Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
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Friday-Wellness-Tip:-Step-Up,-Speak-Up,-DonPINIMAGEDear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: Step Up, Speak Up, Don’t Wait is a theme near and dear to Spanista’s heart. It is strikes at the core of Self Care – that is putting your self first is a smart, sophisticated way to live boldly but yet quietly confident at the same time. Adopting this point of view will enhance the quality of your overall life.

May I share a story that taught me an invaluable lesson? I am a lucky lady to find myself in a career I love – the perfect blend of fashion, marketing and retail. Now adding wellness to the mix. Because this world is so dynamic, there are plenty of opportunities to ladder up. While doors opened for me, it was not with out applying my talents, hard work, delivering results and building a broad network of connections. Over the years I progressed step by step at a regular pace, moving from entry level work through necessary levels, on to securing a top executive position in a global marketing conglomerate on Madison Avenue. I had landed corner office suite in a super high rise in Midtown Manhattan.

However this path was not straight line. And it held moments when I felt stuck. As I look back to reflect on these moments there was a common pattern of distress that emerged. Emotionally I felt frustrated. This would eventually manifest in a physical symptom – I would get laryngitis. Every time!  It took a chance experience with an expert understanding of body chakras to offer me insight as to why I was my body responded this way.  I was holding back my beliefs about the situation. stifling myself out of fear.

It came down to one simple thing – I was not stepping up or speaking up for myself! I was suppressing my feelings about my current career situation and what I deserved in spite of my positive performance and contributions to the company. I defaulted to thinking my positive work should be evident to the decision makers. But in reality, contributions are not seen by many bosses- especially in today’s ‘me first’ environment.

Ladies and Gentleman – You have to be your own advocate! You can do it with emotional intelligence. That means two things: 1.) You need to make your Self Care of paramount importance so you feel strong of heart, body and spirit, as this will make you feel valuable and emotionally fit; and 2) You must take stock of your situation regularly to mange your career needs in relationship to your overall mission in life. If you are not fulfilling your higher calling you will find yourself less tolerant of your co workers and your environment. That can bring on stress and blocks in your body that needs relief.  If these blocks are not dealt with they will surface in the ways of ailments – sometimes acute and sometimes chronic – heaven forbid. Ala my laryngitis.

In addition, there is another career blocker. If I heard once I heard it a thousand times – Women are more apt to put others ahead of themselves. Perhaps it is imbedded in us as the gender who bears children biologically. The nurturing factor that carries forward – As we see our female role models act this way from the time we come into this world.  Perhaps we learn from observing them – after all actions speak louder than words. When this is unfolds in the work world.

To offer support Spanista is sharing an article that takes on this topic head on – “Why Smart Women Get Stuck at Work” published by Business Insider. I highly recommend it as a read if you are serious about making the most of your career trajectory. Here is the link: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-smart-women-get-stuck-at-work-2015-6

Friday Wellness Tip: Step Up, Speak Up, Don’t Wait. This is a powerful way to enhance your overall wellbeing.  Spanista thinks it is about setting positive expectations for your lifes’ journey and then taking care of your emotional wellbeing as you walk through work and life. If you work on your inner voice and your emotional fitness as much as you work on your body’s physical fitness you will be able step up and speak up to climb the career ladder because:

1. We will come to our work experience fully nurtured and well.

2. Not feeling cheated of anything with no envy on our hearts.

That is why I love this great photo of Reece Witherspoon in a recent issue of In Style Magazine. Here quote is so relevant to women today that is why I wanted to share it here.

I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.

Reece Witherspoon

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Coconut Craze Feeds Body, Mind & Soul is inspired by what seems to be a plethora of new introductions touting the benefits of coconut oil as a core wellness ingredient.

Spanista has a confession to make – I have a deep appreciation for fresh coconut when it is part of a yummy food scheme – like a Pina Colada Libation, Coconut Shrimp Appetizers, Coconut Chicken Chili or Coconut Cream Angel.  And since living in New York, I developed a taste for Coconut Milk – Sooooo refreshing and healthy. Plus it smell so wonderful. So intoxicating in the summer heat. So the notion of including coconut oil into more aspects of life for Self Care is appealing.

Perhaps I am not alone as you may get a smile out of the quote on this spread pictured here in New You Magazine.

The two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and coconut milk.         Dustin Hoffman.

I decided to leave my taste buds for coconut on the shelf to do some exploring about the health benefits.

The best article I found is on Authority Nutrition, written by Chris Gunnars expounds “10 Proven Health Benefits of Coconut Oil” that have been experimentally confirmed in human studies.  It states coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood”. Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health. This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.

 Top 5  Benefits – Spanista Finds These Resonate Most With Self Care:

1. Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties.

2. Populations That Eat a LOT of Coconut Are Among The Healthiest on The Planet.

3. The Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil Can Kill Bacterial, Viruses and Fungi Helping to Stave Off Infections.

4. Coconut Oil Can Protect Hair Against Damage, Moisturize Skin and Function as Sunscreen.

5. Coconut Oil Can Increase Your Energy Expenditure, Helping You Burn More Fat.

Coconut Craze Feeds Body, Mind & Soul is justified as a positive trend to me. If you are yet to become a believer you may wish to try a couple of the products featured here like Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo with Pure Coconut Oil, or Aerin Amber Mask or Wish Hair Inhibiting Shave Cream.

Let us know what you think about the Coconut Health Trend – love it or leave it?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Summer Swimsuit Splash Starts with Sensuous Skin, Part 2 focuses on the emotional quality of your skin as you take advantage of the summer to expose your physical assets during these warm days and nights.  So you are wondering how can skin hold emotion?

Healthy skin reflects the spirit of the heart and mind through the body. And how you care for your spirit – staying positive, encouraging and joyful, in other words words nurturing your self  will help you glow through your skin from the inside out. To further enhance your skin requires attention and tenderness toward your mind and your body.  When it comes to having the right products to help you exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize Spanista believes it is not so much  that pricey products are better as they attitude your have toward your self care.

Spanista suggests devoting proper time each week over extended periods, and being consistent with the steps in your routine (once you figure out what is your emotions responds to) has more positive effect than anything….even fancy products.

In addition your products and routine should change from season to season. Summer in particular calls for attention to skin textures, glow, protection and illumination in the light and the night. Special attention goes to areas that may not usually be exposed if you live in a cooler climate.

For example, a quality, affordable routine can be adopted with The Laline Collection, as it’s message aligns with Spanista’s –  ‘Where body meets soul’. I discovered it last fall while I was enjoying a wine country holiday in San Francisco.  This summer I suggest this mixology of Laline’s Vanilla Patchouli Collection:

1. Laline Body Scrub and Shea Bar

2. Laline Body Souffle and Body Milk

3. Lanlie Body Oil and Body Mist

4. Laline Scented Candle

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Summer Swimsuit Splash Starts with Sensuous Skin, Part 2 will help you focus on the emotional condition of your skin which will help you get out of your mind and into your body. Spanista suggests caring for all aspects of your skin – love your body and connect it to the way your feel. Know that when you get your heart and mind right your inner beauty will shine through your skin. Giving it special attention will help you feel amazing. So when you are ready to head out to the pool or the beach you will emit a glow of happiness that is ever so attractive. Now that is Spanista Self Care everyone can enjoy.

Let me know how you like Laline’s Collection.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Summer Swimsuit Splash Starts with Sensuous Skin means your Self Care Rituals begins with not only shopping for a new sun savvy swimwear but also the right skin care products.

If you are like many of us and waited until after Memorial Weekend to get the best shopping values this will help before you shop. There are pleanty of great brand options available. While traveling last week I came upon this story in USA Today FASHION Section titled ” You’ll Make a Splash”. It inspired Spanista to create this easy Spa Chic Style Checklist for spaside, seaside or poolside, especially good when are packing for travel.

1. Fresh New Tropical and Textures Prints in Swimwear along with a silk chiffon poncho in a complimentary pattern  for a rich relaxed, boho look. Or try a crochet cover up if your need something a bit warmer in lake country. Suggest investing in a one piece and a two piece.

2. Accessories thoughtfully staged can make you look and feel special and smart. If you are looking to change up your look day to day with out investing in more pieces. Try sunglasses in colors, a fedora that is reversible, light weight crochet carry all bag and neutral flat sandals.

3. Go for Casual NoSwim Look for the poolside or walk on the beach experience. Bold solid colors work here. Go either colorful or neutral to compliment you swimwear pallet. Pick fitted pieces – swim shorts, full body halter tops. Cover Up Pants that have a 70’s swing should balance the fitted top. Mix colors here or go mono chromatic. White on white is feminine with a measure of fantasy that looks like you are floating on air.

But what Spanista found missing was the importance of managing your skin before, during and after you time in the sun. Your skin is the foundation of fashion so the canvas must be primed.

Summer Swimsuit Splash Starts with Sensuous Skin for today is Part One. Tomorrow I will share a suggested Spanista Self Care Skin Ritual that can help you a marvelous glow from the inside out this summer. See you tomorrow Wellness Seekers.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Book ‘Upside of Stress’ Author Kelly McGonigal makes the case for stress being really, really good for you. That is what a review I came across by Louisa Kamps a reporter for ELLE Magazine purports in her article, “We are Made for These Times”. Every practicing Spanista recognizes this is a important aspect of living that requires mindfulness to manage.

For this Spanista, the subject resonated this weekend as the pace of my life in juggling humanitarian, business and personal activities has escullated from a more manageable as I set in place mindfully, to another level. A couple of years ago I deliberately set to downshift from a uber, fast paced life of ongoing commitments to intense work and travel. I believed to be a high value peak performer you need to think and act like one. And if you love what you do there is a double edged sword hidden inside this way of life. Side one produces POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES. Side two produces NEGATIVE IMPACT on PHYSIOLOGY. As I study the subject of STRESS through Spanista eyes, my belief is is in partial agreement with Ms. McGonigal. Want to know more? Read on.

The author, Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who was “unnerved” by all the startling studies suggesting that, where stress is concerned,  “The effect you expect is the effect you get”. So intrigued she decided to jump into a deep dive into the background and findings. She concludes and argues in her new book that “The best way to manage stress isn’t to reduce or avoid it, but rather to rethink and even embrace it.”

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Ms. Kamps reports, ” Dr. Kelly McGonigal presents much evidence that says if you can hang with stress it has many positive effects like fostering psychological resilience by teaching people to identify, and identify with, their own mettle under pressure. In this vein, stress helps people find and create meaning in their lives. It offers greater productivity, enhanced emotional wellbeing and fewer health problems.” You can find the book at Amazon.com.

It is however the perception we establish at the start that drives the results – more proof that demonstrates if you set your heart right you can direct mind over manner.

Spanista Takeaway- Good News Monday: Book ‘Upside of Stress’ Author Kelly McGonigal feels while she has a valid point of view that it however has over simplified to one dimension. Spanista believes that the heart, mind and body need to be relieved of the intense impact from prolonged periods of stress. No matter how positive your frame of mind  is about your stress, your body responds experiences residuals effects from pushing too hard for too long. These effects can not be seen but will show up in “wake up call moments” – at this point damage is done and it too late fix it. These are generally life changing moments in some way. Why do they happen? I believe they come about because we ignore our prolonged stress on our bodies.

There have been many benefits from the the stress I experienced in my career and life that align with the books conclusions – but looking back, I wish is would have taken time to give my body relief much earlier – through practices like frequent massage therapy. Insight- Staying in tune the Yin and Yang of living through the Seasons of Spanista is the secret. Thank goodness I did discover the benefits through life changing experiences so I can share the learning with you through Spanista.

So what do you think about Kelly McGonigal’s book?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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