My Daily Wellness Products
Products. I love products. There are a bazillion products out there that promote wellness and it can be very overwhelming - especially for my credit card. Don’t you worry though, I thrive on trying anything and everything (my bank account does not), and I’m here today to round up my current daily wellness product routine that helps me manage my anxiety and overall well being.
For me, wellness includes all things mind, body, and soul, so there are a lot of products that I defer to in my current routine that keep me feeling my best. I thought since I talk about my favorite products randomly on the blog or on Instagram, it’d be helpful for you to have them in one handy little place. These products are a general outline on how I practice my wellness sequence day-to-day. Without further ado…
My Daily Wellness Products Routine for Anxiety
Instead of grabbing for my phone, I try (try being the keyword here, because sometimes Instagram is just so appealing…) to grab for my copy of this book on my nightstand. I open it to a random page and read whatever poem is on there to start my day. You can do this with any book—sometimes I substitute Heart Talk for lesson in A Course in Miracles, but the latter isn’t for everyone. The point is to start your day with some sort of positive mantra and intention. I swear this sets not only your mood in the right place, but also the energy for your entire day.
Don’t get me wrong, social media is addictive and some days I just scroll through my feed, but I do see a noticeable difference when I start my day with something positive. Some people meditate in the morning as well, but personally I am not a morning person and would fall immediately back to sleep if I tried this, so this is an easy thing for me to do when I’m (always) not quite ready to leave my bed.
BeautyCounter No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil
I’m not going to lie to you (ever!), I want to look young forever. Due to this lofty goal of mine, skin care is life and I really enjoy taking care of myself in this way. This oil is a new addition to my morning skincare routine and I love it for two reasons: 1) I feel good putting something that I know is non-toxic on my face and 2) It has this wonderful citrus scent that not only wakes me up, but studies show can boost your mood. Also, it makes my skin bright and ready for the day.
mykind Organics Whole Food Gummy Multivitamin
The only way I’m going to take a multivitamin every morning is if it’s in gummy form and tastes good. I will avoid those torturous gross tasting horse pills that make you nauseous any day of the week. Best part, there is no added sugar in these! There’s 5g of natural sugar from the organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables these are made with. I find a daily multivitamin crucial because any sort of deficiency can lead to increased stress, low energy, and ultimately anxiety. Sign me up for any convenient way to keep my levels up.
Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus
I’m unsure why I waited 33 years of life to get a juicer. For some reason, I found spending $10 per pressed juice at Wholefoods to be a better decision. Turns out, it isn’t. This juicer is reasonably priced, dishwasher safe, easy to use, and now a daily staple of mine. I make a big pitcher of celery, carrot and lemon juice on a Sunday or Monday, and have a glass on an empty stomach every morning (shockingly before coffee). I have noticed such a difference from doing this. The two main things that I’ve noticed is that I have much higher energy levels, and less puffiness and bloating throughout the day. Also, a whole pitcher full of this will cost you less than $10. Oops.
You are a Badass Daily Calendar
When I read Jen Sincero’s book: You are a Badass, I felt completely revived. I picked it up during a transitional period in my life, and I'm honestly not sure if I would have recovered so quickly without it. Not only does this book help you overcome self-doubt and help you start living the life you want, it’s funny and real at the same time. After raving about this book long enough, my sister purchased the daily calendar for me to keep on my desk.
This goes back to my first point of starting your day on a positive foot. I keep my favorite daily motivations and refer back to them. For example: “We throw a wet blanket of ho-hummery over our lives when we live in fear of what others might think instead of in celebration of who we are." See? Funny and real.
Dehydration can lead to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to anxiety. Staying hydrated is important for so many reasons, particularly because it transports nutrients to the organs, but overall, it just makes me feel good. If you drink from the same water bottle, you can hold yourself accountable and measure how much water you drink a day. I try and drink 3 Camelbak water bottles per day. I personally like a glass water bottle to avoid any hormones from plastic, and I like to keep my water at room temperature.
I try to do some sort of workout three to four times a week. Exercise produces endorphins, and endorphins decrease stress and anxiety. There is no avoiding the fact that exercise is good for you, people. I hated it for a long time because I simply wasn’t finding something that was convenient or that I liked. Obé has completely changed that for me. It’s only $27 a month which is a complete steal for all the class access you have, and you can literally do these classes anywhere. I post up in my kitchen, so, literally anywhere. There’s everything from yoga, circuits, quick abs, and dance classes with the very trendy Megan Roup (who always answers me when I slide into her DM on Instagram, so I love her).
I started taking baths about 3 years ago. Once again, WTF was I doing up until then? Raising your body temperature (but not overheating!) relaxes your muscles and naturally alters your mood. Adding 2 cups of epsom salt to your bath can add additional benefits like reducing inflammation, easing pain, and aiding sleep, due to the magnesium ion absorbed into your skin. I try to soak in an epsom salt bath at least 2-3 times a week and I feel ah-mazing afterwards.
CBD, so hot right now. Probably because it works. Cannabadoil (or CBD) is found in the cannabis plant (aka: marijuana) and can help with anxiety, pain, inflammation, and many diseases. Pure CBD oil is completely legal because it does not include THC, or, the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant that makes you feel “high.” Most nights I take a dropper full before bed. Whether I’m feeling anxious or not, anything that reduces inflammation is a good thing. I like the Lord Jones brand because the other products in the oil are pure, so if you are purchasing another brand make sure you are reading the ingredient label. Also check with your doctor if you are unsure.
I use this for my five to eight minute (eight is as far as I can make it) nightly meditation. Meditation shuts down the fight or flight response and stimulates the parasympathetic, or relaxing nervous system of the body. So, at the basic level, it releases stress. This free app has a lot of great guided meditations, but also a timer that you can set up for yourself with your preferred background sounds.
Minimalism Art Classic Notebook
I use this journal mostly for my gratitude practice, and to also write down affirmations. According to my pal Jen Sincero from #5 above “gratitude is the gateway drug to awesomeness.” I like this journal in particular because it’s small enough to keep in your nightstand, and I like to do this in bed before I go to sleep. I recommend purchasing it in some bright happy color. I bought this journal in black the first time around and it felt a little counterproductive to be practicing positivity in it. Perhaps it’s just me being neurotic, or perhaps it was just my bad mood when I bought it. Whatever it is, I feel a lot better writing in a yellow journal.
The very last thing I do for wellness at the end of the day is spray my pillows with lavender oil. First of all, scents trigger memories. If lavender is associated with a good night of sleep, then boom, good memory. Secondly, there is research that proves that lavender aids with sleep.
Clearly, I am very regimented - and, potentially high maintenance, but whatever. If I omit certain parts of these practices for an extended period of time, I start to get into a funk. I know what my body needs to be at my best and if I keep up this routine daily, I feel great.
What is in your daily wellness routine?