Tag: Wellness

Beauty /

Taste Beauty Launches Defendr+™ Hand Sanitizer at Target Stores Nationwide and Online

Taste Beauty saw the need for a modern hand sanitizing solution in light of the current COVID-19 health crisis and within weeks was able to act quickly to manufacture a safe, high-quality product, now available at Target stores online and nationwide, as well as other national retailers.

The product is free of harsh chemicals and its powerful scent-free and moisturizing formula contain just four gentle ingredients, including 70% Ethyl Alcohol, which meets the CDC’s recommendations for hand hygiene.

Defendr+™ comes in a broad range of product sizes including 16, 8, 2, and 1-fluid-ounce bottles. The 16-fluid-ounce bottle is perfect for frequent home hand sanitizing. The 1-fluid-ounce bottle comes with a convenient rubber holder that clips to a backpack or handbag, ideal for sanitizing on-the-go.

“I love this hand sanitizer. It only takes a small drop to cover your whole hands—even in between your fingers—and it leaves your hands silky smooth!” says Heather, a Defendr+™ user in New Jersey.

Defendr+ 16oz

“Defendr+™ is the most ambitious launch for Taste Beauty’s Taste Labs division, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this brand to market,” said Alex Fogelson, Co-Founder & CEO of Taste Beauty. “Defendr+™ is positioned to become a household name synonymous with keeping families safe, protected, and secure – meeting the moment of our current world.”

Defendr+™ is giving back to the New York Community by contributing to the Robin Hood COVID-19 Relief Fund. Products will also be donated to protect the FDNY through the FDNY Foundation to show gratitude to these men and women for their selfless service, especially during the pandemic.

Defendr+™ will be available starting July 13th, 2020 in all Target stores and on Target.com. For more information on Defendr+ visit http://www.defendrlabs.com.

About Taste Beauty: Headquartered in NYC, Taste Beauty is a boutique manufacturer and marketer of innovative beauty and personal care products, distributed throughout all retail channels. Taste Beauty leverages 3D printing to create unique, custom packaging and has brand partnerships with leading entertainment, food, and beverage companies to bring fun, safe, and high-quality products to life with rapid speed to market. To learn more visit http://www.taste-beauty.com.

Beauty /

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Virtual Summit and New Voices + Target Accelerators $100K Pitch Competition

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the nation and the world, Black communities are being impacted at drastically disproportionate rates. However, while the impact of COVID-19 shines a spotlight on the already fragile health and economic ecosystems of Black communities and Black-owned small businesses, economic recovery efforts – such as the quickly-depleted initial $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program in the CARES Act – are not effectively reaching many of the entrepreneurs and businesses most in need. To help address this, ESSENCE, the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women, today announced the creation of the ESSENCE Benefit Seriesä to Fight COVID-19 to assist Black-owned small businesses and organizations across the country impacted by the pandemic.

The ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19 kicks off with the first-ever ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Virtual Summit and New Voices + Target Accelerators $100K Pitch Competition – which will be streamed live on ESSENCE Studios on Friday, April 24th, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET. The Entrepreneur Virtual Summit will equip Black business owners with valuable tools needed to navigate this unprecedented time, including access to capital, practical insights, and critical resources. The Summit will also include the New Voices + Target Accelerators $100K Pitch Competition, featuring 10 women entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to receive critical funding combined with coaching, mentoring, and personalized business skills development.

The Entrepreneur Virtual Summit will feature informative sessions with some of the most influential business leaders across industries, covering topics including Navigating Coronavirus Relief; Raising Capital Right Now; Adapting During Crisis; Managing the New Normal; Developing A Winning Playbook: Now & Post-COVID and more. Speakers include Robert F. Smith, Chairman, Vista Equity Partners, LLC; Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources, Target Corporation; Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer, Endeavor; Marcus Samuelsson, Chef and Restaurateur; Melissa Butler, CEO, The Lip Bar; Elisa Shankle, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert; Nicole Valentine, Chief Executive Officer, Synergy Business Development; Robin McBride, Co-founder, McBride Sisters Wine Collection; and more.

During this Summit and each to follow in the Benefit Series – as well as throughout this crisis, virtual attendees will have an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses that are in critical need of access to funding and resources by donating to the New Voices Foundation. The New Voices Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization driven by its PACE (Purpose.Access.Capital.Expertise) model and founded by serial entrepreneur and social impact investor Richelieu Dennis, is committed to creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and currently has 13,000+ women of color entrepreneurs on its platform. Offering leadership development, flexible funding, skills-building and networking opportunities to build, grow and scale their businesses with purpose, the Foundation operates with a multi-pronged approach and services that entrepreneurs can access free of charge, including mobile accelerators, coaching and mentoring, pitch competitions, online masterclasses, and more.

Upcoming virtual experiences in the ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19 include the first-ever ESSENCE Festival of Culture: The Virtual Edition (July 4th weekend), as well as other summits, focused on entertainment, personal finance, technology, essential heroes and more.

 “We have long known about the systemic healthcare and economic inequities that are causing Black communities and businesses to fare worse than others during the COVID-19 global pandemic, but we also now see that we are in danger of losing critical progress as a community unless urgent and meaningful actions are taken,” said Dennis, also founder & chair of Essence Ventures, the parent company of ESSENCE. “Black-owned businesses serve as economic engines in our communities across the nation, and entrepreneurship and ownership remain the most viable paths to bridging the abysmal wealth gap and creating generational wealth. Yet, as critical initial stimulus funding ran out without reaching many of those who need it most and with new funding not guaranteed to reach these same businesses, not enough is being done to help ensure their post-pandemic financial survival and the long-term health of our communities.”

Dennis continued, “The ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19 and each of its virtual summits are a direct response to this dire need. While ESSENCE has used its platform over the past 50 years to support entrepreneurs and provide commerce opportunities for Black-owned businesses, we have accelerated these efforts – particularly with investments in digital and technology innovation – since returning the brand to 100% Black ownership in 2018. Now, operating under our Community Commerce purpose-driven model of elevating communities by providing access and opportunities that lead to sustainable economic empowerment, this is how ESSENCE will continue to serve our community in this crisis and beyond. We’ve always been able to count on each other – and that is more important now than ever.”

ESSENCE’s cultivation of entrepreneurship and commerce within Black communities has previously included supporting more than 3,000 small businesses at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture Marketplace; featuring more than 100 small businesses on the Shop ESSENCE platform; engaging hundreds of small business owners in Louisiana to participate in the Pipeline Initiative to grow entrepreneurship and technical career opportunities; and more.

At the outset of the global pandemic designation in March, ESSENCE created the ESSENCE of the Matter: COVID-19’s Impact on Black America digital platform to provide Black women and communities with the tools, information, resources, solutions, inspiration, and empowerment needed to address the multitude of issues arising from the novel coronavirus crisis. The ESSENCE Benefit Series to Fight COVID-19 will now become a central part of this effort, which to date has included the first-ever virtual ESSENCE Wellness Houseä and ESSENCE CARES Act information sessions. In addition, the ESSENCE editorial team produces daily content on a dedicated page to educate the community on the coronavirus, its impact, and how to survive and thrive in this time.

The ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Virtual Summit is powered by Microsoft and brought to you by SheaMoisture and Advancing Black Pathways by JPMorgan Chase. To register for the ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Virtual Summit or for more details, visit ESSENCE.com.

About Essence Communications Inc.

Essence Communications is the number one media, technology, and commerce company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 20.2 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned consumer technology company focused on merging content, community, and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.

Beauty /

Stress Relief for Challenging Times and How Essential Oils Can Help You Find Inner Calm

We are all searching for ways to deal with the stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether that’s it’s meditating, eating immune-boosting foods or Zoom chatting with friends, just doing something for stress relief is essential for your mental and physical well-being.

Now there’s one more way to help de-stress in this trying time – with the power of essential oils.

Vitality Extracts have diffusers, car diffusers, roll-on bottles, essential oil jewelry and a line for kids.

Vitality Extracts crafts the finest essential oils that are pure, safe and free of chemicals making them the perfect aromatherapy oils for optimal natural healing. Each of its oils is tested to ensure it’s 100% contaminant free! While the company is unwavering in its commitment to provide products that are beneficial for its customers, it’s equally committed to protecting its workers and the planet as a whole. The company’s collection of products is sourced from generational farms around the world, helping preserve and protect a vanishing way of life. Farmers and the artisans who lovingly create Vitality Extracts are paid a fair wage and work in an environment guided by ethical practices.

Along with essential oils for migraine relief, stress relief, energy and more, Vitality Extracts makes stunning diffuser bracelets from natural stones, each as beautiful to look at as it is good for your soul! With all the stress in the world now, be good to yourself – and the planet and find some grounding with Vitality Extracts.

Top Picks for Stress Relief:

Immunity – a powerful way to help support the proper function of your immune and respiratory systems. In addition, it can help purify the air and disinfect surfaces to provide a cleaner environment for you and your family, while reducing anxiety and helping with mental focus.

Inner Peace – a lovely combination of oils that gives a spiritual calm even when you’re most stressed. This refreshing combination of citrus oils helps to restore energy, relieve tension and boost the immune and circulatory systems.

Breathe Easy – designed to increase the lung’s capacity to breathe and clear the sinuses. It can also help purify the air in the room and ease congestion and sinus pressure, reduce inflammation and promote a healthy immune and circulatory system.

Diffuser Jewelry – Pyrite, rose quartz and African turquoise are just some of the beautiful and beneficial stones in this collection. Each bracelet or necklace features natural stones paired with lava beads to soak up the oils and provide long-lasting benefits in a beautiful package.

About Vitality Extracts:  Vitality Extracts was created by a group of health and wellness enthusiasts who firmly believe in the natural healing of essential oils. The company crafts products of the utmost quality and offers them at affordable prices to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of better health. The company is so confident its products exceed expectations it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Beauty /

ESSENCE LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL SERIES FOCUSED ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON BLACK AMERICA

ESSENCE Communications Inc., the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women, today announced a new digital series focused on providing Black women and communities with the tools and information needed to address issues arising from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The series, ESSENCE Wellness House: A Virtual Summit, Episode One: Taking Care in the Wake of a Global Pandemic, will include live online experiences that promote physical, mental, emotional, occupational, financial and entrepreneurial well-being during this unprecedented time.  ESSENCE Wellness House series will be powered by Quantasy.

ESSENCE Wellness House: A Virtual Summit will kick off with the first-ever virtual ESSENCE Wellness House on Tuesday, March 31st, and Wednesday, April 1st from 9:00 A.M.–4:30 P.M. (ET).  The ESSENCE Wellness House will be streamed live on ESSENCE Studios via Essence.com and will offer resources for physical, emotional and financial wellness.  The free, two-day virtual summit will convene some of the top wellness practitioners, medical professionals, and leading experts and influencers. All participants waived their honorariums in lieu of a charitable contribution that ESSENCE will make to the partnership effort between National Action Network (NAN) and World Central Kitchen to deliver thousands of hot and cold meals daily to those in need.

Transforming a key offline experience to an online platform, the virtual ESSENCE Wellness House furthers ESSENCE’s 50-year commitment to supporting Black women’s health and livelihood. The summit’s robust digital experiences will include meditation, wellness tips, cooking workshops, fitness workouts, storytime for children, virtual dance parties and more. Highlights of the virtual ESSENCE Wellness House include:

  • Morning Meditations led by Faith Hunter
  • Uplifting inspirational messages by Iyanla Vanzant, Michael Beckwith, and Pastor A.R. Bernard
  • Get the facts about COVID-19 and boosting your immunity with Dr. Patrice Harris, MD., M.A., and Dr. Lauren Powell
  • Get tips on how to stay mentally sane with Charlamagne Tha God and advice on how to handle your loved ones with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford and Dr. Sherry Blake
  • Learn how to manage your money with Tiffany Aliche “The Budgetnista”
  • Discover hassle-free food recipes with Gina Neely
  • Get tips on fun DIY projects for your kids with Rosalynn Daniels
  • Get your body moving with Brukwine dance moves and body-sculpting workouts with ShaNay Norvell
  • And the bonus of a children’s storytime reading by LeVar Burton

“As we come together to safely get through the COVID-19 crisis, it is critical that we do not allow social distancing to morph into social disconnection,” said Richelieu Dennis, founder, and chair of Essence Ventures, the parent company of Essence Communications, Inc.  “So, ESSENCE is leveraging its platform and resources for the continued creation, convening and empowerment of the community.  We know that health disparities in our community have widened with the increase in economic inequality and that more prevalent underlying health conditions can increase the incidences of severe and potentially fatal cases of COVID-19.  We also know that necessary measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and business closures, are likely to have a more significant economic impact on our communities and small businesses.  So, more than ever, access to empowering information and opportunities is vital, and the health of Black women, their families, and our communities depends on it.”

Uncategorized /

Online Discounts From Unique Beauty and Wellness Brands: Self-Care

With so much uncertainty in the world right now, people need a way to cope with the stress and take their minds off the quarantine reality.

For me, I like to dabble in retail therapy when I’m stressed but as we all know, that’s a little difficult right now. Self-care of the body, mind, and spirit is crucial at all times, particularly through the next few weeks.   

Brands For Consideration:

Dionis Goat Milk Skincare: Receive FREE shipping on all hand soap purchases, use code FREESHIPMARCH

Offering FREE SHIPPING on their rich and creamy Goat Milk Hand Soap. The concentrated formula deeply cleans and moisturizes your hands without leaving them dry. Dionis Goat Milk Skincare products are made in the U.S.A. They’re free from cruelty, parabens, gluten, and sulfates.

Mer-Sea & Co. GET 10% OFF orders over $125. Code: SAVE10

Mer-Sea & Co brings the world to you through all of their beach wraps, candles, travel wraps, and sweaters. Whether you’re looking for a travel wrap or comfortable sweater to keep you warm and cozy on your flight (or WFH day), or you’re dreaming of the sea while lighting one of their hand-poured soy wax candles at home, they have something for you.

UNICO Nutrition – Stacks: Take $8.00 off any stack with code WINTER8.

Get faster results and save money with UNICO Nutrition’s optimized workout supplement bundles. Grab their top-selling Total Spectrum Stack for total body transformation, or the popular Daily Diva Stack for peak athletic performance.  UNICO Nutrition is a boutique wellness and sports nutrition company that makes premium meal replacement shakes, greens supplements, pre-workout drinks, vitamins, collagen, weight-loss supplements and more.

SoapCreek Company: Free Shipping on All Orders of $50.00 or More

As a certified organic company, SoapCreek Company is dedicated to making the world better, one bar at a time.  Each bar of soap is handcrafted in the U.S.A and has generous amounts of additives sourced both locally and worldwide.  Their motive is to create the very finest natural body care products. Each batch of soap is meticulously mixed by hand then lovingly shaped into a unique artistic design. SoapCreek products are not only pleasing to the eye but are brimming over with completely natural essential nutrients and luscious moisturizing agents.

SmileNV: Free Shipping on All Orders

SmileNV has been producing whitening gels for dental professionals for over a decade now.  Until the launch of SmileNV, the patented formula was only available to buy through your dentist but now, the next generation of teeth whitening can be delivered straight to your door.  SmileNV is the only at home dentist-approved whitening gel powered by CP+, SmileNV’s patented formula. This whitening gel is twice as effective when compared to a whitening gel that doesn’t contain CP+ and takes a lot less time and you get much faster results.

Entertainment /

STATEMENT ON THE 2020 ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE

“We know that we are all focused on the health of ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities, and with 16 weeks until the scheduled 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, we wanted to provide an update to our community and partners regarding our plans in light of coronavirus/COVID-19.

Our first priority will always be the safety and well-being of our Festival-goers and everyone who contributes to making the Essence Festival of Culture such an enriching, entertaining and incredible experience, and we will continue to evaluate the situation and use all available resources and intelligence to that end.  We are closely monitoring the unfolding developments and updated information from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health agencies and our partners in the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana. 

Based on the latest information, including increasing public health interventions and measures being implemented domestically and internationally, and the considerable amount of time to assess and respond to developments between now and July, we are planning to proceed with the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture as currently scheduled, July 1-5 in New Orleans.  Still, as a precautionary and proactive measure and with health as the foremost consideration, we are also identifying and securing alternate dates to ensure that we can adjust as quickly and seamlessly as possible in the event that circumstances require.  Should that happen, we will honor all tickets sold for prior scheduled dates.

In the meantime, we are excited to share more about our daytime empowerment programming and our nighttime concert line-up — including headliners Bruno Mars and Janet Jackson — as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ESSENCE and look forward to seeing everyone in July.

‘ESSENCE is a multi-cultural, multi-generational treasure in the City of New Orleans and this year, with the return to Ghana, we’ve come full circle,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans.  ‘However, with the commemoration of our past, we must lean on wisdom and sound judgement to shape our future.  Public health and public safety will always remain top priorities.  As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, know that we are taking every precaution to operate in the best interest of the attendees who make ESSENCE what it is.’

ESSENCE will continue to provide updates to our valued community of Festival-goers and partners regarding any new developments.”

Fitness /

Make Positive Changes to Your Life Right Now

You need to do as much as you can to make positive changes in your life this year. It is so essential to think about what you can do to make your life better, and this is something to consider. Making the right changes can have a major impact on the way in which you take your life forward to new and more positive places, and this is important. Having an exercise regimen can prove to be hugely helpful when it comes to improving your life in the process.

2020 has only just begun, and there is more than enough time to transform your life in the right way. So many of us need to be doing as much as we can to work out the best possible ways of improving our lives in the process. Do what you can to make the changes you feel will most benefit your life, and these are some of the things you can do right now to get the best possible outcome.

Get Fitter

Make sure you work on your physical condition and try to do what you can to get fitter and healthier as much as possible. There are a lot of things that play a part in this, and you are going to need to focus on what it takes to make the most of this moving forward. Having an exercise regimen can prove to be hugely helpful when it comes to improving your life in the process. Keeping fit improves your health and well-being, and this is massively important for the future.

 Take up a New Hobby

Another thing to think about when you are serious about taking things to the next level is to consider taking up a new hobby. This is something that can have a massive impact on your home, and it will make a major difference to the interests and experiences you have in your life. Do what you can to find the best hobbies and interests you can, and make sure you take them forward in the right sort of way.

 Improve Your Home Entertainment

 There are some excellent ways of improving your home entertainment, and choosing the perfect Sky TV package is one of the best ones. As you can see from this article entitled Sky Entertainment: What’s in the Basic Sky TV Package? There are more than 300 channels to choose from, and you can combine the package with broadband. Sky offers a wonderfully affordable package deal, beginning at as little as $22 per month!

Go on Holiday

Something else you can do to make positive life changes is to make sure you go on holiday more. This is a great way of being able to relax and unwind, as well as opening your mind to new experiences. Make sure you get away from the stresses of regular life for a while, and go and see the rest of the world.

As you might imagine, you have a lot to think about when it comes time to improve your life, and this is something you are going to need to focus on. Make the most of the different elements of your life that can have a major impact on you moving forward, and try to do what you can to get this right as much as possible.

Beauty /

ESSENCE Centers Black Women’s Wellness; Brings #ESSENCEWellnessHouse to Atlanta

Today, ESSENCE Communications Inc., the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, announced that it is bringing its signature ESSENCE Wellness House to Atlanta on March 7th.  The ESSENCE Wellness House – an immersive wellness experience designed to support Black women on their collective and individual health and wellness journeys – will convene a host of wellness practitioners and A-list fitness professionals for an exclusive day-long retreat. The retreat will take place at the W Hotel Atlanta Midtown.

ESSENCE Wellness House serves as an extension to the brand’s unwavering commitment to Black women’s health and livelihood, as well as cultivating spaces for healing.  With robust experiences – including energizing workout sessions, intimate conversations, interactive workshops, massages, reiki, meditation and group discussions with leading industry experts – this full day of ESSENCE-curated programming is designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

“As the leading global destination for Black women, ESSENCE embraces our position as a premier resource for their wellness as well – and we take that very seriously,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO, ESSENCE Communications, Inc. “We know that Black women tend to focus more on the care of others than herself, and as a result, they are disproportionately affected by almost all major health crises affecting women in the United States.  So, it is incumbent upon ESSENCE to use our platform to bring wellness practices to Black women, create a safe space to gather and connect with culturally-informed spiritual, health and wellness practices.”

Highlights of the ESSENCE Wellness House on March 7th include:

  • Heart Health Real Talk: A Conversation with AMA’s First Black Female President with Charli Penn, ESSENCE Relationship and Wellness Director and Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, President of American Medical Association
  • Get Your Mind Right: A Mindfulness Exercise with OmNoire’s Christina Rice
  • Introduction to Breathwork with Yoga Instructor and Holistic Health Educator Ona Hawk
  • Dance Your Pounds Off with Celebrity Dance and Fitness Instructor, Dwight Holt, Jr.
  • Preventing Burnout by Reclaiming Your Boundaries led by Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ayanna Abrams
  • Top Tips for Relationship Wellness & Sustainability: A Conversation with Aaron Turpeau Ph.D. and Derrick Jaxn

Additional exciting wellness professionals and influencers who will participate include Beatrice Dixon, Founder, and CEO of The Honey Pot; Alex Elle, Author & Self-Care Facilitator, Egypt Sherrod, TV host and Celebrity Home Space Expert; Rashan Ali, Multimedia Personality and co-host on the syndicated show Sister Circle; and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets:

visit essence.com/wellnesshouse and follow #ESSENCEWELLNESSHOUSE

Fitness /

Sweat It Out: Best Workouts for When You’re Sick

With so much news about the “coronavirus” and the flu, Cat Kom, founder and lead trainer of Studio SWEAT onDemand, thought about putting together a list of exercises that people could perform, (not when having a serious illness like those strong viruses, but at least) when not feeling so well.

Being sick is never fun, but it’s even worse when you’re a devoted fitness aficionado. Feeling a little ill can mean needing a few days off, but skipping a workout could throw your routine all out of whack.

So if you’re feeling a little sniffly but still wanna get back on the fitness saddle, here are some ways you can exercise when you’re sick.

Walking or Jogging

I get it, being stuck inside isn’t fun, and lying in bed all day can actually make you feel worse. Although hitting the pavement for some sprints or going on a strenuous 10-mile hike probably isn’t a great idea, some light walking or jogging can do wonders for a cold. Even just a short 20-minute walk…

Yoga

Whether you’re in the midst of a cold or in perfect health, yoga is a go-to workout for increasing flexibility and building strength in a low-impact way. When you’re feeling a little under the weather, a nice yoga flow can help…

LISS on the Spin Bike

Love spin so much that you just can’t bear to miss a day? Us too! But sometimes, you gotta make sacrifices for your health. Although you might not be able to make it through a tough spin class, you can still get a little biking in. I recommend…

Water Aerobics

Being sick can really drain your energy, making it hard to do intense workouts, so you probably won’t be swimming laps. But you can still get in the water by doing a gentler workout like water aerobics. It’ll give you the same movements, but with a little extra help from the water holding you up… If you’re feeling worse than just a cold (we’re talking fever and chills), definitely get back in that bed and rest up. But if you do choose to get some exercise in when you’re not feeling your best, be sure to take it slow.

Missing out on a workout is no fun, especially if the alternative is cough drops and tissues.

So if you’re looking for a way to still get that group class in from the comfort of your own home, check out a 7-Day Free Trial from Studio SWEAT onDemand. Our huge library of on-demand workouts features passionate trainers and classes like TRX, HIIT, and Spin, plus low-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates. Remember, it’s all about feeling better, so make sure you listen to your body, even if that means an extra rest day… or three.

Beauty /

How To Feel More Empowered As A Woman

There are some women who just seem to have everything in place; their lives are going somewhere, and they are – perhaps most importantly – powerful. It can be tempting to look at these women and compare their lives to our own and come up lacking. Yet this is not a helpful way to look at things. Rather than regretting that our lives are not ‘as good’ as theirs, why not try to make changes to make our lives better? Why not become more empowered and change everything else around you? It’s not as difficult as you might think once you make a start and really work at what you want in life. Read on to find out more.

Featured Photo from TooFab

Do More Exercise

Does it seem odd that the very first suggestion on how to become more powerful in your life as a woman is to do more exercise? Perhaps so, but it does make sense once you think about it. Although exercising more is about losing weight and getting fitter and healthier, there is more to it than that. These are great things, but what else can exercise do?

Exercise puts us in complete control of our bodies. When we exercise, we can choose how to go about it and how much or how little to do each day. When we skip a day, it is on us. When we push through our boundaries, that is all down to us too.

The power that comes with taking charge and being in control of this element of our lives is enormous, and it’s something that can lead to positive and much better self-confidence altogether.

Not only that, but exercise removes stress and negativity, replacing it with calmness, happiness, and positivity. When you have this, you can think more clearly about your life and the direction you want it to take.

Stand Up For Yourself

Standing up for yourself is scary. It takes a lot to be able to get out of your comfort zone and to speak out about things that you believe in. However, it is also so very empowering, and it makes you feel happier too. Keeping everything in because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing or offending someone isn’t healthy; you’ll never get to express your opinion, and over time you’ll even start to think that your opinion isn’t valid and that no one is going to want to hear it.

This should never be the case. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, and as long as you do it in a way that is meant positively and you don’t intentionally go out of your way to hurt someone or be obstructive, then you must speak out and stand up for your beliefs.

When you start to do this, you will also start to believe in yourself more and be more empowered and confident as a result. Other women will see you confidently and concisely expressing your opinions and holding down an argument if someone disagrees (or realizing your mistake and admitting to it if that is the case), and they could well be inspired.

Have Standards

There are all kinds of areas of your life where standards are important. Putting your own standard mark onto those things and accepting nothing less will help you to feel and be empowered. Take your home, for example. If your standards are that it always needs to be clean and tidy, then make sure it is. Once you let your standards slip, you will find you feel less confident and your power is diminished.

The same is true of anything. At work, you should have certain standards that you hold yourself to and that you hold others too – without being overly judgemental, of course. This way, people will respect you and you will be more productive.

You can even have standards when it comes to the way you dress and look. If something isn’t right, take the time to change it; clothes that fit you well can make a huge difference. A hair transplant can boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself. A regular spa day can reset tired muscles and help you to feel brighter and happier.

Do what it takes to help keep your standards up and you will be empowered – everything is your decision to make.

Say No

Saying no when you need to is one of the most empowering things you can do in your life. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of always agreeing to do things, even if they aren’t going to benefit your own life or they are detrimental.

If you want to do something and you are able to, then say yes. If you don’t want to do it, it is going to cause you upset, or you cannot carry out the task, then don’t be afraid to say no. It’s hugely empowering.

Collaborative Post