Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
Pilates Princess -> Gymnastics Girly
Everyone’s in their Pilates Princess era (if you’re one such Pilates Princess, love that for you!), but I’d just like to practice my inversions.
Absolutely no slander to the exercise – my mom was a Pilates instructor and I am well aware of how difficult hundreds are – I’d just like there to be similar enthusiasm (and community!) for those practicing handstands and presses.
Oh, I’m realizing that maybe I’d just like to find other twenty-(plus-)somethings interested in gymnastics.
I may be in the wrong corner of the internet (per ush!) and you’ve been inundated, actually, with calisthenics content, but let me influence you, just for a minute.
Well, I should note, I’d just like to do handstands – calisthenics, otherwise, is a bit out of my wheelhouse.
So, why should we practice inversions, why should we practice balancing?
For the gua sha girlies (of which I am one!), inversions stimulate the lymphatic system, boosting circulation, and improving clarity. That last bit is a product of reversing gravity and allowing blood to (re-)flow toward your heart and brain.
Similarly, inversions can decompress the spine and alleviate back pain. (A quick caveat! Handstands may not be the way to go, here; a downward dog, instead, would be the safer remedy of the two.)
Now, if you’re thinking, Chloe, I’d actually just like to remain upright, there are plenty of other balancing exercises – because handstands are rooted in balance – you can do, too!
Single-leg stands and bird dogs to name two! Balancing is rather important, particularly as we age, to maintain body awareness, improve joint health, and prevent falling.
Have I influenced you yet?
Happy balancing – maybe even happy handstanding!
Photo Source: Marc Kleen via Unsplash.
Ask Clara:
"Which exercises improve balance?"
I'm Gonna Soak Up the Sun (And So Should You)
Hii friends! Long time(-ish), no Wellness Edit!
I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and were able to properly relax – whatever that means to you!
For a dear friend of mine, I’d gotten up at the crack of dawn Monday morn’ (5AM, really, is quite early for a college student) to celebrate her birthday with the sunrise – which got me thinking, unsurprisingly, about sleeping habits.
I am a notoriously poor sleeper (per the insights of my Whoop), spending far too many hours in a “light sleep” and too few in REM. Then, I’ll succumb to the exhaustion about midday everyday, napping well past the recommended twenty minutes, and the (vicious, vicious) cycle repeats itself.
So, I broached this subject with my therapist, and she recommended early morning sunlight exposure, among other things (such is the life of an anxiety-riddled girly).
Sunlight exposure – particularly that received in the morning – regulates our circadian rhythm, prompting our bodies to reduce melatonin production and increase cortisol production.
If it’s been a minute since you’ve taken bio (same here!), melatonin makes us feel sleepy and cortisol (in manageable levels!) makes us feel a bit more alert and focused.
Now, did I return to my bed post-sunrise-birthday? Yes, I did – and I am unashamed!
But, for the hour or so we sprawled on the lakeshore, I’m nearly certain the sunlight had alleviated a bit of my usual Monday grogginess, holiday or not!
So, in the (warbling, hippie) vein of Sheryl Crow, go soak up the sun.
P.S. I am old enough to listen to Sheryl Crow, but her lyrics don't make too much sense to me – like, what is a 45??
Ask Clara:
"How can I improve my circadian rhythm? "
Your Sober Sister from Another Mister
Because sobriety is in, and I'm the kind of gal who is always down for a frink (fun drink).
If you haven’t seen the term “sober curious” bandied about online, let me break it down for you. Essentially, there is a growing number of individuals that have chosen to quit (used loosely!) drinking. For some, this may mean drinking less regularly, and others foregoing alcohol altogether.
I’ll be honest, I do, occasionally, drink when out with friends (I’m of age!), but I don’t care, really, for drinking all that much.
Which some may say is lame, but I say "my liver is happily intact!"
I kid, I kid. So long as you are not hurting yourself or others, a drink or two is not all that bad. (Re: Nonnamaxxing, the Mediterranean diet suggests that you consume a glass of red wine a day, and its adherents are, reportedly, living to 100!)
That said, as a young woman (still in college!), it’s a relief to know that a “good time” is not predicated on alcohol consumption.
I've always been a bit wary of alcohol’s inebriating effects and, honestly, it’s just not my jam. Plus, when I started college, my mom had given me a set of drink spike tests, so I was sufficiently scared sober. I'd like to note, it is absolutely not fair that women have to be so aware of the actions of others – that we must always be looking over our shoulders – but, because I don’t care for the taste of alcohol either, I’ve found it a bit easier to be “sober curious.”
So, while there are health benefits to choosing sobriety (better sleep, better mental health), I most appreciate the movement’s normalization of good ol’ sober fun.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please know help is available.
Photo Source: Giphy.
Confessions of A Self-Described Wellness Advocate
I have a confession to make. Though I love a wellness trend as much as the next girly, I’m beginning to wonder, are we doing too much?
It’s just that wellness is feeling, more and more, like a chore and a bit too consumerist – so not in the least bit relaxing.
There’s always another product I ought to buy, another step I ought to implement into my 10-step (yes, 10 whole steps!) skincare routine, and I’ve found it all incredibly exhausting.
Kristyn had written a bit about this in a Girlhood newsletter, but it is so very difficult to “be well” when you receive an influx of information online – even more so, I think, if you happen to be a woman.
Our bodies, our actions are already heavily scrutinized, and, in a sphere intended for the self, I feel increasingly as if I’m performing for others. Because wellness, somehow, has been conflated with particular body standards, each of which serve the male gaze. (I’d be more than happy to continue writing of patriarchal wellness culture in another newsletter, if you’d like.)
All of which is to write, if you feel similarly, just know I’m here with you. I’m not quite sure how we might counter the shift we’re seeing, though a simple step would be to ask ourselves, who am I doing this for?
P.S. If you’re thinking, Chloe’s too young to have read Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, think again!
Photo Source: The Cut.
Ask Clara:
"How does the patriarchy harm women?"
Dare I Write, Creatine Is for the Girls?
I’ve taken creatine supplements, so you don’t have to!
Well, I haven’t been all that consistent with my supplements, so this edit will be a bit more research-based than experiential.
If you asked me six-ish years ago if I’d ever take creatine, I’d have, most vehemently, said no, presuming the target demographic to be my then-sixteen-year-old brother.
Imagine my surprise when I’d read that women are taking creatine. Yes! And, because “women tend to have lower natural creatine stores than men,” creatine may have greater benefits for women than men – dare I write, creatine is for the girls?
Though a bit of a newer fad (for women, at least), creatine supplements are well-researched and have been proven to enhance muscle recovery, improve one’s athletic performance, and maintain homeostasis throughout the reproductive cycle in women.
Enter me, an easily influenced girly! I’d already hopped on the protein powder bandwagon and figured I may as well give creatine a go. I'm rather active as well and have (re-)taken up gymnastics, which is particularly unforgiving in my old, old age – so I was all over that "enhanced muscle recovery" bit. Unfortunately, I’d gotten the gummy supplements and have found that I don’t particularly care for their texture.
But, in writing this edit, I’m feeling moved by the science (again!) and will reimplement creatine into my routine – be on the lookout for any further updates!
Photo Source: Bloom.
Ask Clara:
"How can I improve my muscle recovery?"
In Defense of the Lazy Sunday
In theory, I adore a lazy Sunday – sleeping in a bit later than you normally would, then, still lazing about in bed, a morning beverage in one hand, a new read in the other.
In practice, I very often succumb to the Sunday Scaries. I may spend a bit more time in bed, but fending off the anxiety of the week ahead is not nearly as enjoyable as reading of Elinor and Marianne’s trifles.
But then I stumbled upon the “French Sunday” and realized I may have skipped a step or two. For one, lazy Sundays are a mentality – as silly as it may seem.
If you’re a bit productivity-obsessed (same here!) and haven’t settled into the mindset of rest, you may find it difficult to do “nothing,” and the additional hour you’ve spent in bed has left you wracked with guilt – the very opposite of well-rested.
Or, you’ve left your chores (grocery shopping, meal prep, and laundry, oh my!) for Sunday, thinking they’re a bit less mentally taxing than your day-to-day tasks – which may be true, but aren’t we deserving of rest, plain and simple?
So, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, you should plan for a lazy Sunday. Do your best to save whatever tasks you have (provided they aren’t too pressing!) for Monday and breathe, just for a moment. Maybe you'd like to stroll about aimlessly or catch up with a long-distance best friend – however you choose to spend your day, be kind to yourself.
If you’d like a few more French Sunday recommendations, I’ve found The Everygirl’s guide to be rather helpful.
P.S. A belated happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate! Moms, thank you for everything you do! We’d not be here without you, literally!
Photo Source: Toa Heftiba via Unsplash.
Ask Clara:
"How can I prioritize rest?"
Moving Mindfully With TCM Practices
Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month to all who celebrate!
With our AANHPI friends in mind, I’d like to write a bit about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese longevity practices, both of which have been viralized on TikTok.
The former is rooted in Taoism and suggests that, in living in harmony with nature, we can restore balance to our Qi, our bodies’ life source, which is easily disrupted by disease, illness, and stress. The latter encompasses a series of practices that preserve our health and is, in fact, a facet of TCM.
To that end, TCM is prominent within the field of integrative medicine and has gained quite a bit of traction in our wellness climate as of late, given its prioritization of whole body and preventive health.
If you’d like to implement TCM into your day-to-day, here are a few practices you may consider:
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Qigong – an uplifting an energy practice that is often thought of as active meditation wherein your breath and movements are in sync.
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Acupuncture – though it cannot be done at home, acupuncture is a therapeutic practice that can reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
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Gua Sha – a lymphatic drainage massage that can be done with a smooth-edged tool, or your knuckles, to alleviate tension in the body.
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Warm Water – my roommate has been doing her very best to put me on this for years, but you can begin your mornings with a glass of warm water to improve comfort, digestion, and hydration.
Let me know if you happen to give any of the practices a go and, again, a very happy AANHPI month!
Photo Source: Hitomi Okushima via Unsplash.
Can A Spoonful of Honey Make Our Allergies Go Away?
Hii friends, you may have noticed, but I’ve been a bit backlogged this week – that is, I missed Tuesday’s column – and, no, I did not forget! I may be in my last quarter, but senioritis hasn’t made it so that I’ve confused the days of the week.
In my long-winded way, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time outdoors these days (Evanston is just now warming up!) and have learned that I’m rather allergic to a local strain of pollen. But it’d taken me a minute to realize this – like, my body had been waiting ‘til I inhaled a sufficient amount of pollen to throw up a defense – and I’ve only just put together the headaches and sniffles. So I’d spent Tuesday cooped up in bed.
But it’s brought me to another wellness trend (life imitating art and all that jazz!): Can a spoonful of local honey treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever)?
Though I’ve repeated this holistic remedy to everyone and their mother, I've never been quite sure of the rationale. Having sourced the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), I’ve learned that honey is thought to promote immune tolerance, as it may carry lingering pollen (from the bees!) and, in consuming honey, we’re “gradually exposed to allergens, potentially reducing [our] allergic symptoms.”
Apologies to everyone and their mother, but this just isn’t true. The pollen that causes rhinitis, the AAAAI continues, is wind borne, not pollinated. And, if the allergenic pollen were to be blown into the hive by chance, it would not be enough to build an immune tolerance.
So, no, honey isn’t, actually, an effective allergy treatment.
Honey does possess very many health properties (read antioxidants and antimicrobial agents), but if you’d like to treat your seasonal allergies, you may be better off sticking to antihistamines.
Photo Source: Yarn.
Ask Clara:
"How can I treat my seasonal allergies?"
A Bit More On Whimsy (Because I Just Can’t Be Stopped!)
It may just be the corner of the internet I’m in, but I’ve noticed very many people have wanted to make their lives more whimsical this year. Though I haven’t seen a “whimsy-maxxing” wellness trend just yet, I do think there’s something to be said for occasional playfulness, particularly in adults.
Cas Holman, author of Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, found that adults (of which I am now one!) often suppress their needs for creativity, joy, and playfulness as they age. Instead, we become “preoccupied with fear, judgment, and self-criticism.”
Though newly an adult, I can assure you, a preoccupation with “fear, judgment, and self-criticism” isn’t all that sustainable – trust, half of my high school years I’d spent either masked or in the ether of a Google Meet.
Holman, fortunately, has recommended a three-step plan that may allow us to reclaim a sense of play: embracing possibility, releasing judgment, and reframing success.
I’m not very good at releasing judgement and reframing success (just yet!), but I have found myself embracing possibility a bit more than usual.
Earlier this school year, I’d taken up gymnastics – again. I was a competitive gymnast for ten or so years, but I’d fallen out of love with the sport in my last year. The demanding practices that filled up each of my weeks had taken their toll on my body and mind – so much so that breakdowns were scheduled into my training.
It’d taken quite a bit to get me back into a gym (eight years, actually!), but adult gymnastics has been so very healing for my inner child
Gymnastics may not be your entry into playfulness, though I do hope you’re able to make a bit of time for joy this week!
Ask Clara:
"How can I make my life more playful?"
On The Pleasures of Reading
Those who know me know reading is my most favorite pastime – and, if I could have triple majored, it’d have been in English. So if there’s anyone to extol the pleasures of reading, it’s me. (I’ve been using that line quite a bit, haven’t I?)
In fact, I have a Substack (shameless self-plug!) where I review my recent reads, if you’d like to check it out. The following? Small. The authenticity? Large.
But back to the column!
We know of the “standard” benefits of reading, like strengthened brain connectivity, increased empathy, and an improved vocabulary.
But there’s another we don’t talk about enough – or I've just made it up – a healthy appetite for whimsy!
I should note, I’ve decided whimsy, here, is synonymous with unadulterated joy, though the word itself holds a number of (similar!) meanings.
I've just finished Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility for a class of mine, and though the novel is not necessarily whimsical, it is romantic and clever and occasionally biting – all the things I love in a book.
I’d been in a reading rut for a minute, then came along Sense and Sensibility to remind me of the joys of reading, the whimsy of fictional narratives, and I'm sure a good book (of your choosing!) can do just the same for you.
This may be a bit at odds with my initial argument, but so often reading is made to be an intellectual pursuit, a means of self-improvement, and it can be. But you know what reading can also be? Fun!
And why can’t we do things just for the fun of them?
P.S. The photo is of my self-imposed reading list from last summer, and I got through one of them... Somehow, I'd fallen prey to an assortment of "trashier" romance novels again!