National Self Improvement Month
This past month is known for being ‘National Self Improvement Month,’ a great time to reflect and help set goals to clear a path to a better you. As we head into the fall, it’s an incredibly valuable time to work on self-improvement and self-care, as many of us have suffered upheavals in the last six months because of Covid-19. I’m excited to share some tips and must-have items from journals to training systems to help set a course for a gratifying self improvement month that will help lift your spirits into the New Year., as seen on Today in Nashville.
Happy Notes Book
Happy Notes Book, $24 (+$2 for hand-lettered personalization)
In order to improve your overall happiness, the work needs to start with yourself. “The Happy Notes” Book is a daily notebook designed to help you find--and celebrate--the everyday moments in life that make you smile. It's an everyday lined notebook working in the forward direction-- with a simplified gratitude practice "happy notes" working from the back of the notebook. The three prompts are "moments of joy" to celebrate the everyday moments that made you smile each week, "excited for" to look forward to the adventures in the week to come, and "to accomplish" to set some intentions for the days ahead. In the back of the notebook is a stamped envelope - it includes a blank card for you to fill in and send, and a note from the founder that explains the exponential impact of sharing happiness with others. An extension to the line are the "Happy Notes"" mini notecards-- the pack of 8 mini note cards were designed building on that exact concept- share happy with the people around you, and let's make this world a happier place together!
Active5 Portable Strength Training Device
Active5 Portable Strength Training Device, $109.90
The Activ5 portable strength training device offers a series of short, personalized workouts that you can easily complete anywhere. The device pairs via Bluetooth to the training app on your smart phone or tablet and lets you choose from hundreds of simple exercises and workouts focused on specific muscle groups utilizing isometric holds. Get an accurate read on your strength level, track your progress over time, assess muscle symmetry, prevent injuries and have fun getting strong!
The Calm App
Calm App, $6/month for premium
Available in App Store & Google Play
Calm’s mission is to make the world happier and healthier. Calm is best known as the world’s #1 app for sleep meditation and relaxation and has had over 80 million downloads to date and over 700,000 5-star user reviews. “The world’s happiest app” – the single app that left users feeling happiest from spending time on it. Calm creates unique audio content that strengthens mental fitness and tackles some of the biggest mental health challenges of today: stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression. The most popular feature on Calm is a 10-minute meditation called 'The Daily Calm,' that explores a new mindful theme and inspiring concept each day. Calm also contains over 120 Sleep Stories (bedtime stories for grown-ups), plus sleep music, meditation lessons, nature sounds, videos, multi-day programs and Calm Masterclasses delivered by world experts. The Calm app is free to download but a paid subscription to Calm Premium gives access to over 100 hours of premium content, including an ever-growing library of advanced meditations, soothing Sleep Stories, calming nature scenes, a breathing tool and Calm Masterclasses.
BEACON40®, $249
The ultimate in self-care is taking care of your brain, and being that my grandmother has Alzheimer’s, I’m obsessed with learning how to improve your mind’s cognitive functions. Like a vitamin for your brain, BEACON40® is a wellness device designed to improve brain health based on cutting-edge science. Created to improve mental acuity, memory, and attention by stimulating the brain's activity with 40Hz light (that's 40 beats per second). Safe, silent and noninvasive and fits seamlessly into any home or office. You can use the lights while you go about your daily activities like watching TV or reading emails, and is carefully designed to be easy to use for all ages as part of daily cognitive wellness routine. While more on the expensive side, this device will go a long way for your overall health.
skyn ICELAND Dissolving Microneedle Eye Patches
Microneedle Eye Patches, $14
A portion of self-improving yourself has to do with your upkeep and care. I personally love these Microneedling Eye Patches from skyn ICELAND because I can wear them overnight and not have to think about them! Help hydrate and smooth the appearance of fine lines around the delicate eye area. The patches utilize teeny tiny, dissolving microneedles packed with regenerative hyaluronic acid.