Lifestyle

            The holiday season is the most wonderful –– and stressful –– time of the year. Alongside merriment and wonder we’re bombarded with an overload of baked goods, festive feasts, and stresses from finances, family visits and planning get-togethers. With minimal time for ourselves it’s no wonder this time of year takes a toll on our bodies and minds.             Here are five practices that can help you stay sane during the hectic holiday season:   Wake up right Rather than hitting snooze, wake up when your alarm goes off and immediately spritz your face with a refreshing mist like our Rose & Aloe Toning Mist. This will help you and your skin awaken and prepare for the day.   Squeeze in your workout Make a point of doing at least 15 minutes of exercise every morning before diving into your to-do lists or heading to work –– don’t worry, you can have your morning coffee first. Consistency is more important than intensity. Take the dog for a jaunt around the block to get both of you some fresh air. Lay out your yoga mat and flow through 20 Sun Salutations. Park yourself in front of the morning news and rotate through reps of squats, planks, and core exercises.   Take your time with your skin Rather than slapping on your products and moving on, take up to 60 seconds to massage in your cleanser, give your serums time to sink in before applying the next product, or use a jade roller after your moisturizer. Use this time to focus on your self-care.   Set an intention for your day Here are a few suggestions:             I create mindful moments throughout the day, reminding myself I am love.             Obstacles are detours in the right direction. I am on the right path.             I find a deeper meaning and personal growth amid discomfort.   Create an evening ritual to fall asleep fast Try tuning into your more relaxed state by turning off technology by 8pm. Steep some sleepy tea to sip on. Take a hot bath. Get into bed before you feel tired so you can read, journal or meditate to clear your mind before settling into sleep.

It’s finally spring and the sun is beginning to emerge from behind grey clouds, heavy layers are being shed in favor of tees, shorts and sandals, and spring break is right around the corner. Whether you’re off to a weekend festival, road-tripping to visit family, or jet-setting to a far-away destination, make the most out of your spring break plans by taking along these five essentials:  Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist Instantly refresh the look of your makeup throughout the day or give your skin an afternoon pick-me-up after spending time in the sun with this calming mist formulated with skin-soothing rose and cooling aloe. Moroccan Clay Purifying Mask Wake up, smell the coffee, and treat your complexion to our balancing clay mask that helps keep pores clear and absorbs excess oil. Formulated with balsam copaiba and aloe vera, this mask combats acne-fighting bacteria while keeping skin feeling soothed and soft. Sea Mist Spray with Sea Salt & Lavender Get those trendy, beachy waves using this ocean-in-a-bottle styling mist. Real sea salt adds texture and grit to hair while lavender provides a calming scent and keeps strands hydrated. Lip Calm Sunshine, dancing, and sipping on cocktails are highlights of spring break, but can also contribute to dehydrated, chapped lips. Our cult-favorite Lip Calm comes in a variety of flavors and deeply replenishes lips for a petal-soft pout.  Rose Foaming Face Wash At the end of the day when it’s time to unwind, remove all traces of makeup, sunscreen, dirt, oil, and pollutants with our Rose Foaming Face Wash that effectively clears pores while remaining gentle on skin that’s been under the sun.

In the modern world where we’re pushed to go, go, go, scroll endlessly, hit “reply,” and double-tap to like, we may not even realize that our sleep issues, stress, and anxiety may be a result from our screens. Looking to screens for constant distraction allows us to become dependent on the burst of serotonin we get when we receive likes on photos, make impulse purchases, or watch hours of cat videos.             Ever wonder why you can drift asleep on the couch, but the moment you get in bed and take one last look at your Instagram feed you feel wide awake? It’s because screen time heavily affects the way the mind treats sleep. The blue light that radiates from digital devices disrupts our sleep patterns by tricking our brains into thinking the sun is still out, which means it doesn’t start producing the sleep hormone melatonin.             Going on a digital detox may help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, feel less pressured to buy material items, and feel less stressed overall. You’ll be able to tap into your creativity again by finding new ways to entertain yourself during down time. You’ll find time you never thought you had to exercise, walk the dog, delve deeper into hobbies, and even take a nap!       You may need a digital detox if you: Have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or restlessness throughout the night Frequently make impulse purchases from browsing apps Pick up your phone any time you feel bored or need a distraction Experience less in-person connection and communication with friends and family Feel pressure to respond to emails even past work hours             If possible, try going up to a week with no screen time. If that’s not realistic for your lifestyle here are a few that might be: Turn phones on Do Not Disturb (or off) from 8pm to 8am Collect cell phones at the dinner table Keep phones outside of the bedroom Allow yourself just one TV show a day Push yourself to pick up that book Buy some paints or take a cooking lesson   By releasing your addiction to screens, you can take back your freedom, focus on real life, live more in the present, and spend more time doing things you love.

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to show those you love how much you care. It’s also a moment to celebrate your own inner beauty by pampering yourself with indulgent, natural products that cultivate well-being—inside and out. Inspired by this rose-filled holiday, we’ve put together a rose ritual to treat your hair, skin, and self. Consider it a little TLC from us to you. Soak in a restoring DIY rose and lavender bath This simple spa-like recipe makes good use of a single rose or a whole bouquet. Mix equal parts rose petals and fresh lavender in a muslin bag (or a cut sock or stocking). Let steep for 5 minutes in warm bath water, then enjoy the calming scent of their aromatic floral notes and the healing effects of the flowers’ essential oils.  Massage strands with a nourishing, rose hair mask While unwinding in the tub, reveal shinier, healthier-looking locks—and an even more relaxed you—by combining our NEW Hair Mask with a gentle head massage. Containing nutrient-dense organic rose water made from 8,700 rose petals, it replenishes moisture, repairs split ends, and cleanses the scalp. Softly rub it in at hair roots to relieve tension and stimulate follicles. Its fruity apricot and floral rose scent delivers an extra perk: 3 to 5 minutes of Zen application time. You can even mix a rosebud-sized amount into any of John Masters Organics conditioner or detangler for a quick hydration (and mood) boost.    Spritz on a refreshing, rose-infused face mist  We love an invigorating facial spray because it only takes a second to apply, yet can instantly alter the way you look and feel. Our Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist contains rose flower oil to soothe sensitive skin along with white tea antioxidants and oat kernel to help protect against pollution’s damaging effects. Stash it in your bag and re-apply whenever you or your skin needs a pick-me-up. Happy Valentine’s Day. May it be filled with love and roses.