Handshake with nature - where wellness meets design blog by Mache
the wellness onion journal

peel back the layers of healthy + sustainable living
All Conscious Shopping Design Guides Partnerships Plastic-free Self Care Sustainability Well at Home Well at Work
Five Years Later: How Covid-19 Positively Impacted the Yoga Industry

Five Years Later: How Covid-19 Positively Impacted the Yoga Industry

COVID-19 wasn’t just a disruption — it was an unexpected accelerator for innovation, accessibility, and leadership in yoga. Of course, I would never gloss over the financial hardships, the grief of closing physical spaces, and the stress we all carried. But I also believe in honoring the growth that emerged from those ashes. Here’s my perspective on the top five ways our industry has been positively transformed since the pandemic.

— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Self Care Well at Home Well at Work
Wood, Cork, Foam, Oh My! How to Select the Best Yoga Block for Your Yoga Practice

Wood, Cork, Foam, Oh My! How to Select the Best Yoga Block for Your Yoga Practice

Today, we’re diving into one of those yoga accessories that often gets overlooked or misunderstood — the humble yoga block. If you’ve ever wandered into a yoga studio, seen those little rectangular blocks on the shelves, and thought, “Hmm, what on earth do I do with those?” — you’re not alone. Yoga blocks often get pigeonholed as “beginner props”... but that could not be further from the truth. 

— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Plastic-free Self Care
Healthy Gift Ideas for Busy People: Wellness Gifts That Keep on Giving

Healthy Gift Ideas for Busy People: Wellness Gifts That Keep on Giving

Enter the idea of wellness gifts—thoughtful presents that inspire healthy habits and promote self-care throughout the year. But what exactly are wellness gifts? To help you pick the perfect healthy gift, here’s a list of ideas guaranteed to bring calm, balance, and joy to even the busiest bees.
— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Self Care Well at Home Well at Work
Make Space for Me Time: How to Design a Self-Care Space at Home

Make Space for Me Time: How to Design a Self-Care Space at Home

A self-care space is your personal haven, a designated area designed to help you unwind, relax, and practice any activities that support your well-being. Let’s walk through the steps and design elements that will help you create a self-care space that works for you.

— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Design Guides Self Care Well at Home
A Brief History of Self-Care: From Bathhouses to Bubble Baths

A Brief History of Self-Care: From Bathhouses to Bubble Baths

Self-care. The term is everywhere these days. I certainly did not grow up with the principles of self care, yet there is no doubt that it has exploded in mainstream popularity over the last couple of years. Before we dive into the modern obsession with self-care, let’s take a stroll down history lane to see where it all began.
— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Self Care Well at Home Well at Work
Clean Out Indoor Environmental Toxins: A Functional Medicine Approach to Heal Chronic Illness

Clean Out Indoor Environmental Toxins: A Functional Medicine Approach to Heal Chronic Illness

We had the joy of sitting down with registered nurse, yoga teacher and functional medicine practitioner Ashley Shrader to discuss how one might explore the basic principles of functional medicine to root out the causes of mysterious and/or chronic illness. Read on to find out why Ashley looks into possible environmental toxins first when working with many of her new patients.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Guides Self Care Well at Home Well at Work
Hidden Health Hazards at Home: Explore 6 Ways to Avoid Environmental Toxins

Hidden Health Hazards at Home: Explore 6 Ways to Avoid Environmental Toxins

In this pursuit of optimal health, the role of environmental toxins cannot be overstated. From mold lurking in the walls to pesticides lingering on our produce, these unseen assailants pose significant threats to our well-being. Understanding their impact and implementing measures for screening and intervention is paramount in safeguarding our health. 
— Team Mache
Tagged: Guides Self Care Well at Home Well at Work
Healthwashing: Unraveling the Predatory Practice of Toxic Products Disguised as Wellness

Healthwashing: Unraveling the Predatory Practice of Toxic Products Disguised as Wellness

To shed light on dangerous marketing practice known as "health-washing", we sat down with Dr. Meg Christensen, a naturopathic physician and founder of Interior Medicine, an online consultancy, resource hub, and marketplace offering accessible, evidence-based information on the role of interior materials in health and disease prevention, along with actionable solutions to shop smarter for optimal wellness.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Design Self Care Sustainability
Understanding "Sick Building Syndrome": Causes + Prevention Tips for Healthy Indoor Air

Understanding "Sick Building Syndrome": Causes + Prevention Tips for Healthy Indoor Air

Sick Building Syndrome serves as a stark reminder that our human well-being is intricately linked to the indoor environments we design and build. By implementing these tips and fostering awareness about indoor air quality, we can ensure our homes and workplaces promote health and vitality, not discomfort and disease.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Self Care Sustainability Well at Home Well at Work
Hone your Holiday Coping Skills: Adopt the "Five Ds" to Stay Sane + Healthy this Holiday

Hone your Holiday Coping Skills: Adopt the "Five Ds" to Stay Sane + Healthy this Holiday

As the holiday season rolls in, it can be easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of festivities, often at the expense of our well-being. That's why we've developed the must-read Five D's—a comprehensive list of savvy coping tools designed to help you navigate the holiday season while maintaining your health and sanity.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Guides Self Care
Embracing Winter's Harmony: Integrating the Water Element into Sustainable Living

Winter's Healing Power: Integrate the Water Element into your Self-care Routine

Winter is a season that, in the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is deeply intertwined with the water element. At Mache, we believe in harmonizing our lives with the natural rhythms of our natural world. This article delves into how the principles of winter and the water element to inspire sustainable living.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Guides Self Care
Self-Care at Work: Ways to Support Your Mental Health While on the Job

Self-Care at Work: Ways to Support Your Mental Health While on the Job

High-stress jobs can lead to addiction and other mental health issues. However, mitigating the strain we take on at work can prevent that stress from running away with us. With self-care practices, we create awareness within our bodies so that when we feel overwhelmed at work or anywhere else, we can actively combat stress by mindfully caring for our well-being.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Guides Self Care Well at Work