Let’s face it, the holidays can be exciting, but also exhausting and overwhelming. Whether it’s the stresses of seeing family, the sadness from having loved ones no longer present, the pressure to drink and overindulge, or a million other demands, we all know that sometimes, the holidays can just be TOO much. While we understand that this time may be chaotic, it’s important to take a step back and check-in with your mental health. Here are 5 tips to help you get through this holiday season: 1. Acknowledge your feelings Don’t force yourself to smile and act like everything is ok. If you need a good cry, recognize this and take some time to express how you feel. 2. Don’t abandon healthy habits While it’s totally ok to overindulge sometimes, don’t treat the holidays like it’s a free for all. Overindulging will only make you more stressed and add further guilt. Instead, enjoy delicious cookies but don’t completely abandon your regular routine of taking care of your body (ie working out, eating your fruits and veggies). 3. Be realistic The holiday traditions that you grew up with might not be the same that you have now- and that’s ok. Instead of getting sad about how “things used to be”, create new traditions for the way things are. 4. Learn that it’s OK to say no Know that you don’t need to go to every holiday party you’re invited to. If a packed schedule overwhelms you, remember that it’s ok to set boundaries and choose to go to things that make you happy. 5. Take some time for yourself Whether it’s taking a walk outside to listen to your favorite podcast or reading a book by the fire, it’s important to carve out some time for yourself. --- Sources: Reisner, Peter . “9 Tips to Fend off Holiday Stress.” Mayo Clinic Health System, 31 Dec. 21, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/fend-off-holiday-stress-with-these-tips. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022.   Baloo does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.  

Thanksgiving. A time to reflect, spend time with family and friends, and be thankful for what we have. While we understand that Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude, what does being grateful actually mean? To take this one step further, can gratitude impact our happiness? First, what is gratitude? The word gratitude comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. The act of gratitude is a “thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible.” By practicing gratitude, you are drawing attention to what you are thankful for. It could be something as simple as being thankful for a sunny day or more complex like being thankful for a loving family. The commonality between these two things is that you are being thankful for people or forces that are outside of you as an individual. Positive psychology research believes there is a strong association between gratitude and happiness. According to a study from Harvard Medical School, gratitude helps individuals experience “positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” We live in a world, where we’re always comparing ourselves to others and asking ourselves “why don’t we have this” or “why don’t we look like this”. Whether it’s scrolling through social media and seeing friends on luxurious vacations or being envious of influencers with expensive clothes and bags- we are stuck in a world of always recognizing what we don’t have. Gratitude helps put our lives into perspective and helps us refocus to recognize what we do have in our lives that we are thankful for. So, how do we start being grateful? What are simple ways we can express gratitude? One of the best ways to experience gratitude is to practice acts of kindness. Here are a few ways we’ve been able to experience the impact of gratitude: 1. Keep a gratitude journal Every morning when you wake up and have your coffee, write down 5 things you are grateful for. This starts your morning in a state of positivity and reflection. 2. Do something unexpected for someone We’re all going through a lot these days. Doing little things that might be unexpected (like opening the door for someone), can brighten someone’s day and in turn, have a positive impact on yours. 3. Take time for self-reflection It’s important to be thankful for who you are. We all can be our worst enemies through our constant self-criticism. Instead of being hard on yourself, take some time to reflect on your accomplishments- whether big or small. Life is hard enough without beating yourself up. 4. Meditate in gratitude We’ve all heard how good meditation is for the mind. Start creating grateful energy through meditation. In anticipation for Thanksgiving, HERE is one meditation we’ve enjoyed doing. 5. Get into nature Sometimes just taking a hike outside and being with mother nature can put things into perspective. Give gratitude for the beauty and simplicity of mother earth. For other ways to express gratitude through acts of kindness, see here. --- Sources: “Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier.” Harvard Health Publishing, 14 Aug. 2021, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier. Accessed 23 Nov. 2022. Baloo does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.

If you’re like us, the grocery aisles in this post-covid world have started to look a bit different these days. Whether it’s cookie dough, coffee alternative or even trail mix, adaptogens and nootropics have expanded outside of the supplements aisle. So, you might be wondering, what the heck is an adaptogen and a nootropic? Let’s break it down. What are adaptogens? Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Adaptogens have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions, and have been known to strengthen the body’s immune system, promote vitality, stabilize mood and improve performance and focus. A few popular adaptogens you may have heard of are ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea, asian or american ginseng panax or cordyceps. What are nootropics? Nootropics nicknamed “brain boosters” are natural or synthetic substances that can be taken to improve brain health and mental performance. Nootropics have been used for memory, focus and mood enhancement. One of the most popular nootropics in the world is caffeine. What adaptogens and nootropics are in Baloo? The nootropics and adaptogens in Baloo were all specifically chosen based on their benefits from scientific studies. The nootropics in Baloo- 5-HTP, GABA and L-Tyrosine- have shown to have an impact on the body’s serotonin and dopamine levels (“happy chemicals”) and nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety, stress and fear. Baloo’s adaptogens, Rhodiola Rosea and L-Theanine, have been shown to help relieve the body’s stress, helping the body perform its best. So, what does this all mean for you? If you’re looking to add something more to your everyday health routine, adaptogens and nootropics may be great options to help decrease your stress and impact your mood. Baloo is a great upgrade to your average sparkling water because it is not only zero calories and zero sugar, but also uses specific scientifically-backed nootropics and adaptogens that are known to help boost mood and reduce stress levels- that something extra we all need. --- Sources: Julson, Erica. “The 14 Best Nootropics and Smart Drugs Reviewed.” Healthline, 26 Jan. 2022, www.healthline.com/nutrition/nootropics. Accessed 26 Nov. 2022.“Adaptogens.” Cleveland Clinic, 10 Feb. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens. Accessed 26 Nov. 2022.   Baloo does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.