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Welcome to the Wellness Bum The Wellness Rewind newsletter, your mid-week guide to embracing a healthier, happier you in 2024. I’m Valerie, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), helping high achievers learn how to work and live at a pace optimal for their well-being.

As we sail through January, a month often marked by resolutions and renewed vigor, let’s talk about an unconventional yet vital aspect of self-care: ‘Bed Rotting.’

Before we dive in, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about today’s sponsor, SAKARA.

Sakara's Wellness Revolution: Choose Your Reset for a Healthier You

Sakara Life is not just about meals; it's a comprehensive approach to well-being. Their philosophy hinges on the belief that proper nutrition is a gateway to optimal health. Sakara's programs are more than diets—they are lifestyle transformations designed to elevate your overall wellness.

Embarking on a Sakara journey means immersing yourself in a world where food is both delicious and healing. The benefits are multifaceted:

• Improved Digestion: Meals are crafted to boost gut health.

• Enhanced Energy Levels: Nutrient-rich foods fuel your body naturally.

• Visible Skin Improvements: Clean eating reflects in your skin's glow.

• Balanced Weight Management: Attain and maintain a healthy weight effortlessly.

With the New Year upon us, Sakara's January Reset programs, BURN and BALANCE, offer unique pathways to rejuvenate and recalibrate your body. Learn about BURN, the 3-week prescriptive program for healthy weight loss and lean muscle—and BALANCE, the 4-week flexible program to rejuvenate your body and come back into balance. Both programs offer special gifts inside—A limited-edition Sakara sweatshirt, 1-month access to digital workouts from Pvolve, a Curated Sakara x Pvolve workout schedule, and P.Bands

Exclusive Offer for Wellness Rewind Readers: Enjoy a 20% discount on your SAKARA purchase with the code XOVALERIE. Code can be used for SAKARA Meals or for beauty, supplements, or wellness products,

Expanding the Wellness Horizon In 2024

Yes, you heard that right. Bed rotting, or what I prefer to call ‘Horizontal Recharge Days,’ is not just lounging; it’s a deliberate act of self-care. It’s those days when you’re not ticking off tasks from your to-do list, but instead, you’re nestled under the covers, maybe binge-watching your favorite show or ordering in your favorite meal. It’s about being horizontal, both literally and figuratively, and allowing yourself to recharge.

Many of us feel a twinge of guilt for these days, especially in a society that prizes constant productivity. But here’s a wellness truth: these recharge days are essential. They are not a sign of laziness but a conscious choice to prioritize mental health and general well-being.

Recharge for Mental Health:

Taking time to do ‘nothing’ can be a powerful tool for mental health. It’s an opportunity to step away from the daily grind, to let your mind wander, to dream, to simply be. This mental break can lead to increased creativity, better mood regulation, and a more balanced perspective on life.

Physical Benefits:

Our bodies need rest, just as they need exercise. A day spent recharging can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. It’s a time for your body to heal, rejuvenate, and prepare for the days ahead.

Finding Balance:

Balance is not about constantly doing. It’s about understanding when to push and when to pause. Embrace the days of inactivity as much as you do the days of productivity. Each serves a purpose in our journey towards a well-rounded, healthy life.

Transformation Through Rest:

These ‘Horizontal Recharge Days’ can be transformative. They allow us to reconnect with ourselves, to listen to our body’s needs, and to embrace a more compassionate approach to self-care. Remember, transformation doesn’t always occur in the gym or at the workplace; sometimes, it happens in the quiet comfort of our bed.

So, this January, as you set goals and embark on new journeys, include ‘Horizontal Recharge Days’ in your wellness plan. Understand that in the art of doing nothing, you are actually doing something incredibly significant for yourself. Here’s to embracing bed rotting not as a guilty pleasure, but as a legitimate, essential practice of self-care.

Stay well, stay balanced, and remember, your wellness journey is uniquely yours.

Stay tuned for more insights in our next Wellness Bum newsletter in Sunday’s edition!

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