Tag: holiday

7 Holiday Travel Tips for Staying in Routine (When Everything Else Gets Chaotic)

7 Holiday Travel Tips for Staying in Routine (When Everything Else Gets Chaotic)

Holiday travel has a special talent for throwing even the most committed routines off track. Your normal schedule disappears, your meals look different, your workouts shift and suddenly you are trying to remember when you last drank actual water. Between airports, car rides, packed schedules and endless family activities, it is easy to feel a little ungrounded. The good news is that staying in routine while traveling is completely doable with a few simple habits and the right essentials on hand.

  • Set the Tone Before You Leave

The best travel routine starts before you even walk out the door, so pack with intention. Keep wellness essentials in your personal bag or carry on instead of burying them in your suitcase, so you are not scrambling once you arrive. This makes your routine easy to access and a lot harder to forget. 

  • Create a Morning Ritual You Can Repeat Anywhere

A routine does not need to be long or complicated to be effective. Even when traveling, a five minute morning ritual can help you feel centered before the day takes off. Try a simple combo like morning sunlight and doing a few light stretches. This gives you a sense of structure and control, even if the rest of your schedule looks different every day.

  • Anchor Your Day With Hydration

Hydration is usually the first routine to disappear during holiday travel. Plane cabins are dry, road trips encourage snacking over sipping, and family gatherings often revolve around anything except water. Keeping your hydration steady helps you feel more alert and grounded through long travel days.

Carry a reusable bottle and keep FITAID Hydrate sticks in reach so you can quickly add electrolytes to optimize absorption of the water you do drink. These tiny packets make it easy to stay consistent and feel your best,  no matter where your day takes you.

  • Keep Your Supplement Routine Simple and Packable

One of the easiest ways to stay on track while traveling is to streamline your daily supplements. Creatine stick packets are perfect for on-the-go because they take up almost no space and can be mixed into water, juice or a quick morning smoothie. They help you stick to your fitness and wellness routines even when you’re schedule.

Pair this with your essential vitamins, like Magnesium and D3+k2, so your day feels as familiar as it does at home. Keeping these in a small pouch or pill case makes it effortless to maintain your daily habits without overthinking it.

  • Move Your Body, Even if It Looks Different

Holiday travel often means limited workout options, but staying active does not require a gym. A short walk, a quick mobility session or bodyweight movements in your room can all help you stay in rhythm. The goal is not perfection. It is consistency. A little bit of movement each day keeps your routine alive and helps your body feel better after long flights, big meals and unpredictable schedules.

  • Bring Familiar Foods and Snacks

Travel days can disrupt mealtimes, so having a few familiar snacks helps you stay steady. Pack items like fruit, nuts, protein bars or anything you regularly reach for at home. This small choice keeps your energy more consistent and helps you avoid the sudden crash that often hits after airport food or holiday grazing.

  • Make Your Evenings Calming and Predictable

Quality sleep and a good start to your dat begins with a solid nighttime routine. A warm drink, reading for a few minutes, or taking your vitamins before bed helps your body shift into a calmer state. These small cues can help you sleep better, which makes your entire travel experience smoother. Because nothing sabotages a tavel experience more than being overly tired.

Holiday travel will always have a bit of chaos in it, but your routine does not have to disappear. With hydration, movement, simple supplements and tiny daily rituals, you can stay grounded and feel like yourself no matter where the season takes you. 

 

The Ultimate FITAID Holiday Gift Guide

The Ultimate FITAID Holiday Gift Guide

Wellness Gifts That Actually Wow

The holidays are here, which means it’s officially the season of giving, gifting, and Googling “What do I buy for someone who has everything!?” Don’t worry. We’ve got you.

If your friends, family, gym buddies, coworkers, or “we-said-no-gifts-but-I’m-still-bringing-something” people love staying active, or focusing on their overall wellness, then this guide is your new holiday MVP.

FITAID drinks and supplements are clean, functional, delicious, and genuinely useful gifts (the kind people actually enjoy receiving).

Consider this your all-in-one, stress-free, wellness-forward holiday gift guide.

For the Fitness Lover: FITAID Energy + FITAID Recovery Variety Packs

You know that one friend who lives at the gym? The one whose warm-up looks like your whole workout? They deserve something that supports their lifestyle (they’ve got enough athleisure).

FITAID Energy Variety Pack

Perfect for the friend who loves a little buzz without the crash. FITAID Energy delivers clean caffeine from green tea plus B-complex vitamins and electrolytes to help them feel naturally energized.

Why it’s gift-worthy:

  • Clean energy with 200mg of natural caffeine from green tea 
  • Great flavors they’ll actually crave
  • No mystery ingredients

FITAID Recovery Variety Pack

For the person who lifts heavy, runs hard, or is on a first-name basis with their foam roller.

Why they’ll love it:

  • A better-for-you recovery beverage, completely caffeine free
  • Delicious flavors that refresh fast
  • Ingredients chosen with purpose, not hype

For the Busy Parent: FITAID Hydrate Sticks

If anyone deserves a hydration upgrade, it’s the person who hasn’t finished a hot coffee since 2017.

FITAID Hydrate

These hydration sticks are an easy, thoughtful gift that says, “I see you. You need water.”

Why they’re perfect gifts:

  • Toss into a purse, gym duffle, stroller, or diaper bag
  • Clean electrolytes and zero sugar, nothing artificial
  • Hydrates efficiently and tastes delicious

Pair them with a cute reusable bottle and boom… the parental dream duo.

For the Wellness-Obsessed Friend: Magnesium + Creatine

Some friends collect crystals. Others collect spreadsheets about micronutrients. This section is for them.

FITAID Essentials Magnesium

A clean, tasty magnesium supplement designed to support overall wellness and daily balance. 

Why they’ll love it:

  • Easy daily ritual
  • Perfect for the person who could use some quality sleep
  • Contained in a bioavailable vegetable capsule

FITAID Creatine (Especially for Women!)

Creatine is having a serious moment, especially in women’s wellness. It makes the perfect “I care about your goals” kind of gift.

Why it’s a holiday winner:

  • Clean, simple, mix-able, zero sugar
  • Great for shaker bottles or smoothies
  • Perfect for the friend leveling up in the new year
  • Zero sugar, naturally sweetened flavors

For Stockings, Secret Santa and White Elephants: Small, Mighty, and Always Appreciated

These little gems fit perfectly in stockings or small gift bags. Plus, you will be the star at your next favorite things party.

Perfect Stocking Stuffers

  • FITAID Hydrate Sticks
  • FITAID Creatine Single Sticks
  • FITAID branded merch
  • Wellness bundles (magnesium + creatine combo)

For Yourself (Because You Deserve It)

Let’s be honest, self-gifting is a holiday essential.

Treat Yourself to a Subscription

A subscription ensures you never run out of your favorites, and it’s basically like giving your future self a present every month..

FITAID Bundles

Only you know your perfect flavor line-up. Create your own holiday magic with a FITAID Hydrate or Essentials Supplement Bundle.

Give Gifts That Feel Great

The best gifts are the ones people actually use, and nothing is more universally appreciated than feeling hydrated, energized, supported, and refreshed.

FITAID products make gift-giving easier, healthier, and a whole lot more fun.

Cheers to giving gifts that uplift, support, and bring joy (and maybe some gentle hydration reminders) to everyone on your list. 

 

5 Tips for Combating Holiday Stress

Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman | All images courtesy of @cf_kat

While the holidays can be a fun and busy time of year, there are definitely times where you find yourself looking at your schedule wondering how it’s possible that you’re going to squeeze everything in!  From visiting family to wrapping gifts and preparing food, it can be a little overwhelming at times. While this time of year can be focused on giving to others, it’s important to remember to give back to yourself as well with these 5 tips for combating holiday stress.

1. Work It Out

Working out can help to relieve stress by releasing endorphins and giving you a singular focus. By spending an hour or two in the local CrossFit box or pounding it out on the treadmill at home, carving out some time to focus on yourself and your goals can be a much needed respite during the rushing around of the holiday season. 

2. Grab a Coffee, a Book and Your Dog

Taking some time for yourself to read, play with your dog or just have a coffee alone can do wonders for your mental health. Spending time with our pets can help to relieve stress when we’re trying to tackle that to-do list. The holidays can be a very overwhelming time with all the parties, dinners and tasks that need to be done! Take some time to refocus & recenter yourself so you can jump back into the festivities fully rejuvenated. Bonus tip: adding in a CBD supplement could also help to relieve anxiety, depression & any joint pain from your workouts. A win/win!

3. Make a To-Do List

Making a list of items that need to get done can help you to feel more organized and together when its out of your head and down on paper!  With the most pressing items listed first, that will help you to make sure everything gets done when it needs to get done and you don’t feel rushed or pressured. Another useful tool is to understand that not everything has to get done in one day. Next to your tasks, write down what day they need to be done and what day you want to get them done. No time for it today? Try to get it done tomorrow. Be kind to yourself during this stressful time.

4. Focus In On The Positives

While it can be easy to get bogged down in what didn’t work out correctly or that frustrating relative, try to turn your mind to the positives. Getting to spend time with family can be stressful but focusing on the reasons why we love and appreciate our family and friends can help to realign your mind to a more positive space. Write down some positive affirmations or positive things that happened that day rather than dwelling on the cookies that didn’t turn out or the gift that still hasn’t been delivered.

5. Ask For Help

Whether it’s asking your partner to pick up the gift from the shops or asking your friend to be a sounding board, it’s always okay to ask for help. There is no need to spread yourself so thin so you eventually crack! Ask for backup and you’ll be sure to get it.

CONCLUSION

Keep in mind that while the holidays can be heaped in stress, it’s ultimately about spending quality time with the people that you love. Try not to stress about the changes in plans, unexpected guests or burnt cookies! It may seem like a lot at the moment but allowing yourself to have the space to step back and decompress can mean so much for your mental health and happiness during this holiday season.

All images courtesy of @cf_kat

 

About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she’s not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.

You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @the_goodish_traveler or website: TheGoodishTraveler.com

 

> > > Live well.

 

What Stresses Out Americans Most?

How Much Money We Spend Each Year on Trying to Feel Less Stressed

By SWNS | December 10, 2019 – featured by New York Post

Eight in 10 Americans say politics are currently the biggest stressor in their life, according to a new report.

A recent poll of 2,000 Americans revealed that 78 percent of respondents say politics is currently stressing them out more than anything else in their life.

The current political climate topped everything as the biggest weight on our lives, but it wasn’t the only thing currently causing us anxiety.

Thirty-seven percent said a health issue is presently giving them fits, while over a third of Americans (35 percent) pointed to their partner as a big current source of stress in their life. The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of LIFEAID Beverage Co., found that over half of us are currently stressed out by work (51 percent) and money worries (51 percent).

Over one in four Americans say their work commute is currently stressing them out, with nearly a third (29 percent) saying social media causing them distress.

Another third (32 percent) say climate change is currently stressing them out.

Two in three Americans (67 percent) say they’re so stressed right now that it’s causing them to be less productive at work.

Dealing with all the stress can be quite problematic, too, as 69 percent of respondents say they tend to turn to “unhealthy” coping mechanisms.

It can also be pricey: The average American was found to spend $960 annually directly on trying to feel less stressed.

And if your current stress levels feel like they’ve never been higher, you aren’t alone. Sixty-eight percent of those polled say right now is the most stressed they’ve ever been in their entire life.

And there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel: Two in three Americans polled (67 percent) said they don’t see their stress being relieved any time soon.

“Stress is both physical and mental, and one can easily exacerbate the other in extremely stressful times, even with regular exercise and a good diet. It’s important to find your center, and responsibly produced and marketed products with hemp can help you get there,” said Emily Sommariva, CMO for LIFEAID Beverage Co.

“Our survey results tell us 51 percent of respondents strongly believe hemp offers stress relieving benefits. And hemp drinks are a convenient option. You can hang without the hangover, and feel in control — something everyone who is stressed out, wants more of.”

With the holidays coming up, that means it’s time for holiday-related stress to rear its ugly head.

Shopping for gifts was found to be the most stressful part of the holidays, with 37 percent it causes them stress.

The act of visiting family was also atop the list (36 percent), along with cooking (34 percent), as well as crowds and lines (30 percent.)

Even the receiving gifts was found to be a pretty big stressor for nearly one in three respondents (31 percent).

Sadly, two-thirds of Americans say the stress they’re currently experience is actually dampening their holiday spirit.

“The negative effects of stress are cumulative, which is why you have to address stressful factors in your life methodically,” said Sommariva.

“A drink like LIFEAID HEMP helps you do that. You can enjoy it socially, or as part of a workout recovery program, or simply when you’re feeling the pressure of stress. It’s not about how much you drink when, it’s that you integrate a drink like this, thoughtfully.”

> > > Live well.

Holiday Travel? Boost Your Immune System with ImmunityAid


The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes plenty of crowded planes, trains & automobiles!

Dr. Allison Brager tells us about the clean, active ingredients in ImmunityAid which can help boost your immune system.

I travel often for my profession, and I travel across many time-zones, so I know firsthand about “jet lag”. I have studied jet lag and its many awful side effects in the lab. In these studies, I mimicked worldwide travel in rodent models in order to study the effects on the brain, physiology, and genetics. From these studies, I’ve found that the rodent brain is overactive even seven days after a bout of travel. These animals were also more prone to sickness and had lots of inflammation. Sure these are rodents, but there is actually a lot of symmetry in the brain and physiology between mice and men.

I was very pleased to see that the active ingredients in ImmunityAid are plant-based medicines that have been widely studied and utilized in recent years to ameliorate jet lag.

Three of these ingredients have been widely studied in neuroscience and are thought to be essential for protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders: Turmeric, Valerian Root and Ginger. Each has a unique contribution to neuroscience research.

TURMERIC:

Turmeric is a major export of India and is found in many curries. Its cultivation is dependent on heavy rainfall, which lends support to its biochemical significance. The active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is a very attractive antioxidant candidate in Alzheimer’s research. It suppresses certain genes and biological factors that are increased in expression with stressors such as time-zone jet lag.

VALERIAN ROOT:

The biochemical powers of Valerian root have been known for many centuries. It has been widely recognized as a hypnotic (i.e. sleep-promoting agent) and anxiolytic (i.e. anxiety-alleviating agent). It is so biochemically powerful because it increases activity in one of the major inhibitory systems of the brain, fine-tuning the system and ensuring that the system does not overreact to stress.

GINGER:

Ginger (much like turmeric) is thought to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It has been widely studied in the treatments of nausea and arthritis—two conditions that can be exacerbated by travel.

To conclude, I have spent ten years studying why and how animals adapt to stress in their environment. The science fascinates me but practical application of this science fascinates me even more. We know travel is inevitable and necessary for many professionals and athletes.

So, what can you do to reduce risks of sickness when traveling? Drink ImmunityAid, to start.

—Dr. Allison Brager, Neuroscientist

Source: Original June 20, 2016 product review

> > > Live well.