Tag: habits

General, Mindfulness, Technology

The Social Media Detox That Changed Everything

Corie Muldoon
The Social Media Detox That Changed Everything

The simplest way to improve your social media experience? Start removing instead of adding.

I just deleted over 2,000 Instagram followers and unfollowed 500+ accounts. Next up: Facebook friends

Here’s what I’m keeping:

  • People I genuinely know and like
  • Accounts that inspire without overwhelming
  • Connections that feel reciprocal and real

What I’m removing:

  • Random followers from years ago
  • Accounts that drain my energy
  • Anyone who fails the feel-good test

This isn’t about being exclusive or mean, it’s about being intentional. Quality connections over vanity metrics. Real relationships over random follows.

The result? I already feel lighter. My feed shows people I actually care about. My mental space feels cleaner. Instead of scrolling past hundreds of strangers, I’m seeing updates from friends and family who matter.

Social media should enhance your real relationships, not replace them with shallow connections to people you barely know or like. It’s a hard truth. Control what you can. And part of that is filtering what content you’re consuming.

Try this today:

Look at your feeds. Do you genuinely care about the people you’re seeing? If not, give unfollow.

Ready for your own digital detox?! Take it one platform at a time. 10 minute intervals going through your friends list. Instagram let’s you remove followers too if someone is following you that you don’t want.

Slow and steady progress. Peaceful warrior type shit.

Lifestyle, Mindfulness

Daily Life of the Modern Monk

Corie Muldoon
Daily Life of the Modern Monk

Real growth comes from sitting down and thinking about life.

Starting from our inner world (thoughts, feelings, behavior)…

Working toward our outer world (living situation, job, hobbies, relationships, daily routine)

To start, I asked myself: what fulfills me?

  • SAVERS morning routine
  • Gardening and plant care
  • Cozy coffee/tea time
  • Yoga flows and strength training
  • Family walks with Joe + Champ
  • Sunbathing
  • Playing guitar
  • Photography (taking + editing)
  • Posting on Instagram and blog
  • Cooking, fruits and vegetables
  • Boho home decorating
  • Cleaning (I actually enjoy this!)
  • BBI shifts (tolerable, pays the bills)

I have a dream to live with monks in Thailand later in life. To share my stories with travelers and explore parts of me I’ve never discovered before. While I’m on the journey to get there, I’m thinking: what should I focus on?

✓ SAVERS morning routine

✓ Connection to nature (gardening, sunbathing, walks)

✓ Creative expression (guitar, photography, blog)

✓ Physical practice (yoga, strength training)

✓ Mindful living (tea time, cooking, healthy eating, upkeep temple)

✓ Sharing seeds with others (Instagram, blog – inspiring w/o pressure)

✓ Simple work that pays the bills without consuming me (BBI)

✓ Financial freedom building (real estate, investments)

I am the elder monk living her stories out in real time. It’s magical and intentional.

As I continue protecting my peace, I’m feeling way less stressed, with more focus, clarity, calmness, and happiness. Connecting more with things that bring me peace, and disconnecting from things that drain my energy.

Thanks for reading! Keep on stepping

Getting Started, Healthy Habits, Lifestyle

Lifestyle Choices for Better Health: A Practical Guide

Corie Muldoon

Here’s a balanced approach to nutrition and lifestyle that focuses on scientifically-supported health benefits:

Dietary Recommendations

1. Increase nutrient-dense whole foods

Emphasize fruits (like berries, apples, and avocados), vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, and leafy greens), and plant-based proteins like lentils and chickpeas. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds.

2. Reduce processed foods

Limit highly processed foods and added sugars, which are associated with various health issues including inflammation, weight gain, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

3. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support cellular function, kidney health, and overall well-being.

4. Moderate approach to coffee and alcohol

While coffee is acidic, this doesn’t affect your body’s pH. Coffee can be part of a healthy diet and provides antioxidants. Moderate consumption is fine for most people unless you experience negative effects like sleep disruption or stomach upset.

Similarly, moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable, but excessive intake has well-documented health risks.

Lifestyle Factors for Health

1. Exercise regularly

Engage in moderate physical activity like dancing, running, or swimming to improve cardiovascular health, support immune function, enhance mood, and promote better circulation and lymphatic drainage.

2. Practice stress reduction

Incorporate restorative practices such as meditation, journaling, or gentle yoga. Chronic stress is linked to numerous health problems including cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, and mental health issues.

3. Prioritize quality sleep

Adequate sleep (7-9 hours for most adults) and consistent sleep schedules support immune function, mental health, hormone regulation, and overall recovery.

4. Practice good breathing

Deep diaphragmatic breathing can help reduce stress, improve oxygen delivery, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and better health outcomes.

To sum it up…

Focus on eating a variety of whole foods, staying active, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep.

These evidence-based approaches support genuine health benefits through well-understood biological mechanisms.

Helping us feel happy, healthy, and fit.

Share your thoughts below!

Healthy Habits, Lifestyle, Nutrition

Health Benefits of Black Coffee: A Comprehensive Guide

Corie Muldoon

Fresh brewed black coffee is the way to go – when consumed in moderation, it can provide several health benefits. Here are my notes:

Potential Benefits:

  • Reduced risk of certain diseases: Studies have shown that black coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and some types of cancer
  • Improved cognitive function: Caffeine, the main active ingredient in black coffee, can enhance alertness, focus, and memory

Increased physical performance: Black coffee may improve endurance and reduce fatigue during exercise

  • Weight management: Black coffee may promote weight loss by boosting metabolism and reducing appetite
  • Antioxidant content: Black coffee contains antioxidants that may protect cells from damage

Considerations:

  • Moderation is key: Excessive coffee consumption can lead to side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and digestive problems
  • Individual tolerance: People’s tolerance to caffeine varies. Some may experience negative effects even with small amounts of black coffee
  • Sugar and additives: Adding sugar, milk, or other additives to black coffee can negate its health benefits and increase calorie intake

Conclusion:

Black coffee, when consumed in moderation, can provide several potential health benefits. However, it’s important to be aware of individual tolerance and avoid excessive consumption. If you have any concerns about drinking black coffee, consult with a healthcare professional

Black coffee vs Energy drinks

Black coffee is generally a better choice than energy drinks. Energy drinks often contain high amounts of sugar, which causes a quick energy spike followed by a crash… while coffee provides a cleaner and more stable form of stimulation. Additionally, coffee’s simpler ingredient list and natural energy-boosting properties and health benefits make it a healthier option for regular use

Share your thoughts below!

Healthy Habits, Mental Health

Transform Your Home Into a Mental Health Sanctuary

Corie Muldoon
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou

Your home is more than just a place to sleep and eat, it’s the backdrop for your daily mental health. The spaces we inhabit either support our wellbeing or drain our energy, often without us realizing it.

The good news? Small, intentional changes can transform your home into a sanctuary that nurtures your mind.

The Science of Sacred Spaces

Environmental psychology shows that our surroundings directly impact our stress levels, mood, and cognitive ability:

  • Cluttered spaces increase cortisol (stress hormone) production
  • Plants reduce anxiety by up to 15% and improve air quality
  • Natural light improves sleep quality & reduces depression symptoms
  • Organized spaces promote feelings of calm and control
  • Soft textures and warm colors ease our nervous system

Seeds of Sanctuary to Plant Today

1. Create a Clutter-Free Zone

The Science: Visual clutter competes for your attention and elevates stress hormones. Clear spaces promote mental clarity and relaxation.

Plant the seed: Choose one small area—your nightstand, kitchen counter, or desk—and keep it completely clear for one week. Notice how this single calm space affects your mood when you see it.

2. Invite Nature Indoors

The Science: Biophilic design (incorporating natural elements) reduces stress and improves focus. Even looking at plants activates the rest-and-digest response.

Plant the seed: Add one plant to your most-used space. Low-maintenance options include pothos, snake plants, or aloe vera. Can’t keep plants alive? Try some fake plants or nature photography on your walls.

3. Design a Comfort Corner

The Science: Having a designated space for relaxation signals to your brain that it’s safe to unwind. This creates a psychological association between the space and calmness.

Plant the seed: Claim one corner or chair as your sanctuary spot. Add a soft blanket, good lighting, and remove any work-related items. Use this space only for restful activities like reading, meditating, eating snacks, or simply breathing deeply.

4. Control Your Light Environment

The Science: Light directly affects circadian rhythms and mood. Harsh fluorescent lighting increases stress, while warm, adjustable lighting promotes relaxation.

Plant the seed: Replace one harsh overhead light with a warm-toned lamp or add string lights to create ambient lighting. In the evening, use only warm lights to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

When Space is Limited

You don’t need a large home or space to create a sanctuary. Even small changes make a difference:

  • Use a room divider or curtain to create separate “zones”
  • Assign specific times when spaces serve different purposes
  • Focus on scent, it can transform any space instantly
  • Use headphones to create an auditory sanctuary

Room-by-Room Mental Health Seeds

Bedroom: Keep the phone out, use a sound machine, and make your bed for an instant sense of accomplishment.

Kitchen: Make sure counters are clean to promote mindful cooking, and have healthy snacks visible to encourage better nutrition choices.

Living areas: Get some throw pillows & cozy blankets, and display books and items that bring you joy vs stress.

Workspace: Face a window if possible, keep plants nearby, and use a spiral copybook to keep your notes handy.

This Week’s Sanctuary Challenge

Pick one room where you spend the most time and plant one mental health seed using our list above. Live with this change for a full week and notice:

  • How do you feel when you enter this space?
  • Does your stress level change?
  • Are you sleeping or focusing better?

Small environmental shifts often create surprisingly big mental health improvements.

Next post: “Financial Peace of Mind: Planting Money Habits That Reduce Anxiety” Money habits that reduce anxiety, starting with your first $1 emergency fund.

Remember: While your environment significantly impacts mental health, it works best alongside other wellness practices. If you’re experiencing persistent mental health symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider. See free resources here

Transform Your Home Into a Mental Health Sanctuary | Core by Corie

Find value in today’s post? Like, comment, or send to a friend!

Featured Series, Mental Health

Planting Good Seeds: Mental Health Awareness Month

Corie Muldoon

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.