One and a half years into a pandemic and upon the 2021 fall equinox, how exactly are you holding up?

Hello Fall 2021 Equinox I How Are You Holding Up?

It’s not often I want to just *ramble* around these parts but with the 2021 fall equinox upon us and just a few months left of the year, I thought we were due for a check in. So, how are you holding up?

When I ask myself that question, I’m honestly not really sure how to answer.

Things have been fine. Not great. But definitely no where near as bad as what others have faced in the wake of the covid pandemic and the horrible fires and storms that have been raging across the country. By the tail end of August I told myself I simply just had to stop reading the news at night. I’d sit down all relaxed from a power session at the gym only to find the tension rising, my jaw clenching and the anxiety flooding back in as a flipped through The Washington Post and other news outlets on my iPad.

So my solution this fall is to devote my evenings to completely mindless and non-triggering sources of entertainment like The Voice. Or Dancing with the Stars. Or even the Hallmark channel. The more non-eventful, the better. If you have any cheesy suggestions, please let me know!

Hello Fall 2021 Equinox I How Are You Holding Up?

An End-of-Summer Retreat

Following Labor Day, I did manage to get away on a fantastic vacation in Northern Michigan. Walking the shores and woods of my youth without a strong wifi connection or cell signal proved to be a great escape from everything — and a MUCH needed one at that.

It was so needed, in fact, that I retreated away from New York Fashion Week . This was a strange and contradictory thing after I spent so much of the pandemic longing for the excitement that fashion week brings. But when the opportunity presented itself, the thought of crowded NYC spaces and sore feet didn’t appeal to me. Not like the calm of time with family in my favorite place on earth.

It seems adulthood comes with so many pressing worries on our minds but the older I get – the better I am at recognizing the need to completely disconnect. To know my limits and when its time to draw a line in the sand. I’ve also learned that when you don’t want to say no, you can absolutely say “not right now:”

Is this what maturity is all about?

Fall 2021 Equinox I Sources of Relaxation

5 Sources of Relaxation I’m Loving

As we head past the 2021 fall equinox and into the final months of the year – which are famously the busiest – I did want to throw out there 5 sources of relaxation that are really helping me unwind at the moment. Turning off the news at night is a big help but these gems are as well:

One Peloton App

I’d be lost without the Peloton app. I use it for basically everything now.

It’s even replaced the Calm app as my favorite source for guided meditations as I’ve completely fallen in love with Chelsea Jackson Rogers’s 10-30 minute classes. From empowering cardio sessions to mindfulness, guided stretching and even strength training. I use and love it all!

CBD Balm from Lazarus Naturals

It wasn’t till early in 2021 that I first started exploring CBD products in hopes that they could really calm my anxiety and help combat the chronic insomnia I’ve dealt with all the back into high school.

I’ve worked through pretty much all of Lazarus Naturals’ product line at this point and while the pine lotion is my favorite for easing migraines — the Lavender and Chamomile CBD balm is my new favorite for unwinding.

I like applying it at night while giving myself a little hand massage. Our hands get so tense throughout the day from all of our electronic devices, cooking, weights at the gym…the list goes on. Massaging this into my knuckles and any tense spots is a soothing way to show myself a little self love but also waft up the supremely calming scent this balm has to offer. Absolutely love!

My Ice Roller

On a recent flight I spent time in the air reading about the benefits of ice rolling and as soon as I landed I ordered this one from Amazon. The chilling sensation was especially pleasant opposite the summer heat and humidity but it also has been a relaxing way to unwind at the end of the day.

Ice rolling helps with inflammation, lymphatic drainage, migraines and improving circulation. It’s also just generally a calming activity that is a wonderful addition to any nighttime routine.

Reading PRINT Magazines

The amount of time I spend staring at a screen every day is seriously embarrassing and I don’t just mean my phone. It’s my laptop while working to the ebooks I read or digital news subscriptions. I’ve been experience screen overload and find that all this time spent staring at computer screens really stimulates my brain, making it harder to really unwind.

That’s where the stacks of magazines I have hanging around have started to really come in handy. I’ve taken to reading one or two at night before bed. Getting inspired by the pictures while giving my brain a much-needed break from that ever present screen in my life.

My current favorite magazines are SHAPE, Real Simple and Harper’s Bazaar.

Prema Beauty Balms

Another great source of relaxation I’ve been loving are balms from Prema Beauty’s Etsty shop.

My personal favorites are the Muscle Balm that is oh so soothing on strained muscles and joints as well as the Sinus Headache Balm with Eucalpytus. Everything is formulated with natural ingredients and it’s wonderful to support a small business!

Fall 2021 Equinox I Sources of Relaxation

Happy Fall 2021 Equinox!

Wishing everyone the most wonderful autumn season.

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