Health – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Health

5 Ways I’m Practicing Self Care

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

With everything going on in the world right now, I know many of us are more stressed and scared than we usually are. There is so much uncertainty, and and if you’re in the United States like I am, perhaps you feel like we are playing the waiting game to see what is going to come of the current pandemic. While it’s been really difficult to stay calm and de-stress, I thought I would share some of the things I’m doing to practice self care while staying at home and social distancing. These five tips are certainly not a cure for worry, but they do help me feel somewhat better.

1. Limiting News Intake

Being aware of what is going on in the world and in our local communities is very important, but watching the news regularly, or even going on Facebook or Twitter, can be very overwhelming. Not only is there a great deal of misinformation on the internet, but with so much bad news, it can really affect my mood and ability to function. Since I began working from home last week, I have made an effort to limit my news intake. I try to check in with a few trusted news sources 1-2 times per day, just so I can know important updates. Otherwise, I distance myself from reading such heartbreaking and horrific news throughout the day. If the news also stresses you out, it’s okay to take a step back. You can even ask someone you trust to provide you with important updates when necessary.

2. Giving My Hair and Skin a Break

Since I’m staying at home with the exception of necessary errands, I’ve decided now is the perfect time to let my hair and skin go au naturel. I typically flat iron my hair a few times during the week, so I’m giving my hair a break from heat. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, since I noticed my hair getting wavier over the past several months. Similarly, I typically wear makeup at least five days a week. Now is the perfect time to let my skin breathe. It feels good to just be myself, and not do any extra primping in the mornings.

3. Consuming Lighthearted Media

In my last blog post, I touched on how I am listening to a lot of podcasts while I’m working from home. I am also switching up the other media I consume as well. For example, I usually read a lot of intense books, with my favorite genre being dystopian. Those books really do not sound appealing right now, so I’ve started a new project that fits into the #MyYearofRereading Project. I’m of the generation that grew up with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and I have a large stack of their books. I’ve decided to read at least one of these books a day, and it’s already proving to be a lot of fun. You can follow my Goodreads and Bookstagram for updates. In the same way, I’m watching nostalgic movies on Disney+. This past weekend I watched Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and it was awesome!

4. Using Fun Phone Apps

Since I’m trying to avoid the usual social media sites I browse, I’m spending more time on some fun apps on my phone. Of course, I’m still using Poshmark, and I’ve tried to be more active in the Poshmark Parties and in sharing other people’s closets. In addition, I have two games that I like to play to pass the time. The first is Disney Emoji Blitz, and the second is TwoDots. Both are cute games that take a lot of concentration, so it’s a great way to distract myself. I’ve played both of these games for years, but I’m definitely using the apps more now than I typically would, and that’s okay.

5. “Spending Time” with Family

One thing that’s been good for me is FaceTiming with my niece and nephew. I used to talk to my nephew on FaceTime almost every day, but once he started school and I began working full time, I was lucky if I got to talk to him once a week. Since we’re both home now, we are able to talk much more often. It is wonderful to spend time with him virtually even if we cannot be together. I get to see my baby niece when she is awake, too! If you’re feeling alone, I highly recommend reaching out to friends or family on video chat, on the phone, or by texting. I’ve made it a point to call my grandma more often to check on her as well.

Overall, while I’m still feeling quite stressed, practicing some different kinds of self care has been helping to keep me as grounded as possible. I would love to hear from you in the comments – how are you staying calm in this challenging time? Let’s share our self care practices with one another! I hope you and your loved ones are staying as healthy as possible.

My First Vitacost Haul!

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to share a haul with all of you from the online store Vitacost. I first heard about this website a while back through other bloggers and YouTubers, but I finally made my first purchase earlier this month. Vitacost is essentially an online health store that sells vitamins, beauty products, health products, food, and more. I’ve had a little bit of trouble finding some vegan products at my local drugstores and department stores, so I finally decided to sign up for a free Vitacost account and make a purchase. I really love that Vitacost offers specialty products at a discounted price!

HEALTH & BEAUTY

The main reason I placed a Vitacost order is to pick up some dental floss and lip balm. I do feel a bit silly buying these essentials online, but I just couldn’t find them in any of my local stores! I stocked up on the Eco-Dent GentleFloss in Mint, which is a 100% Vegan Waxed dental floss. This floss is normally pretty expensive at $5.49 each, but Vitacost sells it for $3.49! I’m so glad it was discounted!

I also needed a new lip balm, as the colder and dryer weather has taken a toll on my lips. I was excited to try out the brand Hurraw!, which is made from organic, vegan, and raw ingredients. There are a ton of flavors to choose from, but I grabbed the Coffee flavor and I think that was a great decision. Not only does this lip balm smell divine, but it feels so nice on my lips. Let me know if you’d like a full review on this product.

FOOD

I also picked up a couple food items to make the $4.99 shipping worth it. First, I got the famous Nutritional Yeast that every vegan seems to love. I don’t know much about it, except that it’s supposed to add a cheesy taste to your food and is also full of vitamins. I put it on my pasta a few nights ago, and didn’t notice much of a difference, so I will need to do a bit more experimenting with it.

Finally, I picked up a huge pack of Pür Wintergreen Gum. I have seen this brand at Walgreens, but this huge 57-piece pack is $4.09 on Vitacost, so I figured it was worth the price. I rarely chew gum, so this will last me a long time.

JOIN VITACOST & SAVE $10!

That wraps up everything I purchased from Vitacost! I’m really happy with the website and know I will be back for more. If you are new to Vitacost, you can sign up using my referral link HERE and get a $10 coupon for your first purchase! Vitacost sells more than just vegan products, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for tasty treats or other specialty brands you can’t find in-store. You can also earn cash back on your Vitacost purchase by shopping through Ebates! I’m always up for saving more money, and I’m excited to continue using these products.

Do you use Vitacost? Share what you buy in the comments!

My Morning Routine | How to Be Bold Every Day with Listerine! #MyBoldMoments

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyBoldMoments #CollectiveBias

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you my current morning routine. While I wouldn’t say I am a morning person, I do believe that I am more productive in the early hours of the day. Thus, I always try to wake up early and prepare myself for the day ahead so I can be confident and bold each day. The key is with the morning routine I create for myself to ensure I not only look my best, but feel my best, too. This blog post will take you from my shopping trip at CVS, where I pick up Listerine, a necessary component to any morning routine, to my step-by-step process of getting ready for the day. It’s time to live boldly!

PREPPING FOR MY MORNING

First things first, I need to go shopping! I headed over to my local CVS Pharmacy to pick up my Listerine. Plus, I always love to browse the sales at CVS and use any coupons I have that week!

I headed directly to the Oral Care aisle in my local CVS. For me it is located right behind the beauty and skincare products, so I know just where to go. I spend a lot of time browsing this area of the store!

The mouthwash is all the way at the end of the aisle. I’m glad CVS has such clear signage to make the shopping experience really easy. It’s always nice when I don’t have to spend a lot of time hunting down the product I’m purchasing.

I spotted my Listerine right in the middle of the shelf in the Flouride area. Can you see the purple Listerine Total Care? That’s what I picked up! I’ll share more about the product later in this post, but you bet I’m snagging the mouthwash with as many health benefits as possible. Plus, I was in luck this day – Listerine was on sale! Score!

MY MORNING ROUTINE

Now that I have everything I need to start my day off boldly, it’s time to wake up and get started! Here is my routine step-by-step.

STEP 1: BREAKFAST

Okay, I’m the first one to admit this breakfast looks a bit sad, but the truth is I absolutely love to eat oatmeal in the morning. The boost of carbohydrates gives me the energy I need to start my day. Plus, oatmeal is super delicious! I change my recipe up regularly, but today I’m sharing my brown sugar and cinnamon variety. I use quick oats, mix in some brown sugar and almond milk, and microwave my concoction. I finish up with a sprinkle of cinnamon for some added flavor. Of course, I have my coffee and water nearby to pep me up and rehydrate my body!

STEP 2: JOURNALING

While mornings can be very hectic, I always like to schedule in a little time for myself. This helps me relax and not feel rushed. I like to change up my morning activity depending on my current mood. In my days as a student I watched a lot of YouTube videos while I ate breakfast. Today I much prefer to read a book or journal. I have two dedicated journals that I write in each morning. It only takes a few minutes, but helps to calm me down and gives me time to spend on myself. It is worth waking up early to get in some ‘me’ time!

STEP 3: ORAL CARE

Now it’s time to head to the bathroom! At this point I’ve already showered and gotten dressed, so I get right to my oral care routine. I floss, brush, and use Listerine before doing any skincare whatsover. As I mentioned earlier, I use the Total Care variety of Listerine because it provides 6-in-1 benefits! This one mouthwash helps prevent cavities, restore enamel, strengthen teeth, kill bad breath germs, clean the whole mouth, and freshen breath. Of course, Listerine helps wake me up with it’s intense and tingling feeling!

STEP 4: SKINCARE, MAKEUP, AND HAIR

Last but not least, I use my skincare products, put on some makeup, and do my hair. While you don’t have to wear any makeup to look great and feel confident, I do find that when I put a bit more time into my appearance I feel a bit bolder and ready to start the day. In the summer I go lighter with the makeup, and I let my hair dry naturally. My hair gets frizzy in the summer humidity anyway, so I embrace the natural waves and don’t sweat it with any heat tools. My morning routine is now complete, and I’m ready to live boldly!

All in all, I know that my morning routine is very important if I want to start my day off right. Every step helps prepare me for the day, from my breakfast to my oral care to my makeup! I’m sure you’ve experienced those days where if your morning starts off poorly, your whole day heads south. I definitely try to avoid that by sticking to these steps! I would love to hear how you live boldly, so head to Listerine’s website HERE to share your tips! Of course, you can find Listerine at your local CVS store, and online HERE. I will also leave Listerine’s social media links below if you would like to follow the brand online!

Do you have a morning routine? Share it with me in the comments!

Follow Listerine: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Learn to Love Water | My Experience & the Tools You Need

Posted on February 23, 2016February 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today on the blog I’m talking about water. This might seem a little bit weird at first, but as I’m focusing on my health more than ever, I wanted to share my hydration story with you. Growing up, I hated the taste of water, as silly as that sounds. I would drink flavored water daily, and the only time I would drink regular water was after my dance classes or band rehearsals. As I got older, I slowly began to realize how important it is to stay hydrated. My life changed when I got a Brita pitcher, and this past summer I truly saw how water can transform your health. I wanted to share my experience with you, and also share some of my favorite products, in hopes that those who dislike water like I did can learn to love it!

First things first, I want to mention that I am not a doctor or nutritionist, and am only speaking about my own personal experiences. If you would like to learn more, please speak with your doctor. I also looked at THIS article from the Mayo Clinic for guidance in writing this post.

MY HYDRATION STORY

As I mentioned in this post’s introduction, I used to really dislike the taste of water. The first time I truly began to drink water regularly was my junior year in college. I had just received a Brita pitcher as a gift, and I was away for a semester-long internship in New York City. Since I was responsible for my own food, I decided to save money by not buying any drinks. Instead, I drank tap water. It was a struggle at first, but I kept pushing myself, and soon I got used to drinking water all the time. This was a real turning point in my hydration story, and it was the first time water became a part of my daily routine.

Fast forward to this past summer, when I was studying for the bar. I was sitting at my desk for 15+ hours everyday studying. I basically got up only to refill my water, get some food, or visit the restroom for that entire period of time. Because I was so focused on my studies, and had a routine-driven life, I suddenly began to notice a lot of changes with my health. Although I was seriously stressed, there were a lot of positives taking place, and I knew water was responsible for that.

Here is a quick list of the big changes I saw in my body:

Moisturized Skin – This was the first thing I noticed! My skin felt so hydrated and plush. I even stopped using a daily moisturizer because I didn’t need it. I applied a moisturizing serum daily, and that was enough.
More Energy – As much as I love my morning coffee, I always like to drink a big cup of water first thing when I get up. Not only does it help to restore my body’s hydration after resting overnight, but it gives me a natural boost of energy.
Positive Attitude – I also noticed that I had a better attitude when I was hydrated. I’m not as tired or sluggish, my body is functioning better, and that leads to me feeling good mentally as well. This became clear to me on the days when I wouldn’t drink enough water and felt grouchy. I definitely think there is a correlation between the two.
Stronger Nails and Hair – Of course, drinking a lot of water can also help to strengthen your nails and hair. I luckily have strong nails naturally, but my hair can be very brittle and prone to breaking. During bar study I noticed a lot of hair loss and dullness due to stress, but I think it would have been ten times worse if I wasn’t drinking enough water.

THE TOOLS YOU NEED

Learning to love water becomes a lot easier with the right tools! Here are three things that I use every single day that I think would really help you, too.

Brita Everyday Water Pitcher – 10 Cup

I think a Brita pitcher is essential! I only drink tap water, and although the tap water where I live is clean, I do like to take the extra step and filter it. I have a 10-cup pitcher, but they do make smaller sizes if you prefer to take up less space in your fridge. My water always tastes crisp and clean, and I do take care to change the filter regularly and clean the pitcher, too. Brita is an investment at first, but it will save you money in the long run, and is also much better for the environment.

Aladdin Insulated Cold To Go Tumbler – 16oz

I also recommend having a reusable water cup to keep in your house, or at your desk at work, at all times. I first purchased this tumbler because it is insulated and thus doesn’t sweat as much in the humidity. It soon transitioned into my everyday cup. I love that it is 16oz, because my goal is to drink four bottles per day to get in 8 cups of water. There is also something about drinking out of a straw – I drink a lot more than I otherwise would! This tumbler is also dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus.

Camelbak Eddy Water Bottle

If you’re on the go all the time, I recommend getting a Camelbak because it is spill proof and can easily be toted around in a backpack or handbag. I am not currently using a Camelbak, but I did in college, and it came with me to classes, the cafeteria, and everywhere else I went on campus. This really comes in handy while traveling, too.

Hydrate Planner Stickers

Last but not least, I recommend tracking your water intake daily. There are apps for this, but I prefer to tangibly put it in my Erin Condren Life Planner with a sticker from Oh, Hello Stationery Co. [use code POLISH15 to save 15% off your order!] Once you get into the habit of tracking your water, it becomes a normal part of your schedule!

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful if you struggle with drinking enough water. I am still not perfect when it comes to drinking at least eight cups of water daily, but I work towards that goal and try not to get discouraged if I don’t quite reach it. If you start to put more effort into the amount of water you’re drinking, it will become a regular part of your life. Take it from a former water-snubber – you’ll feel so much better when you learn to love water!

Do you have any tips for staying hydrated? Share them in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Visualize Your Health Goals with a DIY Star Jar!

Posted on January 19, 2016January 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to share with you one of the DIY projects I began at the beginning of this year. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is, of course, to be healthier. I talked all about my goal in THIS blog post, but today I’m sharing how I’m visualizing that goal. Growing up I absolutely loved origami, and last year I purchased some star paper at a Sanrio store in Los Angeles. I decided to finally put that star paper to use and track my health goals in 2016. Let me show you my jar, and tell you how I’m using it!

I first got the idea for this star jar from the book community, which uses it to track the books they read throughout the year. I’ve adapted that for my health goals because that is what I personally need to visualize. This year I want to make sure that I am exercising on a regular basis, taking my daily vitamins, and losing some weight along the way. I often feel discouraged that I’m not exercising enough if I skip a day or two, so I’m hoping that when I see a jar filled with stars that represent all the working out I’ve already done, I’ll be more confident. I also want to focus more on non-scale goals, so even though I’ll be tracking my weight weekly, I’m putting more of an emphasis on my overall health.

Visualize Your Health Goals with a DIY Star Jar! Here is a look at my color coding for the star jar. I’ll put in a pink star every day that I work out, a purple star for every day that I take my doctor-recommended vitamins, and a yellow star for every pound I lose. I’m hoping to put in at least 100 pink stars and 200 purple stars by the time the year comes to a close. I’m not putting a goal on weight, just so I don’t dwell on it.

If you’re looking to create your own Health Star Jar, all you need is a jar and star paper. You can get the jar at the dollar store, Target, or upcycle an old food jar. I got mine at Target for $2.29. Star paper can either be purchased at specialty stores or on Amazon HERE. You can also make your own! This video tutorial on YouTube shows you how to make your own star paper and how to fold the paper into stars: LINK.

I hope you enjoyed learning about my Health Star Jar today! I’m always excited when I can put a star in the jar. It’s really helping to motivate me, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like at the end of the year. If you create a Health Star Jar, please tag me on social media so I can see it!

This post includes an Amazon Affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.