the 20-something’s wellness gift guide:: 2023

hatch alarm clock

i’ll admit. this is an expensive alarm clock & one i do not currently have the pleasure of owning. however, i have heard raving reviews from family & friends of mine who have dared invest in such a luxurious bedside adornment, & they all have independently told me that i should also give my left arm for this alarm clock.

i love the concept behind it, the style,…everything. to wake up to a “sunrise” with calming music? to not have to set my own iphone alarm & flood my eyes with blue light prior to the butt crack of dawn every morning? count me in. i cannot personally speak on how this alarm has changed my life, but i have no doubt that, just as my fellow wellness sistas have bought into its glory, i too will sing its praises if i find it under my christmas tree.

mouth tape

something that has actually adorned my bedside table & that i can sing praises about (although through taped lips) are these wonderfully chic, blue, pieces of mouth tape. scotch, step aside, you’ve met your match.

mouth tape is a wonderful tool to assist in sleep, exercise, & daily life. the tape works by limiting mouth breathing & promoting nasal breathing, which helps improve oxygenation throughout our bodies, improve our ability to cope with stress & anxiety by signaling the parsympathetic nervous system (rest digest!), tone our double chins, reduce snoring, & even improve the functioning of our pelvic floors! i have personally been using it for ~5-6 months now & have noticed a huge difference in energy levels & alertness, oftentimes waking up before my awful, blue light, iphone alarm (see above). i think it would be a wonderful stocking stuffer! you can use my code DRKELSY for 10% off at checkout!

stakt yoga mat

well is this not the best glow up of a pilates mat you’ve ever seen?! how genius! a foldable workout mat that can be used not only for pilates & yoga (so typical for a generic mat), but also for hiit, strength training, cushioning, bootcamp, pt, napping…so many options!

i love that i would be able to adjust the cushion level for various movements, as i often feel like an absolute baby when i see the other beautiful yogis & pilates instructors take that 5-7mm width of typical mats like the champions that they are. i’m so grateful for an alternative mat that still packs easily (honestly, even easier compared to my asymmetrical yoga mat rolling) & can be used for a variety of workout styles! or yes, probably a good nap mat…no judgment, trust me. & if you use the link, you can get 10% off!

bala bangles

i feel i may be 5 years too late for these, but i honestly don’t know what took me so long. i recently purchased these gorg ankle/wrist weights to intensify my pilates + strength workouts, & boy do they deliver! functional, stylish, effective…i want the whole bala collection!

i have the 2lbs, but they come in all different colors & weights, ranging from .5lbs to 2lbs a wonderful travel-friendly option to maintain consistency in your workouts, especially if you are a student about to study abroad or travel a lot for work, as they’re easy to pack & can be used in so many different ways!

let’s go for a walk sweatshirt

i’ve been totally into general wellness clothing, sassy phrases, & vintage-inspired workout wear. enter:: this adorable sweatshirt.

navy, stripes, oversized, & a simple “let’s go for a walk” make this sweatshirt a staple in my imaginary closet. plus, i’d actually trust myself with the washed navy color, although they do have a white one that would be absolutely adorable if i didn’t spill so much.

get out of your head

one of the books i feel like i need to read every month of the year because it is filled with so many wonderful nuggets. my cousin, aunt, & i were all talking about it over the summer & how much we all loved the book & subsequent podcast series that jennie did. it would make a wonderful solo read, but also a wonderful bible study if you wanted to get a few girlfriends involved!

it takes a faith-based & science-based perspective on how we can reduce the negative thought patterns we all have & gives practical ways we can combat them. a truly wonderful book that bridges the gap between faith & science & how to utilize both to help us with something we all struggle with:: anxiety & getting out of our own heads.

elää wellness sisterhood on demand workouts

well, it is finally here! a wellness sisterhood built for us 20-somethings who want a program that will not only give us results, but make us feel good in our bodies, help us stay consistent in our movement & habits, & work to educate us on wellness routines for life!

the bread + butter of the program:: our on-demand workouts have it all. we have categories related to “period-friendly”, running, pilates, pilates + strength, strength, low-impact, bodyweight or minimal equipment, shortie workouts, etc. all created & led by a doctor of physical therapy. new workouts will be uploaded weekly, so you’ll never have to wonder what to do next or repeat workouts.

as we develop & build up this sisterhood, i want to make it a place we can go to improve not only our physical health, but also our spiritual health. i believe that our bodies are a beautiful gift from God that allow us to interact with our environments, enjoy relationships & activities, & help us to explore this beautiful world He created.

if you want a little preview, there is always a 7 day free trial, BUT over the holidays, we are offering a “pilat-ays for the holidays” challenge that is completely, totally, & absolutely free! you can sign up for the challenge here. it starts december 10th, so come join us!