Donna's Blog

Do you know you are one action or thought away from feeling happy?  Yes!  Happiness is an emotional state from having feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment and fulfillment.  If you woke up this morning not feeling happy ...honey, that's ok.  We are going to change that....yes!!  Try out one of these happy hacks and let us know in the comments if you felt happiness after doing it.  I already know but read on to pick which happy hack you're going to do. 1) Hug someone for a minute Did you know hugging makes you happier?  Well, if you didn't know, go ahead and give someone a long extended hug and you will see.  It spikes our oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is a chemical in our bodies that is also known as the  “cuddle hormone”. This is because its levels rise when we hug someone. Oxytocin is associated with happiness and less stress.  Let's cheer to that.  A good hug is always good for the soul and heart. 2) Dance Yes!  Dancing makes you happy, honey!  When we dance our brain releases endorphins, hormones which can trigger neurotransmitters that create a feeling of happiness, fun, peace and love. Music and dance invigorate the sensory and motor circuits of our brain.  So, that's enough to get you up to turn on the music and dance!  Come on!! Let's move!   3) Rub your pet The touch between you and your pet can have therapeutic benefits for both of you all. In humans, petting a dog can trigger the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin.  And we already, spoke about oxytocin and its benefits. Rubbing your pet's fur can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.  That's enough to take a break and rub your baby pet. 4) Make your bed This simple action item can be overlooked but making your bed can improve your overall happiness and well-being.  Making your bed can actually make you happier and more productive. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and improves your mood instantly.  5) Smile for 20 seconds Smiling impacts the way you feel.  This is not up for debate.  It's only 20 seconds go ahead a smile for 20 seconds and guarantee you will keep smiling after the 20 seconds are up.  Why is that?  Because you have communicated to your brain that you are in a good mood and it followed suit.  Yes, very good! 6) Put your favorite song on repeat Listening to your favorite song gives you confidence because you know every word.  It's also usually your favorite song because there are happy memories tied to that song.  Allow your mind to go to that happy place by playing the song on repeat.   Now, there you go..six happy hacks that are quick to do.  It will make you feel better in a pair of seconds.  Go ahead and try one or more today and leave in the comments how you felt afterwards.  Share this article with someone who this would help as well.  Love you!   Remember to stay in stock of your Donna's Recipe.  You know Donna doesn't play about our consistency.    

A big chop is about new beginnings.  While I know the BIG CHOP often refers to our hair.. we may need to give a big chop to other things as well.  Do you need to do a big chop of a toxic relationship in your life? Do you need to do a big chop of comparing yourself to others on Instagram?  It's a lot of things that takes our energy that we need to give a BIG CHOP! You may say to yourself...just like we do with our hair.. "I want to do a BIG CHOP but how??" Let's talk about it. How do we do a BIG CHOP with things in our lives that no longer serve us.   Here are quick 3 tips and you can get to chopping.   1.) IT HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH SOMETHING ELSE If we have decided that a toxic relationship no longer serves us, we must replace it with something else to fill that void.  Here's an example. You have an unhealthy relationship with your boyfriend and you know you need to do a BIG CHOP with him. But you know you're going to miss the time you spend with him.  It's a good idea to make sure you discover healthy people or outlets that can occupy that time.  Consider getting a friend that can be your daily walking buddy or take up a new hobby.   Fill that VOID.   2.) Prepare for the NEW CHANGE When you do the BIG CHOP on your hair, it excites you when you think of cute hair styles or accessories you can rock with your new look.  It serves you to prepare for the good things to come in the transition to the BIG CHOP in your life.  Start looking up what earrings would look nice etc. Same with other things that you will transition from, look at what is to come and prepare for the good things to come with it.   3. Let the DEAD bury the DEAD Once you've decided to do a BIG CHOP whether it is with our hair or something else like holding a grudge towards someone else.. LET IT GO!! Don't go back because you have CHOPPED IT OFF.  No going back.  This reminds me of a scripture in the Bible.  A man wanted to follow Jesus and the man asked Jesus if he could bury his father.  Jesus replied, "Let the dead bury the dead." Whew!  That's deep.  I take that as it is time to move forward.  So once you have decided to do a BIG CHOP, keep your eyes straight. No need to look back.   I hope this has helped you whether you are planning for a BIG CHOP with your hair or something else that no longer serves you. In the comments, share what you need to do a BIG CHOP with in your life.  Also, Donna told me to tell you to make sure you keep your Donna's Recipe on hand as we are on this hair journey together.   Love you!!       

I know you're thinking, "what does Donna have to say about stress and anxiety??" Well, she has a lot to say because it affects her and all her cousins.  We need to be well on the inside out.  Stress and anxiety can cause severe hair loss and thinning.    We can work through this together.  Here are some helpful things we can do to push back on anxiety and when we feel heavy and stressed.   Play your favorite MUSIC & play it LOUD! Put that music on and grab your "mic" and dance your heart out.  It doesn't matter if you can sing because the music is loud and you are one with the music anyhow.  Familiar music calms you and releases endorphins in the body.   Endorphins are chemicals that are produced naturally by the nervous system to help with pain or stress.  It's also known as a "happy chemical" because it gives you a boost of energy.   Get to cleaning...yes clean! I know you're thinking, "I'm already stressed and down..how am I going to clean anything??"  Well, you are going to start small.  Organize your medicine cabinet or your hair drawer.  Just do something because when you're done, you will feel proud of yourself and happy that you accomplished something.  Do you know this releases endorphins as well.  Yes!!  It signals to the brain that you accomplished something and the chemical releases in your body.  So, let's think about what we're going to clean today.     Make some food You know this is a favorite!  It can be a simple dish like sauteed greens in a pan.  Something about making your own food relaxes you and relieves stress and anxiety.  While you are making the food, it forces you to slow down and focus on each step in the process.  Ok, so what are we cooking?    Get some fresh air It's something about outside that brings you back centered.  It's you, the air and God.  If you can, get to a beach or soil where you can walk barefoot.   Walking barefoot is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. Try it and see how it makes you feel.  I already know it will do you good.  Even just imagining walking on God's Earth can make you feel good.   Cuddle and a Loving Touch Go cuddle with a family member whether it is a spouse, child, friend or our furry animals like your dog or cat.  There's power in touch.  Touch gives you a calming reality.  You are in that moment and it's hard to think of other stressors with the human touch.  Ok, so we know we're going to go love on someone after reading this.  And if you don't have anyone around.  Give yourself a big hug and massage your scalp, arms.  Love on yourself.   Change clothes Remember that Pharrell song, "change clothes!!" Sorry, stay focused.  But go in your closet and put on something that reflects how you want to FEEL.  Your mind will have to just catch up to how you look.  Put on that bright flowing dress.  Even if you stay in your house, you will feel better.   I have more tips that I'll share next week.  Let's start with some of these.  Stress and anxiety affects all parts of our body.  Let's get moving and work through this with some of these tips.  Comment below and let me know if this has been helpful to you.  Love you!!