My wellness routines unstacked
From tongue scraping to Epsom salt baths (so much for being low-maintenance) + people who inspire me in that scene
This topic has been on my mind for a while because I love all things wellness: trying everything, reading everything, and studying other people’s routines. Mostly though, I just want to feel good and balanced. Not bloated, like I’ve been binge drinking all night (even if I have).
Moving to New Zealand has given me even more space to lean into wellness. Life here feels naturally set up for it, or at least that’s how I like to frame it. There’s more time in nature, weekends at farmers markets, and a wave of clean brands to explore, which is all pretty amazing. But, over time, I’ve learned that less is often more (like not over-treating your skin). It’s about choosing what suits you, not copying everything your friends are doing because that gets draining fast.
The most vital things? Still the boring basics. No amount of green powders or infrared sessions will save you if you’re not sleeping, eating well, moving your body, and actually enjoying your life (hello, serotonin).
And consistency counts.
The following is in no particular order, but most of these routines have been collected over the last decade. That’s when I started taking wellness more seriously, after salmonella wrecked my gut (IV antibiotics are no joke) and a burnout left my nervous system fried for years. I’m not someone who reinvents my life every week, but these are the things I love and keep coming back to.
If I had to sum it up, my focus is really on three things: regulating my nervous system (after a panic disorder), healing my gut, and avoiding bloat or water retention. The last one is mostly vanity, and definitely not enough to make me give up wine.
My wellness routines
I scrape my tongue every morning as the very first thing, before brushing my teeth, drinking water, or anything else. It’s meant to help with lymphatic drainage (it gets rid of bacteria your body detoxifies over night), and I’ve kept it up for over four years since I first came across the practice.
Spoonful of Manuka honey afterwards. I love and currently eat Activist.
Eating is probably the biggest wellness thing of all. I’ve been pescatarian for over ten years, mostly plant-based but with more seafood since moving to New Zealand (I love prawns, even if my hereditary cholesterol condition doesn’t). I stick to plenty of greens, solid breakfasts, and regular meals with gut health in mind. Most of the time I cook at home, but when I’m out, I just enjoy it…
When I eat, I eat, and don’t do anything else..
If I feel bloated, I stick to cooked veggies, rice, and other easy-to-digest foods.
Vitamins and supplements? I’m all for getting nutrients from food, but I’m also a little obsessed with trying new supplements. I take magnesium (love this one!! Also great!) and some B vitamins daily. I just finished a jar of Mother Made Reishi, and I’m reordering because it really does seem to calm me in the evenings. Omega-3 I tend to go on and off.. I’ve not been using any green powders for a couple of months but I’m curious about a few…
I’ve been into Two Islands electrolytes lately. They’re brilliant if I’ve been indulging in wine, which is not exactly a rare event.
On that note, I usually prefer low-intervention wines, but mostly go by flavor. I also try to have more dry days, and sometimes take a few weeks off to reset if there’s nothing fun on.
I love herbal teas and this is the matcha I’m into right now. I’ve been drinking mint, ginger, anything really for years. There’s also a tea I want to try for bloating after indulgent nights, but it’s impossible to get here. And coffee? Still in the mix, because it’s fun.
Also vital: I drink over two litres of water a day, more in the morning and less with meals, as that is supposedly good for digestion, maybe a Chinese medicine thing, but don’t quote me.
Love kombucha, as it’s a nice alternative drink! Been liking this one lately.
Pilates has been my exercise of choice ever since Julia introduced me to it about eight years ago. Truly love at first sight! I make a point of trying new studios whenever I travel, and Amy is insanely good in NYC. Right now, I do Fluidform on the app (I’ve got my ankle weights, small ball, some bands, and now even hand weights that travel with me, hah), and Jo has been teaching me for years too!
I walk everywhere whenever I can!
I love restorative yoga for calming the mind and nervous system. Back in Finland I went to weekly classes, but here I’m still looking for a new spot. For now, I just do short practices or meditations whenever I can. It was also the first thing that helped me during panic attacks, even if only for a night.
I love a good lymphatic drainage treatment, whether manual, LPG or something else. Los Angeles seems to have such a great scene and I’ve always loved Ricari Studios. I’ve heard that Luca Bagnara is amazing, as basically everyone in fashion goes to see him. Any standout tips for New Zealand? I’ll go here when in Sydney.
I count skincare as part of wellness, though I’ve written about my routine here. The one non-negotiable, however, is a morning face massage.
More recently, as any reader knows, I’ve been doing weekly infrared sauna sessions(sometimes with contrast therapy). Love it! I just had one! My fave so far is this one. It’s great for lymphatic drainage, toxins, and it reduced inflammation.
In Finland, I sometimes used Japanese foot patches that are meant to help eliminate toxins. Some people probably think they’re a little strange, maybe even woo-woo, but they always made me feel lighter and sleep better. I used these ones. My take? After five nights of sleeping with them, alcohol hits different, so they must do something!
I love a good epsom salt bath! I’m moving into a new flat in two weeks time with a bathtub. Bliss! Send over your best Epsom salt picks in this part of the world. Pro tip: just pour in the whole pack.
I also dry brush, not every day but whenever I feel like it, and I even brought my brush with me, ha. Afterwards I shower and indulge in this body oil.
Doing things you love is wellness too! Very important!! For me that means watching a shitload of movies, surfing or skiing more recently, seeing friends, and definitely not skipping the wine..
I 100 percent forgot something but let’s pretend I didn’t.
Things that NEED improving
I get enough sleep, but my bedtime is not consistent. One night I’m disciplined, the next I’m wide awake far too late. I’m not naturally a morning person (night owl, big time and if I get inspired at 11 p.m… god help me), but here it does feel easier to wake up earlier. I just need to make it a habit. Also, waking up early makes me feel good about myself, like I’m on top of my life, organised, balanced… not immediately stressed with cortisol raging the second I open my eyes!
The other thing is my phone. It’s the first thing I reach for in the morning, and I hate that. If I only change one habit in the months ahead, it’s this: no screens for at least thirty minutes after waking up.
So now I’m on the road to establishing what they call a great morning routine (lol). The good news is I’m already consistent with breakfast and skincare, as those parts I actually enjoy.
Wellness sources
Some people and places I follow and find inspiring:
Daphne Javitch has a brilliant 360° take on wellness, health, and life.
Ella Mills is my original food queen.
I also love the recipes by Natalia Rudin.
And Fluidform, surprisingly, has just as many great recipes as it does pilates.
My old friend Julia has a great pilates platform.
Many wellness spots, like Tama in Margaret River (my first ever infrared sauna experience!!), have such thoughtfully curated online stores.
For all things Chinese medicine click here.
Amalie Reedtz-Thott is the one to follow when it comes to supplements.
There are so, so many wellness retreats I would love to do and visit: Aro Ha (they seem like such a lovely punch of people and Glenorchy is stunning - only 45 mins from my where I live), Sha is apparently great (and if you need convincing click here and here), everyone (excluding me, hah) has been to Palm Heights…
I have enjoyed following Rose lately.
I think many in the fashion industry know their shit, mainly because it can be a lot about appearances (that is more like a fact). And, my top tip: surround yourself with like-minded people, as it makes taking care of yourself feel so much easier.
x