Busy Bee Wellness with Marina

 In our world today, we are surrounded by things that can poison us. I know that sounds dramatic but if you really look into it, you would be shocked at the things that we are putting in our bodies and environments. When we are prioritizing health, it means making active changes in all facets of life. It will take time but one swap at a time is progress nevertheless. Here are 5 swaps that I have made that I do believe have improved my quality of life.  Household cleaning products: Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a regular household cleaning product like Windex? Talk about toxic chemicals! I recommend making your if you have the resources. If you can't, brands like Evergreen from Target are great options.   Food storage containers: I know little plastic options are easy and cheap but that can expose your body to many microplastics over time. Investing in glass and stainless steel containers have been the right supplement for me. Also, they feel nicer to use...

 If you have listened to the world of wellness and fitness at all, you would know that the importance of rest isn't somethings you should sleep on. ;) No matter what you are doing for your mind and body, it will never be as effective as when you are also getting adequate rest alongside your efforts. However, that is easier said than done. There are many things that can rob us of quality sleep and rest. Here are some tips to help get more and better sleep: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule : Nothing interrupts sleep rhythm quite like our own lack of rhythm in the first place. Yes, it takes discipline but this helps regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.  Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine : When I can't seem to wind down before bed, I like to read, take a bath, or engage in some other relaxing activity. This can get our minds and body in a more relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep.  Limit Caffeine and Alcohol...

 So the whole thing my blog is centered around is prioritizing wellness when your schedule is full and you don't think you have time for yourself. Well, these tips are for your busiest weeks. I know you can find five minutes in your day to do these. No matter how busy we are, most, if not all, of us waste time or at least settle down at some point in our day. Here are some ideas for when you literally only five minutes to think about and take care of yourself and your wellness.  Deep Breathing Exercises: Pause and take 10 deep, slow breaths, inhaling through the nose for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling through the mouth for four. For me, this reduces stress, calms my mind and spiraling thoughts, and resets my nervous system in minutes. Stretching: Stand up, stretch your arms overhead, roll your shoulders, and stretch your neck gently from side to side. This relieves muscle tension, increases circulation, and boosts energy levels. Gratitude Practicing: Take a m...

 On its own, being outside is something good you can do for your mind and your body. It is good for boosting mindfulness, better sleep, reducing stress, and more. The list goes on and on. Here are three of the many different things you can do outside that are good for both. Find local trails in your area and hike! You can go with a friend or alone (safely!) depending on how you feel. It's great exercise and trails are often beautiful in the sunlight! It can really help clear your mind. If you feel like turning it up a notch, you could throw on running shoes and go for a trail run! Gardening is also a great option! You can choose to grow pretty plants, herbs, or vegetables! This way, you can get your time outdoors while investing in what you're consuming and putting in your home as well! The last one is grounding. I love to do this early in the morning when the sun is rising. It's the simple act of walking around barefoot in the grass, therefore connecting with the Earth and...

 I know as well as anyone how real the "doom scroll" is. You sit down, open up social media, and suddenly it's many hours later and you haven't moved. I do love social media and am a big advocate for using it for good and for connections. All that jazz is great. However, our minds are not designed to absorb so much screen time. Also, viewing the world through someone else's lens rather than experiencing it is unhealthy. You become prone to comparing yourself to others' unrealistic lives and to dissociating from the life you are or could be living. Recently, I have been intentionally working on reducing my screen time overall and being more intentional about the time I spend on my phone. Here are some of the things I am doing to be successful at this: On iPhones, you can set Screen Time limits in your settings by apps. I spend most of my time on Instagram and Facebook. I set a one-hour limit for both of those limits combined. However, the limit alone was not en...

 A large part of taking care of our mental health comes from relationships and daily human interaction. Whether or not you are a introvert or an extrovert doesn’t matter. People need other people. One thing that I have discovered is that relationships take work and they can be difficult to maintain. In this post, I’m going to share a few best practices to maintain friendships and improve relationships. These can be applied to your platonic and romantic relationships because I believe, if someone is your significant other, they should still be a friend to you first. A few Best Practices for Relationships: When you think about someone or they are brought up fondly in conversation, call or text them to let them know. People love to know that people are thinking of them. For me, I find it very comforting.  Make time for your relationships. my excuse a lot of the time is that I am too busy to hang out with people. If we are diligent about setting aside time and actually making plan...