Have you ever spent a night in fitful sleep, had disturbing dreams or just awakened at 3am with a mind so active you had to take a sleeping pill? Or are those just redundant questions?

As I’ve gotten older, now in my mid 70s, I’ve noticed that it’s darn difficult to wake up with a clear head and get out of bed with my twinkle toes moving swiftly to my yoga mat or out the door to swim my half mile.

My mouth is dry and my body does not want to move in any direction. Sitting up takes way too much effort.

Is this any way to greet the world? Is this your best face, your sharpest mind, or your most presentable body? You simply feel like the ogre in Shrek. Grumpy describes your attitude, and that’s not a good look.

Maybe there are items on your day’s agenda that you just have to get done, like grocery shopping. Or it could be that you are your grandchild’s designated nanny for the day. Or perhaps there are unfinished plans for a bathroom renovation. Sounds like a prescription to go back to bed.

Let’s change this picture.

Here are 20 ways to wake up positive and stay happy, stress free and energized with creative fervor all day every day.

Don’t Move a Muscle

When you first wake up, lie still and continue to experience a state of relaxation. Ease into the present. Let your mind and body connect without jarring movements.

Try to Remember Your Dreams

Most people will say they cannot remember their dreams or that they don’t dream at all. We all dream multiple times during the night. You can train your mind to remember your dreams by lying absolutely still in the morning.

Dreams reflect our unconscious feelings. It’s worth paying attention to your unconscious emotional state – you might be enlightened.

Align Your Energy

When you first wake up, align your body’s energy points with a straight spine so that energy can move through your body unobstructed. Imagine how energy flows from the crown of your head to your toes.

Shrug your shoulders back and feel your pelvic bones rooting into your mattress. Note your body’s stillness. Then breathe deeply for several minutes as you let your thoughts float by like clouds passing in front of you.

Meditate and Breathe

Waking up the body is different for everyone; some people have slower rhythms than others. If your thoughts are running amok, breathe deeply for several minutes.

If you prefer to meditate sitting up, slowly roll out of bed and sit on a pillow, back against the wall or bed and spend time (at the beginning 2 – 5 minutes) sitting quietly.

Don’t Attach

Don’t attach to thoughts when you wake up. You’ve got the whole day to do that. Attachment fosters illusion rather than reality and causes stress and anxiety.

Consider What Makes You Happy

Choose three things that make you happy. Turn up the corners of your mouth into a big smile. Your happy thoughts will be forefront in your consciousness all day long.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Your inner clock will begin to nudge you. It’s at this moment that you begin the gratitude phase of waking up: name five things you are grateful for and smile.

Give Yourself a Break

Women are hard on themselves. We always think we aren’t prepared or articulate enough. We think we should try harder to be all that we can be. The truth is, all women are better at those things than they think they are.

Get Rid of the Negative Thoughts

Having negative thoughts at the beginning of your day is definitely a bad risk for your well-being. Your brain wants to go into negative mode first. It’s human nature of dwell on the negative. Resist the negative, and put a positive spin on your most pressing issue. Turn the negative into a positive.

Think Yes Instead of No

‘No’ means resistance is at work, while ‘Yes’ means possibilities and opportunities. ‘Yes’ means being strong and willing to cross over a mental threshold and be surprised.

Stay Present

Make an intention to stay present during the day. If you delve into future or past thoughts, do your best to reconnect with the present moment. The power of the day is in the now.

Eliminate Something from Your Day

Make an intention to eliminate a superfluous activity from your day. It could become a practice to give up something daily. Non-attachment is good for the soul.

Be with Happy People

Intentionally surround yourself with joyful, happy people during the day. Walk away from energy drains – people, places and things that stand in the way of your happiness and keep you stuck in the quicksand of the day.

Take on Positive Pursuits

Invest in positive pursuits during the day. Keep the negatives away. Do something that brings joy into your life: go to the gym, eat a healthy lunch or call someone and acknowledge the gift of that person’s friendship.

Stay off One Social Media a Day

Eliminate one social media outlet a day. Stay off Facebook or Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest and rely on your own energy to keep you positive.

Be Mindful at All Times

Assess how you feel inside each day. Self-reflection is like taking your emotional and spiritual temperature. You don’t need to know how things work or understand the meaning of life. Life just is. Live it.

Give No Excuses, No Blame

It’s human nature to make excuses and to apply blame when things are not going well. Make an intention to take full responsibility for what you do every day.

Embrace Daily Challenges

Life is an opportunity to be the best that you can be. If you are thirsty, drink; if you are hungry, eat. Everything you do has meaning and purpose and affects your creativity.

Exercise and Listen to Music

Daily exercise promotes positive attitudes. Your neurotransmitters will be sparking away all day. Exercise in the morning – that morning walk is also meditative – noontime or evening. But do at least 20 minutes daily for good heart health.

Music also promotes positive attitudes by stimulating your neurotransmitters. Open your eyes, turn on your favorite music, dance into the kitchen, and make a great breakfast.

Have fun. Have so much fun!

Dive into the day with positive energy and full consciousness, and greet your day as a gift to cherish. Your life will take on new meaning.

What is the first thing you normally think about when you wake up? What morning rituals get your day off to a great start? Please share your experiences below!

Virgo Fashion Horoscope: What to Wear This Season

It’s Virgo season! If your birthday falls between August 23rd and September 22nd you’re likely vaxxed, waxed and definitely not relaxed; but of course still ready to shop for some cute and practical fall outfits that encompass your innate attention to detail. And if you’re not a Virgo, well feel free to still get inspiration from the looks we’ve put together down below (and don’t forget to check out the “Gift Ideas” section for your Virgo friends, because they will definitely make a mental note of who does/doesn’t get them anything).

Fashionably,

Faryn

Note: In honor of Virgo Queen Sutton Stracke there are no brown leather pants included in this post. 

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Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette / Nordstrom Earrings / Chanel Bag / Aldo Boots / Agolde Jeans / Alice + Olivia Cardigan (Additional Stock Here)

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Alexander Wang Bag (Additional Stock Here) / Raye Boots / MAC Lip Pencil in ‘Whirl’ / MAC Lipstick in ‘Whirl’ / Oma The Label Earrings / A.L.C. Dress

Virgo Gift Ideas :

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Virgos We Love :

Stay Tuned For Our Next Post on Libra! ︎

Photo Credits: @SuttonStracke, @EboniKWilliams, @LeahMob, @GizelleBryant, @TamraJudge, @HeatherRaeYoung, @LalaKent, @LisaVanderpump,  @RaquelLeviss & @ItsNicoleJames

Originally posted at: Virgo Fashion Horoscope: What to Wear This Season

After several months trodding and tearing up your feet in sandals, I think we can all agree that our feet need a little bit of extra TLC. From running around in gritty sand to 5-mile-long hikes in the wilderness, our feet take a lot of abuse in the summer — more abuse than a single pedicure can fix. And with the end of the summer weeks away, there’s no time to waste in a salon. For that reason, we have some of the best foot masks on deck to make our self-care sesh a lot more convenient, but equally effective. They’re easy to throw in your carry-on, so you can even take them on vacation with you.

Like hand masks, foot mittens aren’t exactly necessary. You can always slather your skin in Vaseline or some other heavy ointment when flaking and ash become an issue. It’s also way more affordable than investing in a special treatment. But that’s just it: they’re not special. And as far as we’re concerned, you deserve special things…like a nourishing foot mask that forces you to put your feet up and stay hydrated from head-to-toe, literally.

There are peels that take days to kick in, but ultimately shed skin beyond belief. You’ll feel like a snake. The foot peels are so effective that you’re going to want to wear socks for a few days—trust us, it’ll mean less mess and be less gross that way. If you want something a little less intense, there’s heavy-duty lotions that work best with overnight use. Ahead are options for both.

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. Aliver and Target are STYLECASTER sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of ALIVER.

Lavender Foot Mask

Our feet might be one of the most under-appreciated parts of our bodies. Give your feet their own self-care moment with this lavender foot mask set. You leave the mask on for 50-90 minutes and then wait 5-7 for the magic peeling to happen. You’ll be able to slide across the floor Risky Business-style with your newly smooth feet.

Buy: Foot Peel Mask 3 Pack $9.99

Amazon.

TikTok-Famous Foot Peel

This Amazon top-seller has long held cult-favorite status for its ability to literally strip the foot of every and any flake. The magic sauce is a mix of 17 botanicals—all naturally-derived—that work over a period of days to shed the skin.

Buy: Baby Foot – Original Foot Peel Exfoliator $25

Tony Moly.

K-Beauty Pick

Like the Baby Foot Peel, this K-beauty, liquid-based mask uses vegetable ingredients to remove keratin, flakes and dryness after 7 days of use.

Patchology.

Chemical Peel Option

Proof that chemical acids aren’t just for the face, this next-level foot mask includes a mix of AHAs and BHAs that work together to exfoliate both top and deep layers of the skin.

Karuna.

2-in-1 Foot Mask

A face mask and serum, but for your feet. This option also includes an AHA blend for gentle exfoliation—aka getting rid of flakes—and floral extracts for smoothing.

Buy: Karuna Exfoliating+ Foot Mask $38

Courtesy of Sephora.

Budget-Friendly Foot Mask

Affordable and effective? We can’t think of a better combo. The coconut in this footie will soothe dryness and nourish your skin.

LUSH Cosmetics.

Clay Foot Mask

If like us, you’re obsessed with the purifying properties of kaolin clay, this all-natural, part-pumice foot mask is definitely for you. It also contains a gang of other nourishing food-grade ingredients, including papaya, lemon juice and tomato.

Kocostar.

 Botanical-Packed Mask

Besides the super-sized mix of 33 botanical extracts that’ll go to work on your poor, tired feet, the mint scent makes for an ideal pick-me-up too.

Buy: Kocostar Foot Therapy $10

Sol de Janiero.

Coolest Foot Mask

Complete with a smoothing board for minimizing stubborn calluses, this cream is infused with coconut oil, acai and cupuaçu butter, a water-soluble Brazilian super fruit, that makes application non-slippery.

ThisWorks.

Soothing Rescue Balm

In addition to lemon and lavender for light exfoliation and treating irritation, the cotton thistle—another deeply-penetrating moisturizer—also disguises odor.

Buy: thisworks perfect heels rescue balm $26

Sally Hansen.

Super Moisturizing Mask

Want relief for your dry feet? Reach for this single-use mask. Infused with nut butters and Vitamin E, this mask will chase away dry skin.

This story was originally published in 2019.

Have you talked with your elderly parents about their financial situation yet? They may have initiated a conversation, or you may have, either way it can feel awkward. But it is helpful to ensure our parents’ well-being, safety from scammers, and comfort level both physically and emotionally.

Turning the Tables

We’re probably all tired of hearing about Covid; however, one of the things it has made very clear is that life can change in an instant. And aging creates a higher risk for many things, so how about a little role reversal: let’s think about how we can be helpful to our parents after all the years they were helpful to us when we were younger.

A Touchy Subject

One of the most common questions I get asked in my workshops when talking to people about estate planning and helping their elderly parents is “How do I even bring up the topic?” Finances, estate planning, and end-of-life wishes are difficult subjects for most families to talk about.

We want to be respectful but also helpful. And given the high incidence of fraud among family members, it is definitely understandable if someone is hesitant to discuss their personal finances and estate planning situation.

Best Interests

In the financial industry, we are especially vigilant about confidentiality and also serving as a double check on what is going on with seniors’ financial accounts. It can be helpful to have a non-family member who is a fiduciary to be involved as a gatekeeper as well as an advocate for all of the things that should be in place.

Identifying a Trusted Contact person has become an additional way to get permission from clients to identify someone to notify when there is a reasonable belief that there may be possible financial exploitation going on.

If you are listed as the personal representative or successor trustee of a parent’s estate and will be involved in acting as a power of attorney now or settling their affairs after they’re gone, it really behooves you to be sure you understand not only what they have in place but what their wishes are as well.

So, for all of those reasons, it is crucial to have a conversation with our parents to express our love, concern, and willingness to help for everyone’s benefit in the end.

Having “The Talk”

Before talking to a parent, it’s best to think about what aspect of estate planning the parent may be most open to discussing. Is it more appropriate to approach it from thinking about their health, or a financial perspective, getting records organized or just from a general overall estate planning standpoint?

It’s also a good idea to think about your parents’ preferred way to communicate. Does your parent prefer to dive right into a conversation or read about a topic first or hear about an experience you had or perhaps hear a story about someone you know?

Once you identify the sub-topic of the estate planning conversation that you feel will make for the best initial discussion, think about how you will approach the subject.

Initially, it can be helpful to throw out what I call a “floater” question. You may share with your parents an experience you had or something you read about or heard on the news or found interesting. Then you can mention how it made you curious about your parents’ opinion on that topic.

A Different Approach

Or, instead of a question, it may be helpful if you approach it by asking for advice. Maybe you personally are working on getting your records organized or updating your estate planning. You may find it helpful to complete a checklist, net worth worksheet, or bill paying grid and maybe use that exercise to start up a conversation with a parent.

You may ask for their advice on what you are working on. An upcoming surgery is another time to take advantage of the moment to bring up the subject of estate planning.

These Unpredictable Times

Or it would be very appropriate in today’s Covid world to make a comment that it has all really made you wonder what would happen if you, or a parent, ended up in the hospital.

Are all the bills paid automatically? Who is authorized to make medical and financial decisions (power of attorney documents)? How long has it been since a will/trust has been updated/drafted? Is there long-term care insurance in place in the event that care is needed for a prolonged period after the hospital?

No matter how you approach the subject, be sure you listen and be persistent if it didn’t go as deep as you wanted it, yet. Ask again or share a resource another time. Don’t give up, this is important for everyone.

Have you helped an aging parent with their finances? What suggestions do you have for others in the same situation? What do you think is the best way to broach the subject? Let’s have a discussion!

Surprise! Olivia Rodrigo just dropped her music video for “Brutal” and we’re drooling over all the hair and makeup looks. Like “Good 4 U”, it was directed by Petra Collins but that’s where the similarities end. In this video, Rodrigo plays eight different characters, including a pop star, an influencer, a newscaster and a ballerina. It makes perfect sense for a song all about the pressures of social media and being a teenager in 2021.

Rodrigo’s usual glam team was on set. Clayton Hawkins was responsible for the hair and Molly Greenwald did the makeup. There’s no shortage of bold hair and makeup looks: a blonde bob when she plays a newscaster and magenta-tipped pigtails while being an angsty teen in the car. “Brutal music video is out now! had the best time ever making this,” the pop star wrote on Instagram. “so so so grateful for @petrafcollins who constantly inspires me and who directed this video so incredibly. hope u guys love the vid and all my teen angst lol.”

Below, check out our favorite looks from the video and watch the entire thing, above. Keep an eye out for actor Lucas Gage and some famous model faces. This might be our favorite video she’s done yet.

YouTube.

Light Teal Bob With Bangs

YouTube.

Slicked-Back Ballerina Bun

YouTube.

Blonde Bob With Bangs

YouTube.

Long Braided Pigtails

YouTube.

Orange Bob

YouTube.

Space Buns

YouTube.

Long Blonde Hair

YouTube.

Magenta Ponytails