken so many sniffs!
Another thing about our shop that you probably didn’t know, is that we’re a “Return Bar” for Happy Returns. That means when you purchase from other online retailers and need to either exchange or return any item that you purchase from them, you can come to our place and we’ll handle it for you. Most of what we see are shoes and clothing. We don’t have the exchange items here; we simply take your return to ship it off for you and make sure you see your confirmation. You can check out Happy Returns website and see what e-tailers are part of their network. It’s a very quick and easy process for you and us; and it’s nice that it brings new people into our shop that may not know about us. It’s win-win!
And if all this doesn’t convince you to stop by our shop, there’s more! There is a delicious bakery next door called, La Bohemia. There’s also Seven Locks Brewery right around the corner as well as G Street Fabrics. We hope you one day soon make a plan to come see us and stock up on your bath and shower goodies and grab some baked goods next door! Make a little adventure of it and enjoy exploring our local neighborhood. We’re grateful to be part of this community and look forward to meeting the next person that walks through our door! See you soon.
]]>
I have a twelve-year old pug. As he has gotten older, I’ve turned his 5-minute baths into a whole treatment- a spa treatment at home for dogs! If your dog can’t sit still in the bath, I suggest taking them out for a walk to tire them out a bit. They’ll appreciate the exercise and you’ll have an easier time getting him to sit still.
Brush him down outside to remove any loose dirt and fur. Then set a relaxing mood for the best dog bath ever! Draw a warm bath, add your dog soak and turn on some relaxing music. The music helps both of you get into a quieter- a more relaxed feeling. Dogs can sense our energy do your best to remain Zen. Have fun spending this time with your pet. Try talking or singing with them. This is a great time to massage their temples, shoulders, back and legs. Their muscles get sore too!
Dogs can benefit from the same natural skin treatment that we use for dry and itchy skin. I like to use bath bombs in my dogs bath! My favorite one to use on him is Peace Out. It comes in a break-apart and I can easily add one or two cubes to his bath water. Mixed in with the dog soak he is in for a soothing and relaxing bath and smells good too!
Coconut oil from the bath bombs helps heal his dry skin and makes his fur look extra shiny and soft. After his bath and is all dry, I like to rub Pet Balm to his nose and any other dry patches like the belly to make it soft and smooth. Next time you give your pup a bath try giving him a relaxing spa treatment at home!
We want to hear from you! Do you have an interesting story to share? Tell us about your favorite relaxation technique. Do you have a special bathing ritual? We want to know! Share with us your story and be the topic of our next Wellness Saturday! Email us at info@joyfulbathco.com
Feel like you don’t have time for self-care? Well, here is an idea to help maximize the time that you have for a little self-care, soak your feet!
Put foot baths on your short list of things to do when you don’t have enough time for a bath or you don’t have a bathtub. Foot baths take up little room, all you need is a bucket and some warm water to start. It should be big enough to hold both your feet with enough water to cover your ankles. Add your favorite bath salts and break-aparts for a pampering and relaxing treatment.
So why should you take a foot bath? Foot baths relieve the muscles in your feet by reducing any swelling caused by walking, running, lifting or standing. Giving your feet their own bath also helps them to heal from minor cuts and infections. Wearing tight shoes is uncomfortable and can cause problems like blisters and infections. Take them off and put your feet in a nice warm soak for 20 minutes everyday if you can, but at least twice a week.
Here are a few ideas to get you soaking your tootsies more often.
After you’re done soaking your feet and feeling better, dry them off and massage them with a foot massager to relieve tight arches. Apply your favorite hemp balm to hydrate your skin and soothe your feet, it’s mentholated too for a cool fresh feeling!
What are other ways that you can think of that will help you in soaking your tired feet? Remember keep your feet looking and feeling good. They carry you all day. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you.
We want to hear from you! Do you have an interesting story to share? Tell us about your favorite relaxation technique. Do you have a special bathing ritual? We want to know! Share with us your story and be the topic of our next Wellness Saturday! Email us at info@joyfulbathco.com
If you are having trouble sleeping, I recommend my personal sleep meditation technique. I use it whenever I want to fall asleep fast. It’s an easy visualization to help increase mind body connection for better sleep. With practice you’ll be able to fall asleep quickly. A few points to remember to accelerate this process:
I recommend you put on relaxing music nothing too loud or anything with words. Set the volume low, where you can hear it over your breathing, but not too much louder. You will need to play with the volume so that it’s not too loud while you are sleeping, and it wakes you. You’ll be surprised how loud normal sounds can be when there are no other sounds in the room.
Get into bed and lay on your back. Place pillows under your knees and shoulders for extra support. Place your left hand over your navel and the other over your heart. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply as you turn your attention to the spot under your hands.
Notice how your hands rise and fall with your abdomen as you fill with air. Go ahead and breathe in and out as slowly as you can. Your mind might want to drift, but gently bring it back to the spot under your hands. This may take some practice if you are new to breathing in this way. Stay there for a few breathes. When you are ready, direct your attention to your head.
Imagine a wave of relaxation moving through your body. Feel the muscles of your scalp relax, then your face feels more relaxed too. Continue moving through your body. See the wave move slowly through your body. Down your shoulders, arms,hands, hips, legs, knees, calves, ankles and feet. Continue to breathe. In through your nose and gently out through your nose. You feel more and more relaxed as the wave completes its pass. Feel the tension release. Feel the relaxation. The wave moves down through your feet. You are completely relaxed. Stay here in until you gently fall asleep.
With practice you will be able to help yourself fall asleep quickly. Try this every night and whenever you need get to sleep fast.
We want to hear from you! Do you have an interesting story to share? Tell us about your favorite relaxation technique. Do you have a special bathing ritual? We want to know! Share with us your story and be the topic of our next Wellness Saturday! Email us at info@joyfulbathco.com
The days have gotten shorter and school is back in session. Virtual learning presents new challenges for both students and their parents. Here are 6 things that you can do to make the transition easier.
The first week of September signals the end of summer is near and school is back in session. Virtual learning brings forth a new set of challenges that parents and students are bound to come across. As students return back to school and parents prepare a new routine it’s helpful to set a schedule. Setting a schedule let’s everyone know what to expect, when to expect it and how it will be accomplished. Below are my 6 tips that students and their parents can do create positive habits and quality bonding time.
1) Go to bed. Take school night seriously. That means going to bed early and get enough sleep. Get ready for bed as you would normally. Don’t forget to pick out your outfit for the next day and take a warm bath if needed. It helps to relax your body and mind for a restful sleep.
2) Set an alarm to help you wake up. A steady wake up time helps you get the day started. If you are a shower person now is the perfect time to use your favorite mentholated shower steamer to help you get ready. The aroma will fill your space as you get ready for a day.
3) Eat breakfast. It’s easy enough to forget when you’re in a hurry. So give yourself enough time in the morning to have a nice breakfast and spend time together. Parents, this is the perfect time to hide a loving note in their lunchbox.
4) Walk together to class. Even if your child can walk to class on their own, for the first few sessions they might need you to hold their hand. New experiences might cause fear and knowing that a grown up is close by is comforting.
5) Pick them up from class if possible and take a walk in the neighborhood. Virtual learning might mean that your child is sitting in front of a screen for longer than usual. This way you can both get some exercise while bonding.
6) Celebrate the weekend. Give them something to look forward to. Get creative with your weekend activities. Be safe and have fun doing it. Above all create a routine for the most positive results and stick with it. You got this!
What’s that smell? is a common phrase I hear around our production studio. It’s no surprise that we’re often asking ourselves this question because we care about scent. In our goal to produce the best smelling natural bath and shower products in the universe, I got to thinking about the different smells in the air and how often my own mood is affected by them. Whether the stench of the alley trashcan or the pleasant aroma of refreshing shower steamers, scent is a trigger for me and I dare say, most of you. Scent helps us to gain clarity,to feel at home and to feel invigorated.
“our sense of smell changes”
It's been my observation that smells carry lasting effects to mood. Much like our taste in food changes as we grow older, our sense of smell also changes. Developing into more sophisticated bouquets. For example, I didn’t appreciated floral scents as much as I do now. The scent of rose reminds me of my grandmother’s rose garden. This floral delight brings me clarity when I’m feeling stuck.
“familiar smell of home”
I’m reminded of the familiar smell of home and the happy feeling the scents bring. Often stirring up wonderful memories. The kind of memories that send warmth to my heart and a smile on my face. The smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven, makes me feel cozy and safe.It could be the fresh scent of lemonade that feels like home to you or the sweetness of vanilla. Scent has the power to bring our minds to a halt. Reminding you of long forgotten memories. Like those of hot summer days slipping and sliding down the lawn with all your friends from the neighborhood.
“delight the senses”
Our noses are a wonderful thing. Consider that without the different smells in the air and our ability to sense them we’d find it difficult to better detect the world around us. They help us find food, find peace and find a mate. The smell of dinner cooking tells us it’s almost time to eat. Sweetness in the air is comforting and the pheromones coming off a potential mate prolongs the love.
Aroma is powerful and unique toe very individual as it affects everyone in various ways to vast to mention here. Remember this if anything at all, enjoy the smells that this world has to offer. They delight the senses.
This week's introduction belongs to our very own chalk artist, Zeina. She is the newest addition to the Joyful Bath Co Team and we are glad to have her. Read what she has to say about getting relaxed in the chaotic world that we currently live in.
Many of us are so caught up in the daily stress of our lives that we forget to slow down. Relax, and take some time to connect with your mind, body, and soul. There are many ways that we can relax. My favorite way is through painting. It’s quite personal to me. Painting is a proven and effective way to reduce stress and send one to an imaginary world where nothing else matters.
“Switch-off !”
Sometimes all we are looking for is an escape or a way to switch-off after a long stressful day. It might be from working all day long and into the night trying to get things done or it might just be a bad day that stayed on your mind. It happens all the time!
There are no rules or much thoughts behind creating my type of art. It’s my way to escape long stressful days. I choose to paint especially during school time. I like to fit an art class into my main schedule so I can have some me-time. I pick art class to be the final class I had that day, this way I can FREE-up from all the stress I carry from doing school work all day. I get to enjoy something I really like doing and have some peaceful time where I can escape to my imaginary place.
“Finding peace in chaos”
I found that when I engage in painting, my brain stops thinking of my daily problems and negative thoughts. Instead, I focus on the task at hand. It helps me get into a flow state. The “flow state” occurs when I get deeply focused on a task, like painting, that I can do for an extended amount of time, and I forget about the rest of the world. It’s like finding peace in chaos.
“Sketchbooks for stress relief”
Keeping a sketchbook is one of the easiest ways to relieve stress. I keep one next to my bed and draw whatever comes to mind. I use mine as a dream journal. I started one this month to help me identify patterns in my dreams that I then sketch out. This process points out areas in my life that need extra attention that might lead to stress. I’ll draw every day when I wake up in the morning like images, symbols or words. DON’T worry if you’re not good at drawing. Your dream journal is for your eyes ONLY.
Next time you need to switch-off, go find your pens, brushes and sketchbooks to help you find peace within the chaos of your day. Start a dream journal and begin to see the areas of your life that might need some extra attention. Get into the flow-state and escape to your imaginary world where nothing else matters except this moment.
Have you ever taken a "Forest Bath"? Are you scratching your head wondering “what the heck is that?” Sounds kind of strange doesn’t it?
Keep reading to learn more.
When I first heard of the concept of Forest Bathing, I thought it sounded strange. It’s an idea made popular in Japan and it’s all about time with nature. It seems simple, but just as we often don’t take time to soak in the tub, we often find ourselves too busy to spend time in nature. There are so many health benefits to walking in the woods or sitting under a tree. When you’re out in nature, you actually inhale the aromatherapy compounds from the plants around you called phytoncides. Take in all the scents around you, the freshness of the air, breath in and breathe out.
Walk and Meditate
I often do walking meditation focusing on each step as my one foot after the other touches the ground. I listen to all the sounds around me. Each of the unique bird songs and the rustling of the trees. I do my “Forest Bathing” in the morning walking my dog in the woods along a creek. I listen to the rippling and splashing of water as it hits rocks and fallen trees. I look at all the different vibrant green living things all around me and am in awe of nature. Twiggy the dog is always in awe sniffing and tasting new leaves.
Appreciate the Simple Moments
During the times I’m not able take a walk, I sit on my screen porch and look out at the huge birch tree right outside in my yard. It is grand and beautiful and ancient. It’s been there so many years I’m sure it’s been climbed by all the kids from all the families who lived in the house before me. How many of you climbed trees or had a tree fort when you were growing up?
It's these simple moments that connect us with ourselves. It’s the time we take to honor the one that we are. I’m always surprised to ask myself, “ Wow, why don’t I do this more often?” after I’ve let these lovely routines slip away during busy times. I can say I took a “Forest Bath” this morning. How about you?
I don't know about you, but when I look at social media and see all the posts that show everyone being productive during the pandemic, I wonder if I should be doing more.
"take a deep breath"
If you're achievement-oriented like me, it's important to take a moment and ask, "What do I really need to get done today?" Then, take a deep breath and start taking things one step at a time. One by one, crossing items off the list.
"inspire others"
Perhaps a lot of people posting their achievements online are hoping to inspire others rather than make anyone feel badly for underachieving. Whatever the motivation, I find it's important not to compare or judge ourselves. We're all on our own journeys and handling these stressful days the best we can.
"joyful thoughts"
I'm reminding myself to be gently with myself. I suggest you do too. We are all in this together, no matter how divided it may appear sometimes.
Sending you love, joyful thoughts, and virtual hugs.
Many of you know by now, baths are one of my favorite things in the universe and that’s why I started Joyful Bath Co. back in 2008. Taking a bath makes me feel good, relaxed, clean and silky, full of great ideas and of course, joyful! It’s my best medicine and meditation!
Some of you though, don’t share my enthusiasm for baths and I don’t hold that against you as long as you shower or bathe in some form – teehee! I’ve heard several reasons why you’ve sworn off baths - they’re disgusting, they make you too hot or they just require too much time.
"my little secret"
Okay, so here’s my little secret. Every morning I take a 5-minute Power Bath! In fact as much as I love baths the majority of my daily baths never last beyond 15 minutes. It doesn’t have to take a long time to experience the therapeutic benefits of soaking in the tub. And for those of you who think baths are disgusting, go ahead and take a quick shower first, then you can be nice and clean for your soak.
"go ahead and get in the tub"
Here’s my “technique” for taking a Power Bath. Start running the water, toss in your bath salts or bath bomb, and go ahead and get in the tub while it’s filling up. Make the water as hot as you can take it and fill the tub only half way. When you slide your body down into the water, it should cover only your backside and slightly up over your sides. This allows your chest, belly and tops of legs to be exposed to the air.
"Relax for 5-15 minutes"
The skin that is out of the water will be able to breath (respiration) and you will experience a releasing, rejuvenating bath. You will feel the soothing hot water and the cooler air above you. This also helps to regulate your body temperature so that you don’t overheat. You can close your shower curtain to keep in the steam if you’d like. Relax for 5-15 minutes. That’s no more time than a shower!
"melt away the stress"
While the Power Bath is my daily ritual, a few days a week I take a hemp CBD bath and end up soaking way longer as I melt away the stress and lose any worry about keeping track of time. I get out of the tub in a Zen-like state, Go ahead and try that too!
Start your day and be more invigorated! Today, I'll share with you a challenge that I've decided to take up for my daily morning ritual. Brace yourself, it's coming in cold!
A cold morning shower hadn't crossed my mind until my AC broke this week. Hot summer nights make it almost impossible to keep cool. Awhile back my dad reminded me that a cold shower is a great way to cool off from the summer heat. I decided to try it in the morning. It was an invigorating experience. I cooled off, felt more alert and energized too which I didn't expect!
The water is cold, but here's my advice to make the experience more pleasant. Take it slow. When you're in the shower let the water hit your feet first and get used to the temperature. Get your favorite soap, mine is Green Tea Glee because it has peppermint in it and I like the smell. I feel that it helps me to wake up too.
"lather...and rinse"
Get your soap and create a lather. Start at your feet and quickly lather up. You'll start to warm-up your feet. The water will feel warmer by now because you're massaging your feet by washing and increasing the blood flow. Continue to lather upwards using more and more cold water as you need it. Finally, walk under the shower head and let cold water rinse yourself clean. Green Tea Glee rinses fast and you'll be done quickly. The water should feel warmer at this point and you can stay there a little longer if you want.
"feel good"
After I did this I felt more alert. This definitely helped me to feel good, get cooled off and take away morning grog. I seemed to breathe deeper and my mood felt more elevated. As a bonus, this also helped with post workout recovery pain from leg day exercises earlier in the week. A cold morning shower was not the plan this week, but neither was a broken AC.
Now I'm glad it broke because I was able to remember helpful advice that I can now share with you. I recommend that you plan to take a cold morning shower this summer and whenever you need to cool off, get rid of morning grog and feel more energized!
Learn how I set an intention to wake up early and use that extra time to complete chores and fit in some quality time.
I know that as a busy person myself sometimes- maybe not the case for you, but once in a while some of you might- like me, let go of our chores around the house. Because we're "too busy" occasionally leave crumbs on the kitchen counter or worse. Whatever the case could be, whether you're part of a couple or a large family, I think that getting up early, doing a morning routine, and keeping your home clean is part of having an overall sense of well-being for body and mind.
"it's easy breezy!"
Today's entry will involve a bit of cleaning up and relaxation afterward, but first, let me share with you that getting up early on the weekend shouldn't be hard, it's easy and breezy when you set your mind to it!
Perhaps the last thing you want to do today is get up early to feed the cat, water your plants or sweep up the crumbs from Friday morning's over-the-sink breakfast feast as you rushed out to work. But if, you manage to get yourself up early today, congratulations! As the saying goes, you're already ahead of the pack!
First, the night before, do all the usual things like setting your alarm, and picking out your clothes for the next day- keep it consistent. I've found that getting up at my usual times even on the weekends when I have nowhere to go increases my productivity and gets my chores done faster. Let's face it adulting still involves chores. We can't seem to run from them, but later after they are all done you can relax any way that you want to.
"Sit up and stretch."
In the morning when the alarm goes off and not long after hitting snooze (because some mornings you need an extra 10 minutes), but not too much later after hitting snooze, sit up in bed and stretch. Stretch out your arms to the sides then up and around your body. Pull up your knees to your chest, then stretch out your legs in front of you.
Get up and drink a full glass of water. It's helpful to set the glass of water next to me on my nightstand. That way I don't have to stumble in the dark and sleepily make my way to the kitchen. This way the water is already there for me and I drink it. This also goes towards my daily water intake. Is it still 8 glasses of water per day?
Thankfully I've set my intention the previous night and now I can stand up and tackle all the chores that got left undone the day(s) beforehand. I go for our All-Purpose Surface Cleaner and wipe down my kitchen counters leaving them nice and clean with a fresh scent of lavender. I work quickly and steadily all throughout the house. Tables and bathroom tiles all get wiped down and clean. I love it!
Getting the house clean helps me feel good. It can also be meditative if you get in the zone. Play your favorite music and you'll be done fast. But now that the house is clean it's time to wash up with a cool shower, but don't forget the Aromatherapy Shower Steamer! I like Lemon Verbena right now because it's so refreshing and uplifting.
This week's tip is brought to you by our very own team member Alfredo. When he is not making bath bombs and shower steamers he is at home gardening. Read what he has to say about talking with plants and why doing so might help you get zen.
My grandma always said that if you want a beautiful garden, then you have to talk with your plants. Many, many, many years later I found this to be true. She forgot to mention the greater benefit from talking to your plants. Talk with your plants to help you to feel zen and present in the moment too! Like some of you, I've started a vegetable garden this season and let me tell you that caring for my plants helps me feel more zen and recharged by being around them and caring for them.
In the morning, as the Sun comes up- to get in a peaceful frame of mind, I'll put on some relaxing music, light some incense, spray myself down with our natural bug spray and go outside to water my plants- It is summer after all and I need extra bug protection this time of year.
I do this so I could tune in better. It's like the world around me has slowed down and I can see things more clearly. For me at this moment, it's about tuning in to something that can't talk but is constantly sending me feedback. Letting me know which stems to cut or how much to water. Which is needed for them to grow strong.
"I literally cheer for them!"
To recharge in the afternoon, I go outside for a visit and feel that they come alive! It's like they were waiting for me all day. I easily get mesmerized in the beauty of their leaves and vines. I'll follow them up and around to see where they go often leading me to the root. Pruning this or that or watering their roots- I feel more grounded. It must be a plant thing that helps us feel more grounded.
A life hack to feel cheery, I literally cheer for them! When they put on new growth and when the buds start to bloom and turn to fruit, I cheer for them. I feel better for spreading positive energy to the plants and the plants perform better! It may sound ridiculous, but I encourage everyone to give it a try. You may find that they are cheering for you too! My grandma was right when she recommended that I talk with plants to get a beautiful garden. I think today, she would add that, it's good for you too!
We all feel stressed from time to time. Sometimes, we experience it when we have too much to achieve in very little time. Other times, it’s when we’ve been up and about for hours, with no time to rest. In whatever form it comes, one thing is certain –stress sucks.
Fortunately, as easily as stress comes, it can also be expelled! With just a few minutes dedicated to getting relief, you can relax, regain your energy, and pick up where you left off. Some ways to get stress relief in 5 minutes or less include:
Inhaling essential oils is a great way to get relief from stress. This activity helps calm your mind whenever you feel stressed, anxious, or unable to sleep. To combat stress, inhale essential oils like lavender, frankincense, bergamot, sandalwood, orange bloom and rose. Apply a few drops of these oils on a cotton pad and inhale 10-15 times. To enhance their effect, choose scents that appeal to you!
Studies show that journaling your thoughts and feelings can help you process them quickly. So take out 2-3 minutes to write down the cause of your stress. This could be an upcoming presentation, an insatiable client, a faulty computer, or even an annoying college. The sooner you can get them off your mind and into a journal, the sooner you can move on from it and focus on other things.
Chewing is another great way to reduce stress. You can purchase a packet of gum, especially scented gum, to carry around in your bag or pockets for stressful situations. To relieve stress, chew gum for about 2-3 minutes. Remember, don’t chew slowly but vigorously. Taking out pent-up energy on the chewing gum will boost its effects.
Music is a great stress reliever. When you start feeling stressed, take out your earphones and listen to your slowest and calmest songs. Loud and fast-paced music may enhance your stressed state so look up artists like Coldplay, Khalid, or Lana Del Rey for some soothing music. Playing the same soothing song on repeat is also a great way to enhance the stress-relieving effects of music.
Laughing is a great way to rid yourself of stress. You can take a short break from your project to share jokes with your friends or colleagues, just to lessen the tension. And if you’re in no mood to make jokes, go on YouTube and watch funny videos. Spending 3 to 5 minutes laughing at funny videos will definitely take the tension off!
Other effective ways to reduce stress in less than five minutes include taking deep breaths, stretching, taking brief walks, making a to-do list, talking to yourself, and washing your face. With all of these tips, you can take full control of your day and achieve your goals.
Note that the best form of stress-relief is sleep. So make sure to get enough rest at the end of every day!
The warmest season of the year is here again and what better place is there to spend it than outdoors? Summer is the time to get off your couch, make long to-do lists, and bask in the sun!
If you want to have an amazing summer this year but can’t think of fun activities to do, don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with this list of things to do before summer ends!
Nothing brings about that nostalgic feeling like driving into the parking spot of a drive-in movie theater. You’ve probably watched 90s movies with scenes in these adorable spots and have repeatedly wished you could have the experience. Well, this summer is a great time to do so. Search for drive-in theaters in your city and what movies will be showing this summer. Set a date with your friends, siblings or your partner, and drive-in with your soda, popcorn, and candy for an experience of a lifetime!
Summer is the best season for picnics with friends. While it may seem a bit old-school, it’s an activity you're definitely going to enjoy. So find a nice spot in the park, preferably by a lake. Prepare a nice picnic basket with food, snacks, and drinks, and pack up a blanket. Put on your nicest sundress and wedge sandals and go eat outdoors with your friends. Remember to keep an eye out for ant hills!
Pool sides are great spots to spend your summer. However, if you have a beach in your city or town, make sure you visit it this summer! Lakes are also great places to fish, swim or go for boat rides during the warm months.
An activity that should be added to your summer to-do list is walking. If you already take long walks, great! If you don’t, summer can be a great time to boost your cardiovascular system. Find a trail or park and take walks daily. You can also walk around your neighborhood to get a nice dose of vitamin D.
There’s nothing more satisfying than watching things grow. This summer, consider planting vegetables, flowers,fruits or herbs in your yard. Choosing items to plant and tending your garden can be therapeutic. The best part? In a few months, you can harvest your crops and use them in your kitchen!
Summer is the perfect time to light up those grills! Invite neighbors, friends, and family to your yard for some barbecued chicken and drinks. Barbecues aren’t just delicious, but also a great way to bond with your loved ones.
Spending time outdoors is always a great idea in the summer months! Grabbing your sleeping bags and tents,walking out into the wild, and spending the night out there with friends can be a very refreshing and enlightening experience.
Other things you should do before summer ends include going to outdoor concerts, volunteering, and having garage sales. All of these activities will ensure you have that summer to remember!
Stress is the curse of living in modern times with so much information and stimulation coming at us from all directions. Everyone suffers from stress at some point. And the stress we suffer takes a toll on us - body, mind, and soul.
Feeling stressed out, worn out by sleepless nights, or just simply having a miserable day, you need to relax. But how do we do that when we're in the midst of stress?
Watching television may be a form of relaxation for some, but is not a recommended method by experts. When we watch TV we are bombarded with commercials, ads, sounds, images, and a lot of negative news!
So how do we achieve relaxation? If there are thousands of ways we can get stressed, there are also many ways we can relax.
One way to relax is to practice meditation. You can chant a soothing sound aloud or repeat a word in your head to help stop the whirling of stressful thoughts. Find a quiet place and either sit or lie down. Focus on your breathing or you can focus on the sensation of energy in your hands. Just 15 minutes can do you good!
Yoga is another relaxation method and you don't have to be flexible or athletic to get started. Many gentle poses can get your energy flowing and help release stress toxins in your body. And you can do yoga at home where no one is watching.
Breathing is one of the easiest methods to relax. When you're stressed there is a tendency to hold your breath or take shallow breaths. Simply focus on your breathing, take deeper breaths and after some time you can feel its effects. Several breathing techniques can help you reduce stress.
Another easy way to achieve relaxation is exercise. Get your heart pumping and your sweat going by taking a brisk walk, riding your bike, playing basketball, rollerblading, jogging, or jumping rope. The endorphins produced by exercising help to relax muscles, ease panic, and reduce anxiety.
Taking a hot shower or bath before bed can help you relax so you can get a better night's sleep. Soaking in the tub for 30 minutes any time of day provides relaxation both physically and mentally. Add aromatherapy and a candle to your experience to delight all your senses.
These techniques are just some of the ways you can achieve relaxation. Being relaxed helps our bodies and minds stay healthy. When you're relaxed, you're better prepared to take on life's challenges.
Choose a technique that you believe you can do regularly.
We know life has its stressful times and it's not practical to stay all day in the bathtub! (Although hmmm that would be nice-lol!)
Here are a few tips:
1. Make stress your best friend.
I know that seems easier said than done but if we constantly run from our feelings, we're not growing from them. Feeling the feelings doesn't mean telling stories about them. It just means loving yourself and accepting your feelings.
2. Avoid negative and fearful stories and people.
Try not to get sucked into all the stories of how horrible things are now or the fear of the future. If those people and social media posts are dragging you down, keep yourself calm and quiet by taking a nice long walk in the woods or going to the park - anywhere in nature. Breathe in the fresh air and listen to the sounds of the birds and rustling of trees.
3. Learn from people who are good at handling stress.
When people around you are losing their head, who is keeping calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? Are they trained and experienced?
Read their blog posts, watch videos or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.
4. Practice mindful breathing.
You can trick your body into relaxing by using mindful breathing. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 4, hold the breath for a count of 4, then breathe out slowly through your mouth for a count of 4. Repeat until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.
5. Give stressy thoughts the red light.
It's possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen, and then ....."
Try to stay with your breathing and place all your attention on the moment. Give stress thoughts the red light and stop them in their tracks. Don't outline what's going to happen in the future. Feel your feelings without telling a story about them.
6. Know your stress trigger points.
Bills, kids, in-laws, traffic, tight deadlines….
Knowing what causes your stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?
7. Practice Self Care.
Lack of sleep, poor diet, and no exercise are stressful on your body and mind.
Sometimes it's hard to remember to take care of yourself. Even the little things we do for ourselves help us feel loved and cared for. Burn a beautiful smelling candle, soak in a soothing bath, read a good book, put down your phone and breathe.
Sometimes when I hear people telling me to keep a positive attitude, I think to myself, "Easy for you to say, you're not going through what I am going through." But really keeping a positive attitude helps you get through tough times and keeps you from indulging in all the negative thoughts that can fill your head. Staying positive is key to staying healthy during challenging times. So how do you keep a positive attitude?
One way to help with a positive attitude is to practice gratitude. Think about all the things and people you love and how they make you feel. Remember happy memories and feel grateful for those times. You can look around and be grateful for the trees, your pets, the blue sky, anything that comes to mind.
Another way to feel positive is to “stop and smell the roses.” Uplift your thought by stimulating your senses. The simple things like the aroma of flowers, the beautiful scent of a burning candle, the sounds of the birds singing or the rustling of trees. Create an environment that delights your senses to bring you into the moment.
You can also place little notes around your house to remind yourself of how special you are. When you brush your teeth, you can look at the mirror and read, “You are loving, lovely and lovable.” All the things you think you need others to tell you are the messages you can tell yourself. Messages include,“You’re strong”. “You can get through this.” Make a list of the words and phrases that make you feel good and get busy with those post-it notes!
Listen to your favorite music. Not the kind you listen to that makes you cry but that upbeat, happy music that makes you feel alive and energetic. Play an instrument, sing or dance around the house just to feel the goodness of the rhythm pulse through your body and let yourself have fun.
Do something creative like bake a cake, learn how to knit, take out your crayons and color! So many DIY projects that are fun and don’t take a lot of time to learn how to do. Pick something easy so you don’t end up feeling frustrated by something that’s too hard to do.
Help others when you’re feeling down to help keep yourself positive. You’ll stop focusing on your own troubles and help uplift your friend or family member. Practice small acts of kindness and smile.
Stay away from junk food binge eating that you’ll regret later. Tasty foods make you feel better in the moment because it’s so delicious but you don’t want to have feelings of guilt and a belly ache afterwards. Plus if you can’t fit into your favorite jeans, you’re going to feel even worse.