Stress, tiredness, restlessness, etc. are all common feelings and symptoms we humans encounter at some point in our lives. “Just relax” “Get over it” “Go workout” are common things we hear from friends, family, or random individuals we may encounter. These things are easier said than done though and at times can be troublesome. What is Ashwagandha then? Is it true that it can help with relaxation? In this article, we are going to discuss everything that is needed to know about the Ayurvedic herb.

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera is an herb that comes from the nightshade family of plants. It is a traditional herb with a history in Ayurveda which is the oldest type of holistic medicine known (it’s been used for over 3000 years!) Ayurveda focuses on keeping the body in balance as a whole and uniting it through mind, body, and spiritual awareness. Ashwagandha is primarily known for relaxation or as an adaptogen used to cater to other physiological and psychological things.

What does Ashwagandha help do?

Ashwagandha is known as an adaptogen which means it is safe to take and adapts accordingly when inside one’s body to potentially help with a lot of things. The main emphasis around ashwagandha is that it helps with overall cognitive health and overall well-being. Ashwagandha has been shown to affect the central nervous system and thus alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, bad moods, and sometimes clinical cases like depression.

How does the herb do this?

Ashwagandha is known to have similar effects to that of GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain. GABA usually helps by controlling certain reactions or other neurotransmitters and reducing feelings of excitability or spontaneity. It is meant to help relax and restore or just provide an overall calming feeling. Ashwagandha have been shown to provide similar effects by affecting the central nervous system. It is also claimed with other things such as immune defense, fertility in men, cardiovascular health, etc.

How can I take this herb?

Like most other supplements, anything that is liquid-based or extracted in relation to herbs is the best choice to take. Liquids tend to metabolize better in the human body so finding Ashwagandha in a liquid form would be best. If capsules are more your style or just a matter of convenience then they are available as well alongside gummies.

When looking at this supplement or any herbal supplement, it is best to note that anything labeled extract will potentially be better because “extract” usually means the supplement in question is derived from the root specifically and not the aerial parts. KSM-66 is known to be a pure full-spectrum extract derived directly from the root of the Ashwagandha herb. It is considered more potent so this is an option to look out for if wishing to supplement oneself with the herb.

I feel relaxed enough already.

Good! Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb with a variety of potential benefits and has a history rooted in Ayurvedic medicine. It will adapt accordingly to your body and benefit your overall health. It is safe and an alternative to prescribed medications and other psychoactives that are usually chemically based.

Liquid Ashwagandha Supplement

Now that we have that introduction out of the way, here are the Top 10 Health Benefits of Ashwagandha:

Can reduce cortisol: The medicinal herb appears to help lower levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands in response to stress. More specifically, this study shows that daily doses of 125 mg to 5 grams for 1–3 months have shown to lower cortisol levels by 11–32%.

Can increase testosterone and male fertility: researchers in a 90- day study of 68 men aged 22-40, found that the men taking Ashwagandha had a 167% increase in sperm count, 53% increase in semen volume and a 57% increase in sperm movement compared to the beginning of the study.

Helps reduce inflammation: In human studies, ashwagandha has been found to “increase the activity of natural killer cells, which are immune cells that fight infection and help you stay healthy.” On top of that, studies have also discovered that ashwagandha may also “decrease markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP).”

Can boost mood and may help with anxiety and depression: Several studies of the plant have shown that potent extracts of Ashwagandha produce anxiety-relieving effects that are as powerful as many commonly used anti-depressants, without any side effects. This is due to withanolides, the active ingredient in this herb, which stimulates certain regions of the brain. In a 2-month study of 64 volunteers with chronic stress, those who took ashwagandha had a 69% anxiety & insomnia reduction on average. By contrast, the placebo group only reported an 11% reduction in anxiety.

May increase muscle mass and strength: One study found that healthy men who took around 1g of ashwagandha per day saw gains in muscle strength after 30 days. Another study of 57 men, taking ashwagandha led to “significant increases in muscle mass and strength” and more than doubled their reductions in body fat percentage compared to a placebo group.

Ashwagandha Root

May lower triglycerides and cholesterol: This ancient root may be capable of boosting heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat cell linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. One study found that ashwagandha lowered overall cholesterol levels by 53%.

May help boost memory: Attention and memory lead to increased productivity. For focus, concentration, and memory, Ashwagandha has been shown in many studies to enhance all aspects of cognitive function! Based on the results of an 8 week study, ashwagandha can help improve immediate memory and general memory, as well as executive function, attention and information processing speed.
Can lower blood sugar: this medicinal root can stimulate the secretion of insulin in bloodstream and reduce sugar levels in the blood. It has been found to be especially effective for people with Type 2 diabetes. One test-tube study found that it increased insulin secretion and improved insulin sensitivity in muscle cells.

May reduce stress: research has shown that ashwagandha can help normalize cortisol levels, thus reducing the stress response. In fact, dosages of 125 mg to 5 g ashwagandha extract have been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 11% to 32%.
May help with weight loss: scientists theorize that many of ashwagandha’s health-boosting properties comes from the antioxidant steroidal alkaloids and lactones, principally the withanolides. Ashwagandha may fight stress and aid weight loss by acting as a natural adaptogen in the body, fighting disease and decreasing levels of stress hormones.

10 Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural bodily response to stress and is extremely common in the US with an estimated 19.1% of US adults suffering from an anxiety disorder in 2017. The frequency of anxiety, however, does not diminish the toll it takes on the quality of life. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, OCD, and specific phobias, cause behavioral disturbances and can interfere with relationships, careers, and education.

The outbreak of Covid-19 and the ensuing worldwide shutdown, and now the uncertain re-opening has created an extremely stressful environment for all people. Some people have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the associated feelings of anxiety can quickly become overwhelming. A highly divisive election year along with the pandemic has fostered an anxiety-inducing environment in the US that can be difficult to deal with. Here we provide ten suggestions to cope with stress and take care of yourself and those around you.

Physical Activity: The connection between physical exercise and brain health has been well-established through years of research and experimentation. This connection also has direct implications for our ability to deal with stress. Studies have shown that regular exercise boosts mental health and decreases stress levels in healthy adults. Exercise boosts confidence and releases endorphins which function as natural, healthy painkillers. In addition, exercise improves our sleep duration as well as quality, negating the negative consequences of stress on sleep. Physical activity is perhaps the best way to naturally cope with stress.

Yoga: Yoga is a fantastic way to relax your muscles and get the blood flowing throughout your body. It carries the same mental health benefits as any other physical activity, but it also serves to reduce stress and anxiety. Periods of deep relaxation and meditation involved with yoga have been associated with improved pain response and stress management. Try yoga as a natural, healthy way to destress and alleviate built up anxiety!

Yoga is a great way to boost physical and mental health

Journaling: One of the most common causes of stress and anxiety is a buildup of negative emotions. Whether it’s worrying about an upcoming job interview or feeling neglected and lonely, mental roadblocks can quickly accumulate. A great way to let some of these emotions go is through a journal or diary. Using writing as an outlet reduces anxiety, and is an easy, healthy way to cope with stress.
Healthy Diet: Eating healthy is a fantastic way to deal with stress and anxiety.

Eating is often perceived as a way to cope with stress. We often see food as a source of comfort, but eating to deal with stress can cause health and weight issues. Some foods, however, are known to naturally reduce anxiety levels in our brains. By inducing the release of hormones such as serotonin, certain food can stimulate feelings of relaxation and happiness. Eating healthy can quickly improve both our physical and mental health.

Reduce Caffeine Intake: Caffeine is readily available in many forms, whether it’s coffee, energy drinks, or tea, and is widely used around the world. With around 90% of American adults consuming some form of caffeine every day, it’s unsurprising that some health concerns have arisen surrounding the popular supplement. Studies have linked caffeine consumption to headaches, sleep disturbances, and high blood pressure among other things.

Thus, too much caffeine can lead to elevated stress and anxiety levels, even if it is not consumed regularly.
Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol is often used to provide short term relief from stress and anxiety, but it should not be used as a consistent solution. Studies have shown that the physiological effects of alcohol may actually elevate stress levels in the long run. This can lead to a positive feedback loop in which more stress leads to more alcohol which leads to more stress. Avoid alcohol during times of lower mental health, as alcohol contributes to the deteriotion of your brain pathways. This can directly lead to the lowering of your mental health state.

Spend Time with Loved Ones: Friends and family are an essential aspect of human life. Careful studies have revealed neurological bonds we form around the people we care about. During times of stress and anxiety, the people we trust are people we can confide in. Using them as an outlet, similar to journaling, can provide great benefits to our own mental health. Our bodies, especially women and mothers, release oxytocin in response to interactions with the people we love. This directly combats our negative emotions, makes us feel safe and secure, and helps to cope with stress and anxiety.

Hug Somebody: Hugs, along with any form of positive physical contact, have been shown to reduce stress levels and lower the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The simply act of hugging helps us to feel more connected and less lonely. This directly helps combat feelings of stress and anxiety. Give someone a hug to help release some tension and make both of your days better!
Positive physical contact can release oxytocin and boost positivity

Positive physical contact can release oxytocin and boost positivity.

Take Time Off: Taking a mental health break is one of the best things you can do for yourself when you start to feel overwhelmed. With everything going on in the world today, it’s likely that you’re dealing with increased feelings of stress and hopelessness. While many of us continue to have busy schedules through the pandemic, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. Make time to do what you love to do and forget about the rest of the world. Don’t hold back your worries and fears and allow them to build up to unhealthy levels.

Be Mindful of the Media: While it is important to stay informed, it can be difficult to do so at the moment without feeling overwhelmed. With the pandemic raging on throughout the world, it’s perfectly normal to feel helpless and scared. In addition, the political climate in the US has become incredibly divise and a great source of stress and anxiety for many people. Step away from the media if you begin to feel anxious or depressed by current events, and stick to trusted sources such as the CDC or WHO for your information.

It’s an extremely stressful time for all people around the world today. This makes it especially important to take care of yourself and those around you. Mental health is an incredibly important topic and needs to be a priority for all of us moving forward. This list will help prevent feelings of stress and anxiety to dominate your life. Most importantly, stay close with the people you care about and help each other through this difficult time. Reach out for help and support if you ever need it.

10 Mid-Workout Snacks to Sustain Performance

Many people understand the importance of proper nutrition pre- and post-workout, but a lot of people forget about the importance of mid-workout snacks. Regular and consistent exercise requires an adequate supply of energy from your body’s glycogen stores. The amount and timing of your carbohydrate intake plays a critical role in glycogen resynthesis.

This means that during workouts lasting over an hour, refueling may help prevent workout crashes and allow you to sustain a high intensity throughout the entire workout. It may take some time and experimentation to find the perfect workout snack for yourself, but we provide here ten great mid-workout snacks to sustain maximum performance.

Pretzels: Pretzels are an ideal mid workout snack for many people due to many reasons. Pretzels provide an excellent source of fast carbs and salt to feed your body energy and help replenish minerals and electrolytes lost through sweat. In addition, pretzels are a very light snack that won’t weigh you down as you move into the second portion of your workout. It’s easy to fit a handful of pretzels into a ziploc bag for a mid workout snack to increase and sustain your performance.

Whey Protein Shake: For longer workouts, a mid workout protein shake presents a great opportunity to sneak in some protein for muscle recovery and keep energy levels up throughout the workout. Whey protein is ideal as it is fast-absorbing, allowing your muscles to repair and regenerate faster. It’s super easy and convenient to scoop some protein powder into a shaker bottle for a mid workout boost.

Whey Protein Bar: Protein bars offer many of the same benefits as shakes (listed above). One advantage of protein bars, however, is their macronutrient content. Bars contain more macronutrients in general and are often better when you’re lacking nutrients and calories. At the same time, protein bars are often higher in sugar and take longer to be absorbed into your body systems.

Banana: For workouts longer than an hour, simple carbohydrates such as bananas are incredibly important. Bananas are an easily-digested, quick energy source to sustain high performance. They also provide an excellent source of potassium, a crucial mineral that’s quickly used up when your muscles undergo physical stress.

Bananas are a great source of simple carbs and potassium to help you through your workout

Sports Gels: Sports gels are designed to be fast-acting sources of sugars and carbs, helping to boost your performance especially when you’re already tired. Consuming these gels along with water is an excellent way to boost your endurance during longer workouts. Many brands such as Gatorade and Cliff produce these gels, some being caffeinated if that’s your preference. It’s very easy to bring a gel pack with you for a quick and effective mid workout refuel.

Sports Drinks: Many people drink sports drinks during workouts, as they provide an excellent source of sugar and electrolytes to give your body an energy boost. It’s important, however, to remember not to overdo it with these drinks. Workouts lasting over an hour likely require an entire sports drink along with water, but shorter power workouts may require less. When unnecessary, these drinks are simply a source of

sugar and calories for your body. For shorter workouts, consider water instead of an entire sports drink!
Watery Fruits: Watery fruits such as cantaloupe and oranges are a great mid workout snack to sustain performance. Natural nutrients from fruits including their sugars and vitamins help to replenish your body’s lost ones, and the fluid content of these fruits helps to maintain adequate hydration levels. Watery fruits are often a quick solution to lags in energy or performance during longer workouts.

Watery fruits such as cantaloupe provide a quick source of vitamins, minerals, and hydration
Sunflower Butter: Like many nut butters, sunflower butter is packed with protein and fiber. The main advantage of sunflower butter is the amount of vitamins packed into it. Snacking on sunflower butter paired with apple slices or celery is a fantastic way to bring in healthy fats and micronutrients into your body, giving you a much needed energy boost.

Nut Bars: For those looking to maintain endurance rather than power, such as long-distance runners and swimmers, snack bars may be preferable over protein bars. Snack bars filled with fruits and nuts are fast-acting sources of glucose to help your body get through the last mile. Without the protein and fat content associated with many protein bars, snack bars can often give you that extra boost in less time.
Dried Fruit: If you’ve had plenty of water throughout your workout and are just looking for a quick boost, dried fruit is often a great option. This light snack is packed with vitamins and minerals to replenish your body’s energy stores without slowing you down by expending unnecessary energy towards digestion. Just be careful as many dried fruits are packaged with high amounts of added sugars!

10 Amazon Skin Care Products to Help With Dry Skin

In a perfect world, everyone would have dewy glowy skin that is immune to the effects of the icy temps and harsh winds that come with winter. However, with the new colder season comes the inevitable problem of dry skin. The air is frigid and dry outside and any kind of indoor heat leaves our skin even more dehydrated. Not to mention, your skin’s protective barrier cracks, making it less able to repair itself. And on top of all of that, having to wear a mask is sure to create extra irritation to your already dried and cracked skin.

Along with the dryness comes the need to buy products that help us to keep our skin moisturized. However, sometimes, those products can be extremely expensive and leave quite a bit of a dent in our pockets. And all for a couple of products to only work for a couple of months out of the year.

However, lucky for you, we have compiled a list of the best products from Amazon to help you maintain your skin’s natural barrier, help to keep your skin moisturized and glowy all winter long, and save you money!

Here are a list of Amazon products to help with dry skin:

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

We’ve talked about CeraVe in previous articles, and that should let you know just how much we love this brand. It’s a truly affordable and wholesome brand that’s goal is to help people with all kinds of skin problems without adding excessive amounts of unnecessary ingredients. The soap initially dispenses as a cream and as you lather it into your skin, it turns to foam. This design is to keep your skin from drying out. All of their products contain the three essential ceramides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid that are already naturally found in your skin. This is so that it can help to rebuild the natural barrier that your skin already has.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser

Much like the CeraVe cleanser, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser contains hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin to its naturally bouncy feeling as well as to help provide moisture for the skin. The lightweight cleanser is easy to apply; the gel transforms into a silky lather that effectively lifts away dirt, oil, and make-up without stripping your skin for a refreshing and hydrating at-home self-care experience. However, unlike other cleansers, it is soap-free, oil-free, and paraben-free, ideal for sensitive skin. This makes it great to use not only as a cleanser, but also as a hydrating makeup remover!

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment has been a long-time favorite of people that like to keep their routines simple and don’t like using and carrying a million products. It’s thick formula helps to lock in moisture and create a long-lasting protective barrier against the outside elements. It is preservative and fragrance free, and made specifically for sensitive skin and clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy skin. It’s great for extreme weather conditions and frequent exposure to water, hand soap, and hand sanitizer that can cause dry cracked hands and cuticles. You can also use Aquaphor Healing Ointment overnight as a hand cream for dry hands to restore moisture to enhance healing. It can also be used on multiple parts of the body from the face to the feet as well as on the lips as a lip balm.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+

Another one of our aforementioned brands is La Roche-Posay. They are a French-based company that wants to provide people with an affordable version of all of the luxury products. Their Lipikar Balm, much like the Aquaphor Healing Ointment, can be used on multiple parts of your body, however, unlike the Aquaphor Healing Ointment, it is not recommended that you use the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ on your lips. This balm is a face and body lotion with niacinamide, shea butter, and glycerin to help alleviate dry skin by restoring moisture all day and replenishing essential skin lipids. All of these ingredients help to restore the skin’s natural barrier and then go above and beyond to help continue to build and protect your skin.

Eucerin Intensive Repair

If you find your hands to constantly be cracked and dry, this hand cream is definitely for you. Eucerin Intensive Repair, the lotion that is one step above the Advanced Repair lotion in their hand cream line, is specifically made for very dry, flaky skin. You can use it after you have washed your hands or put hand sanitizer on. Both of those actions are very drying for your skin and will require an extra layer of protection to be put on afterwards. It is enriched with natural moisturizing factors that are found naturally in skin that help to exfoliate and conditions very dry, flaky skin. Frequent washing with hand soap and external factors like the environment can strip hands of vital elements needed to keep hands soft, smooth and hydrated. The Eucerin Intensive Repair hand lotion can help to protect and build your skin’s natural barrier back up!

Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mas

The Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask has been a cult favorite for a while now. It is made of pure bentonite clay, which has been studied and found to absorb toxins outside as well as within the body. There are two ways to apply this mask to your face, you can use either Apple Cider Vinegar or water to mix with the powder and make it into a paste. After adding purified water (or Apple Cider Vinegar) to the powder, you’ll have a clay paste that you can layer on your face. The paste will carry a slight electrical charge that will attract toxins deep in your skin. The mask should tighten and feel a little itchy as well as burn a bit. Leave the clay on your face as it dries, usually for about 10 minutes. Remove the clay gently using a wet washcloth. This mask is made from natural ingredients that can help to retain moisture in your skin and build up its natural barrier!

COSRX Overnight Mask

Korean skincare has become a global sensation. Allowing people all over the world to experience luxury skincare products at low costs, but still made with high quality ingredients. COSRX is a Korean skincare brand that is known for its effective, yet affordable skincare products and people cannot get enough of them! They have two overnight face masks, one made with rice extract and another made with honey, that are the perfect additions to your skincare routine! These overnight masks apply like lotion, but help to apply moisture as well as build the natural barrier of your skin.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask

This product is a little bit on the more expensive side, however, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask has gained a loyal following the past couple of months since its claim to fame! It is a simple, weightless feeling sleeping mask that is made with watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and AHA’s to hydrate, smooth and perfect skin. The amino and vitamin-rich watermelon intensely hydrates, soothes, and fights free radical damage, hyaluronic acid instantly quenches thirsty skin, and AHAs buff away dead skin cells leaving skin soft, smooth, and glowing. This mask can be used as both a sleeping mask and a wash off mask and, if using it as a sleeping mask, can be applied to the face after every other step of your routine is complete.

Dr. PawPaw Lip Balm

Along with dry skin, it’s also good to look out for dry and chapped lips. Often, these areas can become painfully red and can lead to cracked skin. Dr. PawPaw, an Australian brand, has created a lip balm that contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. as well as are formulated with a variety of natural ingredients such as, pawpaw fruit, aloe vera leaf juice and olive fruit oil which will protect, soothe and moisturize your lips naturally. These balms are outstanding at treating chapped lips, but can be used for highlighting cheekbones, repairing dry cuticles, soothing chapped lips and brushing up brows. Whatever your use it for, you will be delighted with its properties to revive dry skin and lips.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

A really well-known lip balm brand is Burt’s Bees and they’re great at helping to revive, nourish, and moisturize chapped and dry lips! Made with Beeswax, Vitamin E and a hint of peppermint oil, the lip balms are great at hydrating and nourishing dry lips. Just one swipe of this conditioning lip balm leaves your lips smooth and refreshed all day long. Much like many other products on this list, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm is enriched with 100% natural origin ingredients and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, or petroleum.

10 Ways to Practice Self-Care During the Holidays

During the holidays, we get less sunlight which can negatively affect our mood and trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and let’s not forget the stress of Christmas shopping, birthdays, family dinners, and COVID-19. This holiday season, try to practice self-care, as it’s essential to create some time for yourself during these stressful times and remember, it’s more than just sitting by a warm fire and enjoying your favorite hot drink. The Health Fitness Revolution team has compiled a list of 10 of our favorite self-care activities for you to partake in this holiday:

Exercise

Just by working out, you are able to boost your brain health, mental health, and physical health- that’s an awesome combo of self-care right there! Exercising can help your brain learn faster, improve your memory, and help with your cognitive ability. As for your mental health, it’s a stress reliever and can reduce depression and anxiety. On top of these, you’ll look good and feel good!

Fresh air

Especially being in the middle of a pandemic, we can often feel suffocated, whether it’s from being indoors all day or just needing some space. Going out for some fresh air can help clear your lungs, lower your blood pressure and heart rate, can give you more energy, increase focus, and can help you get that sense of peace you might not get from being indoors.

Gratitude

Having gratitude is linked to having better sleep, better heart health, and strengthening relationships. All of these contribute to a healthier immune system, which is one less thing for you to stress about. Along with that, we are still in the middle of a pandemic, making the holidays a little lonelier for some of us, but with having some gratitude, you’re able to think about all the things you are grateful for and think positively, which increases your mood and makes you feel happy!

Skincare

The air outside is dry and freezing, causing our skin to be dry, which often leads to insecurities. Make sure you’re keeping your skin moisturized, i.e, body lotion, lip balm, and most of importantly- water! Don’t forget to protect your skin with SPF and if you need to, treat yourself to a professional facial. This can help you feel beautiful and refreshed!

Hygiene

Did you know that personal hygiene can affect your self-esteem and mental health? Poor hygiene is typically associated with being unmotivated and feeling sluggish, which is often found in those who have poor mental health. Take care of yourself and make sure to set time aside to showering, brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and taking off any makeup. Doing so can prevent any diseases you can get from not doing so and making you look good, thus making you feel good.

Adequate sleep

Lack of sleep can make us moody, forgetful, and unfocused! And guess what? The risk of you attaining chronic diseases increases, the less sleep you get. It’s even more important now that it’s cold and we all just want some rest. Set an alarm on when to go to bed and sleep for at least 7 hours. This will reduce all the symptoms listed as well as decrease your dark circles and make you feel less lazy. It will even help you feel more relaxed and give you energy throughout the day.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet is an important aspect of self-care. But it’s not about losing weight, it’s about the nutritional content you are putting into your body. Make sure to include the recommended amount and types of vitamins and nutrients to keep your body healthily functioning throughout the day. A well-balanced diet and even taking vitamin supplements are able to promote your overall health and keep you feeling healthy. During holiday dinners, you can opt-in for healthier ways to make the food, for example, using left-over vegetable water for the gravy.

Volunteering

This self-care activity not only builds your self-esteem but can give you a sense of purpose. Volunteering is a way to give back to the community, it’s especially needed during the holiday season, and it also gives back to you. In this way, you are able to build new relationships, find happiness, and learn new skills, which enhances your brain activity. Volunteering can also help you re-evaluate yourself in how you care for yourself and how you are compassionate towards others, often encouraging self-love and caring for others.

Listening to music and dancing

Need to blow off some steam or de-stress? Listen to music and dance it off! Sometimes all we need is to move around how we want and when we want, to relieve some stress, and let ourselves go for a bit. You’re getting fit, you’re unloading unwanted feelings, and you get to do it listening to something you like. You can even dance to holiday music.

Focusing on you

Remember that your feelings matter and you should pay attention to them. Often we stress about things or other people and it makes us feel unmotivated or unhappy. If holiday shopping or going out feels too stressful and doesn’t make you feel right, you don’t need to do it, focus on you. Sit back, relax, and focus on self-care!