Wellness
4 Simple Strategies to De-Stress
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Stress. Everyone has it—and it’s a seemingly universal consensus that we all want a whole lot less of it. That’s why we’re all about eliminating that pesky visitor.
It all starts with alignment. Most people think they are stressed from being too busy, but the reality is they are unaligned. When we are aligned, it really doesn’t matter how busy we are because our time is spent productively. In this case, productive means in alignment with our goals, our values, and our authentic selves. When we aren’t spending our energy in ways that align accordingly, resistance builds.
To reduce stress, we first want to observe if energy is being blocked or if we are “busy-ing” ourselves, rather than using our time and energy meaningfully. Important side note:”meaningfully” looks different for everyone and will change for each of us in different phases of our lives.
Here are four ways to be better aligned and less stressed:
Elimination.
Eliminate conversations, foods, choices, and decisions that come from a place of “should.” These typically come from guilt, shame, worry, fear, comparison, and lack. We can’t grow in these spaces and energy spent there is energy away from growth.
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Elimination.
Eliminate conversations, foods, choices, and decisions that come from a place of “should.” These typically come from guilt, shame, worry, fear, comparison, and lack. We can’t grow in these spaces and energy spent there is energy away from growth.
Communicate clearly.
Too often we are afraid to assert our needs, expectations, goals, or perspective or we assume others know what they are. Remember, people aren’t mind readers. So, if there is something you want to accomplish or a boundary that you want observed; communicate it. This can actually be a great way to build and strengthen relationships—whether personal or professional.
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Communicate clearly.
Too often we are afraid to assert our needs, expectations, goals, or perspective or we assume others know what they are. Remember, people aren’t mind readers. So, if there is something you want to accomplish or a boundary that you want observed; communicate it. This can actually be a great way to build and strengthen relationships—whether personal or professional.
Think beyond the moment.
Take a step back (or two) and remember; nothing is urgent unless we attach urgency to it. Think big picture. How does this relate to your authentic goals and values? Does this need to be top priority? Or does something else better align with what you want and need? Getting out of the moment prevents kinks and prevents damage control down the road.
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Think beyond the moment.
Take a step back (or two) and remember; nothing is urgent unless we attach urgency to it. Think big picture. How does this relate to your authentic goals and values? Does this need to be top priority? Or does something else better align with what you want and need? Getting out of the moment prevents kinks and prevents damage control down the road.
Quiet your mind.
Try to dedicate three minutes to yourself each day, without your phone. Maybe it’s in the shower, in bed before you get up, in the car, on the train, during a run. Just find 180 seconds to check your alignment. Is how you are spending your time, your thoughts, and your energy aligned for you? If not, what can you shift? Watch how your life can change from just three minutes a day.
Want more wellness tips? Check out Move with Mooch and Mel, and follow them at @move.withmm on Instagram!
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Quiet your mind.
Try to dedicate three minutes to yourself each day, without your phone. Maybe it’s in the shower, in bed before you get up, in the car, on the train, during a run. Just find 180 seconds to check your alignment. Is how you are spending your time, your thoughts, and your energy aligned for you? If not, what can you shift? Watch how your life can change from just three minutes a day.
Want more wellness tips? Check out Move with Mooch and Mel, and follow them at @move.withmm on Instagram!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
