Self-care isn't just physical; it also extends to your mind and soul. The state of your mental health greatly affects your every day performance, your relationships and your outlook in life. So it's important to take the time to relax your mind and reflect each day. After all, in this fast-paced, digital world, things can get confusing, messy and stressful.
Summer is a time when we find ourselves running from one al fresco dining sitch to the next, fitting in as many beach days and outdoor runs as we possibly can — that is when we're not working, of course. While the hottest season of the year is one of the most relaxing, all of the shuffling from one chill activity to the next can actually be kind of, well, stressful. That's precisely what makes taking 20 minutes out of the end of your day for a little "me time" oh-so necessary. Instead of (or, perhaps, in addition to) binging your favorite summer series (hello, "Big Little Lies"), head to your bathroom, light a candle, step into the tub, and let go of the day's tension. But, wait — first, you need a candle: Keep scrolling for 13 of our favorite summery candles to upgrade your warm weather bath ritual.
Sansa Stark has one of the greatest characters arcs in the entire "Game of Thrones" series: Not only did she survive all eight seasons but she ultimately became one of the most powerful players in all of Westeros: (spoiler alert) the Queen in the North.
The dietary supplements that you're currently taking are already packed with nutrients that help your body become healthier. But some of them just get better when they're taken with their perfect match. Aside from complementing each other's effects, pairing certain supplements can actually amplify the benefits, giving you more effective results.
Chances are if you're at all invested in the wonderful world of wellness, you know about the Hannah Bronfmans and Amber Fillerup Clarks of the industry. While they represent a couple of our favorite sources for getting the top health and wellness tips and tricks, there are an abundance of incredible wellness influencers out there that are still flying a bit under the radar — so today, we're putting the spotlight on them.
Your love of beauty shouldn't be limited to the medicine cabinet in your bathroom. (Or your desk-turned-vanity. Or worse, your makeup bag.) No, your love of beauty deserves to be writ loud: And since your home is a reflection of who you are, everything you love about it — bold colors and shiny statement-makers, for example — should be put on display. Whether you're more of an au naturale girl or lean into dramatic looks, these decorative accents, artwork, and furniture pieces will turn your home into a beauty lover's paradise. Even better, some of these picks, which seamlessly blend style and functionality, will even help you dig deeper into your #1 passion.
Lately, we started covering wellness here on TotalBeauty and we've already published a few articles that tout the benefits of journaling (it can help improve your sleep hygiene! And reduce anxiety!). And seeing these posts got me thinking about what a huge difference journaling has made in my life recently.
We've been hearing a lot about self-care lately, and as women, it's particularly important: Because, often, we're last on the list (if we're even on the list at all). We take care of work, spouses, kids, friends, friend's kids and parents — and sometimes even strangers — before we take care of ourselves. Still, self-care is so important to our well-being; our mental and physical health.
By now you know that it's up to you to guarantee a good night's rest. That's why you avoid staying up late to binge Netflix — so that you can wake up bright-eyed the next morning. But along with our own sleeping habits, the bedding that we choose — pillows, sheets, and duvet comforters — make a huge difference in how we catch our zzz's. Whether you're struggling to stay cool while you clock your eight hours or you feel sad every time you look at your bland, boring bed, these top bedding picks will help you combat whatever issues you're facing head-on.
Plain and simple: Life is hard sometimes. As the years go on, there are people who come in and out of our lives. For me, after graduating high school, I really started to solidify who my friend group was: I met new friends in college, had old ones at home, and stayed in touch with those that mattered most. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that some relationships are simply not worth taking along with you. It's tough to face, but some friendships are, well, toxic.
You start and end your day at home — and so should your wellness routine. Whether you live in a cramped studio apartment, have more roommates than you can count, or even share your space with your S.O., it's important that you're treating your space with the same care with which you treat your body. And if you're still figuring out how to be good to your body — your self-care regimen, if you will — your home is also a great place to start.
"Game of Thrones" is officially back and it's back with a vengeance, providing ample fodder for watercooler conversations nationwide. Now "beauty" probably isn't the first word you'd associate with the show (no, that might be "brutality." Or "ice zombies"), but there's no denying the fact that its stars are gorgeous, outside and in.
Been feeling a little down lately? Spring provides the perfect time to change the channel. After all, that pesky Seasonal Affective Disorder should hopefully be in the rearview mirror — and with warmer weather, you have so many more opportunities to let loose and have fun.
Fact: Plastic is pretty darn bad for the environment and your health. That's because a) plastic doesn't biodegrade, and b) it actually releases toxic chemicals (like bisphenol A, a.k.a. BPA) that can get into your bloodstream, which can in turn lead to health issues. In other words? If you haven't yet switched to using a reusable water bottle yet, Earth Month is the perfect time to start. That doesn't mean you have to settle for something boring, though. Tote your H2O around in style with one of these super-luxe water bottles, all of which are BPA-free. Whether you're headed to the gym or work, they make hydrating an easy and stylish experience.
CBD is everywhere these days — it's touted as everything from a topical pain reliever to a sleep aid... and now, it's the beauty ingredient du jour. Its newfound popularity makes sense: Because in addition to being "buzzy," CBD oil is non-comedogenic, rich in antioxidants, and it works as a natural inflammatory. Oh, and don't worry: It doesn't include THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana), so you don't have to worry about getting high.
Though they're best known for the fact that they produce honey and, well, can sting you, bees actually create a ton of things that are super beneficial to humans (and bees, of course). "Besides honey, bees make some other wonderful and unique substances, like royal jelly, bee pollen and propolis," says Carly Stein, CEO and founder of Beekeeper's Naturals. "Propolis is a slightly bitter collection of powerfully healing plant and tree resins that are gathered and processed by bees."
Now that the wellness and beauty industries are completely obsessed with CBD, it was only a matter of time before the trendy cannabis compound, said to have a myriad of benefits, got the Tom Ford treatment — which is to say, you can now find everything from CBD chocolates, capsules, gummies and balms, to tinctures, salves, lotions and oils in Net-a-Porter-worthy packaging. CBD lattes sold at beauty meccas like Chillhouse and post-yoga flow balms (just launched at Y7 Studio) are now a thing too. Many of these brands don't focus so much on the nitty-gritty medicinal talk, but rather let their glossy packaging do the CBD advocating for them. Here's a look at the standout brands with luxury CBD offerings.
Whether you've had a long week at the office, you're going through particularly stressful time at home, or you're just burdened with a crippling sense of ennui thanks to the ever-worsening state of current events... well, candles can help.
December was quite a doozy for me... I don't think I've ever been quite as stressed as I was that month. Let me break it down for you: a) I started a new job, b) my roommate of three years suddenly decided to move out, prompting me to move in with my boyfriend, c) I had a vacation planned far, far ahead of all this madness... right after the stress of the holidays, and d) did I mention that my boyfriend had secretly been planning to propose all along and thus, is now my fiancé?
Put down that to-do list. Turn off your phone — or at the very least set it to silent mode. And don't even think about squeezing "just one more thing in" first. It's time to prioritize you with a relaxing self-care regimen. The proverbial chill pill doesn't come in medication form; it can come from calming beauty products.
