Summer vacation season is in full effect and that means if you haven't already started, now is the time to start planning that ultimate summer getaway with your girls. Long before last summer's hit movie, girls' trips were an annual celebration of sisterhood, memories, and turning up to full capacity.
If it's been a hectic six months and you're in desperate need of some rest and relaxation with all the members of your girl squad, we have some destination choices you're sure to love. There's a little something for everyone, including wine tasting, islands, beaches, and nightlife. Since many of us only take one to two vacations a year, it's important to make each experience a worthwhile collection of celebration, fun, and new adventures.
Check out our list of the best summer vacation destinations for you and your girls—and let us know where you plan to go this summer!
1.New Orleans
brown and gray 3-story buildingPhoto by Rosie Kerr on UnsplashThis was a no-brainer for a spot on our list! After the huge success of last year's hit film Girls Trip, groups of girlfriends galore were planning their next vacation to NOLA as soon as they left the theater. New Orleans has practically everything you need to have an amazing vacation experience with your girls. There's the NOLA nightlife, the rich cultural history, irresistible food, and knowing you're in one of the last places in the country that truly appreciates the beauty of jazz.
2.Turks and Caicos
green palm tree near seashorePhoto by Libby Giambrone on UnsplashThere are many island locales to visit where you're sure to have a great time, however there is something to be said for a place that's a little less popular. This sentiment is exactly why Turks and Caicos should be a strong contender for your next girls' trip experience. The beaches are literally breathtaking, with miles of crystal clear blue waters and gorgeous white sand. The fresh seafood is heavenly and the overall laid-back atmosphere is ideal for plenty of relaxing days and nights.
3.Napa Valley
Photo by Alexander Gamanyuk on UnsplashWe all have those friends in our group who claim to be the ultimate wine connoisseur, so a vacation to the vino-lover's paradise, Napa Valley, is the perfect destination. There is always time for wine, especially while on vacation, so deep-diving into the Napa vineyards is a win-win situation. From wine tours and unlimited tastings to exquisite cuisine and picturesque vineyard views, Napa is where the grown-ups go to get away from it all.
4.Las Vegas
bird's-eye view photography of concrete high-rise buildingsPhoto by Ken Yam on UnsplashWhen the turn-up is real and experiencing lituations is the ultimate goal, there's only one place to go and you already know what it is…Vegas baby! You and your girls are guaranteed to make memories, bad decisions, and have enough secrets between each other to last a lifetime after a Las Vegas vacation. In Vegas, partying is the main goal, so rest up, drink your water, and brace yourself for more fun than you can handle.
5.Cancun
dock during daytimePhoto by Andreas M on UnsplashHugely popular for spring break and honeymoons, Cancun is also one of the best places for a girlfriend getaway to rival many others. Most people who visit Cancun once likely return and it's obvious why. The sun, sand, culture, and food are enough to keep you pretty satisfied, but it's the nightlife activities where you and your girls will have the best time.
6.Jamaica
man peeling coconutPhoto by Kevin Sanon on UnsplashWhat's better than being surrounded by enough melanin to last a lifetime? Not much, which is why vacationing in Jamaica is an absolute must. Beautiful black people all around, coupled with an unlimited offering of Caribbean food and music, is the setting for a girls' trip that might actually have you staying longer than you anticipated.
7.Miami
body of water near of city high-rise buildingsPhoto by Muzammil Soorma on UnsplashWhen you want a quick and easily accessible summer beach experience, a girls' vacation to Miami is the way to go. Their weather is practically paradise and you might damage the strip on your debit card courtesy of all the shopping available.
8.Hilton Head
gray concrete pathway between green grass field under gray sky during daytimePhoto by Mitchell Hartley on UnsplashThis South Carolina island has the perfect combination of southern charm, gorgeous views, and a relaxing experience you likely won't expect, but will definitely embrace. If hard partying full of hangovers is not for you and your girlfriends, this vacation spot offers a nice change of pace—with peace of mind to match.
9.Bahamas
seashore during daytimePhoto by Cristofer Jeschke on UnsplashYou can always count on the Bahamas to provide a good time, including a girls' trip. Soak up all the sun you can handle, as you and your girls make sunset memories while posing for the 'gram. When the drinks start flowing and the island vibes reach a fever pitch, that's when you know you're in paradise.
10. Hawaii
aerial photography of green mountain beside body of water under white skyPhoto by Braden Jarvis on UnsplashWidely known as the place for lovers, Hawaii is also a beautiful vacation spot for friends to experience together as well. The rich culture is apparent from the moment you land and it continues until you say goodbye. The cuisine is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it's the overwhelming amount of beauty that surrounds you and your girls that makes it worthy.
Want more stories like this? Check out these xoNecole related reads:
5 "Friends" Who Need to Be Excluded From Your Next Girls Trip
How To Travel The World With A Full-Time Job
4 Affordable Bucket List Travel Destinations You Can Do On Any Budget
Featured image by Getty Images
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RELATED
Anyway, one of them was recently expressing in the chat that, although, according to her doctor, her hormone levels seemed to be fine, she felt like certain perimenopause symptoms were telling her otherwise. She’s probably right because the reality is you can be in a state of perimenopause — the transitional phase that comes right before menopause — anywhere from 4-10 years (keep in mind that the average age for entering menopause is 51).
And so, after hearing about some of what she was experiencing and recommending things like evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea, it reminded me that I should also pen an article on seed cycling — a practice that is gaining more traction when it comes to all-natural ways of keeping certain hormones in balance.
If you’re curious about what seed cycling is all about, I’ve got a few details that may interest you — and might provide you with some perimenopausal relief — below.
What Is Seed Cycling and Why Is It Becoming More Popular?
GiphyProbably the easiest way to define seed cycling is it’s all about consuming certain seeds during certain times of the month in order to balance out your hormones — well, not only balance hormones but boost fertility and also decrease symptoms that are directly related to menopause.
The thought process of seed cycling is if you consume certain seeds during the first half of your menstrual cycle, it will help to balance out your estrogen levels; then if you consume certain seeds during the other half of your menstrual cycle, it will balance out your progesterone levels.
So, which seeds are you supposed to take?
Flax and pumpkin seeds during the first 14 days of your cycle and then sesame and sunflower seeds during the last 14 days. And what if your period isn’t on a 28-day cycle? Well, then what you would do is take flax and pumpkin seeds during your follicular phase (the first day that you start your period through the day that you ovulate) and sesame and sunflower seeds during your luteal phase (the time that happens right after your ovulate and ends once your period starts). And why these seeds in particular? Were they just pulled out of thin air? Nope.
Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogenswhich is a form of plant-based estrogen. Estrogen is low at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, so phytoestrogens can help your body build up your uterine lining. When you are going through the latter stages of perimenopause/menopause, estrogen levels can significantly decrease; phytoestrogens can help to bring your levels back up. That said, as far as periods are concerned, flaxseeds can help to regulate your cycle (which can also make it easier for you to conceive, if that is something that you are trying to do). As far as perimenopause and menopause are concerned, they can help to make their symptoms more bearable.
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium and manganese which help to ease PMS symptoms and reduce menstrual discomfort. When it comes to perimenopause and menopause, magnesium can reduce anxiety and depression and help you to sleep better which can reduce symptoms that are associated with both conditions. And manganese? Manganese helps to regulate blood levels and improve bone density. Pumpkin seeds also contain a considerable amount of zinc that helps to regulate hormones. Fertility-wise, pumpkin seeds can increase testosterone levels and they can help you to have a healthier pregnancy.
Sesame seeds also have phytoestrogens in them; however, the reason why sesame seeds are recommended for seed cycling is because the zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and fatty acids in them are what help to give your progesterone levels a boost during the second half of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone not only creates a healthy uterine lining, if an egg isn’t fertilized, but it also helps your body to shed the lining. When it comes to perimenopause/menopause, progesterone is needed because it can help reduce the impact of hot flashes and menopause-related insomnia. When it comes to conceiving, sesame seeds can help to reduce inflammation and boost your immunity — making it easier for your body to get pregnant.
Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamin Eand that alone makes them great when it comes to your menstrual cycle and dealing with perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms. That’s because vitamin E helps to reduce period discomfort and, if you happen to have heavy cycles, it can help to decrease the amount of blood that you lose during your cycle as well. For those dealing with perimenopause and menopause, vitamin E helps to bring relief to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Sunflower seeds can also aid in fertility, thanks to the fatty acids in them that can make it easier to conceive.
So, as you can see, there is a method to the madness when it comes to the seeds that are selected for seed cycling. Okay, but how do you actually incorporate seed cycling into your lifestyle? Good question.
How to Do Seed Cycling in Order to Receive the Most Optimal Results
GiphyIf you want to try seed cycling in order to see if it helps you and your hormones out, this is what you will need to do:
During days 1-14 (again, your follicular phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and one tablespoon of ground pumpkin seeds.
During days 15-28 (again, your luteal phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground sesame seeds and one tablespoon of ground sunflower seeds.
The strategy here is if you do this consistently for 3-4 months, you should start to see an improvement when it comes to the imbalance of your hormones. It should also go on record that some health experts recommend adding 1200-1500 mg EPA/DHA to the follicular phase of seed cycling and evening primrose oil to the luteal phase. That’s because EPA/DHA are fatty acids that help to reduce bodily inflammation and evening primrose oil helps to decrease PMS symptoms as well as hot flashes.
As far as side effects go, there currently aren’t any drastic ones that have been reported. The main thing to keep in mind is that you may experience some gas, bloating, or changes in your bowel movement patterns for a moment. That’s because certain seeds are filled with fiber.
How These Seeds Will Benefit Your Health Regardless
GiphyNow that you know more of what seed cycling is all about, you might be wondering if it’s truly worth your while. The truth is that research is still being conducted which means that there are articles out in cyberspace that tend to Elmo shrug seed cycling more than anything else. My two cents? I mean, the fact that the four seeds listed have other health benefits, if you’re someone who prefers to take all-natural approaches to your health, it can’t hurt to up your intake of flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds anyway. Here are a few (additional) reasons why.
Flaxseeds. Aside from the fact that flaxseeds are a beneficial source of fiber and protein, they are also good for you because they are rich in omega-3s (which reduce inflammation and decrease cholesterol levels), they can help to keep your blood sugar levels in check, they are good at assisting with weight management and they can strengthen your digestive system.
Pumpkin seeds. If you’re currently trying to eat less meat yet you don’t want to do it at the sacrifice of your daily protein needs, pumpkin seeds are the answer to your prayers. They are off-the-charts when it comes to how much protein is in them (almost nine grams per serving), plus they contain a solid amount of copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and antioxidants. If you want to improve your bladder health, pumpkin seeds can help to make that happen. If you want a stronger heart, pumpkin seeds offer support in that department.
Something else to keep in mind is, that since pumpkin seeds have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-ulcerative properties in them, they can also help your body to heal from minor issues and wounds faster — which is always a good thing.
Sesame seeds. If you are looking to get more fiber and protein in, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, keep your bones in good shape, uptick your vitamin B intake, and/or strengthen your immune system, these are the areas where sesame seeds can be of great assistance. Something else that’s cool about sesame seeds is they have a reputation for helping to keep your liver and kidneys in peak condition as well.
Sunflower seeds. As far as snacking goes, probably the most popular seeds (on this list, anyway) are sunflower seeds. If they are something that you enjoy indulging in, you can feel good about that since they contain properties that fight cancer, help to regulate your thyroid, assist with preventing muscle cramps, provide you an energy boost, reduce your blood sugar levels, and make your gut (where 80 percent of your immunity resides) healthier.
Hmph. Looks to me that if you take these seeds in, your health is only going to improve — if that includes when it comes to your hormones, then that is just a bonus.
___
Now that you know more about seed cycling, of course, it is totally up to you if you want to give it a shot. Again, though — since all of these seeds are good for you, what do you have to lose in trying it?
I don’t see one damn thing, y’all. Not one.
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