Monday

"I take care of my body because it takes care of me."

Welcome to Monday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Why you should forecast your mood

• Hidden signs of dehydration

• An easy fix if you can’t stay hydrated

• What to do between work and rest

The Art of Becoming Your Own Forecaster

What if you could check tomorrow’s mood like a weather app? While we don’t have Doppler radar for emotions, noticing your own patterns can feel surprisingly close. Moods, like weather, build slowly: pressure shifts, systems collide, and storms gather before they break.

Start by mapping your inner climate. Maybe you notice that mornings are your clear-sky hours, while late afternoons bring fog. Or that winter feels heavier and harder to navigate than spring. Tracking your energy across the day, week, or season can reveal rhythms you didn’t realize were there.

Your body can serve as an early warning system, too. Tension in your jaw, shallow breathing, or sudden fatigue may be signals that pressure is dropping. Naming what’s happening helps you prepare, whether that means slowing down, carving out a break, or leaning into support.

Forecasting your moods isn’t about control. It’s about anticipation, compassion, and making choices that align with the weather inside you.

Dehydration Signs You Might Be Missing

We tend to think thirst is the first sign of dehydration, but by the time you feel it, your body is already running low. Subtler signals often show up first, and they’re worth noticing.

One is urine color. Pale yellow means you’re hydrated, while dark yellow or amber suggests your kidneys are conserving water. Dry lips and skin can also point to dehydration, even outside of winter. And if you’re feeling unusually fatigued, it may be because your heart is working harder to circulate blood when fluid levels drop.

Other less obvious cues include frequent headaches (reduced blood flow to the brain can trigger them), sudden dizziness or lightheadedness (linked to shifts in blood pressure), and even foggy memory or trouble concentrating.

Think of hydration less as an emergency fix and more as a steady background habit. Keep water nearby, sip consistently, and let these signs be gentle reminders to refill before thirst kicks in.

Change The Way You Think About Hydration

Our body’s water reserves decline with age, making it even harder to stay hydrated. On top of that, even minor dehydration can affect how you feel. One study found losing just 2.8% of your body weight in fluid can impair memory and thinking! So, it’s essential you remember to replenish fluid levels every day.

Enter: NativePath Native Hydrate. This 3-in-1 hydrating powerhouse isn’t your average electrolyte drink. With electrolytes, amino acids, and 11 additional nutrients, this combination can help combat dehydration, inflammation, poor circulation, UTIs, and muscle weakness. It’s also sugar-free with no artificial ingredients.

Try this drink mix from NativePath risk-free for up to 44% OFF.

(PLUS: a free gift for Note To Self readers!)

Thank you to NativePath for sponsoring Note To Self. 

What to Do with Your 5-8 PM

Some hours of the day feel overrated. The 5‑8 PM stretch between work mode and rest mode often stretches us too thin. Emails, chores, dinner prep, and social expectations. They all press in too fast. What if you redesign that zone instead?

Treat it as a transition time, rather than a hurried “after work” rush. Pick one intention for this window: restoration, quiet, connection, or creativity. Maybe you cook something simple, stretch, read, or just sit with your favorite tea. Whatever feels like coming home.

These hours don’t have to carry the weight of the day. They can instead be the hinge you swing through to close one chapter and open another. Boundaries, small rituals, and a willingness to miss the mark sometimes are what make it feel less chaotic and more yours.

A Note From Us

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False. Micro-breaks help reset energy and focus.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Dehydration isn’t always obvious. A foggy head, dry skin, and low energy can be small signs that your body is asking for more care.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!