There are only a few days left of 2021, which means it’s time to finish out the year with PART TWO of the Best Of Pure Joy Wellness Blog posts. (Here’s Part 1 and the PJW Approved Version in case you missed them.) But first, I want to acknowledge our current predicament. I know things are uncertain right now—the coronavirus pandemic is still prevalent, people are getting sick, and it’s unclear what lies ahead for us. I hope that as a PJW community we can come together and be there for each other. We need all the support we can get!

In an effort to take your mind off it, even for a few minutes, here is the second batch of blog post highlights from this year. I hope you’ll find some solace in them, learn something new, and use them to help set your health goals for 2022.

Aging, Sex, & Menopause

How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Facial Hair

If you’ve gone through menopause, chances are you’ve experienced (or know someone who has experienced) the development of hormonal facial hair. This is due to a hormonal shift—our estrogen and progesterone levels decrease while our testosterone levels stay the same. If facial hair is something you deal with and you want to get rid of it, check out this blog post for removal advice.

10 Products That Will Soothe Your Aches & Pains

I know I’m not the only one who struggles with age-related aches and pains! That’s why I decided to make this list of 10 products that will soothe whatever you’ve got. From massage guns to lotions, foam rollers, and bath salts, there’s certain to be something here that will ease your pain.

How To Shed Your Menopausal Middle

Another undesirable byproduct of menopause: the belly pooch. Bloat and belly fat are very common in post-menopausal women, and they can be overcome, if you so desire. In this blog post, I walk you through a few non-invasive ways to help decrease your menopausal middle.

Low Libido? Here’s What Our Sex Experts Recommend

One topic I tackled head on this year was sexual wellness, and this blog post was one of my favorites. Sex drive is something that many women struggle with—pre and post menopausal women included—and it can indicate a hormone imbalance. I asked board certified OB/GYN and integrative functional medicine doctor Dr. Anita Sadaty loads of questions about libido and the sexual changes we experience as we age. This blog post is a must-read for women over 50!

Why Do I Always Have To Pee? We Asked A Urologist & Menopause Expert To Weigh In

Another amazing expert I brought into the fold this year was Dr. Angelish Kumar, who is a female urologist and menopause expert. In this blog post, we talked about overactive bladder and the urge to pee, and Dr. Kumar walks us through the various options we have to address this issue. Another must-read for women over 50!

Why We Get Lower Back Pain & How To Fix Yours

If you don’t get lower back pain, consider yourself lucky. As much as 80 percent of the population experiences back pain at some point in their lives. Because I deal with this myself and know that many of the women in this community do, I sat down with Dr. Giselle de Andrade, my personal chiropractor who has changed my life, to get the 411 on lower back pain prevention and treatment.

Self-care & Sleep

The Importance of Sleep & Tips For Getting Enough Of It

One thing I learned this year was how crucial sleep is to our overall health. (I always knew it was important, but I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching, and my health was suffering because of it!) In this blog post, I talk about why sleep matters and give you tips on how to get more of it. I highly recommend you send this to anyone you know who struggles with sleep!

How To Makeover Your Bedroom For Sleep Hygiene & Better Sleep

While you’re at it, send them this blog post too! Doing a bedroom makeover can seriously improve your sleep hygiene and this post is PACKED with tips, product recommendations, and more.

Why I Have A Bathtime Ritual (And You Should Too)

This blog post feels especially relevant given the stressful times we’re finding ourselves in. If you need to unwind, I seriously encourage you to try taking a long, luxurious bath with all of the fixings. It’s the ultimate self-care treat. I included my step-by-step bathtime routine and linked my favorite bath products, including body wash, face masks, Epsom salts, and candles.

Skincare & Skin Health

Gua Sha: Here Are 3 Reasons Why You Should Do It

Gua Sha is a super easy way to level up your skincare! Not only does it help minimize signs of aging, but it can also relieve muscle tension and help your body detoxify. This blog post has several YouTube tutorials from content creators I like, and everything else you need to know before you get started.

Your Hands Are Aging—Here's What You Should Do ASAP

When we think of “skincare” we usually think of our face and maybe our neck… but our hands are just as susceptible to signs of aging! If you aren’t thrilled with the way your hands look or simply want to show them a little TLC, this blog post is for you!

I can’t believe this year is almost over… it’s both exciting and surreal. I can’t wait to take on 2022 with all of you—please know how grateful I am to have you as part of this community! You are AMAZING and you’ve changed my life.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

Xo,

Renata