We left 2015 covered in glitter and confetti, said goodbye to the stresses of the year gone by and clinked our glasses to the promising new blank slate and, as Oprah put it, another chance to get it right. Whether or not you have decided on your new year’s resolution for the year, committing this year to your health, well being and happiness is definitely worth it. Whether you want to create a positive mood, de-stress your day or simply zen out, here are our favorite items to treat yo’ self and give your body and mind the care it deserves.
1. Himalayan Pink Salt Bath Soak ($15): Who doesn’t love a deliciously relaxing spa day? Reward yourself for working so hard with this pampering, high-mineral bath soak guaranteed to relax your mind, strengthen your skin and provide your body with minerals and nutrients.
2. Sydney Hale Co. Eucalyptus + Sage Candle ($30): This calming candle is a must-have for your new lifestyle. Featuring notes of crisp eucalyptus, warm honey and stress-busting sage, this candle is perfect for creating a positive mood in your space.
3. White and Rose Gold Sona Connected Bracelet ($149): Wearable technology is all the rage right now, so what not use it to monitor your zen? This chic bracelet keeps track of your stress levels, activity and heart health throughout the day.
4. Zenguin Mugs ($48): How adorable are these charming Zenguin mugs by Patricia Carlin? Sip, smile and destress with one of these meditative penguins mugs, each with a different zen proverb printed on the inside.
5. Pucker Up Lip Scrub ($9): Get ready to pucker up! Look and feel your best with super yummy lip scrub in fragrant grapefruit and rose. Scrub a bit on your lips, leave on for one minute and then wash or lick it off: your choice!
6. Urbanears Plattan Headphones ($50): Listening to music is a great way to relieve stress, so why not look good doing it? Wear these vibrant headphones on your way to work, at your favorite coffee shop or during your favorite workout sesh and feel that positive energy (and music) surge through you.
7. Infiland Ultrasonic Humidifier, Air Purifier and Aroma Diffuser ($30): Turn on this all-in-one stress buster at home or at your desk, sit back and let your tensions slowly melt away.
8. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig ($7): Remind yourself of the important things in life. This moving look at how we live and how to live better is a beautiful pick-me-up any day of the week.
9. Peppermint Cooling Foot Rescue Treatment ($18): Show your feet some extra love and attention with this popular skin-smoothing moisturizer that cools, deodorizes and leaves you and your footsies feeling fresh, tingly and weary-free.
10. Essential Oil Aromatherapy Roll On ($18): Smooth away all those rough edges with one (or more) of these 12 cold-pressed essential oil roll ons. To use, apply to pressure points such as the temples, pulse points, behind the ears, the neck or really anywhere that feels good to you.
11. Baby Rubix With Succulents ($64): Infuse the calming benefits of nature into your home or office desk with this adorable baby rubix with three complementary succulents to help brighten up your space and create a more relaxing and restful ambiance.
12. The Art of Zentangle Coloring Book ($13): Sit back and relax with this beautiful, meditative book to create your own intricate patterns and doodle your tension away. Whether you have never picked up any art tool in your life or you’re an expert artist, this inspirational sketch journal is a great way to listen to your inner voice and “draw” out your feelings onto paper.
13. Coffee First Scrub ($18): Light your favorite scented candle, queue up the Norah Jones and scrub up away the blues with this natural coffee scrub designed for use on the entire body, leaving nothing un-pampered. It also works to fade stretch marks, reduce cellulite, clear acne and leave your skin silky smooth. Score!
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
Photo via Shutterstock