Life Lately: 10 Wellness “Trends” I’m Trying (& Loving)

We’re not quiiiiiiite halfway through the year, but I can say with confidence, here in the middle of May, that my theme for 2024 is self-care. And no, this isn’t about bubble baths, deep breathing, or the ever-elusive, eye roll-inducing “balance” (although I really wouldn’t turn down any of the above). It’s bigger.

My 2023 ended with a miscarriage just days before Christmas, and my bold, bulleted, vision board-worthy goals for the coming year came crashing down right alongside my excitement for a summer babe and dreams of a back porch, sunshine-bathed home birth. Long story short, I went from thriving to barely surviving in the span of a single, silent, tear-streaked ultrasound.

But day by day, month by month…I’m healing. And I’m committed to being my healthiest, happiest self, not only in the hope of future conception, but for my current family and the desire to feel good every precious day.

I overall pride myself in a “less is more” approach to health with a simple, sustainable, non-obsessive regimen of moving daily, drinking enough water, prioritizing protein, and of course, relaxing my pelvic floor muscles *wink wink*. But sometimes there are seasons where I’m a liiiiiiiittle more inclined to experiment, and [this] is one of them.

So I thought it would be fun to share the BTS of the new (to me) wellness trends I’ve been trying – from what I’m reading to the blood tests I’m doing, an appointment I finally scheduled, the #treatyoself purchase I look forward to everyday, and how I’m turning my low-tox living up a notch.

With that, let’s dive in!

Affirmations + meditation = activations

We’ve all heard the benefits of meditation, but who has the time to sit in silence for twenty minutes? Ummmmm…not me! Superhuman app audios are filled with affirmations, guided questions, and motivational music (aka – like meditation…but better), and *consistently* habit-stacking them with my walks, getting ready in the morning, my daily commute, and chores has changed me. With track titles like “Lucky Girl Energy Affirmations”, “Redesign Your Mood & Mindset”, and my favorite – “Feel-Good Main Character Morning”, I’m calmer, more positive, and feel like my best self with zero extra time or effort other than pushing “play”.

A “cleaner” closet

Switching up my skincare to a toxin-free alternative was my first step towards health when trying to naturally manage endometriosis. Five years later, and I’ve overhauled my makeup, hair & body care, dental hygiene, kitchen tools, and house cleaning products too. Between my desire for ease and simplicity in this season and a body that feels like it’s “inbetween”, I’m taking the opportunity to revamp my wardrobe with a quality over quantity approach (if you’ve ever heard of a “capsule closet”, that’s what I’m going for) and cleaner, more natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, and tencel. It’s not perfect by any means, but every purchase feels practical, intentional and like it serves a bigger purpose.

At-home hormone testing

I will never truly know the “why” behind losing my baby, and everyone says not to blame myself…but I can’t help but believe it was my hormones. Even before December, my basal body temperature was low, my energy was off, my hair was falling out, and my weight was rising despite doing all the “right” things. To get a true picture of hormone levels, it’s best to assess both blood and saliva at multiple, specific times during the menstrual cycle, so I opted for an at-home test that checks all the boxes. I’m still waiting for my results (more on what I’ll do with them in a minute), and I can’t wait to move forward knowing exactly where my body’s at and what it needs.

(Near) nightly sweat sesh

We recently purchased a sauna (!!!) and ya girl is already experiencing many of those promised, research-backed benefits. While studies show that sauna use can support everything from detoxification to anti-aging, heart health, reduced inflammation, and better immune function, I’ve personally seen improvement in my skin, sleep, and stress levels. At least five nights a week after Sloan goes to bed, I turn on a superhuman app activation, throw some essential oils on the hot stones, close my eyes, and sweat my way towards better health. While I’m aware saunas aren’t accessible to everyone (heck…it wasn’t as readily available to me until just a few months ago), I *highly* recommend taking advantage whenever you get a chance.

A naturopath appointment

While I’m normally a DIY kinda girl in most areas of life (yes…including my health), this is a season where I need all the help I can get. So as soon as I get my at-home hormone test results back, I’m taking them straight to a naturopath who can support me in the next best steps. It’s fun to experiment with all these wellness trends, but at this stage I don’t have time or energy to waste. As someone who always puts off appointments (and had to wait months to get this one!), allow this to be the *nudge nudge* you need to invest in your health, however that looks for you.

Castor oil packs

A health hack that’s been around for thousands of years but is easy and effective? Yes please! At least three nights a week right before getting in bed, I cover a wool cloth with organic, cold pressed castor oil and place it over my liver during the first half of my menstrual cycle, then over my uterus during the second half. Wearing a castor oil pack for at least one hour, but up to all night, promotes circulation and liver & uterus function to reduce inflammation, support digestion, and improve hormone balance. Call me crazy, but I just feel *different* (in a good way) the mornings after my castor oil pack, and can’t wait to keep this trend goin’.

A sex (!?!) tincture

I was #noshame influenced by good ol’ IG to try this tincture whose tagline is “slippery when wet”. In true transparency, I haven’t witnessed the libido-boosting benefits from its powerhouse ingredients of cacao fruit, maca root, fenugreek seed, saffron fruit, and damiana leaf, but I have noticed “hormone optimization” in other ways. It took about a month to kick in, but my menstrual cycle is longer (from 21 to 26 days), my periods are lighter, my hair is thicker, my mood is more balanced, and the intrusive thoughts that used to keep me up for hours at night have disappeared. If you’re at all curious, head to the reviews section to read about each woman’s experience…it’s a must-try, IMO.

No alcohol

I started this “study” far before we were trying to conceive, then I got pregnant, and now a whole year has passed without drinking alcohol. While there’s that whole “a glass of red wine is good for your heart” theory, I’ve always deep down known how poisonous alcohol really is. Between podcasts, books, and a few friends who had also switched to staying sober, I just had to try it too. I was never a big drinker (a glass of wine here and there, a hard cider at special events), but within a few weeks of cutting it out completely, I was sleeping better, my mind felt clearer, and I started turning towards healthier options to “wind down”, “de-stress” and “loosen up”.

Self-improvement books

There’s no question that books are the cheapest way to consume someone’s best information, so I’ve been reading up on all things wellness, mindset, spirituality, and personal development. While I still love a good rom com or adventure novel right before bed, I’ve been dedicating about twenty minutes every day to reading something that benefits my health – body, mind, heart, or soul – and I’m noticing the perks of this practice in how I act, think, feel, and respond to life. A few of my recent favorites have been “The Hormone Shift” by Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, “Worthy” by Jamie Kern Lima, and “Super Attractor” by Gabby Bernstein.

Social media detox

There are 472 reasons I’ve been off social medial lately. It’s primarily because I’m too busy trying all these wellness trends, but other reasons include protecting my mental and emotional health, wanting to be more present with the life right in front of me, and diving deeper into creating curated, high-quality content like this. I started with a weekend off, then a week, then two, then a month, then three, and sure…I miss out on sales, recipes, and chicken reels. But the pros are proving to outweigh the cons, and the benefits have me debating if I’ll ever go back.

Cheers to self-care that’s more than skin-deep

This health journey feels pertinent, pivotal, and deeply personal, but I hope that by sharing it, you might find inspiration to take another step towards your own health goals. As I continue to experiment with these wellness “trends” and embrace the new rhythm that comes with my commitment to self-care, I solemnly swear to share my experiences, seek support, and show myself grace (and I encourage you to do the same).

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.