Stressed much? After the last two weeks, it’s no wonder that your stress levels might be higher than normal. Read below for some decompressing and mental wellness tips!
But first…
Welcome to the MAA Team Meg & lauren!
Meg is originally from the mountain west and calls Utah home. She moved to DC in 2019 after graduating from Utah State University in Political Science and Organizational Communication. Prior to joining MAA, Meg worked on the 2018 congressional campaign of Ben McAdams and then at Analyst Institute, a progressive political research firm.
Meg lives in southwest DC but often makes the trek to Arlington to visit her boyfriend. In her free time she enjoys fishing, rock climbing, baking, painting, board games, and searching for the best veggie burger in DC.
Prior to joining the Molly Allen Associates team as a Fundraising Coordinator, Lauren worked as an intern in the offices of Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and Senator Orrin Hatch. During the 2020 election cycle, she also worked on Congressman Ben McAdams’ re-election campaign.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Lauren attended the University of Utah where she received her BS in Political Science. In Lauren’s spare time you can find her on the ski lift or at the National Gallery of Art.
wellness
What do you do to relax? And do just for yourself? If your answer is “I don’t know” or “I don’t relax,” it’s time to reassess your priorities. There are tons of things you can do to prevent burn out—yoga, meditation, walking, exercise classes, shopping, massages, time with friends, watching tv, etc. Here are some recommendations:
If you are a wannabe yogi, Peloton has some excellent yoga classes for beginners or the more advanced. After a long day at work, whether in-person or remote, a Slow-Flow class is a great way to destress and clear your mind. Click here to try a Slow-Flow class.
If you are an early riser and a runner, consider crashing a Wednesday or Friday morning run with the November Project DC. This completely free running and fitness community meets at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesdays at 6:20am and rotating locations at 6:30am on Fridays. Its a great way to explore new routes around DC and meet new likeminded, crazy people who get up that early to chase endorphins! Click here to learn more!
And finally, if you’re idea of wellness and relaxation is doing as close to nothing as you can, sitting on the couch, and watching a movie or tv show, here is a one stop shop for the best things to watch right now across all streaming services.
treat yo self
Did someone say mimosas? A classic way to unwind and relax is to what? Let me hear you say it—TREAT YO SELF! Splurging for yourself looks different for everyone, whether you are someone who likes to go shopping or go out to eat. If you are the latter, click here to see a list of 50 new restaurants opening in DC this fall, courtesy of the Washingtonian.
best thing on the internet this week
This week, take a mental trip with us (and the Washington Post) and indulge the real-life romance between Walnut, a crane, and her zookeeper Chris. For more details with less reading, click here to view a Tweet synopsis.