Hello, my friend!

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👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: How to simplify your skincare routine
• Latest blog post: Natural remedies for your best sleep ever
• What I’m reading: Caring too much (and leaving yourself empty)

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​How to simplify your skincare routine​

Ever feel overwhelmed by your skincare routine? With so many products out there, it’s easy to think we need a 12-step ritual just to get glowing, healthy skin. But here's a little secret: the simpler, the better.

I get asked all the time, "how should I take care of my skin?"

I believe that your ideal skincare routine shouldn't stress you out—clean beauty is all about quality over quantity.

Simplifying your routine not only saves time but also helps your skin thrive naturally. Fewer products mean fewer irritants, allowing your skin to restore itself without being bombarded by unnecessary chemicals.

Here are some quick tips to simplify your skincare routine:

1. Know Your Skin Type: Understanding your skin type is crucial for choosing the right products. This foundational knowledge helps you pick the most effective ingredients and routines.
2. Know Your Ingredients: Look for products with minimal, clean ingredients. Avoid harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances that can irritate your skin.
3. Listen to Your Skin: Your skin's needs can change with the seasons or even week to week. Adjust your routine as needed—sometimes less is more, especially when your skin is feeling sensitive.
4. Multi-Use Products: Opt for products that serve multiple purposes, like an oil-based cleanser and a serum that hydrates the skin. Or a moisturizing SPF that protects and restores. This reduces the number of products you need without compromising on care.

My favorite essentials include an oil-based cleanser, a hydrosol, a nourishing moisturizer, and a protective sunscreen. These steps, done well, can go a long way toward achieving that radiant, healthy glow.

Ready to learn how less can actually be more for your skin?

Read the full blog post here: Clean Beauty 101: Crafting Your Ideal Skincare Routine​

To radiant simplicity, Dr. Catherine

Latest blog post
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​Natural remedies for your best sleep ever​

If you've been struggling to get a good night's rest, you're not alone. Many of us deal with restless nights, but there are natural ways to help your body and mind wind down. In my latest blog post, I share some simple but powerful home remedies for better sleep that you can start using tonight.

Here are a few quick tips you can apply right away:

1. Magnesium-Rich Evening Snack: Enjoy a small handful of almonds or a banana an hour before bed. Magnesium helps relax your muscles and can make falling asleep easier.
2. Chamomile Tea: This classic herb is a gentle sedative. Brew a cup about 30 minutes before bed to soothe your nerves and help you unwind.
3. Create a Sleep Haven: Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. A calm environment sends a signal to your brain that it's time to sleep.

Here's to peaceful nights and energized mornings! For more natural sleep remedies and to dive deeper into improving your sleep quality, check out the full post here: Natural Home Remedies for Better Sleep.

What I'm listening to
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​Caring too much (and leaving yourself empty)​

I just listened to an incredible podcast interview with psychotherapist Terri Cole, and I had to share it with you. She was on the Good Life Project talking about a concept that really struck a chord with me—“High-Functioning Codependency.” It's a term from her book Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency, and it opened my eyes in so many ways.

Terri describes this new breed of codependency as being “overly invested in the feeling states, outcomes, circumstances, finances, and careers of the people in our lives—to the detriment of our own internal peace.” Sound familiar? It sure does to me. It’s this pattern of putting everyone else first, seamlessly holding it all together, and looking perfectly capable, while underneath, we’re quietly running on empty.

She makes it clear: “You can’t endlessly pour yourself into other people and have the career you want to have or build the kind of deep intimacy you want in your relationships.” It’s a reminder that resonates deeply—especially for those of us who have spent years prioritizing others.

In the podcast, Terri reframes the concept of self-care. She calls it “self-consideration,” a practice that goes beyond a mani-pedi or a spa day. It’s about asking yourself the tough questions, like, "How are you disappointing yourself when you constantly prioritize others’ wants, needs, and desires over your own?" At minute 41, she really dives into this, and it’s powerful stuff.

Listening to her made me reflect on my own habits. I have four children, none of whom live at home anymore, but last weekend I caught a glimpse of how I transform whenever they’re around. Suddenly, I’m like a concierge at a boutique hotel—bending, contorting, and working overtime to meet their every whim and desire, busting my ass for that tip, that appreciation, that validation. And then it hit me: I am the boss of my life, but sometimes, I forget that.

Terri’s message is a reminder for all of us who are “high-functioning” in our codependency—to pause, to consider our own needs, and to reclaim our energy. Self-consideration might just be the real key to thriving, not just surviving.

I’m cheering for you. Have a wonderful week!

Dr. Cat 🥰

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Dr. Catherine

Do you have a question you want me to answer? Any wellness challenges you want me to write about? Send them my way, I love hearing from you. Say hi 👋🏻 on Instagram, X, LinkedIn or TikTok I share in those places too.

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© 2024 Dr. Catherine On Wellness. This content may convey general information related to medical conditions, research, testing, treatment, and other healthcare topics. Any such information is provided for informational purposes only. You should always consult a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice or information about diagnosis and treatment.