December is a busy time full of LOTS of events—but it can also be a hard time for many. I can’t be the only one who struggles with winter, right?? The dark, short days, the pressure to get so much done, and sometimes lots of emotions that come up this time of year…all very valid reasons that December can be both joyful and yet HARD for so many.

That’s why I’m really dialing into some important habits with my wellness clients and team this month- we’re calling it “The Happy Project” and it’s gonna be AWESOME.

Hopefully you’re reading this and thinking about joining us for this month of gratitude, community, healthy habits and natural supplements to improve mood and energy levels. But even if you’re not, there’s SO much you can do to keep your mindset in a healthier place right now (note: this is not a substitute for medical advice and important mental health treatment. I 100% encourage all of us to seek out the right professionals for that- I’ve done it and am proud of the bravery it takes to get extra support when needed❤️)

Here are my tried and true methods for keeping your happiness up:

✅Move often. Daily, actually…Here’s the thing- we’re energetic beings by nature. We were designed to move daily, often, a lot. And our modern lives just don’t afford us that movement. Stagnant energy is not happy energy. So make it a goal to get 7-10,000 steps in a day- be it a walk outside, up and down your stairs, on a walking pad or treadmill. Play some energetic movement and dance around. Throw on a kickboxing workout or get on your bike. But do move, and move often. ESPECIALLY when you notice your mood is starting to trend down- it DOES help!!

✅when in doubt, drink water. I recently listened to a podcast that discussed how dehydration is a cause of almost every symptom people could be feeling. I’m not saying it’s the ONLY root cause, but it does make sense to try to focus on hydration as a first line in treating/preventing headaches, muscle aches, low energy, glucose spikes, joint pain, gut issues…the list goes on. Since so many symptoms are related to each other, it does seem like drinking water can help us feel better and the cascade effect of that in many areas can be huge. And many people don’t drink enough. Another perk: drinking more water and non sugar, non caffeinated drinks may even help us drink less alchohol and caffeine- which is always a good thing this time of year (decreasing alchohol can DEF help decrease feelings of anxiety, etc…)

✅Focus on community. Relationships have always had a significant place in my life. Some of my best friends today were my best friends when I was 4. Mostly because they’re incredibly awesome people and also because we all make a dedicated effort to stay connected, despite living further apart and having super busy lives. I also have a few awesome groups of mom friends where we live- and the connections there make the day to day, chaotic parts of mom life much easier to tackle. Lastly, my wellness community is huge in my life- connecting with people that align with my mission of improved personal health and helping others improve their health makes it easy for me to stick to my self care goals. No matter what your group is, finding a community to connect with, inspire and be inspired by and hopefully see each other in person some days is really, really, really important.

✅find supplements that work for you. I understand the controversy about supplements being unregulated, but finding a reputable company that does third party testing is totally possible, and I’m living proof that good supplements can make SUCH a difference in your health. MANY people are living with leaky gut symptoms or dysbiosis- which can definitely lead to feelings of anxiety, depressed mood, etc…After all, a significant portion of our mood regulating neurotransmitters reside in the gut. Providing a healthy home for those neurotransmitters is key. There are also a lot of supplements that can improve mood, energy and brain fog. Working with a qualified functional medicine practitioner or coach can really help you narrow down the supplements that work for you. For me, cbd, adaptogens and gut supporting products are a part of my daily routine and I can’t imagine my daily life without them. Here’s a link to try my top three recommendations for improving mood and energy at a 25% off discount: https://jessicatreadwell1.isagenix.com/en-US/shop/targeted-health/happy-mix-pack?pid=9c659c32e51f4b0c822aa0e473e1ec2d

✅practice gratitude. This is a daily must too. I try to start and end every day in gratitude. Ideally, I’m writing in my gratitude journal, but at the very least, the kids and I say 3 things we’re grateful for on our walk or ride to school drop off every day. The research behind this practice is strong- but if you’re doubting it at all, I encourage you to try it for 3 weeks and notice the difference 🙏

If any of this sounds realistic and helpful for you, and you wanna practice these components of happiness with a community cheering you on, I invite you to join our “Happy Project” this December. Comment below if you want details ⬇️⬇️

Wishing you all lots of moments of peace, joy and so much happiness this season ❄️❄️❄️