Wellness

Spring has officially sprung, making space for more daylight, warmer days, and—you guessed it—spring cleaning. If you’re like me, you’re revamping your closet and giving the bathroom a solid scrub-down. While our homes are top of mind and get all the TLC when it comes to cleaning, there is another area in our lives that could use a good sprucing up with the change in seasons: our wellness routines. Just like we organize and declutter our space with the transition from winter to spring, we should refresh our well-being rituals.    
With some simple (yet effective!) tweaks to everything from how you move your body to how you manage money (yes, your finances are a part of your wellness routine because they affect your overall health), you’ll be well on your way to Marie Kondo status. Keep reading for tips on how to spring clean different aspects of your wellness routine for a fresh start in the new season and beyond. 

To spring clean your fitness routine… 
The first thing to upgrade is how you’re working out. Whether your workout space is your living room or an actual gym, spring is the time to switch things up. Sweating it out at home? Take it up a notch and add a new piece of equipment to make your workouts more versatile (think: a set of bands with varying resistance or a TRX). Craving the energy of working out among other people? Boxing sessions or a gym membership may be in your near future. Also, warmer weather means bringing your workout outdoors. Whether you pound the pavement or channel your inner Naomi Osaka, exercising alfresco can do wonders for your body and mental well-being. However you choose to move your body, use the onset of spring to try something new.
Lastly, I’m here to tell you it’s time to bid adieu to that overstretched sports bra you’ve been holding on to for way too long. The outfit you wear to work out can make the difference between a great and not-so-hot workout, so toss or donate any exercise gear that has lost its shape or color and invest in activewear that’s equal parts supportive and stylish. Then, store your go-tos strategically so you can easily grab them when you’re packing your gym bag or in a hurry.

To spring clean your diet… 
When we’re in hibernation mode during winter, our bodies crave comfort food (AKA heartier meals), but now, you’re probably craving something fresher and lighter. But tune out the voices that tell you to go on a cleanse and eat only foods deemed “clean” and instead, eat intuitively and seasonally. The best place to start? Your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Purge any expired goods and foods that don’t make you feel your best. Then, restock your kitchen with lighter fare that your body has an appetite for during this change of seasons. Ready to start meal planning? Head to the farmers market and reach for vegetables like leafy greens or asparagus and fruits in the form of strawberries and kiwis. When you plan your meals around local, in-season produce, you’ll not only get more nutritional value out of them but also a few extra dollars in your pocket.

To spring clean your skincare regimen…
A new season calls for a reset in how we care for our skin. The first order of business is clearing out any out-of-date products. Not sure how long you’ve had your moisturizer? If it has a strange smell or color or the oils have separated, it’s a safe bet that it’s past its prime. As for the products we keep, going lighter for spring doesn’t only apply to our eating habits. Switch up your heavy cream or oil cleanser that got you through dry winter nights with a gel-based alternative or lighter lotion. 
But good news: Just because we’re in a new season doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul your skincare regimen. Keep your serums and sunscreen within reach because they should be a constant in your rotation. But don’t overthink it and feel like you have to add a certain mask just because it’s the newest “it” product on the market. Sometimes, taking the less-is-more approach and sticking with what you know works well for you is best for your skin (and wallet). 

To spring clean your self-care… 
Don’t forget the “self” in self-care: reflect on your self-care practices and ask yourself if they serve you or if you’re doing them because you saw them on TikTok or your BFF swears by them. If every practice is not truly caring for yourself, streamline your routine. Start journaling, try a new morning ritual, or talk to a therapist. Self-care is personal and doesn’t have to be extravagant, and it can be a daily practice or just something you do occasionally, like bringing a plant into your space, lighting a candle, taking a day off of work, or having a night in and Postmates-ing pizza. My form of self-care? Some days, it’s escaping to Stars Hollow (watching Gilmore Girls, ICYMI) and every now and then, it’s indulging in a facial. 
Whatever self-care looks like for you, know that it will fluctuate every day. Let’s say working out or meditating is your non-negotiable mode of self-care and you carve out time each morning for it. You may wake up some mornings and not feel it, and that’s OK. Falling into the guilt-trip trap only compromises your wellness. Do what you can in the season you’re in—literally and figuratively.  
 
To spring clean your tech…
Every time I see my weekly screen time pop up on my iPhone, it feels as if I’m getting the proverbial tsk-tsk from it. Between Zoom-ing and Instagram scrolling, it’s no surprise that we spend more time on our phones than ever, but it’s time to unplug. First things first, delete any unused apps (you’ll be surprised by how many you didn’t realize you had) or those that tempt you into minutes or hours of unproductive distraction. Next, give the social media accounts you’re following a once-over and hit “unfollow” if they don’t lift you up. In the same token, unsubscribe from emails and newsletters that just eat up your time. Free up some digital (and head) space by fine-tuning the companies you share your email with. 
To take it a step further, take some space from your phone and commit to a mini digital detox. Ditch the phone overnight and replace it with a good ol’ alarm clock. Trust me, your body will thank you for the quality sleep you’ll be getting without your phone. Lastly, limit the amount of news you take in, whether it be from your phone, computer, or TV. To balance staying informed with being mindful of your mental health, set boundaries around the amount of time you allow yourself to consume the news, like a half hour a day. In general, focus on what’s IRL: the fresh air, the company you’re with, the work you’re passionate about.

To spring clean your schedule…
Spoiler alert: For those of you who have FOMO, this one is especially for you. With warmer days on the horizon, it may be tempting to pack your calendar with social events, but think about whether you’re spreading yourself too thin with too many commitments. Are you saying “yes” to engagements when you really want to decline? In lieu of said engagements, perhaps you could be doing more of what brings you joy, like taking time for some self-care or volunteering at your local dog rescue. 
I’ll admit, I sometimes have trouble shutting off work and not checking emails over the weekend. One easy work-life balance hack that has helped me be present when I’m off the clock is setting my phone on airplane mode (distractions be gone!). I’m also guilty of getting into multitasking mode, but I find that when I set a block of time to focus on checking off one task at a time, I end up saving time. Bottom line: Use this new season to take a step back and look at your time-sucks versus valuable to-dos. That goes for both your personal life and work. 

To spring clean your finances… 
Now’s as good a time as any to review your financial goals and reevaluate any expenses that may be keeping you from staying on budget. For example, come up with an updated plan to pay off debt, check your credit card statements for unnecessary costs (remember that one-week free trial to HBO Max that you got to catch up on Euphoria but forgot to cancel?), and check in with your budget. If you have a few extra dollars lying around (way to go!), think about putting it toward your retirement, like contributing more to your 401(k) or opening an IRA. You can also start that emergency fund you’ve been putting off or save up for an upcoming large expense, like an overdue girls’ trip. 

I Made These 5 Changes for Spring and I’m Already Feeling 10x Better More

Manifestation is a buzzword you can’t ignore. From TikTok to Ariana Grande bops, it seems like everyone is talking about manifestation these days. Perhaps you’ve even tried viral techniques or daily habits to turn your dreams into reality. But manifesting is more complicated than just making a wish and expecting it to come true. The practice of manifestation takes an understanding of both yourself and the law of attraction, which suggests that the energy you put into the world is what you get back. It’s not just about wanting; it’s intentionally spending your energy, time, and habits to get what you want.
However, we tend to get in our own way with negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, or bad habits. But with the right mindset and intentionally building new habits, you can achieve your goals through manifestation, whether it be for love, career, health, or personal expansion.
I talked to two manifestation coaches about easy, daily habits you can build into your daily routine to access your power and potential, and this is what they had to say:

1. Replace negative thoughts
You likely have an inner critic that loves to tell you all the reasons why you can’t do something. After all, the mind is programmed to help you stay in your comfort zone to keep you safe, but that inner critic can make you act in victim mode—where you let life happen to you and not for you. “We all know what we don’t want, and we spend a lot of mental energy thinking about potential negative outcomes,” explained Alex Freitas, a mindset and manifestation coach and the creator of The Mirror Series. “But what you focus on magnifies, and therefore, a great habit to build is awareness of your thoughts that you’re giving energy to, so that you’re magnetizing what you truly want, as opposed to what you don’t.” 
Have daily check-ins with yourself: notice how you’re feeling, what you need, and how you can choose differently when negative thoughts take over. Identify a thought that would better serve you, be more positive, or be more in line with what you want to happen, and then “replace” the negative thought with that one. It may help to jot these down in a journal or note on your phone so you can see recurring patterns and work through any blockages. “Eventually, you re-wire your subconscious mind to the elevated thought pattern, and you start thinking the positive reframe on autopilot because it’s your new way of being,” Freitas said.

2. Meditate
Meditation (in whatever form you choose) can be a great way to get out of your head and into your body where your gut feelings live. “Meditation is an integral part of successful manifesting because it helps you quiet the thinking mind and tune into the guidance of your heart and intuition,” suggested Juliette Kristine, a manifestation coach and intuitive healer. “With the law of attraction, you need to meet the universe halfway and take some action towards your goals. Meditation makes it easy to determine what actions you need to take and when.”
From guided meditations on apps to walking meditations, it’s easier than ever to find something that feels good to you, and with that, you can start to bring your truest desires into your consciousness by connecting your mind and body.

3. Pick (and repeat) an affirmation
By challenging limiting beliefs or blockages, affirmations can help you make the necessary mindset shifts you need for successful manifesting. “Your subconscious mind and beliefs play a big part in what is showing up in your reality,” Kristine explained. “If you believe that you aren’t successful, your subconscious mind will naturally look for more evidence to support this belief, so it makes it difficult for you to manifest success. Affirmations can help you transform your beliefs and skyrocket your manifesting.”
There are all kinds of ways to work with affirmations and cement these positive beliefs about yourself. You can write them down in a journal, say them aloud or in your head, or hang them up in a place where you can see them frequently. If you need an idea of where to start, check out our list of 50 positive affirmations, or start repeating what you want as if you already have it (“I have a fulfilling career,” “I am worthy and deserving of love,” “I am energized and happy every day,” etc.). 

4. Use visualization
Visualizing yourself achieving a goal can help you get clear on what you want, connect to your purpose, and embody your highest state. For example, if you want to quit your 9-5 and run your own business, visualize making your first sale or helping clients solve a problem. Or if you have a fitness goal, imagine how you feel after working out for a specific number of days. “When you imagine the scenario you’re manifesting, you start to feel the way you would feel if you’d already manifested it,” Kristine said. “This helps you to vibrate at the correct frequency to attract what you want.”
Freitas warned that a common objection to this daily habit is not wanting to set up for disappointment, but by expecting next-level results in the future, you’re able to show up in a higher way in the present, ensuring that your action will lead to a greater opportunity. “If one specific goal doesn’t work out, another exactly like it, if not better, is on its way to you because you’re holding yourself to a higher standard and showing up more confidently,” Freitas explained. “It’s about knowing what you want, but being flexible with how it comes to you so that your dreams manifest how they were meant to.”

5. Start a journaling practice
Having a clear sense of self is a golden ticket for manifestation—understanding how your current habits and beliefs are manifesting can help you attract what you identify with and identify how you might be sabotaging opportunities that you want to stop. Journaling is a great tool for exploring who you are, and there are many ways to use it as a manifestation tool. For example, if you want to manifest more friends, make a list of all the qualities you’re looking for in ideal friendships. Then make another list of how you can meet people like the ones you described, so you pair your energy with action. 
Kristine recommended journaling practices like scripting, where you write your desires in great detail as if they’ve already happened, or the 3-6-9 technique, where you write your desires three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon, and nine times at night. Not into writing? Try vision boarding, where you gather pictures, quotes, or affirmations of everything you want to embody. “Vision boards help anchor your goals on a daily basis and are a great option for people who find it difficult to visualize their desires as they can simply look at them instead,” Kristine suggested.

6. Take one small action step every day
While it’s great to think big picture about your goals, it’s just as important to think about the little steps you can take each day to bring you closer to what you want. In fact, developing this habit can help you visualize your goals more clearly. “The best way to move through any blockages such as anxiety, doubt, and lack of self-worth, is by asking yourself every day ‘what can I do today that will move the needle towards my goals?’” Freitas recommended. “Taking the action might feel uncomfortable at first because it’s outside of your comfort zone, but taking higher-level actions is key to getting higher-level results.” In other words, come up with daily habits that are specific to your goals. If you want a healthier body, a more successful career, or a happier relationship, what daily habits will get you there?

7. Practice gratitude
The daily habits that get you closer to your future goals are important, but you also need to focus on what reasons you have to be happy now. “Practicing gratitude helps shift your focus from a lack mentality to one of appreciation, which naturally leads to you attracting better circumstances in your life,” Kristine said. Take a pause to notice the little things around you that fill you with joy, such as warm sunshine on your skin or the people in your life who love you. Also, try gratitude journaling, or make it a habit to think of what you’re grateful for first thing in the morning or right before bed. 

8. Remind yourself to let go
By getting too attached to an outcome, you can end up hindering yourself from new possibilities or limiting yourself from what you are meant to have. “One of the practices I teach my students is to think about the end goal, or what your desire will give you when you have it,” Kristine said. “For example, if you desire to manifest love, perhaps the end goal is a feeling of connection. If you start looking for ways to bring more connection into your life now, you will naturally start to let go of any attachment you have around manifesting love, and this will help you to manifest it quicker (because you are surrendered).” Surrendering can be tricky when you desire something dearly, but think of it this way: when you surrender, you are letting go of the fear that you will not get what you want, and instead, believe that what’s meant for you will find you.

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There are celebrities who make wellness look effortless, and then there’s Kate Hudson, who epitomizes wellness. She may be an actor, entrepreneur (of multiple successful businesses), author, podcaster, and mom of three, but she still makes time for her tried-and-true morning routine. And after reading up on her a.m. self-care rituals, I couldn’t help but try them out (because why wouldn’t I want to be in Kate Hudson’s shoes, even if it is just for a week?). After all, she has flawless skin, an exuberant spirit, and feel-good vibes.    
So how does Kate Hudson start her day before running her activewear empire (Fabletics, ICYMI) and new supplement brand INBLOOM? Is she just like us when it comes to a morning regimen? Ahead, I lay out Kate Hudson’s morning go-to rituals and what it was like adapting them into my own morning routine for a week. 

Hydrate
Kate is all about wellness from the inside out, so it was no surprise when she told The Chalkboard Mag that she wakes her body up with celery juice every day. But that’s not all—she also starts the morning with a glass of lemon water, a cup of joe (black), and a smoothie with INBLOOM Immunity Defense (now that’s a lot to chug down first thing in the morning). Lucky for me, I was already on the lemon-with-water train, and celery juice had been in my weekly rotation before. I brought back daily celery juice (thanks, Trader Joe’s), and I’m happy to report that midway through the week, I noticed it helped move things along (if you know what I mean), and by the seventh day, I was convinced my complexion looked clearer. Needless to say, I’ll be drinking celery juice on the reg, trend or not. 
Coffee isn’t my jam (I’m more of a matcha girl) and I’m not one to drink smoothies in the early hours of the day, but come mid-afternoon, especially after a good sweat, nothing sounds better. After a strength-training session, I treated myself to a protein PB and blueberry smoothie from INBLOOM’s collab with Bluestone Lane. Although it did hit the spot, I could’ve easily made a version of it at home (and saved $9.50), but do as Kate does when she’s on the run, right? The main takeaway I got from Kate’s hydration practice is to be intentional about nourishing your body as soon as you roll out of bed to jumpstart your digestion and day.    

Work out first thing
According to Kate, the formula for the best kind of mornings includes getting a good workout in, and I couldn’t agree more. Kate’s secret to making sure she fits in some kind of movement every morning before getting down to business, especially when she doesn’t feel like it? Waking up and putting on a good outfit, of course. I’ll admit I don’t jump out of bed ready to squat it out or downward dog, so changing into a workout set before I could think twice about it was key for me. Once I was dressed, it was harder to talk myself out of exercising.  
One quick scroll through Kate’s IG and you’ll see she takes her workouts seriously: Pilates, yoga, dance, functional training. But at the same time, she listens to her body and chooses the type of activity based on how she feels. When exhaustion sets in and she needs a boost of energy, she turns to a quick jump-rope routine and breathing exercises. What’s more, she works out to create energy, feel good, and honor her body, not to look a certain way. Taking a cue from Kate, I opted for 30-to-45-minute walks when I didn’t get a good night’s sleep or didn’t feel up for hitting the gym. 
Since quarantine, I’ve been a bit lax on when I work out, so setting aside some time to get my heart pumping before I dove into emails helped clear my head, give me energy to take on my long to-do list, and motivate me to carry on good habits throughout the day (think: taking breaks and getting my greens in). Plus, I didn’t have to think about squeezing a workout in after putting in long hours of work. 

Mask up 
In a video Kate posted on IG, she said that she swears by Juice Beauty’s Revitalizing Acacia + Rose Powder Mask in the mornings. Sure, she teamed up with the beauty brand to create it, but if you know Kate (and I like to think I do), you know that she’s a proponent of clean ingredients (food and beauty alike). Cruelty-free, vegan, and made with certified organic ingredients—I was all for it. The best part of masking in the a.m.? It was “me time” I carved out for myself that left me feeling refreshed. I can’t say that it made a noticeable difference in my skin, but to be fair, I have only used it for a week (check back with me in a month). 
In an interview with Allure, Kate revealed that she keeps her approach to beauty simple and uses water sans cleanser on her face in the morning. She also knows that what works for her may not work for everyone. “I’m a believer that [beauty] starts with what you eat, how you take care of yourself, and how you sleep,” Kate said. “For me, beauty is about how we feel. What are we doing in our lives that make us feel good? And then it emanates.” Bottom line: Beauty (and wellness, for that matter) is not one-size-fits-all. You do you and do what makes you feel good. Not to brag, but I’ve been going without cleanser in the a.m. for a year or so now, and I don’t miss it (Bonus points: You get more bang for your buck on your cleanser). But to really channel Kate Hudson? Do what’s best for you, not what’s best for her (or me). 

Meditate 
If there’s one wellness ritual I haven’t given the time or attention it deserves, it’s meditation. I’ve signed up for free trials on both the Headspace and Calm apps, but that’s the extent of it. TBH, I think I’ve never committed to meditation because I’ve had the idea that it has to be “perfect” (a solid 20 minutes of sitting still without any distractions or wandering thoughts) in order to reap the benefits. I’ve continued to put it off because I think of all the other things I could do with my time: throw in a load of laundry, work on my next article, catch up on This is Us, etc. 
But Kate shared a video of her practicing meditation with her daughter, where the 3-year-old says “I’m done” after a few seconds (I feel you, Rani!). But in all seriousness, Kate’s post shows that meditating doesn’t have to be a certain technique or a set amount of time. With that in mind, I set out to take whatever time I had to work on my meditation practice. I followed Kate’s 10-minute meditation, which is six simple, easy-to-follow steps. The result? I felt more grounded as the days went on and I noticed the little thoughts that would normally nag at me (“I wish I was further along in my career” or “What if I let my family down?”) lessened at first, then dissipated. I was also less reactive to situations that would typically bother me.
“I try to connect to the root of the issue that’s bothering me so that I don’t misdirect my feelings,” Kate told The Chalkboard Mag. That really hit home because I realize I’ve taken out my stress and frustrations on my boyfriend and family many times, especially during the last couple of years (anyone else relate?). As part of my 10 minutes of meditation, I’ve taken to my journal to work out any troubling feelings, and that’s been so freeing. I feel like I’m finally understanding why Kate always seems centered and jovial. 

Play music 
There’s nothing like a good playlist to set the mood, get you out of a funk, or motivate yourself at the gym. So what better way to rise and shine than to play some tunes? Kate seconded that. In her interview with The Chalkboard Mag, Kate said her choice of music to wake up to is a toss-up between classic jazz and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (see Encanto), followed by Frozen’s “Let it Go.” Kate knows a thing or two about music, considering her partner, Danny Fujikawa, is a musician and she herself is musically inclined.
This morning hack was the simplest to incorporate, mainly because I had Alexa do it for me. And classic jazz is usually what’s playing in our house anyway, especially when we leave our wiener dog home alone. For that reason, I didn’t feel any major shifts, but I will say that having jazz music on in the background is always a good idea, whether I’m getting ready in the morning or focusing on finishing a work deadline. 

Final thoughts:
While Kate’s rituals that make up her morning routine are nothing new or out of the ordinary, trying them for a week made me more organized and, more importantly, more intentional about how I spend my early waking hours (instead of just going through the motions and rushing to get out the door). This leads me to the biggest lesson I learned from Kate: Be mindful about your actions, from what you put into your body to how you work out. Wellness is about balance and choosing things that make you feel good. 
Although she is world-famous and has all the resources (and free products) you could imagine at her fingertips, anyone can become a morning person and try her routine. Her habits are easy and fairly inexpensive to adapt, and they don’t take up an unreasonable amount of time. On the flip side, if I were to channel Kate, I’d bet she would say don’t force any habits that don’t feel right or natural to you and create a routine that energizes you. What that looks like for her may look entirely different for you and for me. Now that’s some sage advice, if I do say so myself—thank you, Kate! 

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