“Take a deep breath!”

That was probably a common phrase that was used when we were younger if we were upset about something. Or we might have been told to “calm down, count to 10” or “walk it off.”

Who knew this age-old advice that we all probably heard from our parents, grandparents, or teachers was so physiologically correct!?

Our Fight for Survival

That same advice also applies to financial decisions that we make in life. It all has to do with how our brains are wired. For survival purposes, our brains primarily function on that quick response loop of feel, react, feel, react.

We feel fear (of a lion or dinosaur back in the caveman days) and quickly react – run or fight (that fight or flight response we have all heard about). Or we feel hot (from a fire, for example) and quickly react –pull our hand away.

Our brain is quickly protecting our body by helping it physically react in a split second without much or any thinking time needed. That was all good and helpful, back then.

A Hard Habit to Break

Today, however, it’s been recognized that over 90% of our daily activities have become habits that we do without any thinking. We continue to feel, react, feel, react without spending much time processing.

When we add money or financial decisions to that equation, you can imagine that we may end up not making the wisest financial decisions in that type of brain pattern.

Brain Power

I’m going to share a major tip here: practice deep breathing regularly, especially when making financial decisions. I know this will over-simplify how the brain works, but an example will help to understand the importance of deep breathing.

So, here is an analogy of how the brain works to help us realize why deep breathing is crucial.

The Emotions Shut Out the Logic

Think of your brain as a large room with a wall that has an open door down the middle of the room. One side is the emotional side of the room and the other is the logical side with the door between the two.

Now think about a time that you walked into a stadium, a garage, or somewhere that the air pressure changed as you walked through the door. What happened? The door slammed shut, didn’t it?

That is what happens when the emotional side of your brain “fills up” with this gust of deep emotion (stress about a purchase decision, indecision about a financial purchase, guilt for spending money, etc.).

It’s like that emotional side of the “room” has a huge change in air pressure and the door between the two rooms slams shut, locking out the logical side! So now you are stuck in the emotional side of the brain, physiologically unable to engage the logical thinking side, which means, in the moment, you cannot make wise decisions.

Your heart rate is likely to elevate, your pulse may quicken, you breathe faster, or you may feel nausea as the brain/gut relationship can be commonly triggered for many people by emotions as well. The brain is powerful!

Brain Fog

The best example I think all women can relate to is to think about when someone you know was dealing with loss. A friend or family member lost a spouse through death or divorce, for example. That traumatic event triggered so much deep emotion that “brain fog” or “widow brain” is a common occurrence.

It is normal after those times to be told about something you said or did that you have no recollection of at all. The brain was camped out in the emotional side and the logical side was unable to function because the “swell” of emotions slammed the door shut between the two!

Connecting the Dots

We have talked in past blogs about the impact of our childhood and our past/current relationships on our money mindset, our money personality, and our current financial decision making. All of that also influences why, how often, and how significantly that door shuts and temporarily locks out the influence of the logical side of the brain.

The Brain Fix

So, what is the solution? Well, breathing. Three deep breaths can reset the brain, which cracks open that “door” to allow the logical side to re-engage.

Most of the time, we tend to shallow breathe through our days. We do not fully inhale/exhale in order to maximize our blood’s ability to feed the rest of the body, including the brain, with critical oxygen. But this can be easily fixed.

Every Breath You Take

Helpful breathing options could be as simple as intentionally taking three deep breaths (count to 5 for each inhale and again for each exhale, for example). As soon as you realize you are in a stressful money moment, stop and take three, slow, deep breaths.

Then you should be able to think more clearly about the decision at hand because the logical side is now involved. That is also part of the logic to “sleep on it” when you have big decisions to make as that allows your brain to get free of emotions by the next day, in order to make a better, more logical decision.

Every Move You Make

Yoga, meditation, and exercise are other ways we can force ourselves to breathe more fully, reset the brain, and maximize our blood flow with oxygen. No wonder we sometimes naturally choose to just go for a walk when something is bothering us. Walking forces breathing and blood flow to occur!

For those with financial stress, remember, money is just a tool. We all use money in life so if we can think of it as a tool and also remove the emotion by breathing deeply, we can make wiser choices.

Using the Right Tools

Arming yourself with information and ready-to-use tools is extremely helpful in making smart financial decisions (once your breathing has assured you that the “door” is fully open in your brain).

Since we all learn differently, I invite you to keep your money toolbox stocked by taking advantage of a variety of free resources (videos, podcasts, reading, or fillable forms) designed to help women enjoy Less Worry, More Life!

How does money make you feel? Do financial decisions stress you and why do you think that is? What has helped you over the years to make wiser financial decisions? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Ever since it launched in 2019, we could count on HipDot for bold eyeshadow palettes with next-level glitters and unique packaging. Now, the brand has become famous for its cheeky collabs, notably with SpongeBob and Tapatio. The HipDot x My Chemical Romance collection is the brand’s latest and maybe biggest yet.

When the rockstar-themed line launched on December 10, it sold out quickly and even showed up for big bucks on eBay. But wait—don’t purchase the eyeliner, brush and palette at such a big markup. It’s coming to Ulta on Christmas Day!

“The rock music scene has always used makeup as a tool for further expression,” said Jeff Sellinger, co-founder and CEO of HipDot in a statement. “The band’s history of bold hits and unique sound aligns with the sort of creators we at HipDot are, and so believe this would be the perfect partnership. We are excited to bring My Chemical Romance’s cult fan-following the homage they never knew they needed.”

Whether you’re an MCR stan or just love the look of this vibrant palette, give yourself a holiday gift on December 25.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Hipdot.

Double-Ended Brush

Pack and blend with this retractable eyeshadow brush.

Hipdot.

Double-Ended Liquid Eyeliner

It wouldn’t be a rockstar look without black eyeliner.

Hipdot.

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge Palette

These nine MCR-inspired shades include Saints Protect Her (grunge-y purple), Pitchfork Red (fire red) and Serpent Son (jet black).

Finding the motivation to exercise daily can be a challenge. When our to-do list and other priorities accumulate, it can leave us vulnerable to neglecting our fitness routine. We tell ourselves I don’t have time… Maybe later… I’m just too tired… as we travel through our busy days.

But what if we changed our thinking? What if we approached exercise, or movement, with the mantra “take your vitamins.”

Simply defined, vitamins are substances that our bodies need to develop and function normally. Movement vitamins, then, can be explained as exercises that our bodies need to function normally.

Maybe you are a walker, runner, gardener, or knitter. Keeping your body balanced by practicing simple movement every day can help you continue to do whatever you love in life.

Benefits of Daily Movement

Over the many years I have been working with clients teaching Pilates, the best results come when people commit to a short daily routine. It becomes a habit like taking your vitamins. Whatever movement or fitness you prefer, you’ll notice that when you don’t do it, you don’t feel as good.

Prevent Injury

Injury prevention is by far the biggest reason to move a bit every day. Our small muscles that stabilize joints can atrophy when they aren’t used regularly. A daily movement vitamin routine, whether it’s running, walking, or gardening, will maintain strength and support the other fitness activities you love.

Minimize Aches and Pains

Daily movement helps minimize the normal aches and pains of aging. By keeping tissues mobile and supple, you avoid some of the stiffness that causes discomfort. Movement will also bring circulation to your joints, reducing inflammation.

Keep Your Balance

In our 60s and beyond, we can no longer take our balance for granted. Two ways we can work at maintaining our balance are by practicing balance exercises (like standing on one foot) and by continuing to move a lot. A daily movement routine covers both bases.

Stay Mobile

You have the power and control over your mobility as you age. Factors like strength, balance, and flexibility all play a role. So does your individual inherited posture and what you love to do all day. This might sound complicated but it doesn’t need to be.

Joseph Pilates was known for saying “If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”

Sleep Well and Awake Refreshed

Moving your body a bit every day will help tire it out so you can fall and stay asleep. You’ll awake refreshed and ready to focus on the day ahead. Once you get into this pattern with your movement vitamin routine, it will be easier to keep this sleep-wake cycle going.

20-Minute Exercise Routine

Follow along with me by watching the video above or guide yourself through the gentle exercises listed below. To get the most out of these exercises, here are some tips:

• Practice this routine on a mat on the floor. If you do a seated routine if you prefer that option.
• It’s important with osteoporosis or osteopenia to avoid end range movements. Meaning, don’t twist your spine or reach forward with force. Always follow the advice of your health professional specific to your own body and circumstances.
• Only do as many repetitions as you can manage with good form. This includes keeping your pelvis stable and your abs “hollowed” (abdominal exercises) and keeping your chest open and wide.
• Go slow and add repetitions as your endurance increases.
• If your back or neck hurts, stop and rest. Moving through pain is never a good idea.
• Get help from a fitness professional or PT if you have had abdominal surgeries, or if you don’t feel your abdominal muscles working. Same if you feel strain in your low back or neck consistently.

Arm Circles

Begin lying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip distance apart. Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing in towards the body. Take a nice inhale to lift your arms up toward the ceiling and then reach them overhead only as far as ribcage and shoulder stabilization can be maintained.

Exhale to circle your arms wide out to sides and return down to your starting position. Repeat 4 times and switch directions for 4 circles.

Cat Stretch

Begin kneeling on all fours. Your arms should be underneath your shoulders and knees directly underneath the hips, slightly apart. Feel your spine reaching long from tail to head. Inhale to grow longer and find length through the spine.

As you exhale, use your abdominals to round your spine like a Halloween cat. Start from your tailbone and leave the head for last. Hold this c-curve position while you inhale to breathe into the sides of your ribcage rounding further. Finish with an exhale and beginning with the tail end of the spine extend one vertebra at a time until you return to your starting position. Repeat 6-8 times.

Spinal Rotation

Begin kneeling with hands under shoulders and knees under hips. Your spine should be in a neutral position and feel as though it’s reaching long from tail to head. Your shoulder blades are stable against your rib cage. Take an inhale and extend one arm out to the side.

As you exhale, lead with your fingertips to thread your arm under your body. On your next inhale, return your arm out to the side. Exhale to open your chest and allow your spine to rotate as you then reach your arm to the ceiling. Inhale to return to your starting position and repeat with your other arm. Repeat 4 times on each side.

Hip Release

Begin lying on your back with knees bent and feet about hip distance apart. Your arms should be long by your sides. As you inhale, you’ll release the hip joint and let your right leg fall to the side as far as possible without moving any other part of your body.

Now slide your leg out along the mat without letting your foot leave the mat as it straightens and rotates into a long parallel position. Exhale to rotate your leg in toward the body and then bend your knee to slide it back up to the starting position. Repeat 4 times on each side.

Hip Rolls

Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip distance apart. Your arms are by your sides. Take a deep breath into the sides of your rib cage and feel yourself grow long through your spine. As you exhale, recruit your abdominals into an imprinted position by feeling your hip bones and ribs pull closer together and there is little or no gap between your spine and the floor.

Once imprinted, articulate your spine starting from the tail to roll up into a bridge position where wide shoulders support your weight. Your hip joints are extended, and your knees should feel they are energetically reaching long over your toes.

Take an inhale to stay here at the top, then roll down as you exhale to return to your starting position. Imagine your sit bones reaching toward your heels as you articulate down through your spine. Repeat 8 times.

Single Leg Lifts

Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip distance apart and flat on the floor. Inhale to prepare your body for movement and as you exhale lift one leg to a tabletop position. Inhale, stay, and then exhale as you lower your leg back to the floor. Repeat 8 times, alternating sides.

Toe Taps

Begin lying on your back with your legs in a tabletop position – knees bent and lifted, shins parallel to the floor. Your arms should be by your sides and gently pressing down into the mat. Draw your abdominals in and pull your ribs down and toward your hips to an imprinted position.

During the exercise don’t let your pelvis move and keep your abdominals and ribs from popping up or out. Start with an exhale as you reach one toe down toward the mat. When you feel that your pelvis might move, lift the leg back up. Alternate feet for 8 sets or as many as you can do while keeping your pelvis stable.

Breaststroke Prep

Begin lying on your stomach, with your nose hovering just off of the mat. Your arms should be bent in a “W” shape with hands near shoulders. Keep your legs long and pressed together (or slightly apart for comfort) with your toes relaxed. Breathe to feel yourself grow longer and find length through the spine.

As you exhale, feel your shoulder blades glide down your back, and reach your sternum and the crown of your head forward to lengthen the spine. Your toes should feel as though they are reaching back. Now you’re ready to press through your arms to lift the upper body off of the mat slightly into an extended position.

Inhale to stay here and continue to lengthen through your spine. As you exhale, lower back down while keeping your body long back to your starting position. Repeat 8 times.

Side Leg Lift

Begin lying on your side with your shoulders, legs, and hips all stacked so that your body is in one long straight line. Your toes can be gently pointed, and you can support your head with your bottom arm. Use your top arm to help stabilize yourself by resting it on the mat in front of your body.

Make sure that your abdominals are engaged so your bottom rib and oblique are hovering off of the mat. Inhale as you reach your top leg longer, creating space in the hip joint. Then, lift your leg to hip height.

Breathe out as you flex your foot and lower the top leg back down to the starting position. Repeat 8 times and then roll over and repeat on the other side.

Simple Leg Rocking

Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, right next to each other. Your hands can reach out to a “T” shape on the sides of your body. Start with gentle rocking of the knees to one side and then the other side, not moving too far in either direction.

Breathe as you move and ease your back and hips into this gentle movement. Then, let your knees fall closer to the floor on one side. Using your abdominals, exhale to pull your legs back to upright. Keep switching sides using your breath and your abs to pull your legs upright. Repeat 8 times alternating sides.

Seated Side Stretch

Start in a seated position feeling straight and tall with your legs criss-crossed in front of you or sitting on a cushion for comfort. Inhale to lift one arm over your head while keeping your shoulders down. As you exhale, recruit your abdominals, lengthen through your spine, and arch your upper body over to one side.

Make sure you continue to face forward as you bend over as though you’re in a toaster slot. Inhale to lift yourself back up to your starting position sweeping your arm over and back down to your side. Repeat to the opposite side 4 sets.

Consistency is Key

We hope this basic exercise routine helps you feel great and ready to move through your day. Remember, consistent practice is an essential ingredient to feeling meaningful change in your body. Taking your daily movement vitamins will start you on the right path.

When you’re ready for more, Elaine’s studio offers over 45 weekly interactive livestream classes with expert instructors, many perfect for beginners.

Twice a year, Bath & Body Works pulls out all the stops and discounts holiday and everyday favorites up to 75 percent off, which new discounts throughout the week. The Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual sale for holiday 2020 is no different—actually, it might be even better. We’ve got the details on all the goods so you can game-plan your shopping trip.

Of course, deals will be online as well as in-store so if you feel safer shopping from your couch, you can still stock up on Bath & Body Works favorites. Now’s the chance to score the beloved holiday fragrances before they’re gone (until next year), as well as throwbacks including Secret Wonderland, Honeysuckle and Sensual Amber brought back just for this sale. Christmas body care will be just $4.95 and select Christmas 3-Wick Candles will be $11.95.

Source: Instagram

For the best of the best deals, you’ll want to dig for those 75 percent off products. These include body care, candles, hand soaps and tons of non-holiday items you’ll want to use all-year round. You’ll even be able to find some best-selling fall body scare scents and ones you haven’t smelled for months. It’s basically like a rummage sale where you never know exactly what you’ll find.

The sale begins Saturday, December 26. If you’re shopping in store, don’t forget your face mask and hand sanitizer and maybe even consider going on off hours to avoid the crowds. Or, there’s always delivery! As much as we want to shop and treat ourselves this year (we deserve it), we also have to stay safe too. Set your iCal and get ready to get your haul on. Then, have big New Year zoom with friends to share exactly what you got.

Shannon Beador’s Rainbow Print Leggings on RHOC

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 15 Episode 11 Fashion

While the ladies are still vacationing in Lake Arrowhead on this week’s episode of RHOC, somewhere over the rainbow back in Orange County Shannon Beador is apparently experiencing some severe COVID symptoms FOMO. And in order to prevent yourself from suffering the same fate over her super cute rainbow print leggings, well needless to say you should probably go ahead and scroll on down below.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Goldsheep Clothing Leggings

Originally posted at: Shannon Beador’s Rainbow Print Leggings