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Source: iOne Digital / iOne Digital
Not having sex has left me absent of the physical touch – which happens to be my #1 love language and my favorite way to show affection. I removed my all things out of my life that I felt would temp me – I’ve been out here fighting temptations during this Hot Girl Summer! SMH.
Through this 31 Days of Sensuality Challenge, i’m learning that cutting myself off from pleasure isn’t healthy for me. In fact, humans need to touch each other in order to survive. When we touch, hug, cuddle and connect we release oxytocin which promotes feel-good sensations that foster a sense of well-being and happiness. Physical touch also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, these two neurotransmitters help regulate your mood by relieving your body of stress and anxiety.
Sensuality is more than looking sexy and being sexy. Sensuality is rooted in feeling sexy through well being.
This week, I started focusing on giving better hugs. There is undeniable power in a hug- my hugs have become longer, deeper, grounded and full of life. According to Dr. Mercola, you should hug for at least 20 seconds at least once everyday! So don’t be offended when I go in for a hug over a handshake.
I’m also bringing touch back into my life with massages. Splurging on a massage ever so often is important because of the legitimate health benefits that come from body work. In fact, having regular massage sessions can help with physiological function, mental acuity, migraines, and even symptoms of depression. In addition to the traditional deep tissue massage, I also tried a Thai Yoga Massage and Reflexology. Each of these massages stimulated healing to different parts of the body, mind, and soul. More about each below:
Thai Yoga Massage: Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing practice that was born in Thailand. This therapeutic massage combines soft tissue manipulation techniques, assisted yoga postures, breathing and meditation to bring the body into a state of deep relaxation.
Reflexology: Reflexology is a form of bodywork that involves applying pressure to the hands, ears and feet. Reflexologists believe that these reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, creating beneficial health improvements to this area.
There is something very special about being touched by someone who has healing energy. Each of these massages promoted the flow of energy through my body and I felt a sense of release from them. I allowed my body to be still and melt into a deep and silent place.
Yes, massages are a treat- so treat yourself! Rid yourself of the idea that massages are something you splurge on, instead budget them into your regular health, wellness and sensual practice in the same way you would pay for dance classes and a gym membership.
Love,
Empress
Source: iOne Digital / iOne Digital
Not having sex has left me absent of the physical touch – which happens to be my #1 love language and my favorite way to show affection. I removed my all things out of my life that I felt would temp me – I’ve been out here fighting temptations during this Hot Girl Summer! SMH.
Through this 31 Days of Sensuality Challenge, i’m learning that cutting myself off from pleasure isn’t healthy for me. In fact, humans need to touch each other in order to survive. When we touch, hug, cuddle and connect we release oxytocin which promotes feel-good sensations that foster a sense of well-being and happiness. Physical touch also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, these two neurotransmitters help regulate your mood by relieving your body of stress and anxiety.
Sensuality is more than looking sexy and being sexy. Sensuality is rooted in feeling sexy through well being.
This week, I started focusing on giving better hugs. There is undeniable power in a hug- my hugs have become longer, deeper, grounded and full of life. According to Dr. Mercola, you should hug for at least 20 seconds at least once everyday! So don’t be offended when I go in for a hug over a handshake.
I’m also bringing touch back into my life with massages. Splurging on a massage ever so often is important because of the legitimate health benefits that come from body work. In fact, having regular massage sessions can help with physiological function, mental acuity, migraines, and even symptoms of depression. In addition to the traditional deep tissue massage, I also tried a Thai Yoga Massage and Reflexology. Each of these massages stimulated healing to different parts of the body, mind, and soul. More about each below:
Thai Yoga Massage: Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing practice that was born in Thailand. This therapeutic massage combines soft tissue manipulation techniques, assisted yoga postures, breathing and meditation to bring the body into a state of deep relaxation.
Reflexology: Reflexology is a form of bodywork that involves applying pressure to the hands, ears and feet. Reflexologists believe that these reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, creating beneficial health improvements to this area.
There is something very special about being touched by someone who has healing energy. Each of these massages promoted the flow of energy through my body and I felt a sense of release from them. I allowed my body to be still and melt into a deep and silent place.
Yes, massages are a treat- so treat yourself! Rid yourself of the idea that massages are something you splurge on, instead budget them into your regular health, wellness and sensual practice in the same way you would pay for dance classes and a gym membership.
Love,
Empress
Following the release of the brand’s new RecTrek Hike Shorts earlier this month; Outdoor Voices is at it again with the relaunch of their revolutionary Exercise Dress. Originally launched last year, the brand has updated the exercise dress in and with cool new features and bold colors. As they continue to redefine the way women work out the mission of OV is to encourage people to move daily, be active, and have fun.
When the Essence team got its first glimpse at the new Outdoor Voices’ Exercise Dress we were more than impressed. The new and improved design now has a leotard with a short liner; which adds support and a freer range of motion. Constructed with a piece of lightweight, sweat-wicking fabric and fully lined with UnderAir, a silky-smooth Italian fabric, the dress leaves you feeling feminine while sweating off those few extra pounds.
The new iteration of the exercise dress isn’t the only thing that makes us forever fans of the brand. Outdoor Voices continues to advocate for the diversity of women no matter the shape, size, and color. It is exemplified by their new campaign shot by Carlotta Guerrero, who happened to collaborate with Solange Knowles on her 2016 album A Seat at the Table.
The OV Exercise Dress is priced at $100. Shop the new and improved design at outdoorvoices.com.
The post Outdoor Voices Relaunched Your Favorite Exercise Dress appeared first on Essence.
It’s still only August, which means we should all enjoy the last few weeks of summer as best as we can before the days get shorter and the weather makes a turn for the worse. But nooooo, some of you refuse to let us do that. August is when stores start stocking up on autumn flavors, lining their shelves with pumpkin spice everything. And this year we do mean everything, because you fall-obsessed piranhas have finally pushed things too far. Get ready for Pumpkin Spice Spam, a very real product that will be available soon.
Spam
That’s right. Spam, the iconic canned pork and ham product that has been defying the odds since 1937, will release a limited edition flavor (which we first heard about at Delish) for this year’s fall season. If this sounds like a a bad joke gone wrong, well, that’s because that’s exactly what it is. In 2017, the company’s Facebook page posted a fake image of a pumpkin spice version of the foodstuff, but this year they are making it a reality on September 23 (only online from Spam.com and Walmart.com). So who’s laughing now? No one. No one is laughing.
Spam
What’s even weirder though is the first reviews for it are pretty good! The Daily Meal was sent a sample to taste test, and they mostly gave it a thumbs up. While they said the “combined scent of heavily processed ham and sweet pumpkin spice was a bit off-putting” as they cooked it, “the general consensus was that the flavor really wasn’t bad” because the salty pork went well with the cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg of the pumpkin spice. They liken it to a breakfast sausage and recommend having it with eggs and waffles.
We’ll get right on that.
Pumpkin Spice Spam exists, and we tried it https://t.co/2q7eecuTwY
— The Daily Meal (@thedailymeal) August 13, 2019
Eh, who are we kidding? We probably will. Pumpkin spice does taste pretty good. It’s just we’d prefer to start thinking about in mid-September, not August. That is unless someone wants to make us a Pumpkin Spice Piña Colada. How do you think that would pair with Spam?
Featured Image: Spam
The post There’s Pumpkin Spice Spam Now! appeared first on Nerdist.