12 Days Of Pure Joy Wellness Christmas
/Welcome to our first ever Pure Joy Wellness 12 Days of Christmas! I’m a huge fan of the holidays, and I know I’m not the only one. There’s a common misconception, though, that enjoying the holidays means falling behind on your health goals, or abandoning them altogether. This, of course, doesn’t have to be the case. To help you stay on track and make the most of the holiday season, I’m sharing 12 days of my favorite gifts, recipes, and ideas that you can use to treat yourself, your family, or friends. I hope they remind you of how important it is to take care of yourself, and how much easier everything else becomes when you do!
Day 1: Be Mindful Grippy Socks
Not only are these socks super comfortable, but each pair has a positive mantra on them to remind you to be strong, be fierce, be patient, and more! Plus, they have grips on the bottoms, which I love for walking around my home and practicing pilates or barre. Grab a pair for you and your best friend, and wear them whenever you need a little boost.
Day 2: Old Whaling Co. Bath Bomb
Now that it’s getting colder, nothing sounds better than a nice warm bath. To level up your luxury, treat yourself to a bath bomb from Old Whaling Co. With simple ingredients and an extensive variety of scents, you’re sure to find a bath bomb you love (and you can get four for $24, which is a good price for a product this high quality).
Day 3: FitRadio
When people ask me what music I listen to during my workouts, I always tell them to get FitRadio. FitRadio is an app that has DJ mixes for any kind of activity you want to do—walking, jumping rope, anything! They have thousands of ready-made DJ mixes, and more are added every day. Did I mention they offer a free trial? Go check it out!
Day 4: Headphones
For all of my workouts, I rely on two pairs of headphones. When I lift weights, I love using Beats By Dre headphones because they block out external noise and are generally very comfortable. For my sweatier workouts (think running, jumping rope, HIIT classes), I prefer JayBird earbuds, because they’re sweatproof, waterproof, and have a super long battery life. There’s no wrong choice here—it’s all about personal preference!
Day 5: Cross Rope Jump Rope
These jump ropes are pricey, but if you’re into jumping rope, they’re a must have! Unlike many fitness jump rope companies, which add weight/resistance to the jump rope’s handles, Cross Ropes distributes the weight across the rope itself. The “Get Lean” bundle, for example, comes with a quarter pound rope and a half pound rope, so you can build up your endurance and get stronger while getting a kickass cardio workout. I call that a win-win.
Day 6: Healthy Homemade Cookies
Being healthy during the holidays doesn’t mean you have to give up treats entirely, it just means you have to pick and choose your indulgences, and opt for healthier choices when you can. These better-for-you Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with whole ingredients like cashew butter, coconut oil, almond flour, and dark chocolate...and trust me, they’re absolutely delicious. They’re grain-free, gluten-free, and can even be made vegan by using a flax egg. Make some for yourself or send a batch to your friends!
Day 7: Diptyque Candles
When it comes to luxurious candles, Diptyque cannot be beat. The classic scents are my favorite (especially the Lily, Violet, and Jasmin scents), and their burn time is 60 hours, so you can light them all winter long. Pro tip: Light one of these the next time you take a bath and pair it with an Old Whaling Co. bath bomb for the ultimate at-home spa experience.
Day 8: The Five Minute Journal
Developing a mindfulness practice or keeping a journal can feel like a big commitment and lifestyle change for someone who hasn’t done it before. For me, spending five minutes a day writing in this Five Minute Journal is totally doable, and I love using it as part of my nighttime wind-down routine! The journal is also structured with prompts, questions, and exercises, so you won’t get stuck on what to write. What a great way to invest in your happiness, and what an adorable gift it would be for someone you love.
Do you love having a nice-smelling home but don’t want to leave candles lit all the time? It’s time to get an essential oil diffuser. It’s easy to set up and use (all you need is water and a few drops of your favorite essential oils), and it can keep your home smelling fresh for hours. I keep mine in my bedroom and I like to diffuse eucalyptus in the morning (to energize) and lavender at night (to calm down). Diffusers are endlessly useful, so it’s worth getting a good one!
Day 10: Mindfulness Cards
Okay, how cute are these mindfulness cards? With over 50 prompts and exercises focused on four categories (rest and balance, curiosity and joy, insight and awareness, and kindness), these cards can help keep you grounded and allow you to cultivate self-care, acceptance, and appreciation for the little things in life. Keep these cards on your nightstand or coffee table and pull one every day as a small reminder to stay present.
Day 11: Yedi Total Package Air Fryer
If you have health goals for 2021, an air fryer is the perfect addition to your kitchen. Slimmer than many air fryers on the market, this one from Yedi functions as an air fryer, rotisserie oven, and dehydrator! This means you can easily meal prep whole chickens, tenderloins, and kebabs, as well as dried fruit, veggie chips, sweet potato fries, and more. This machine does it all, and comes with all the parts and accessories you need to use it and keep it clean. Goodbye overly greasy food, hello healthy lifestyle!
Day 12: Acupressure Mat Set
Craving a massage or some relief from tense muscles? I suggest getting an acupressure mat. Using an acupressure mat regularly can help ease your aches and pains, decrease stress, lift your mood, and improve your sleep quality. I love this set because it comes with a pillow, which is perfect for targeting tension in my neck. If you’re a fan of acupuncture, or have wanted to try it, I can’t recommend this enough!
Whatever you celebrate and whatever your plans are, I hope you’ll take time to enjoy the holidays this year, and to show yourself the love you deserve. If you try any or many of these products, come tell me what you think of it in our Pure Joy Wellness Private Facebook Group.
xo,
Renata