blog – Page 3 – Core by Corie

Welcome to our Mental Health Awareness Month series! This May, we’re focusing on how small, intentional actions can grow into powerful mental health benefits.

Why “Planting Good Seeds”?

Just as a garden begins with carefully selected seeds that—with proper care and attention—grow into something beautiful and nourishing…

Our mental health flourishes when we nurture it with small, consistent acts of self-care.

This month, we’ll explore seven areas of life where planting good seeds can transform your mental wellbeing:

• Mindset: How shifting thought patterns creates lasting positive change

• Nutrition: Foods that truly nourish both body and mind

• Fitness: Movement practices that build mental resilience

• Relationships: Cultivating connections that support emotional health

• Home: Creating spaces that reduce stress and promote peace

• Garden: The therapeutic benefits of working with plants

• Finances: Building money habits that reduce anxiety

Each week, we’ll provide practical, science-backed strategies you can implement immediately. Small seeds that, over time, can grow into transformative mental health practices.

Why This Matters

Mental health affects every aspect of our lives, yet we often neglect it until we’re in crisis. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, but the average delay between onset of symptoms and treatment is 11 years.

By focusing on preventative practices and early intervention, we can create stronger mental health foundations for ourselves and our communities.

Important Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, these resources provide immediate support:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
988 or 1-800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)

Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741 (Available 24/7)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline:
1-800-662-4357 (Treatment referral service, available 24/7)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:
1-800-950-6264 (M-F, 10am-10pm ET)

The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ youth):
1-866-488-7386 (Available 24/7)

Join the Conversation

Mental health flourishes in community. Throughout this month, we encourage you to share your own experiences and strategies in the comments. What seeds are you planting for your mental wellbeing? What practices have grown into meaningful support systems in your life?

Next week, we’ll begin our journey with: Cultivating a Growth Mindset The power of adding “yet” to your vocabulary and reframing failures as lessons.

Until then, remember that even the smallest seeds, when planted with intention and care, can grow into something beautiful.

x Corie

Note: This blog is meant to provide general information and support for mental health awareness. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Healthy Habits, Seasonal - Spring

Digital Detox for Spring: How to Refresh Your Relationship with Technology

April 13, 2025May 28, 2025 coco yoga

With spring-cleaning among us, it’s the perfect time to refresh our relationship with technology!

A digital detox. Not abandoning our devices entirely, rather creating healthier boundaries that allow technology to enhance our lives, not dominate them.

Why Spring-Clean Your Digital Life?

The average American spends over 7 hours on screens daily. This constant connection can lead to decreased productivity, disrupted sleep patterns, and diminished real-world connections. Spring offers a symbolic fresh start to reset these habits.

Your 7-Day Digital Detox Plan

Day 1: Audit Your Digital Landscape

Take inventory of your screen time across all devices. Most smartphones now have built-in tools that track usage patterns. Find your biggest time drains and the apps that leave you feeling drained rather than energized.

Days 2-3: Declutter Your Digital Space

Remove apps that tempt you to scroll mindlessly
Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read
Organize photos and files into clear systems
Clear browser bookmarks you no longer need

Days 4-5: Set Up New Boundaries

Set specific tech-free times (meals, first hour after waking, hour before bed)
Create phone-free zones in your home, especially bedrooms
Turn off non-essential notifications
Use airplane mode strategically during focus time

Days 6-7: Add Analog Alternatives

Rediscover physical books or magazines
Start a paper journal
Plan outdoor activities that don’t involve screens
Reconnect with hands-on hobbies (cooking, crafting, gardening)

Maintaining Your Refreshed Digital Life

The goal isn’t temporary abstinence but sustainable habits. After your first detox, continue to schedule regular digital-free periods. Weekly tech-free evenings or monthly digital sabbaticals can help nurture your refreshed relationship with technology.

Remember that technology should serve you, not the other way around. This spring, as nature renews itself… give yourself permission to reset your digital habits and rediscover the joy of being fully in the moment.

Movement, Seasonal - Spring

Outdoor Fitness: Taking Your Workouts Outside After Winter

April 8, 2025May 28, 2025 coco yoga

After months of indoor workouts, spring finally invites us back outside!

Transitioning your fitness routine from the controlled gym environment to the great outdoors requires some adjustments, but the benefits:

Fresh air
Vitamin D
Changing scenery

…make it well worth the effort.

Why Take Your Workout Outside?

Outdoor exercise offers unique advantages over indoor workouts:

Natural vitamin D exposure improves mood and immune function
Varied terrain challenges different muscle groups
Changing scenery reduces exercise boredom
Research shows outdoor exercise can feel less strenuous while burning more calories

Smart Transition Tips

1. Start gradually: Begin with 20-30 minute sessions as your body adapts to different temperatures and terrain.

2. Layer appropriately: Spring weather can be unpredictable. Wear moisture-wicking base layers and bring a light jacket you can remove as you warm up.

3. Modify your routine: Convert gym exercises to outdoor versions. Swap treadmill runs for trail jogs, or stationary bikes for cycling paths.

4. Fuel yourself: Stay hydrated, and consider adding LMNT or Tailwind to your water bottle for longer cardio sessions.

5. Embrace the elements: Use nature as your equipment—park benches for step-ups, hills for resistance training, or trees for balance exercises.

Simple Outdoor Workout Ideas

Park circuit: Alternate between walking, jogging, and bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups against benches.
Stair workouts: Find local stadiums or public stairways for powerful cardio and lower-body training.
Nature walks: Start with brisk walking before gradually incorporating light jogging intervals.
City date days: Put on your favorite running shoes and explore new areas of your local city or town.

Remember, consistency matters more than intensity. The joy of moving outdoors after a long winter can reinvigorate your fitness journey and help you build sustainable healthy habits.

Are you looking forward to more outdoor workouts!? What’s your favorite way to get active outside? Leave a comment to share with the group and inspire others!

Newsletter

✨ March 2025 Newsletter ✨

March 30, 2025April 4, 2025 coco yoga

Hey Friend!

March was so eye opening! We touched on mindfulness, and how we can apply it in our daily life: fitness, nutrition, hydration, daily habits, and productivity. It’s true that when we ask the right questions and commit to intentional living, it improves our quality of life.

This month, I’m excited to share some simple ways we can be more mindful throughout our day to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. These tips are perfect for busy people looking to get the most out of their day without overwhelming things.

Let’s dive in!

✨ NEW ON THE BLOG ✨

✨ BLOG OF THE MONTH ✨

4 Steps to Building Wealth — *most viewed blog* – picked by you!

4 Steps to Build Wealth: There are four steps to building wealth: working income, savings, investments, and simple living. Together, they support goals like:

Financial independence (more money coming in than going out) and
Retirement (no longer having to work for money).

✨ WHAT I’M LOVING THIS MONTH ✨

Herbal tea (lavender, nettle life, dandelion), baking oatmeal cookies, sunbathing with the pup, grinding coffee beans for a fresh batch, dusting and cleaning, plant clippings, planning for Q2

✨ QUICK FIT TIP ✨

Did a 40 hour water fast for the first time this month… Overall, I loved it! The end result was no bloating, feeling super hydrated, laser focused activity, and a good reset for my internal clock.

I found that my digestive system was able to relax, like really relax. Specifically while I was sleeping (I got a great night’s sleep too!) Other than water, I had a single LMNT pack, some herbal tea, black coffee, and hot water with spices (herbal broth).

I’m thinking of doing a water fast every 3 months. Full cleanse mind, body, and soul. A great way to prepare for the new season. Big thanks to Jesse Itzler for the inspiration!

✨ KEEP ON STEPPING ✨

Another month in the books, super grateful for that! Wishing you an April full of renewal, love, and joy. You got this. Whatever the goal, take it one day at a time.

If you have any questions, comments, found value – please let me know!

Remember, take it easy and breathe deeply.

Do you like these newsletters? Anything I could add / takeaway?! Leave a comment or reply to this email! Appreciate you x

Featured Series, Finance, Relationships

Building Better Finances Together: A Couple’s Guide

February 20, 2025August 12, 2025 coco yoga

Talking about money with your partner can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be.

After years of learning (sometimes the hard way), I’ve discovered that building strong finances as a couple requires open communication.

It also involves creating shared systems that work for both of you.

Here are our tried-and-true tips for creating financial harmony in your relationship:

1. The Weekly Money Date

Schedule a regular 30-minute chat about finances. Keep it light – we do ours over Sunday coffee. Review your spending, celebrate wins, and tackle any concerns early. This prevents stress from building up and keeps you both in sync.

2. Create a Shared Vision

Before diving into budgets, talk about your dreams. What do you want to build together? A home? Travel adventures? Early retirement? Understanding each other’s financial goals makes daily money decisions easier and more meaningful.

3. Divide and Conquer (But Stay Connected)

Play to your strengths. In our relationship, I handle rental income and expense tracking while my partner manages our personal account. The key? We both stay informed about the full picture through our weekly check-ins.

4. Set Up Your Success System

Create a simple shared system:

Use a joint spreadsheet for tracking income & expenses
Use a shared credit card for easy expense tracking, pay card off weekly
Agree on a percentage % of income to move into joint savings account for taxes and investments
Share login access to all important accounts
Touch base before making big purchases. Do we need it or do we want it? The goal is to make more than we’re spending each week.
Set up automatic payments to investment accounts

5. Celebrate Progress Together

Track your joint financial wins, no matter how small. We touch base on our wins at our weekly meeting. From paying off a credit card to maxing out a Roth IRA account. It keeps the money journey positive and motivating.

6. Have Each Other’s Backs

Sometimes life throws curveballs. Create an emergency fund together and discuss how you’ll handle unexpected expenses before they happen. This creates security and trust in your financial partnership.

Remember, building better finances as a couple isn’t about having identical money styles. It’s about creating a system that works for both of you.

Start with one of these tips this week and build from there. Your relationship (and your wallet) will thank you.

Comment your favorite money tips below!