The Hibiscus & Mint Podcast

Ep. 62: Why I Prioritize Getting Myself Together Daily

I've noticed something: on the days I actually take care of how I show up (not for anyone else, just for me) my entire mood shifts. Appointments matter, but it's the daily effort that changes things for me. It doesn't fix everything of course, but it's so worth prioritizing. In this episode, I share what this looks like for me, and why I think it matters more than we may give it credit for.

Ep. 61: What Grounding Is and How I Do It

We live in a world designed to keep us busy… the next task, next scroll, next message to send. Grounding is one of the simplest, most accessible ways to come back to your body and calm your nervous system, and it’s free too.   The term gets used two ways: psychologically, as a tool to cope with stress and anxiety by bringing your attention to the present moment, and physically, as literally connecting your body to the earth (also called earthing). Both are more impactful than they sound. In this episode, I walk through both definitions, the science behind why they work, and the specific ways I come back to my body each week to stay consistently calmer over time. + More * 13 Grounding Techniques for When You Feel Overwhelmed  – clevelandclinic.org [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/grounding-techniques] * The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response… - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/] * 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts – healthline.com [https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques] * Is Earthing Actually Good for You? Here’s What We Know – clevelandclinic.org [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/earthing] * Grounding – healthline.com [https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding]

Ep. 60: Why I (Mostly) Put the Glass Down

A glass of wine with dinner, drinks with friends, a toast at celebrations. Alcohol has a pretty engrained place in many cultures. During my low-tox journey, I kept coming across information that made me question it. This episode is about what that information was, what I did about it, and what I've noticed in my body since. Quitting may not be everyone’s goal, but getting intentional about your choices can be. + More * Benefits of Reducing your Alcohol Intake – clevelandclinic.org [https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/04/22/benefits-of-reducing-your-alcohol-intake] * Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking for 30 Days – healthline.com [https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-quit-alcohol-for-30-days] * Alcohol consumption and your health: What the science says – stanford.edu [https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/alcohol-consumption-and-your-health--what-the-science-says.html] * Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits – mayoclinic.org [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551] * Reducing or Quitting Drinking? An Extensive Review of Health Benefits – recoveryanswers.org  [https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/reducing-or-quitting-drinking-an-extensive-review-of-health-benefits/]

Ep. 59: Stuck Vs. Stressed

If you've felt like you're living life defaulting instead of deciding, this episode is about stress and how it limits your choices. Chronic stress and being overwhelmed impact how you feel, change how you move, what you reach for, and what you're able to see. You're not stuck, you’re stressed. We talk about the science of stress and decision-making, why a regulated baseline changes everything, and the reason I bring mental health into a low-tox space… because you can't make more intentional choices about your health, your products, or your life when you're tapped out. The overwhelmed version of you and the regulated version of you operate differently. This episode will leave you with a question to help you reflect on what stress relief is best for you. + More * Stress Management and Emotional Health - Clevelandclinic.org [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/6409-stress-management-and-emotional-health] * How Stress Impacts Decision Making - Waldenu.edu [https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-clinical-mental-health-counseling/resource/how-stress-impacts-decision-making] * Upward Spiral of Positive Emotion and Coping - Nlm.nih.gov [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3132888/] * Evidence for the Upward Spiral Stands Steady - Nlm.nih.gov [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5854504/]

Ep. 58: The Music You Choose

Music has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember… and I mean that generationally. For a while I thought of it as background. Something that hyped me up at the gym or while driving. When I started to notice how certain songs were affecting what I felt, thought, and carried, I realized more was happening. Turns out, science agrees. Music directly affects your brain chemistry: dopamine, cortisol, memory, emotional processing. It’s also feeding your subconscious. Lyrics, frequencies, and the emotional tone of what you play consistently shape your inner environment. In this episode, I'm sharing how my relationship with music evolved, what I pay attention to now, and how a playlist might be worth another look. + More The Transformative Power of Music - nlm.nih.gov [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10765015/] How Music Affects Your Mind, Mood, and Body - tmh.org [https://www.tmh.org/healthy-living/blogs/healthy-living/how-music-affects-your-mind-mood-and-body] How Music Resonates in the Brain – magazine.hms.harvard.edu [https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/how-music-resonates-brain] The Benefits of Listening to Music – healthline.com [https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-music]