So between the episodes of Gilmore Girls that I'm binge watching, and the heavy snowfall and fireworks outside, I'm wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a wonderful holiday season! See you in 2017!
This past week has just been a blur of frenzy, stress eating and little sleep. This weekend won't be any better, but at least I get the chance to do so in the comfort of my home. When I am stressed, which is almost always because of my Type A personality, I turn to a few things to remedy a rough week or a rough day.
One of my almost instant first instincts when I'm stressed out, freaking out or just simply need to relax is to grab a hot cup of tea. They often say that tea is comparable to drinking a warm hug. I'm not too big on hugs, but I absolutely love tea. If you need one to calm you down or to de-stress, my personal favourites are calm chamomile tea by TAZO, which is the perfect blend of rose petals and chamomile and just a hint of peppermint, and the youthberry white tea from Teavana, which is a personal favourite because of the fruity flavours. If you're stressing, procrastinating and cramming, similar to me at the moment, then I would opt for a caffeinated tea such as the earl greypfruit from Tealish, which combines the classic Earl Grey with hints of grapefruit and citrus. So good. Even if you don't choose these specific teas, tea never fails to help me relax, unwind a bit, and feel better.
The second thing that I do if I am having a really rough week is to just take a nap for a few minutes. The best nap you can take, especially if you are stressed and still cramming, is a quick 15 minute nap. If you work with the pomodoro technique, you can work for 25, break for 5, then after your 4th pomodoro, utilize the longer break to fit in your nap here. Naps clear the mind, let you escape from your busy life, and have never ever failed me in times of need.
Finally, to end a long day, I love to just step in a hot shower and just relax. Most people enjoy a relaxing bath to unwind at the end of the night, but as someone who runs really short on time in general, a hot shower is the perfect way to end off the day. Using a mint shower gel from The Body Shop, which really soothes the aching body, a hot shower is the perfect remedy for headaches, sore muscles and a hard day at school or work. After that, I recommend lotioning off with an aromatherapy lotion such as this strawberry puree lotion from The Body Shop to end the night.
Whatever day you have, or are going through, take some time throughout the day, at least 30 minutes, to just sit, relax and not stare at a screen and to just enjoy not doing anything. Keep in mind that no matter what, your health and self come first before other obligations, and to take care of yourself in these stressful times.
Happy relaxing!
ardently, jess
One of my almost instant first instincts when I'm stressed out, freaking out or just simply need to relax is to grab a hot cup of tea. They often say that tea is comparable to drinking a warm hug. I'm not too big on hugs, but I absolutely love tea. If you need one to calm you down or to de-stress, my personal favourites are calm chamomile tea by TAZO, which is the perfect blend of rose petals and chamomile and just a hint of peppermint, and the youthberry white tea from Teavana, which is a personal favourite because of the fruity flavours. If you're stressing, procrastinating and cramming, similar to me at the moment, then I would opt for a caffeinated tea such as the earl greypfruit from Tealish, which combines the classic Earl Grey with hints of grapefruit and citrus. So good. Even if you don't choose these specific teas, tea never fails to help me relax, unwind a bit, and feel better.
The second thing that I do if I am having a really rough week is to just take a nap for a few minutes. The best nap you can take, especially if you are stressed and still cramming, is a quick 15 minute nap. If you work with the pomodoro technique, you can work for 25, break for 5, then after your 4th pomodoro, utilize the longer break to fit in your nap here. Naps clear the mind, let you escape from your busy life, and have never ever failed me in times of need.
Finally, to end a long day, I love to just step in a hot shower and just relax. Most people enjoy a relaxing bath to unwind at the end of the night, but as someone who runs really short on time in general, a hot shower is the perfect way to end off the day. Using a mint shower gel from The Body Shop, which really soothes the aching body, a hot shower is the perfect remedy for headaches, sore muscles and a hard day at school or work. After that, I recommend lotioning off with an aromatherapy lotion such as this strawberry puree lotion from The Body Shop to end the night.
Whatever day you have, or are going through, take some time throughout the day, at least 30 minutes, to just sit, relax and not stare at a screen and to just enjoy not doing anything. Keep in mind that no matter what, your health and self come first before other obligations, and to take care of yourself in these stressful times.
Happy relaxing!
ardently, jess
I turned 18 this past Friday and wanted to be a little reflective about my life so far. God has blessed me so much throughout my short life, and I am so thankful each and everyday for everything that He is done and provided for me. I have learned to love and to laugh, with my whole heart. I have learned to say no. 18 doesn't turn me into a wise old sage; it is only the tip of the iceberg of my life. So here are 18 things I learned before I turned 18.
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1. You never ever need an excuse to take a break from the world and just have you time. No matter what stress you’re under, your health is always more important than any schoolwork. Also naps are so important.
2. Love your mom. And your dad. Always. They do so much for you and they are working their butts off everyday for you. Never fail to tell them I love you or give them a hug.
3. Never lie to your mom. She finds everything out.
4. You will get over that girl whose friendship you thought was irreplaceable. You will eventually be able to pick up the match, burn your bridges and rise from the ashes.
5. You will learn about yourself more in these years than you will ever learn in school.
6. Take time to relish in good moments, and try as often as you can to laugh until your belly hurts.
7. Be brutally honest when you need to be. Not everything needs a brutal answer, but never hesitate to speak up for what you believe.
8. That being said, when speaking, think about what you’re saying, and make sure it comes off as kind, and with good intentions.
9. Never ever fail to be kind. Being smart will get you places but being kind will help you understand the world. Be kind, always.
10. If someone doesn’t like you, don’t take it personally. Take that and grow and learn and being the best you is always the best revenge.
11. God is worthy in the storm, and He is worthy in the sun. Never forget that. No matter what, trust in His purpose and His ways. He knows what He’s doing.
12. If you’re sad, nothing helps as much as eating a tub of ice cream, and singing Taylor Swift at the top of your lungs. Scream if you need to during the bridge of Out of the Woods.
13. Everyone is going through something, and it’s tough for everyone, even when it doesn’t seem so. Be slow to anger and quick to be kind.
14. Don’t be quick to make promises. Never promise anything that you can’t do. Promises are only meaningful if they are made in small amounts, and if you keep them. Otherwise, you lose your accountability, and you lose the meaning of a promise. Treat it like Snape treated the Unbreakable Vow.
15. If you aren’t able to achieve your expectations, just reach for the highest you can reach and try to be satisfied. Life doesn’t call for perfection, and the journey of the reach is more important than however high you reach.
16. Make friends with people who make you feel good about yourself, people who are willing to drop whatever they’re doing and make sure you’re okay. People who make you happy and make you laugh and smile. Then you will know that you have friends who you can count on.
17. Stop spending so much time looking at that darn screen. Go live. Leave your phone at home.
18. Never ever fail to look and seek the beauty around you. The curve of your mom’s smile. The diligence of your brother. The warmth of your sister. The strength of your father. The slow but steady sunrise, the never ending crash of the waves, the flight of the birds, and the whistle in the wind. God has made all things beautiful, including you, and the most wonderful thing in life is to look around you and soak it all in.
ardently, jess
I'm Jess. I'm an avid coffee drinker, a long walks on the beach-er, and an all things optimist.
I'm a student at Queen’s University, studying business, with aspirations to one day travel the world. A few things that I like are ampersands, Ben Rector and the smell of vanilla.
Follow me on my journey of faith, love, and learning. These are my letters to the world, written most ardently and sometimes hastily, but always genuinely.
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