Category: Wellness

Wellness /

Pilates At Home Workouts To Try

Even when life gets busy, it is crucial to ensure that you are still prioritizing your mental and physical health. Taking care of your body and mind can greatly improve your quality of life and even help lower stress when you are constantly on the go.

One of my intentions for 2023 was to prioritize my physical wellbeing. I have come to love working out as a means of self care and I’ve noticed that I always feel better after I get some movement into my day.

While I kicked off this year focussing on weightlifting, cardio, and gym-based workouts, finals season and having a lot of upcoming work deadlines has made it harder for me to include the usual 45 minutes to 1 hour I would usually spend at the gym on my schedule. With that said, I have opted for more home-based workouts over the past couple of months, and I have actually been enjoying it.

The bulk of the home workouts I have been doing are pilates workouts. If you haven’t heard, pilates workouts are an incredible way to tone muscle, improve core strength, decrease stress, prevent injuries, and much more. Over the past several weeks that I have been doing, pilates consistently, I have noticed a difference in my core strength and endurance. I’m excited to continue implementing pilates into my workout split even when I go back to the gym once I get my exams over with.

Below are 3 of my favourite pilates videos to follow through with. Don’t knock it until you try it, and I would highly encourage you to get out your mat and get moving! 🙂

  1. 15 Minute Everyday Pilates Abs and Core
  2. 15 Minute Full Body Pilates Workout – No Equipment Needed!
  3. Mat Pilates Legs + Butt Workout

With care & joy,

Ainah

Bibliography:

  1. YouTube. (2020, June 13). 15 minute everyday pilates abs and core. 15 Minute Everyday Pilates Abs and Core. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg07a-mgmlI
  2. YouTube. (2021, December 6). 15 Minute Full Body pilates workout – no equipment needed! 15 Minute Full Body Pilates Workout – No Equipment Needed! Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZzWo-jwDIQ&feature=youtu.be
  3. YouTube. (2022, July 26). Mat Pilates legs + butt workout | gratitude focus. Mat Pilates Legs + Butt Workout | Gratitude Focus. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIBa2NVvdhQ
Wellness /

Wellness Creators I’ve Been Loving Following

While I usually share about products or brands I love, I thought I would do something different and share about some fellow wellness creators who I believe have been killing it with their content lately. Since March is also women’s history month, I wanted to share three ladies who are inspiring other women to take care of their wellbeing through their platforms.

A kinesiologist and personal trainer, Ashley is also the founder of Elevate With Ashleisure Fit Inc; a group pop-up fitness event designed to revive minds, bodies & souls one workout at a time. Though I’ve gone to school with Ashley for many years, it was through handling her social media content for her business in which I got to learn firsthand about her passion for uplifting others in all aspects of their health.

I love how she desires to use the lessons she’s learned from a season of burn-out to provide a one-stop shop for health at her bi-monthly fitness events. Her business and blog Instagram pages feature helpful tips on holistic health, stylish athleisure looks, reflections on her own fitness journey, and some at-home/gym workouts!

Though I’ve known her husband’s family for years, it was only at the end of 2022 in which I reached out to Cassidy as she was offering a 6 week intro to the gym program that helped me set up healthy habits going into 2023.

Cassidy is a fitness coach that empowers others through functional fitness that focuses on an individual’s needs and goals. I was a bit nervous working with a personal trainer for the first time this year, but Cassidy has always helped me feel empowered and challenged through the workouts she assigned me. Her page is full of amazing tips on working out, motivational advice, healthy habits/routines, and recipes you’ll want to try!

I stumbled upon Shanna’s page shortly after I started to take content creation seriously on this blog and on my Instagram page. She’s easily become one of my favourite people to follow on Instagram and I’ve loved getting to chat with her through the DM’s.

Shanna is a personal trainer based in NYC. Like her Instagram bio says, she’s keeping it really real through her honest reflections on life, fun yet effective workouts on her Temple Bodii Instagram page, and the encouragement she brings to other women in their fitness and health journeys through her reels.

She also has an incredible way with words and her weekly Sunday Soulday newsletter has become my fave. I love the quotes she puts in them every week as well as the book, song, and Instagram account she’s currently loving.

Super proud of what all three of these women are providing in the wellness space and I can’t wait to continue to see them flourish and inspire those around them. Be sure to check them out on socials!

With care & joy,

Ainah

Wellness /

5 Ways To Prioritize Your Wellness As A University Student

With finals season right around the corner, I thought it was time for a wellness post dedicated for fellow students like me who are trying their best to make it through to the end of the semester.

It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of academic life. With classes, assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities all vying for your attention, it’s no wonder that so many of us students find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. However, it’s important to remember that your wellness should always be a top priority. Today, I’ll be sharing five tips to help you prioritize your wellness as a university student.

  1. Make sleep a priority

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of wellness, yet it’s often the first thing to go when we’re busy. It’s important to prioritize getting enough sleep each night, as sleep is essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. Aiming for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night and establishing a consistent sleep schedule can help regulate your body’s internal clock and help you feel refreshed and ready to take on tasks when you wake up.

  1. Exercise regularly

Exercise is another key component of wellness. Regular physical activity can help improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, whether that means hitting the gym, going for a run, or taking a yoga class.

  1. Eat a balanced diet

The food we eat has a significant impact on our physical and mental health. Over my past few years of university, I have learned that it’s important to prioritize a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. While this is something I have struggled with in the past, turning to Pinterest or Google for healthy recipe ideas or getting help from a nutrition coach can help with ensuring that you are eating well everyday.

  1. Practice stress-management techniques

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it’s important to have tools in place to help manage it when it arises. This might include deep breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, or journaling. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you, and make time for these practices regularly. Personally, I really love journaling and stretching as stress-management tools, but feel free to do whatever works for you!

  1. Seek support when needed

Finally, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it all alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Whether you decide to reach out to a friend, a family member, or a counsellor, it’s important that you feel cared for when the workload of school gets overwhelming.

In conclusion, prioritizing your wellness as a university student is essential for your overall health and academic success. By making sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress-management, and support a priority, you can ensure that you’re taking care of your mind and body even when your schedule is packed and life is busy.

With care & joy,

Ainah

Wellness /

Ways To Take Care Of Your Wellbeing This Month

Wanted to share some ways you can take care of your well-being this month as we start up February!

Wellness is something that’s important to me because I admit that I can be a bit of a workaholic. I realized how much chronic stress affects my body and mental health negatively and I plan to make this year the year I don’t put my own wellness on the back burner.

Hope these tips inspire and help you to take care of yourself this upcoming month!

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