Building Healthy Connections

Eat This for Matte Skin Cranberry Chutney Recipe

Building Healthy Connections

When we think of the Holidays, our minds typically start spinning with a long list of demands and preparations. Navigating packed malls with determined Holiday shoppers, the seemingly endless stream of parties or events penciled into our calendars, increased demands at work, the careful planning of dinners with the in-laws… you name it. While we likely either love or loathe these hectic demands of the festive season, we can’t forget the underlying nuance of this time of year: bringing friends and loved ones together. We also need to ensure we don’t become so concerned with taking care of everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves in the process.

So, let’s take a second to put down the chocolate truffles and overflowing Christmas lists to get back to the basics and remember the ways in which we can take a much-needed pause from the madness to reconnect with friends and loved ones in a healthy, rewarding way. Luckily, we have a few ideas in mind to help you cultivate your best, most vibrant selves without breaking your stride or missing any deadlines.

Schedule an at-home dinner date

Do you find yourself settling into a booth at a local restaurant once a week to catch up with friends over a drool-worthy meal? Why not abandon the need for a reservation and schedule a weekly dinner party with friends? Not only will this save you money, but it will become a weekly staple to look forward to (and can rotate each week to someone else’s house or apartment) while inspiring you to dig up some healthy, hearty recipes you love. Not sure what to cook? Head over to Pinterest for an endless supply of recipe inspiration or track down a new favourite food blog to steal ideas from and impress your friends. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out this tried-and-true, cheesy kale crisps recipe for a killer appetizer.

attend a weekly fitness class

Do you find yourself getting bored at the gym? Mix things up with one (or more) weekly fitness classes with friends. To keep things interesting, check out offers like a “Class Pass” membership, which allows you to experience the best fitness activities in your city. You could tackle a barre class on Tuesday after work, followed by an aerial yoga class on Thursday morning to start your day off on a high note, literally. Not only does ‘mixing it up’ keep your fitness routine interesting, but your body will benefit physically while adapting to new challenges and movements.

Worried about a packed schedule? Why not squeeze in a class with coworkers over lunch! Find a studio near your office and equip your gym bag with our MattEffect Blotting Perfector. Not only will you be ready to head back into the office in no time, but your skin will boast minimized pores and an unrivalled post-workout glow.

Unplug to connect

We live in a society which deeply values the ability to always remain connected. With credit to our smartphones, we have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Email, iMessage and more lying in the palms of our hands at almost any given moment.

While we revel in the convenience of this technology, it is important to take some time to occasionally unplug and disconnect from these mediums, in order to connect back with ourselves and those we love. Challenge yourself, and your friends, to get together and spend some time completely unplugged occasionally. Whether you do this during your weekly dinner party, or reserve another night entirely, let your group get ‘back to the basics’, together. Put the phones away, turn the screens off, and settle into your home with good conversation and even better company. Play a game, chat about life, enjoy food, walk around the city, hike or bike your favorite trail – whatever allows you to connect with each other and disengage from the constant ping of social media notifications and incoming emails for a little bit.

SHOP THIS STORY: