Hella Well With Danielle

Relaxing doesn’t come easy to everyone. It’s frustrating to be told to relax, as it can feel as hard as being told to hit Whitney Houston’s high notes. Yet, we are so desperate to find ways to unwind and recharge our energy. 

We attempt to do nothing and it feels like torture. We scream at ourselves, “I must relax, I must relax, I must relax,” hoping that saying the words will help, but they don’t. So why can’t you relax? The elephant in the room is that many of us have made relaxing another goal we need to achieve. And that changes everything! Today’s episode is the first in a 5-part series on relaxation. In this episode, we’ll discuss reasons why you can’t relax. 

Hella Relax Podcast Series: All you need to do is a quick Google search to discover thousands are struggling with ways to relax. In this series will discuss why you can’t relax, how many are trying to like the wrong way and how it’s hurting them, tips for different ways to relax, and we’ll end with a beautiful meditation to ease the mind and body into deep relaxation. 

Show notes:

Be sure to also join the Hella Well With Danielle newsletter for my biggest ah-ha moments from each episode and special announcements. Sign up at http://hellawellwithdanielle.com/join-wellness-revolution/.

Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review.

The holidays and family gatherings can be stressful AF! Old family issues or emotions easily come up, triggering you as if you were your younger self all over again. This guided meditation and breathwork is a practical tool for relieving stress relief and clearing emotions of the past. I love this breathing technique as it's like a mental vacation that's easy to do and can be done anywhere (car, bed, dinner table, etc.).

It’s especially useful for dealing with stressful relationships and past family issues. It can remove unsettling thoughts from the past that surface in the present. This Kundalini Yoga meditation also can take difficult situations in the present and release them to a higher power.

If you want to skip the intro, the meditation starts at 6:44. I recommend practicing in a seated position with a straight spine. Place the hands at the center of the chest with only the tips of the thumbs and fingers touching the corresponding fingers on the opposite hand. Leave space between the palms with the fingertips pointing upward. Focus the eyes at the tip of the nose and inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, and then exhale for 5 seconds. Continue for 11 minutes or until you feel relief from the stress.

Sometimes we’re just not okay. The wellness industry wants you to jump on the #itsokaynottobeok trend. I don’t disagree with the message. Yet, when you’re feeling burnout, depressed, or one step from losing it, #itsokaynottobeok feels like an empty campaign promise. Knowing it’s ok not to be ok and knowing how to get through this season are two different things. I’m more interested in the latter.



When that feeling of not being ok kicks in, guidance on how to flow through it and not drown is needed; not a cute hashtag that doesn't give you any tools. It’s time we take a quick mental vacay from life to discover how to be ok with not being ok. On this tour, I’ll guide you through avoiding some major pitfalls and ways to flow through not being ok like a boss.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is finally here! This movie evokes such powerful images of female warriors taking charge and protecting their community. It reminds me of the everyday warrior in all of us. She may not have the fierce clothing or fancy blades, but that woman you see every day in the mirror is no less of a warrior, especially if you identify as a woman of color.

Today I’m pausing to talk about the true strength of a warrior. A true warrior is most powerful when she realizes she no longer needs her ‘blades’ to protect her peace. My blade of choice is my sharp wit. It’s not as good as my cousin’s, but it has cut many. Your blade might be your thick skin or humor. Whatever your blade of choice, it has helped you to survive, so of course, it feels more like a cozy blanket. But a blade is still a blade.

When you can learn to survive without the blades that have kept you safe to this point, now that’s some kind of next-level Wakanda Forever type of moment. That’s when we shine in our true essence and protect our peace.

So join me as we pause from the outside world to take another step on this healing journey collectively.

Show notes:

Be sure to also join the Hella Well With Danielle newsletter for my biggest ah-ha moments from each episode and special announcements. Sign up at http://hellawellwithdanielle.com/join-wellness-revolution/.

Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review.

I met an interesting guy who made me think. I was telling him about what I do, and he asked, “What does the healer do when they need healing?” And that’s how we got to today’s topic. I have created a gumbo of rituals, people, and items I use to help me heal as a healer. I incorporate many things into my wellness gumbo, but I only focused on ten ingredients currently nourishing my soul in today's episode. Sidenote: I’m not sharing these to endorse any person or product, but as resources of quick ways I pause and refuel my mind, body, and spirit as a Black woman in America. And trust me, we all need to find what works for us to keep our sanity! If you have recommendations of quick ways I can further nourish myself that are working for you, send me a message, and I'll give you a shoutout and share with the collective on a future podcast episode.

I’m also sharing links to folks or things I mentioned:
1. The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami by Radhanath Swami - https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Home-Autobiography-American-Swami/dp/1601090560
2. @Coolurbanhippie on IG - https://www.instagram.com/coolurbanhippie/
3. @jonathanldent on IG - https://www.instagram.com/jonathanldent/
4. Anitta’s Girl From Rio - https://open.spotify.com/track/0Ie2diJz1BjbGdln2Mcjlh?si=4d52adedb4784605
5. Alex Isley Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xcuASLKwpKNU520CyPH7H?si=6ea79ea909bc4a93
6. Marry Me (the movie and soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebv9_rNb5Ig
7. Netflix shows: The Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts, Emily in Paris, Sweet Magnolias, and Virgin River
8. SoulShine Resort in Bali - https://www.soulshinebali.com/
9. Noela Star Queen - https://noelastarqueen.com/

You can be waiting a lifetime for some folks to apologize. Yet, here we are, still waiting for people who have done us dirty to apologize. Like, they know they were wrong, so why not apologize? However, waiting on that apology is like a slow leak in your happiness and healing that you didn't even realize was leaking. It's time to plug that leak but first, let's talk about that apology you and I have been waiting on and what's really going on when you wait on apologies.

In this episode, I referenced a podcast I did earlier on grief. There are actually two podcasts I'd recommend listening to that may help you in this healing process. The first is episode 15, Grieving 2020, and the other is episode 16, about Exhaling 2020.

Show notes:

Join the Hella Well With Danielle newsletter for my biggest ah-ha moments from each episode and special announcements. Sign up at http://hellawellwithdanielle.com/join-wellness-revolution/.

Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review it.

I am notorious for having major arguments and fights all in my head. Confrontation gives me anxiety, so it was always safer to keep my resentment, anger, and clapbacks in my head. Has this contributed to my high blood pressure? Probably. But then, I learned a trick that helped me quickly and easily let go of resentment.



I’m sharing that trick in hopes that it can help someone else. It may be a duh moment when you hear it, but doing it might take some practice. It did for me. But once you learn how to let go of resentment and anger, you will feel lighter and, honestly, happier. Again, that’s what happened to me.



If you try this trick, let me know how it goes. Did it work? Did you run into challenges? And if so, what were they as maybe I might have some insights that can help.

Giving yourself your undivided attention doesn't mean locking yourself up in a room or escaping to Bali for a solo trip. Granted, I've done both and recently realized I still wasn't fully giving myself my undivided attention.

I recently attended a retreat where the participants were asked to give themselves our undivided attention in a group setting. Through this process that I share in today's episode, I discovered a new level of self-love that I didn't know was possible.

Knowing which style of yoga is right for you can be confusing and challenging. There are tons of different types of yoga. Some are super chill to help you relax, others are a nice mix of spiritual and physical practice, and some are hardcore physical workouts with no fluff. But how do you decode the different yoga types to find the best one for you? And what do you need to consider when looking to start or shift your yoga practice?

In this episode, we discuss 10 popular yoga styles to help you determine the best one for you.

Woman, Life, and Freedom are three powerful words when strung together.