My Real-Life Wellness Routine
everything I actually do to feel good (and stay sane)
Hey friends,
I’ve been wanting to write this forever. A real look at my wellness routine. If you’ve been curious about how I take care of myself, mind, body, and skin, this is it. It’s detailed and maybe a little overwhelming at first, but the key is to pick what works for you.
This also goes along with my latest YouTube video (a full day in my life: wellness edition)
Yearly Rituals
Blood work & doctor visits
I start here because nothing else makes sense if you don’t know what’s going on in your body. Even if you feel fine, do your blood work. I recommend checking vitamin D, magnesium, and iron if you’re female. High-quality functional doctors are ideal because they go beyond the basics and check what your body should be, not just what’s “normal.” I actually worked with Well Theory for their autoimmune specialty labs. They’re out-of-network, so I couldn’t use insurance, but their price was unbeatable for the level of detail you get. Even if you’re on insurance like me (Kaiser), it’s worth knowing what’s available out-of-pocket, sometimes paying for the right test upfront saves a ton of time and frustration later.
Dental care
Your dentist can make or break your wellness routine. I’ve tried a lot of dentists, but I finally found a boutique one in Fountain Valley, and wow the experience matters. They do allergen-free care, thoughtful touches like giving you a fidget if you’re anxious, and they actually try to fix issues before they escalate. I had ten cavities last year. If I hadn’t been proactive, I’d probably have root canals by now.
Quarterly
Haircuts
I get tiny trims multiple times a year instead of the usual twice. Keeps hair healthy, prevents split ends, and I love it. My stylist checks on thinning or shedding too. Honestly, my hair looks and feels better than it ever has and I think eating red meat again helped a lot (organic, grass-fed, grass-finished).
Diet
Red meat freaks some people out, but it’s amazing for energy, hair, nails, and skin. My old roommate and I used to split the Force of Nature box, it’s way cheaper than you’d think, and the quality is totally worth it. Sometimes I also get the Ancestral Blend for variety, and on top of that, I take the Organ Complex from Paleo Valley as a supplement. So basically, three different ways I’m getting my nutrients, which feels like a smart move for my health.
I didn’t start eating organ meats until recently, and low-key I was intimidated at first like, “am I actually going to eat liver?!” But once you get into it, it’s wild how nutrient-dense they are. Heart, liver, lungs, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals you literally can’t get anywhere else. Liver, for example, is basically a natural multivitamin, high in iron, vitamin A, and B12. My energy is better, my hair and nails are thriving, and my skin just feels healthier overall.
Monthly
Facials
I usually get a facial once a month to keep my skin clear and just for self-care. Right now I’m in the process of finding a new holistic facialist who specializes in acne and uses non-toxic products
Health Coaching
I did monthly sessions with a functional health coach, and it was such a game-changer. We went over everything blood sugar, hormones, supplements, sleep, diet, little lifestyle tweaks. Basically a full audit of how my body was doing. Everything was personalized, which actually makes it stick instead of feeling like generic advice.
Through these sessions, I found out I have high insulin (surprising for my age) and a few deficiencies, vitamin D, zinc, and DHEA. I also already knew about my iron deficiency.
It’s expensive, sure, but catching stuff now is so much better than waiting until I’m 30 and dealing with bigger problems. Even small stuff like pairing snacks with protein and fat, switching up supplements, or adjusting my routine feels like I’m finally in control instead of just reacting to how my body feels.
Chiropractor
I only go when I’m hurting, but if money weren’t an issue, I’d go monthly. My neck, hips, legs they’re all out of alignment sometimes. My old roommate goes to a holistic chiropractor in Beverly Hills and I’m high-key jealous.
Weekly
Castor Oil Packs
$8 for a wrap, $5 for the oil. Honestly, this is one of my favorite simple hacks. I wear it before my “everything shower” and let it sit for a bit while I get stuff done or chill. It’s amazing for bloating (especially if I overdid it on carbs or salt), joint pain, and even acne. Plus, it’s so affordable, and honestly, I love that something that feels indulgent is also actually functional.
Everything Showers
Once or twice a week, I go all out. Hair gets washed, dry brushing happens, body oil goes ons. I hate washing my hair, it takes so long so I try to make it a fun activity.
Sauna & Grounding
I aim for these weekly if I can swing it. I first started really leaning into this back in my 3rd year of college when I was dealing with chronic joint pain, and it helped more than I expected. The heat from the sauna or the connection to the earth with the grounding mat just resets my body and mind in a way nothing else does. Afterward, my joints feel looser, my muscles aren’t so tense, and it’s like I can actually breathe again. I know it sounds bougie, but it’s a small hack that makes me feel like I’ve hit pause on life for a few minutes and sometimes, that’s exactly what I need. Also you dont NEED a grounding mat, you can simply put your feet in the grass/sand.
Sunday Wellness Night
Every Sunday I start my wellness night at 6 PM, and it’s basically a full-on wind-down ritual. Early shower, skincare, grounding, sometimes watercolor or journaling, dessert, and TV. It’s my mental and physical prep for the week ahead. It sets the tone for my entire week.
Daily
Shower & Dry Brushing
I shower every day, especially if I’ve worked out. Before I hop in, I dry brush my whole body. It’s honestly such a simple thing, but it’s great for lymphatic drainage, exfoliation, and just feeling like you’re actually taking care of yourself. It’s cheap & low effort.
Pilates & Walking
I try to do Pilates almost every day. I love it because it’s low impact but still makes me feel strong and aligned. My joints don’t hate me, which is a big win, and it keeps my body feeling long and lean without having to smash it with heavy weights. I also walk daily, usually aiming for 10K steps, though I’ll admit I’ve been slacking a bit lately. Walking is basically free therapy for me, and my dog definitely loves it more than I do.
Supplements
I have a whole stack that I rotate depending on the day. Morning, sometimes digestive enzymes, and zinc. At night, I take magnesium, probiotics, and sleep supplements. Then there are the extras: acne supplements, vitamin C, and random stuff for the times I accidentally eat gluten or drink alcohol. Honestly, it sounds like a lot, but once it becomes routine, it’s just part of my day and I definitely notice a difference if I skip anything
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Red Light Therapy
I do red light almost every night, especially if my joints are sore, I have a headache, or my stomach feels bloated. It’s also amazing for skin, so it feels like multitasking for your body. I use Lumebox (use code SHELBY). It’s one of those weirdly satisfying rituals that feels indulgent but actually does something for me.
Meal Prep & Delivery
For food, I either go with Organic Oren or Sunbasket. Both are high-quality, pre-portioned meals, which makes life so much easier. Eating healthy without stressing over cooking is a huge wellness win. It keeps me on track without feeling like my life revolves around chopping vegetables, and it’s worth every penny. (stopped doing this recently & now my meals consists of oatmeal or turkey bacon lol)
Things I Want to Try More Often
Acupuncture mat (got one for my birthday)
Acupuncture sessions (haven’t done it regularly since HS)
Cold plunges (tried it twice this year)
Sunrise walks (I am not a morning person)
Holistic chiropractor visits
Mindset
Do what works for you, even if it’s weird
Invest in your body now to prevent expensive problems later
Flexibility matters. Some weeks I skip stuff, others I overdo, and that’s fine
Small, consistent rituals add up. They’re about mental wellness as much as physical
If you want to see the full experience, food, brands, techniques, check out the YouTube video or Podcast episode. I go deep on everything, and it’s fun to see all the little details
Wellness isn’t suppose to be perfect. It’s curiosity, experimentation, and investing in yourself.
Love,
Shelby
This is a great insight, I love the how much detail you included, thank you.
LOVE LOVE LOVE