5 Wellness Habits That Keep Me Sane and (Mostly) Smiling
1. Regular Self-Love
Self-love is a personal journey, unique to each individual. For me, it involves daily affirmations, much like Issa Rae’s character in Insecure, who hypes herself up in the mirror. I talk to myself throughout the day, practicing affirmations as if I’m a six-year-old girl standing before the mirror, gearing up for school — only now, it’s just me, nurturing my spirit. “It’s a profound pleasure to inhabit this body, in this moment, living this life. No one else shares my unique experience. I am lucky, abundant, and blessed.”
2. Cooking Healthy Meals
Nothing brings me more joy than experimenting with new, healthy recipes. When I discover a dish that’s both nutritious and delicious, I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. Understanding that the food I consume nourishes my body — clearing my skin, strengthening my muscles with protein, collagen, and essential nutrients — excites me. It’s all about fueling a healthy, active lifestyle.
3. Working Out
I thrive on variety in my workouts. Using the Ladder app with Coach Maria Henry, I focus on toning, leaning out, and building Pilates strength. Occasionally, I indulge in a hot yoga class, each session burning between 300–600 calories. Combining these workouts with a high-protein, low-carb diet has yielded results — I’ve shed 5 pounds since the beginning of the year.
4. Grooming Maintenance
There’s something rejuvenating about a thorough grooming session. Freshly shaved, hair washed, armpits smooth, mustache gone, ears cleaned, nails and toes filed and clean — I feel like a million bucks. This is my “everything shower” routine. Topping it off with almond oil or body butter leaves me feeling brand new. I encourage you to schedule a day this week for this ritual; it can be life-changing.
5. Meditation
Although it’s been a few weeks since I meditated regularly, I miss it dearly and plan to return to it soon. Meditation is a wonderful superpower that often goes underappreciated. Imagine if everyone meditated more — just five minutes of deep breathing can provide the control and power to navigate almost anything. The benefits are numerous:
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Regular meditation can lower stress levels and decrease symptoms of anxiety.
- healthline.com
- Improved Sleep: Mindfulness meditation has been found to enhance sleep quality, helping with insomnia and promoting better rest.
- healthline.com
- Enhanced Emotional Health: Consistent meditation practice can lead to a more positive outlook on life and improved self-image.
- healthline.com
- Increased Attention Span: Meditation strengthens the ability to focus and maintain attention, which is crucial in our fast-paced world.
- healthline.com
- Better Memory: Some forms of meditation can improve memory and mental clarity, aiding in the retention of information.
- healthline.com
Bonus: Journaling
Being intentional about writing down my dreams, affirmations, goals, and planning my schedule for the future self in the present tense has been transformative. Journaling allows me to manifest my aspirations and keep track of my progress, serving as a tangible reminder of where I’ve been and where I’m headed.
Incorporating these habits into my routine has been instrumental in maintaining my mental and physical well-being. They serve as anchors, keeping me grounded and (mostly) smiling through whatever life throws my way.
