Wellness

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An 8-Step Wellness-y Routine to Get into the Holiday Spirit

In partnership with our friends at Miami Cocktail Company

The power of positivity has some potent benefits for our overall well-being. And happiness, as they say, is contagious. In this three-part series, we’ve teamed up with Miami Cocktail Company to explore what it means to have hope, what makes our lives meaningful, and how to find—and embrace—the joy within and around us.

While most of us can agree that December typically tends to feel like an all-out blink-and-you-might-miss-it sprint, this year, getting into the holiday spirit might feel a little different. Instead of the holiday party scene with the white elephants and secret Santas and passed trays of tiny foods, we’re looking forward to a season that’s truly devoted to slowing down, shifting into neutral, and rediscovering the bliss of being at home. Here’s how we’re easing ourselves into the season.

  1. 1

    CAN IT

    We’ve nearly made it through 2020, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned after living through this year, it’s how to simplify nearly everything. Keep the stress-free vibe going with perfectly mixed cocktails in a can. We love the line of organic craft ones from Miami Cocktail Company. They come in handy when you want a delicious drink but don’t have a stocked home bar or expert bartending skills. Plus, if you’re having a small crew over for a socially distanced hang, they’re great for a contactless bar—just shake and pour over ice for the fastest and tastiest margaritas with Key lime and agave, sangrias mixed with pineapple and mangoes, and bubbly, low-ABV spritzers.

  2. 2

    SIP IT UP

    Now that you can spend less time playing bartender and more time relaxing, you’ll want something nice to sip your cocktail with. These crystal straws make a great gift, and they’re also fun to have for yourself: The crystals slide onto the reusable straw, and smoky quartz is said to promote grounding energy and amplify good intentions. We think they’re really pretty (and good for the environment).

  3. 3

    GET LIT

    Fun fact: This earthy, grounding candle used to be a winter scent, but we made it part of the permanent rotation—because who doesn’t love the aroma of a woodsy, crackling fire; a grove of cypress by the sea; and a centuries-old European chapel with hints of frankincense, clove-leaf oil, red cedar, and labdanum. It smells like smoke and snow, and the different elements were chosen for their mystical and meditative properties.

  4. 4

    SOAK IT IN

    Our recipe for the perfect bath is simple: Fill the tub with the hottest water you can stand, dim those lights, grab a drink and a book (or cue something up on your tablet), then add a scoop of this miracle-working bath soak. The Martini was formulated for a spa experience aimed at calming the mind, relaxing the body, and promoting inner
    well-being.

  5. 5

    TREAT YOURSELF

    You’ll want to make enough of these peppermint truffles for friends and for yourself. For this holiday version of our classic crowd-favorite chocolate truffles from It’s All Easy, we swapped the chia seeds out for candy canes and the date syrup for maple.

  6. 6

    SETTLE THE MIND

    If you have a ruminating, restless mind, the simple act of pausing to focus on your breath can bring clarity and redirect your feelings. But you don’t need to dive into a full breathwork practice to benefit from the power of breathing. Whenever you’re feeling stressed, try this simple, tech-free mindfulness tool: Take a deep breath in through your nose, pause, then gently exhale through the necklace for eight to ten seconds. The mouthpiece, which is inspired by flutes used by ancient Japanese monks, forces you to take long, purposeful breaths.

  7. 7

    FEELING PINE

    If you’re looking to add something festive to your diffuser, our senior director of research and science, Gerda Endemann, describes the vitruvi Grove essential oil blend as “the most wonderful pine scent.” It’s a mix of cedarwood, pine, spruce, and fir, so it’s a close second to forest bathing and reminiscent of hiking trips and campfires in the great outdoors.

  8. 8

    PRACTICE GRATITUDE

    According to Brené Brown, joyful people all have one thing in common: They practice gratitude. And there’s research evidence, too, that gratitude promotes happiness, increases resilience, helps people be less afraid, and can improve people’s quality of life. So this year, turn the humble holiday card into an act of thanks and let the people in your life know why you’re grateful for them. And then reflect in your own journal on all the things that brought you joy this year, even in the smallest ways. Gratitude is like exercise: The more you do it, the more benefit you get from it.