5 WAYS TO KICK STRESS TO THE CURB
Life is inevitable, but stress is not. The way that we react to difficult situations becomes the moment where we can choose whether or not to allow stress to surface. To help you strengthen your resistance to stressful thoughts and feelings, we’ve developed a defense plan that works like a charm.
Move it Whether you’re sweating it out or stretching it out, physical movement is a great way to channel whatever energy you’d normally put towards stress, into something productive and healthy. Release your tension and try some Power Yoga for a dynamic and positive sweat session or Chill Yoga to wind down and mentally disconnect. Stressed for time? HIIT 30 is a half hour of non-stop movement that will leave you feeling exhilarated.
Read Moreveryone wants to feel refreshed and fab on a daily basis. A good night sleep (at least 8 hours) recharges and refuels you so you wake up with a strong body, sharp mind and slay-the-day attitude. Read below for 5 benefits of getting a good night’s sleep, and our 5 tips to help you get there!
Read MoreYou’re working hard towards your fitness goals. You have a vision in sight, and the motivation to get there. You’ve tuned up your diet, built time into your day for exercise, and you’ve made the switch from soda to water. Great! But did you build rest into your routine? A rest day is the one day of the week when you deliberately don’t work out or push yourself hard. Both awake and asleep, rest is important to your fitness goals because it allows your muscles and cardiovascular system to recover and rebuild. Working hard every day to reach your goals without rest may feel like the most productive path, however, it can actually lead to overtraining and injury. So, what should you do on your day off? Active Rest Days If you’re the type of person that can’t sit still on a day off, you might want to consider planning a bit of active rest into your day. This will allow you to “clean” your muscles of any built-up lactic acid and get in tune with your body at a slower pace. Over time, as your fitness improves, you may even be able to incorporate more intense exercise on a rest day, because it will take more work to raise your heart rate. Keep the following in mind on your active rest days: • Keep the pace low: You should be able to hold a conversation during active rest activities. A very light jog, hike, or bike ride are all great ideas. • Watch your heart rate: Below 130 BPM is a normal target. Anything above that can trigger hormones to release which are associated with physical stress, canceling out your goal of recovery.
Read MoreWorking together as a family to take on healthier habits is a great way to set everyone on the right track towards an active and lively lifestyle! Not only is it fun and easy to take on healthy habits as a team, but it creates a sense of purposeful teamwork that brings everyone together. Here are some ways you can be that driving force for your squad! Set a good example Lead by example and make it all about the positivity! Whether you’re speaking about your body, food or health in general, make a conscious effort to keep the comments constructive and positive. No negativity necessary!
Read MoreEverything you want to know about Exhale’s Floating Meditation, straight from the creator, Elisabeth Halfpapp. Plus, a special Meditation Month offer at the bottom of this post! A weightless surrendering to yourself as you tune out and float effortlessly in a 30-minute guided meditation with your body being held and supported in a silk hammock. The first time I experienced this relaxing, calming effect was at Miraval Arizona (an Exhale’s sister resort) as just the meditative component without the restorative poses. When I developed a similar class for Exhale, I thought the addition of restorative stretches after a breathing meditation in stillness would help the physical body surrender deeper with more relaxed muscles and mind. When the mind is relaxed the body tends to follow, resulting in a deeper stretch. Also with some guided restorative stretches/poses, the transition back to the “real world” was a little easier. Some of the restorative poses inside and out of the silk, while incorporating the silks are: • Savasana • Hip/hamstring stretches • Child’s pose and extended child’s pose variations • Forward folds • Down dog, up dog, and plank variations During the meditation section, gentle rocking is an option, which is enables you to “float” better. Throughout the entire session, breathing is an active focus which helps to detangle the mind. You may start to fall asleep, which is fine, however, we do encourage you stay awake and aware in order to experience the full benefits. You can always sit upright if you tend to fall asleep or feel uncomfortable being cocooned. There is soothing healing music played through your own personal head phones that enables you to also hear the teacher guide you through the meditation while zoning out external noises — a true calming of the senses. Inhale inspiration…Exhale transformation…..equals WELLBEING as we “float’ together! SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: What should I wear? Comfortable workout attire is recommended. Socks are required. Jewelry that will snag the silks should be left at home. What if I’m sensitive to motion? Rocking is optional, but if you’re sensitive to motion we encourage you to opt out. What happens if I fall asleep? Due to the swaddling-like nature of this experience you may fall asleep. However, we encourage you to stay awake in order to experience the full benefits. Sitting in an upright position is an option. Who is this class for? Floating meditation is open to all level; no experience is necessary. Weight limit is 350lbs. So there you have it! No, you don’t need to be an aerial expert. No, you don’t have to be a meditation expect – you just need to give 30 minutes of your time to feel calm, recharged, and a better sense of overall wellbeing. And as a special for National Meditation Month, we’re offering our Chicago Guests FREE Floating Meditation Classes, May 13-19, 2019. Call 312.753.6500 to book your free class
Read MoreWorking together as a family to take on healthier habits is a great way to set everyone on the right track towards an active and lively lifestyle! Not only is it fun and easy to take on healthy habits as a team, but it creates a sense of purposeful teamwork that brings everyone together. Here are some ways you can be that driving force for your squad! Set a good example Lead by example and make it all about the positivity! Whether you’re speaking about your body, food or health in general, make a conscious effort to keep the comments constructive and positive. No negativity necessary! Limit screen time We all need our TV breaks, but make an effort not to let it bleed into the day for too long. By putting a time limit on TV and encouraging other relaxing activities such as reading and face-to-face conversations, you’ll improve sleep, increase focus, and better the overall wellbeing of the entire family. Drink lots of water Keep the water flowing!
Read MoreIn order to look and feel your best while walking down the aisle, it is essential to take the time to keep your stresses low and your spirits high. During the special time leading up to your wedding, you should take the time to take care of yourself rather than over-stressing about the details of the big day. In other words: try to worry less about the seating charts, and more about what’s in your heart. Here are some ways to turn that anticipatory energy inward and invest it where it really counts.
Get moving Getting yourself on a healthy fitness routine is a great way to feel strong and radiant for the big day. It’s also the perfect way to channel your hyped up energy!
Take a breath This is a special time, not a stressful time. Build yourself up to become the most cool, calm and collected bride anyone’s ever seen. Take a yoga class to re-center yourself, or dive into some mindful meditation. It’s all about love, so don’t forget to show yourself some.
Sleep Beauty sleep will bring you that natural, beaming glow that every bride wants. So get yourself to bed early with a cup of tea and a juicy reality show and get those Z’s.
Eat right Clean eating will keep your stomach happy and your skin glowing. Fight off those pre-wedding butterflies with calming foods that will not irritate your stomach.
Show your nails some love You’ll be looking down at your hands a lot (hello bling) so give yourself something beautiful to look at.
Manage your time Don’t let things build up and bite you in the butt. Set aside time each day to take whatever bridal duties you may have, but then set everything aside and allot time for focusing on yourself. Websites like Zola make registry and wedding planning easy! (Pro Tip: Add Exhale to your registry for spa therapies and fitness classes to help get you ready for your big day!)
Love your body The dress is meant to fit your body, not the other way around. So whatever your goals are, don’t let them get the best of you. Toning up before the big day can help you to feel fierce and fit is healthy, but don’t let it stress you out!
Embrace your friends Friendship is a big part of self-care. The people we choose to laugh with can bring a sense of comforting support that will keep you feeling like you.
Know that it’s okay to be selfish Don’t shy away from putting yourself first. Listen to yourself and give yourself whatever you need to feel strong and centered for your day. Get a rejuvenating facial or massage to refresh your skin and your body.
Treat yourself. That’s right, give yourself something special. Treat yourself to a weekend away with your girls, or splurge on that pair of earrings you’ve been eye-ing! That self-fulfillment will give you the confidence and spirit to enjoy your day to its fullest!
Your day-to-day choices can make a strong impact on your overall wellbeing. From the time we wake up in the morning to the time we go to bed at night, our days are filled with choices and opportunity for positivity. By following these simple steps, you can make a big difference in your life and continue to better your wellbeing! Be thankful
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