Shake it off (with shaking meditation)
Feeling stressed or anxious? Consider trying shaking meditation to engage and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the body’s “rest and digest” response). Also known as Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), shaking meditation was developed by Dr. David Berceli as a way to relieve physical symptoms of stress, tension, and trauma held in the body.
While the effectiveness of TRE is largely anecdotal, potential benefits include emotional resiliency, stress relief, and relaxation. One individual case study of an Australian veteran with PTSD found that TRE led to signs of emotional and physical improvement immediately following treatment, as well as an improvement in perceived stress in the months following.
To try TRE, look for accredited instructional videos online or book an appointment with a certified provider. After learning the exercises, you can practice them at home whenever you need to release tension.
Wake up with an instant nondairy latte
With the rising popularity of remote work, there’s no better time to start making your own instant, plant-based latte in the comfort of your own kitchen.
From coffee-based mixes and tasty tea blends to caffeine-free powders packed with adaptogens, proteins, and other added benefits, there’s an instant latte mix sure to satisfy your craving. To make a latte in under 60 seconds, simply blend together your preferred mix with your choice of plant-based milk and an optional sweetener (we love using Medjool dates, which add a boost of dietary fiber).
Plus, whether you’re a fan of almond, oat, rice, or soy milk, choosing a nondairy option is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, one glass of dairy produces three times more greenhouse gas emissions than certain nondairy milks. If you’re concerned about your calcium intake, opt for almond, pea, or flaxseed milk, which have even more calcium than cow’s milk.
Give skin cycling a try
With the hashtag “skin cycling” sitting at just under 250 million views on TikTok, this is one beauty trend worth investigating! Skin cycling isn’t a skincare product or technique, it’s a method that entails “cycling” daily skincare products containing active ingredients such as chemical exfoliants and retinoids, with soothing serums and moisturizers. The main objective of skin cycling is to let the skin’s natural barrier recover after using products that contain potentially irritating ingredients.
Dr. Whitney Bowe, one of the dermatologists spearheading the skin cycling movement, recommends using a chemical exfoliant (such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid) on the first day followed by a topical retinoid on day two. Days three and four are reserved for moisturizers and hydrating serums. By repeating this four-day cycle, any signs of irritation (such as redness or blotchiness) may begin to fade—even after only two complete cycles. While skin cycling isn’t for everyone, those with sensitive skin could find that it offers some relief.
Fight climate change with the climatarian diet
True to its name, the climatarian diet focuses on minimizing carbon output through dietary choices. Beef and lamb (which rank first and third as the foods with the largest greenhouse gas emissions) are often discouraged, while pork, poultry, and seasonal fruit and vegetables are fair game as they are said to have less environmental impact.
Someone following aa climatarian diet may also focus on cutting down on food waste whenever possible, as over 30 percent of food purchased in the US is thrown out every year. To combat food waste, try sourcing out options for buying “rescued” food (items that are close to their best buy date but are still perfectly edible) or embrace the idea of a victory garden and grow your own fruits and vegetables (indoors or outdoors) if space allows.
