DON'T make the same mistake I made...

I hadn’t taken a true vacation in nearly a decade.

As many of you know, I’m a military spouse, meaning that every couple of years my husband and I are relocated and have to start anew.

What that also means is we get to meet people from different parts of the country as well as all over the world.

Almost every couple of months there’s a promotion or graduation.

And sometimes, as family members to many other military personnel, we get to volunteer as movers.

But this weekend, for the first time in a long time, I got to travel for leisure and as I sit on this plane, I wanted to share some of the gems I learned from/were reinforced by my short time in Jamaica.

1. The importance of kindness and compassion on well-being and longevity

   

   1. In Jamaica, you will see “one love” posters and stickers on nearly every billboard, in every car, or in every shop. Caribbeans, in general, are known for their warmth, but the kindness and selflessness I experienced here explains why nearly no one looks their age, everyone is smiling ~and regardless of the crazy traffic~ you rarely experience anyone having road rage. Studies have shown the health ramifications of stress on the body and although America is an amazing country, we don’t have the best reputation when it comes to our stress levels.

2. Vitamin D!!!

   1. Almost all of my clients are fortunate enough to live in areas where they are able to go outside and get their vitamin D naturally. But if you are a part of my New York crew you know how impactful lack of sunlight can be not only on your physical health but also your emotional and mental health.

      1. Studies have shown that sunlight and vitamin D are crucial in supporting both healthy immune function and serotonin production( one of our lovely feel-good hormones).

3. 

   1. One of the best things about visiting a smaller country is that almost all of the produce is grown locally and you can definitely tell. Each day my mother and I were experiencing a variety of foods and “eating the rainbow” ensuring we were getting a plethora of energizing micronutrients.

      1. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to another country to experience this! If you have access to a farmers market or even on your next trip to the grocery store, I challenge you to fill your shopping carts with at least 3 different colored fruits and vegetables.

4. The importance of spending time in nature, specifically near large bodies of water

   1. In the book Blue Mind by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D., he discusses how living by water may have a strong correlation with mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This isn’t surprising as data has suggested that having a more intimate relationship with nature has been proven to improve mental and emotional well-being.

5. Work hard, rest harder.

   1. In America, we are rewarded for putting too much on our plates.

      1. Mothers are rewarded for working full time, being on the school PTA, and somehow making time to make cute curated lunches for the kids. While beneath that perfectly polished exterior, she’s counting down the minutes until the next time she can run to the bathroom for some peace and maybe quiet.

      2. Employees are rewarded for staying late (and not being compensated), picking up the slack for coworkers who may not be giving it their all, and somehow making sure they’re at their parent’s house for dinner every Sunday.

      3. Students are applauded for their work ethic while having a full course load, working, and somehow pulling a 3.5+ GPA while running on 3-4 hours of sleep.

      4. Unfortunately, many overachievers are sacrificing their mental and physical health to be “exceptional” when they’re making time for everyone EXCEPT themselves.

   2. What I’ve learned from this trip is how important rest is. How vital a reset is. How important self-care is (actual self-care, not the toxic version where you constantly trade responsibilities for bubble baths).

   3. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited to get back to work. I’m excited to make some new projects for all of you ladies, and I’m excited to work hard and rest harder somewhere warm, coconut in hand, with a view of the ocean.

If you take anything from this newsletter, let it be this: don’t wait 10 years to “earn” your vacation. Even if it’s just an hour away in a nice Airbnb or cottage.

Life is more than work. Life is meant to be cherished, experienced, and LIVED, with those you love (that includes you for my solo travelers).

Fill your cup so that you can pour from excess, not from lack. You and those around you will be better for it.

And on that note, I spent about 3 hours in customs and checkpoints today so I’m going to thoroughly enjoy some rest.

I hope you all have an amazing week.

Abundant light and radiant health,

Aqilah

p.s. I apologize for the glitch in sending this out this morning. I hope you can all make time to read this early in your week!

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