I always find reading posts about people’s health habits and routines pretty triggering; something about hearing exactly what people are doing that’s so great! amazing! life changing!—that I’m not doing—is irritating.

Routines are very individual and depend on so many factors. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.

For example, with morning routines, what time are you getting up? How much free time do you give yourself? Do you have kids? Are you a morning person who is okay with rising early, or are you a night owl who’s forcing it? There are just so many variables.

So I’m going to tell you exactly what I’m working with situation-wise, so you can understand a little more about my health habits.

If anything I mention works for you, great. If not and you think it’s all B.S., also great! You may be working with a different set of circumstances and preferences, and we all have to go with what works for us.

Disclaimer is over! Let’s discuss some baseline things. So I am:

• A morning person chronotype (according to my Oura ring, not my mother, who used to quite literally pull me out of bed in the mornings)
• A mother of three young kids, working around their school schedule Monday through Friday
• Someone who truly enjoys exercise—it doesn’t take much to motivate me
• Someone who reliably gets at least 7, usually 8-8.5 hours, of sleep per night. I’ve always been a good sleeper—hoping this continues through my 40s!
• Someone who goes to bed early, usually asleep by 10:15pm latest
• Someone who’s not currently working outside of the home. I write from home 2-3 days a week, but my biggest job is being a mom. I’m on the daily school dropoff, pickup, and activity-chauffeuring circuit. IYKYK. (I hesitate to mention work stuff because there is always some sort of judgment on what women do work-wise, and often snarky comments to accompany it. Please, respectfully, refrain from comments that include the words, “Sounds nice…”)
• As for the type of exercise I do, I play tennis two to three times a week and weight lift twice per week; I also go on about two walks per week.

Now, let’s focus on seven health habits that I actually keep.

☀️ Morning Light in the Eyes

Ever since I heard the benefits of exposing your eyes to natural light in the early morning and evening, I do it every day. It typically looks like me stepping outside onto the patio with the dog for a minute or two, or even rolling the window down on the way to school dropoff. 

The exposure helps with not only waking you up, but also setting your circadian rhythm for the day. Alternately, going for an evening walk or even spending a few minutes outside in the sunset hours has the opposite, relaxing effect, helping to prepare your brain and body for rest.

🪷 Daily Guided Affirmations

I have been listening to the Activations app for months now, and have noticed a real difference in my daily mood and gratitude, as well as how I process my career. 

I was very accustomed to being a high achiever in both school and my career, and when I left my job I found myself struggling—holding myself to impossible standards for the new space I was in. It’s a challenge for me in this freelance as there are no “rules,” and the comparison game is so real. These activations are gentle reminders to hold myself accountable to work goals while also being kind to myself. 

A little more about what these are, and aren’t. They’re not sit-down, close-your-eyes meditations, but rather guided, “open-eye” meditations that you do while walking, sitting, driving, etc. They always help me to re-center and find both clarity and gratitude. I know it sounds hokey, but they work.

🤸‍♀️ Exercise

Maybe the most basic of health “tips,” this has also had the most immediate and positive impact on my wellbeing. When the kids were babies, exercise was walking. These days, like I said before, it’s weight lifting and tennis.

Weight lifting has become necessary at 40+ as I’ve noticed that muscle mass just doesn’t hang on as long as it used to. I really need to focus on lifting to keep existing definition in my legs, and build new definition in my arms. I’ve never had strong-looking arms; it’s my goal over this next year to actually see some definition. Scheduling my sessions ahead of time holds me accountable for showing up on the days even when I feel too tired to go.

📱 Actual, Real Phone Calls with Friends

I make time every week to connect with a friend from childhood or a local friend. No texting—an actual call. I do this most often while I’m walking the dog. Talking with childhood friends in particular has a way of grounding me and helping me to remember my true self. We always end up reminiscing, talking about mutual friends, and getting updates on each others’ lives. There’s something so comforting in friendships with people who knew you from those younger years.

😴 PEMF Pad for Rest and Recovery

A few years ago, I picked up the PEMF Go Mat from Higher Dose, and I’ve consistently used it since then. At nighttime I set it on PEMF setting 4 (the setting for relaxation), and it not only helps with muscle restoration and post-workout soreness, but it also really, really relaxes me. As of the time of writing this, it’s on sale for 20% off!

😮‍💨 Basic Breathwork at Bedtime

I recently saw this tip on Instagram on how to fall asleep quickly, and have been using it since. And yes, it works! Take a slow, deep breath in, then exhale. Repeat five times. After the fifth time, count down from 20. I don’t think I’ve ever been awake to make it through the entire thing.

👐🏼 Lymphatic Massage

Every 4-6 months I indulge in a lymphatic body massage. The woman I see for my treatments, Jasmin from Lymphworx, has a background working in the medical field, so I feel confident that she understands the body from a scientific standpoint. I find that I feel more energized and look a little more sculpted after our sessions. But most importantly I like knowing that I’ve given my lymph system a little nudge in the right direction.

To close, here are the health habits that I’m trying next!

I asked Santa for a red light therapy mask, so I look forward to updating you on how that works after a few months! I’m also looking to incorporate some time in the sauna or a sauna bag in the new year. Again, will report back!

I’d love to hear what health routines have stuck for you. In a world where there’s a new trend every week, I’m eager to hear what actually works. Comment below!