I had no idea what I was getting myself into while stripping down to nothing at an outdoor spa at the utterly dreamy Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Maldives. The resort's spa is recognized as a leader in ayurvedic treatments, so while I knew it'd be a mind-blowing experience, I had no idea just how good it'd be. For those unfamiliar with abhyanga, I'll dive into the process more in a second, but it essentially entails a body and soul nourishing experience via an oil-laden choreographed massage given by two therapists (sounds pretty good, right?).
Yes, we're already into January, but it's not too late to make some 2020 New Year's resolutions — especially if they're easy! Sometimes, we're simply too ambitious when it comes to our resolutions... which often leads to lapses and setbacks, which in turns often leads to giving them up entirely.
Candles, without a doubt, are one of the best parts about winter: They add so much coziness and there are so many fun, seasonal varieties to choose from. They also make for gorgeous home/office decorations (especially that Insta-worthy 3-wick that always garners tons of compliments from your coworkers).
Is staying organized one of your New Year's resolutions for 2020? Well, start things off right with a good planner! Whether you want guided planners or blank ones, keeping a journal is great for keeping track of your work, social life, hobbies, interests, finances, etc. What's more, writing every day — whether it's about random thoughts, reflections or idea — can also help keep you calm, centered and grounded.
No matter how hard you try, you can't avoid the fact the holidays are madness. You can, however, make sure that your body and mind are ready to take on whatever the "most wonderful time of the year" brings. Even with all the festive cheer, the holidays bring stress, chaos, and some potentially awkward family dinner conversations (you know it's true). Gear up for all that the season brings with these stress-relieving and mindfulness-inducing finds, ranging from bath time staples, to candles that'll give your home a zen feel.
It's that time of year... again. The season of more time with family and friends, the season of giving gifts — and getting them, too. Yes, it's the holidays: For some, it's the most wonderful time of year... and for others, not so much. No matter where you fall in that spectrum, there's one thing that can really elevate your state — and it's gratitude.
We get it: It's not always good for our emotional health to spend time with certain toxic family members at Thanksgiving... but it's not like you want to sit around at home with all those (paid) days off. That's why it's the perfect time to travel to one of these amazing spots. Pack your bags, baby: Last-minute hotel deals are calling our name...
It's the most wonderful time of the year (well, at least I think it is). The leaves are changing colors, cinnamon-y desserts abound... and it's finally time to bring your go-to leather jacket out of storage. One of the best ways to embrace the season is by pumping your home full of heavenly fall scents. But candles aren't always practical, and their scents don't always last once the flame flickers out. That's why we've rounded up the following reed diffusers that were made for fall (and have scents that last for up to three months). So throw on your coziest sweater, whip up a hot chocolate, and sit back and enjoy these autumnal scents. Bonus: They're all great gift options too as you make the holiday party rounds!
Fall is truly the most wonderful time of the year. After you fill your kitchen with bags (and bags) of apples, it's time to give fall's other staple (aka pumpkin) its time to shine. Even once Halloween passes and your jack-o-lantern has seen better days, there are so many seasonally appropriate ways to incorporate pumpkins — some real, mostly faux — into your day-to-day décor well into November. Shop these pumpkin-themed items, ranging from scented candles to party-ready placemats, to get all the inspiration you need for a festive fall home. Bring on the cozy.
Ah, fall: It's sweater weather, PSL season and, best of all, the time of year where warm, cozy scents really come alive. As you warm up your home for the holidays, you should find some fragrances — candles, diffusers, lotions, perfumes, and more — with a fall vibe, to create the perfect seasonal accent. All of these finds lean into the scents that really make this season a standout: vanilla, spice, pine, cedarwood, and so on. Some transport you straight to the hiking trails; others encourage you to cozy up in your chunky knits and hide out from the autumn rain. Either way, these scents signify the changing season in the best way possible.
People tend to get pretty excited when a new clothing collection launches, when a makeup brand debuts a product, and even when an anticipated fragrance hits the market. While candles may not garner as much fervor or buzz as some of these other categories, we'd argue that it's still a pretty noteworthy event. From yummy seasonal candles of the gourmand variety, to scents that are well on their way to becoming cult classic favorites, we're showcasing some of the best new candle launches right here.
Yoga is a beautiful practice, one that deserves a beautiful yoga mat. And when you're working that hard to better yourself... well, why not indulge in some new equipment? (Treat yourself!) We've scoured the internet to find the best looking mats for all of your yoga needs. Click through to check them out.
Staying 100 percent motivated to go to work every day is difficult — especially if your work environment is draining. You might not always notice right away, but your surroundings can definitely influence your mood and performance. And if you're constantly working in a dull, messy, and ice-cold room, you'll likely feel uninspired, exhausted, and burned out.
Sometimes you just need help getting emotionally back on track. Maybe it was a bad break-up or the loss of a job that has you in low spirits. Possibly a discouraging word from a loved one sent you into a spiral of self-doubt... Or perhaps, you've just gotten so used to your negative thoughts, you're not even aware of them anymore.
Summer is in full swing: The sun is out. The days are longer. There's places to go and people to see. Summer 2019 has been spectacular so far... yet for some reason, Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness" has re-entered the US iTunes charts. What's going on? Are we all in a collective funk? Luckily, even if you're experiencing some summertime sadness, there's still hope you can make this one of the most amazing summers you will ever experience. The trick is to actively raise your vibrations to attract good feeling thoughts, experiences, and people into your life.
Getting enough sleep can be hard work. According to the American Sleep Association, sleep disorders — including insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy — "affect 1 in 3 people at some stage in their lives." However, even for those who don't suffer from a diagnosable disorder, it's still pretty hard to carve out the time for the recommended 7-9 hours of snooze time a night. Everything from lumpy mattresses to noisy neighbors can disrupt slumber. Plus, there's often a weird sense of pride that comes along with forgoing sleep for productivity: Undereye bags are worn as badges of honor — they serve as proof that we are far too busy to do something as unproductive as sleep.
If we could, we would all bottle up the scents of summer: sand mixed with sunscreen. The salt of the ocean paired with a fruity cocktail. The freshness of crisp, bright produce from the farmer's market, and the allure of fresh-squeezed lemonade. While all of these aromas are refreshing, they also bring us back to seasons long ago. After all, scent is the strongest sense linked to memory — and part of the reason we enjoy familiar smells is of what they remind us. Your grandparent's lake house. That first summer love — or that gorgeous day in May when you said "I do."
Minds wander. A lot. It's normal, but sometimes it can leave you engrossed in all the daily minutiae currently stressing you out. As if your extremely busy and demanding life isn't already overwhelming enough, right?
In the wise words of Taylor Swift, "you need to calm down." It might sound pat, but you know what? All that endless worrying is adding fine lines around your eyes and causing your skin to break out. It affects your performance at work, your decision-making — and even your mental health.
