Pindar was an Ancient Greek lyric poet from Thebes. It’s comforting to know wellness wisdom has always been with us throughout history. This wonderful quote gives a thematic context to my Ideal Finds post.
It seems like no matter what we do these days bad news finds us! With so many media platforms able to reach us, whether it be TV, tablets or smartphones, we are bombarded with bad news from around the world. Bad things have always happened, but today we get the minute by minute pings and often we have very little control over what is happening. This can be very stressful and also depressing. The best way to combat the blues and ward off stress is to practice self-care and keep a positive mindset. There are many cynics out there who think being cheerful is just frivolous when the world seems to be melting away. Yes, there is climate change, and many other pressing social issues, but I promise you won’t be able to do a thing about it if your health and well-being are at risk. Being cheerful is literally good for your health and can keep many health conditions like anxiety at bay. So what is someone to do, if cheer isn’t your natural temperament setting? Trigger the brilliant hormones and neurotransmitters you have readily available from your own brain like serotonin and endorphins. Check out the practical tool-box I’ve included at the end of this post. You would be surprised to learn there are very simple ways you can get cheerful and feeling good quickly.
The Ideal Finds I’ve discovered at the NY Now summer market will definitely get you feeling cheerful and lift your spirits when you’re feeling overloaded! I believe one way you can begin to feel good is to live in harmony with your values. Following is my conscious lifestyle check list which I created to help you navigate the beauty, health and wellness markets. Enjoy the rest of the summer and be present with all the season has to offer. One way to begin is to feel good NOW! Ignore the cinnamon pine cones currently in the super markets in the middle of August and remember Fall will come in it’s own time. Be happily present and live in the heart of the summer for now. Cheers…
WWB ‘FEEL GOOD’ CHECK LIST
- Cruelty Free: No animal was harmed or tested on
- Sustainable & Eco-Friendly: green, organic and sustainable
- Beauty, Health & Wellness Without Compromise: Free of harmful chemicals known to harm you
- Socially Responsible: Fairtrade and Social Mission Retail
- Committed to Wellness Culture
WWB IDEAL CATEGORIES/AUGUST
- Self Care: Personal care products for calm, relaxation and empowerment
- Conscious Beauty: Meets one or more of the ‘feel good’ criteria
- Healthy Epicurean: Edible treats and food with healthy and organic ingredients
- Artisan Hand Made: Beautifully Designed, Creatively Crafted, Useful & Enduring
Warm Human Aromatherapy
SELF CARE
IDEAL FIND: ‘WARM HUMAN’ WEARABLE AROMATHERAPY
BRAND STORY: WARM HUMAN WEARABLE AROMATHERAPY is worn on your skin and hair as a natural perfume. Wear this as a single scent, or layer it with others directly on your skin and hair.
100% NATURAL | PURE THERAPEUTIC GRADE | VEGAN | SKIN-SAFE
FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Citrus
NOTE : Top
PART OF THE PLANT : Peel
METHOD : Steam Distilled
SOURCE : USA
DESCRIPTION : Orange trees were found to be the most cultivated fruit tree in the world, primarily for their sweet fruit. They are grown in subtropical climates. They are rich in vitamin C and do not spoil easily.
INSPIRATION & BENEFITS OF SWEET ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL:
- Excellent antidepressant and mood elevator
- Reminder that life is good, life is sweet!
- Restores energy and vibrancy
- Boosts confidence and belief in yourself
- Inspires creativity
- Transforms life’s challenges into strengths/positives
- Alleviates anxiety, anger, and depression
KNOWN PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF SWEET ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic and relieves muscle pain, and cramps
- Helps with stomach discomfort, and excess gas
- Aphrodisiac and libido enhancer
- Anti-fungal and antibacterial- Helps prevent infections
- Boosts immune system
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Anti-aging and protects against sun and UV damage
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease.
WWB FEEL GOOD CHECK LIST: Cruelty Free, Beauty, Health & Wellness Without Compromise, Committed to Wellness Culture, Sustainable.
WWB NOTE: This newly launched wearable aromatherapy brand ‘Warm Human’ is all heart and soul. Did I say fun? That too! I could not possibly pick a favorite as I found so many of the products enticing and lovely. If Citrus doesn’t speak to you, will find many other scents to soothe your spirit. I love the Power Blends offered and their fun names like Spiritual Gangsta, and Pretty Dope Soul! Each of them offer inspirational affirmations communicating the emotional benefits that each scent can evoke. If you ever wondered why vanilla and baked apples can stir positive feelings in many people, it’s because sensory stimulation has a huge effect on our brains. Our brains have a big impact on our emotions. Mind, Body and Spirit now begins to take on a whole new meaning!
SELF CARE/CONSCIOUS BEAUTY
WWB IDEAL FIND: ERBARIO TOSCANO ‘ ELISIR D’Olivo’ MADE IN ITALY
BRAND STORY: “Naturalness and quality are the main ingredients of the philosophy of Erbario Toscano. The same environment from which inspiration is drawn and that becomes the essence of each fragrances, is treasured and respected. The most modern production technologies and quality control enhance the naturalness of an assortment where everything is “genuine”, not tested on animals and packaged using recyclable materials. The production also retains a “family” and “creative” dimension that makes each product unique and inimitable.”
The rediscovery of ancient traditions without overlooking innovation has allowed Erbario Toscano to star in the best showcases around the world.”
WWB FEEL GOOD CHECK LIST: Cruelty Free, Eco-Friendly, Beauty, Health & Wellness Without Compromise
WWB NOTE: Being a big believer in the healing powers of Olive Oil, I particularly love this Olive Oil centered skin care line from Italy, which is just one of many nature inspired lines they offer. I encourage you to discover the entire ELISR DOLIVO skincare line. You can find many of their products on Amazon as well. If Olive Oil is not appealing, you may also love their PURE ROSE skincare line.
HEALTHY EPICUREAN/ARTISAN
Urbz
WWB IDEAL FIND: Urbz Design Plant Plod for the Urban Gardner
BRAND STORY: “We designed Urbz to have immediate access to fresh herbs in our kitchen. We love to cook and using herbs that are picked fresh from a living plant is a simple delicacy that elevates the flavor of any meal. Urbz mounts to any window and utilizes natural sunlight — no batteries or electricity required. Urbz doesn’t take up precious counter space, clutter up your window sills or require you to drill holes in walls like other plant containers. We’ve developed a unique window mount for Urbz — it will adhere to any window or tile and can hold up to 25 lbs / 11 kg.
WWB FEEL GOOD CHECK LIST: Sustainable & Eco-Friendly, Committed to Wellness Culture
WWB NOTE: This is a wonderful new product line and I love the simplicity and commitment to education. What a wonderful way to bring so many of us living in urban city environments closer to nature. These plant pods can be used for growing herbs, succulents, and flowers, right on your window using natural sunlight. With all the research behind the power of plant herbs why not start growing your own herbs! Rosemary, parsley and thyme oh my! I love this innovative and creative line.
SELF CARE
SONOMA LAVENDER
WWB IDEAL FIND: SONOMA LAVENDER ( NEW OWNERSHIP)
BRAND STORY: Sonoma Lavender was created nearly 20 years ago by Rebecca and Gary Rosenberg on a lush lavender farm nestled in the Sonoma Valley which lies between the Mayacamus Mountains in the east and the Sonoma Mountains in the west. This is northern California’s famous wine country, ideally situated to grow rich fragrant lavender. Rebecca realized that lavender is truly like magic, “You can make so much. It repels insects. It heals the skin. It relaxes the muscles. It helps you sleep.” Today, the products continue to be handcrafted in the Sonoma Valley with the same meticulous care and attention of 20 years earlier by new owners Scott Maddock and Siza Nyuliwe who will carry on the legacy.
WWB FEEL GOOD CHECK LIST: Beauty, Health & Wellness Without Compromise, Commitment to Wellness Culture
WWB NOTE: I love their home spa products and particularly the Lavender wrap which you can cool or heat. You can find this brand in so specialty retail stores around the country and easily on Amazon. As I mentioned in my opening whatever you can do release those feel good endorphins, is worth a little attention! Research has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled. You can read more about the benefits on their website. Excited to see what the new owners do with this already wonderful line of lavender products.
Serotonin boosts our mood and makes us more agreeable and sociable. Lack of it can cause irritability and depression. One of things you can do is to choose positive thoughts. When we choose to remember happy events in the past, or focus on what we’re grateful for in the present, our brains seem to produce more serotonin. How easy is that? You can also get more sunshine. When sunlight reaches our skin, we produce vitamin D which in turn helps produce serotonin. This explains why being outdoors makes people happier. The other big serotonin booster is aerobic exercise. It lingers in your system and this is why you often feel better hours after your workout!
Oxytocin is the “love” hormone released upon physical contact. Intercourse and childbirth release large amounts of oxytocin, but even a simple hug works. Oxytocin provides feelings of love and trust, which is why relationships boost our happiness. If none of these options are available you can get a massage!
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. An easy way to remember this is that “endorphins” is the shortened term for “endogenous (containing) morphine”. Anaerobic exercise helps us to cope with chronic pains by activating our bodies’ natural painkillers. Endorphins don’t really help us to feel good, but they do help us to feel less bad. Being a former runner I can attest to the ‘runners high’ which is a rush of good endorphins. I miss that euphoric feeling of floating on ‘air’ in my Nikes!
Dopamine is a “pleasure” hormone and is stimulated when we strive towards a goal. One way to boost this hormone is to exercise with an objective. Since dopamine is associated with goal achievement and reward, setting a distance or time target will stimulate its production. You will feel really good about yourself too!
Research all of this on your own! As I always say “No-One Can Live Your Life as Well as You” Cheers, Lauroly