If you’re eager to plan a trip to the Mediterranean, you may be inclined to go island hopping in Greece, explore the cliffside towns on the Amalfi Coast, or soak up the sun along the French Riviera. But if you’re looking to travel to something of a hidden gem, I would suggest you make your way to Menorca.

If you want to stamp your passport somewhere that’s as much of a wellness retreat as an arts haven, Menorca is the ultimate Mediterranean destination. The island has a far more tranquil reputation than its more famous siblings—Ibiza, known as a clubbing capital, and Mallorca, which equally balances city life with the outdoors. While there are nature reserves across the entire archipelago (including the smallest of the four islands, Formentera), Menorca is the only isle that’s entirely considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That means the 30-mile-long island is home to protected wildlife, and much of it is rural and meant to be left untouched by development—so you're essentially staying in postcard-perfect paradise.

With its sprawling hills full of vineyards, farms, and hiking trails, as well as its picturesque beaches, Menorca has built a thriving sustainable tourism industry, ranging from farm-to-table dining experiences to botanical spas to outdoor fitness retreats. Its peaceful atmosphere has also inspired artists over the years to call the island home, with visual artists and writers alike finding support through more residency programs and a rising gallery scene in recent years.

So, if you’re like me and hope to get a dose of both serenity and culture while on holiday, read on for everything to know about traveling to Menorca.

Where to Stay in Menorca

For a luxury hotel experience, stay at the Villa Le Blanc. Owned by Gran Meliá—a Spanish hotel group that just celebrated its 70th anniversary and is known for its renowned hospitality in the Mediterranean and worldwide—Villa Le Blanc became the first true luxury property on Menorca when it opened following a 2022 renovation. Located on the southern coast, it faces the Santo Tomás beaches and is the most beautiful hotel I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. It features immaculate white stone architecture and open-air concepts throughout, so Menorcan culture, the sun, and the sea are never out of reach.

Rejuvenating treatments are always available via the property’s Thai Room spa—but this summer, the property boasts an event aligned with the August 12 solar eclipse. It marks the first visible eclipse in Spain since 1905, and as Menorca is the first place in the country to see it, Villa Le Blanc is offering guests the chance to set sail to see it from the sea. Aboard a Menorcan llaüt, or traditional wooden boat, attendees will receive eclipse-viewing glasses and be treated to breakfast to take in the cosmic event. I took a sunset cruise arranged by the hotel during my stay, so I can only imagine what a treat the eclipse event will be.

What to do in Menorca

If you’re going to the Balearic Islands, you must spend time at the sea; these are the kind of beaches that'll have you boasting how blue the water was. Many of Menorca’s beaches, or calas, are surrounded by rocky coves and caves—places that feel so magical, you’ll be wondering whether you might just spot a mermaid. Cala Galdana, Macarella or Macarelleta, and Mitjana or Mitjaneta along the southern coast are among the most scenic and popular to visit. For a more active approach, you can hike along Cami de Cavallas, a trail around Menorca’s circumference, or even explore the natural caves, like Son Saura Cova De Coloms.

When you decide to take a break from the sun and saltwater, you can still get your nature fix by taking part in Menorca’s notable agricultural tourism. You can visit the salt flats at La Concepcion, tour or attend cheese-making workshops at farms like Sa Cooperativa del Camp de Menorca, have a wine tasting at the vineyard Bodegas Binifadet, or even go for a horseback ride among the grapes at Torralbenc. (Torralbenc is also a small luxury hotel in a transformed agricultural estate, so if you’re looking for a more remote, rural stay, a restful visit abounds by checking in there.)

Menorca has also quietly become a buzzy arts haven. This is largely due to Hauser & Wirth (based in Switzerland but with various international outposts) opening a gallery on Illa del Rei in 2021. Accessible by water taxi or shuttle boat, the contemporary and modern arts space is located in an 18th-century naval hospital and always free. This was the highlight of my trip and best described as completely transfixing. Seriously, with its history, lush gardens, and sculpture-decorated walking trail, it feels as if the art is both in communication with and intertwined with nature.

And there’s more art to see on the mainland—from Albarrán Bourdais, located in a renovated mansion, to Galería Cayón, situated in the historic Victoria Cinema. You’ll be stunned by the spaces in the Menorca capital, Mahón, just as much as the contemporary works.

Where to Eat in Menorca

Much of the food and drink served on Menorca is from its own farms and vineyards, so expect to enjoy some of the freshest and most delectable seafood, wine, and cheese. For some of the best, go right to the source at the local markets in the port town and capital Mahón or Citadella, just above Mahón on the hilltop and full of medieval, winding cobblestone streets.

There are, of course, incredible eateries and bars in the cities, as well, so you’re never far from paella, tapas, or shellfish. For a wine bar atmosphere with no shortage of small plates, try Ulisses or Bar San Jorge for an even more local flair; if you’re looking for classic seafood restaurants, S’Amarador and Cafè Balear make great options. The latter has been a fixture of the island since the 1970s, and is famous for catching its menu from its own boat. (If you stay at Villa le Blanc, its main restaurant La Terraza del Balear is in collaboration with Cafè Balear.)

You can also enjoy dinner with the ultimate view at cliffside and beachside establishments like ​​Cap Roig, Cova d'en Xoroi, Restaurante En Caragol, and Mar de Teranga. Alternatively, head inland for a farm-to-table experience that’s unlike any other at Nonna Bazaar, which is located in an old farmhouse and turns meals into parties with lively DJ sets once you wrap up dinner.

Welcome to Marie Claire’s Global Glow Guide, your one-stop-shop to the best beauty destinations around the world. Whether you need to find a bouncy blowout while traveling abroad or the best facial to rehab post-flight skin, we’ve got you covered.

Turkey holds a very special place in my heart—I got engaged there on my first trip in 2023 and I recently had the chance to visit again with my best friend. It was just as fantastic as I remembered—if not better. There are many reasons to put Turkey at the top of your must-go list: the incredible Mediterranean-meets-Middle Eastern cuisine, the something-for-everyone landscapes of sweeping coastal seaside towns, busy metropolises that straddle two continents, and underground cities carved into volcanic rock, and of course, the living, breathing thousand-year-old history of Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman empires. But perhaps one of the best reasons to book a trip is the legendary spa treatments.

You may have heard of Turkey for the wave of medical tourism (hair loss transplant anyone?) or perhaps some World Cup buzz. But the culture of beauty and wellness has been intertwined into the very fabric of Turkey from the beginning. It's the home of the centuries-old bathing ritual called the Turkish bath, natural mineral-rich thermal waters, world-famous botanicals like roses (a town called Isparta, for example, produces 60% of the world's rose oil), and cutting-edge aesthetic treatments.

There is so much to discover—along the Turkish Riviera in Bodrum there's a spa resort so fantastic that you don't even need to leave the property; in the bustling city of Istanbul, Turkish baths, facial hotspots, and salons galore that are reason enough to return again and again. Read ahead for my personal guide to Turkey's best beauty destinations.

Best Spa and Wellness Resort

Maxx Wellbeing at Maxx Royal Bodrum

If you're lusting after a Slim Aarrons getaway—complete with crystalline blue water, catch-of-the-day lunches, and postcard-worthy views of the Aegean—there's no better place than Maxx Royal Bodrum. Right on the Turkish Riviera, glamorous doesn't even begin to cover it: guests flutter by in shimmering Missoni kaftans, a bottle of Veuve and a generous platter of juicy, fresh fruit is delivered to your room around 5p.m. as a post-beach-pre-dinner treat, and you're assigned an "assistant" from the second you arrive who makes sure you don't lift a finger to book a dinner reservation at one of the property's many delicious restaurants (there's ultra fine dining like Spanish steakhouse Lẽna, Caviar Kaspia, and Wolfgang Puck's Spago, as well as beachside bungalow Casa Sol, Seavore, with the freshest seafood you've ever had, and more) or schedule a spa treatment. Truly, they even escort you anywhere on property in golf carts so you don't have to walk. It's my favorite kind of spa and wellness retreat—the kind where your time feels relaxing, abundant, and restorative instead of restrictive.

The spa echos that sentiment which was important to the spa director—the team wanted the treatments reflect the overall vibe of the resort. It's a spa for people who still want to enjoy a beachside rosé with lunch or stay up a little too late dancing and eating and singing, but still want high-performance body treatments or holistic facials or longevity consults. The 5,750 square meter compound is pure heaven and has everything you could dream of. There's an impressively large swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, and hydrotherapy circuit (more on that below). And the treatment list is extensive: there's massages and facials, yes, but also reflexology, pressotherapy (for lymphatic drainage), classic hammam rituals, shirodhara, a Zerobody cryo float pod, a Nuvola warm floatation and saltwater flotation. I particularly loved the facial and pairing the cryo cold float with the Nuvola warm float for a total recharge. Regardless of how you spend your spa time, I guarantee you'll feel more rested, relaxed, and rejuvenated when you leave.

Best Turkish Bath

Zeyrek Çinili Hamam

If you looked up the definition of luxury spa in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of Zeyrek Çinili Hamam. The 500-year old historic hammam (it reopened in 2023 after an extensive restoration project that took 13 years to complete) is tucked right in Istanbul's old town among ancient cisterns and mosques. You have not truly lived until you've experienced a traditional Turkish bath and there is no better place to do it than Zeyrek. My friend and I both opted for "The Refresh" treatment. It's a multi-step body treatment that starts with a chilled cup of sherbet (like a rose tea) before you strip down and move into the marble hot room to begin. You pour hot water all over your body a few times (truly a rinse and repeat) before your hammam guide begins scrubbing every inch of you down rigorously with a textured kese glove. It's followed with a hydrating mineral-rich clay mask that nourishes your skin. Then you move to the marble slab where they pour a frothy cloud of soap all over your body before a relaxing massage, leaving you loose-limbed and quiet-minded. There's something softly ceremonial and restorative about the experience—there's a level of a care and intimacy you receive from a total stranger that's truly transformative.

When you're finally returning back to this astral plane, you can't skip the fantastic museum showcasing the history of the hammam, including artifacts recovered during the restoration. And don’t miss the Byzantine cistern next door, which hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions a must-see experience!

The Refresh: 75 minutes

Cost: 160€

Best Hydrotherapy Circuit

Raffles Istanbul

I don't think it's possible to have a bad experience at a Raffles hotel and the Raffles Istanbul is no exception. It's primely located close to Zorlu Center, a luxury shopping mall (Prada! Burberry!) where you can do some serious sartorial damage, so it's ideal for the fashion lovers. From the huge, sumptuous suites with picturesque views of the entire city to personal butler you can text anytime, everything about the property is luxurious. A modern, sleek sensibility and exceptional service (our waiter at breakfast brought us local Turkish delicacies and offered us tips of things to do and see) already make it a fantastic stay—before you even get to the spa. The spa is the dreamiest and has one of the most gorgeous hydrotherapy circuits I've seen and if you're a guest (which, you absolutely should be) you can enjoy it whenever you'd like. Even when full booked, I rarely ran into other guests while doing my sauna-steam-cold plunge-whirlpool circuit which made it feel especially intimate and luxe. You should definitely indulge in more treatments at the spa if timing allows—the facials are to die for, but there's also a jasmine and rose body wrap, massages, and the combined hammam and massage treatment called the Anatolian Grace Hamam Journey that gives you the best of both worlds: a 60 minute exfoliating, soothing, softening hammam experience (with a honey body mask) before 60 more minutes of the most nourishing massage.

Tip: The spa is open from 7:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. which is earlier than many other spas. I highly recommend taking advantage of the spa early (my favorite was doing the sauna, steam, and pool circuit before I started my day of sightseeing (or left for the airport).

Anatolian Grace Hamam Journey: 120 minutes

Cost: 380 €

Maxx Wellbeing

Bodrum is about as dreamy as it gets. And it's even dreamier if you're staying at Maxx Royal. It's no surprise that Maxx Royal's spa, Maxx Wellbeing, has world-class spa amenities. The best part? No reservation required. Elegant and airy, the wet spa is open to all guests during spa hours. Beyond the stunning indoor pool (where I spent mornings swimming laps), the space is complete with a lavish floor-to-ceiling marble hammam, a eucalyptus-infused steam room, hot infrared sauna, Himalayan salt room, cold plunge, LED therapy water showers, calming relaxation rooms, and more to indulge in anytime you like.

Best Massage

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul

A sweet waterfront respite with unmatched views of the Bosphorus, the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus feels intimate and grand at once. It's the ideal stay for perfume lovers—the hotel has a uniquely delightful scent of jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla that wafts by you the second you step foot in the lobby.

One of the best parts of the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus is The Spa. They've created a massive (3,500 square meters) subterranean oasis with a dreamy lush spa garden in the center that instantly pulls you into the zen mood before you even step into the treatment room. And you'll want to spend time in the treatment room—particularly getting a massage. There's everything from massages and scrubs, to body wraps and advanced detox therapies using the infrared MLX I³Dome. Everything has a holistic through line and a massage is the ultimate delight. It's not only the massage you want...it's the massage you need. Somehow the massage therapist gives individual attention to each tendon, muscle, ligament, and fascia, loosening knots and tightness I've had for years.

Oriental Essence Massage: 60 or 90 minutes

Best Facials

Merve Akkaya Beauty Institute

For treating your skin head to toe, Merve Akkaya Beauty Institute was recommended to me by a local for fantastic facial treatments from head to toe. You can get everything from fractional microneedling with RF and LED light therapy, to CACI microcurrent therapy and ultrasonic peels for exfoliation. They also have body treatments, masks, and more (and use Biologique Recherche products in some treatments).

Ayna Ayna Beauty

In the Kadıköy neighborhood, this spot delivers is a go-to for a great classic facial. There's hydrafacials, glass facials, platinum facials, or the ultimate, an everything facial that encompasses deep cleansing, exfoliation, and extractions, to microneedling, LED therapy, oxygen infusion, and targeted masks. Everything is customized for your most gorgeous glow.

The Everything Facial: 120 minutes

Cost: 10.000 TL + VAT (approximately $215 before tax + tip)

Maxx Wellbeing

As someone with sensitive skin, I usually play it safe when trying facials in foreign countries. But once glance at the Black Diamond Non-Surgical Lifting Facial created with one of my favorite beauty brands 111SKIN and I was willing to risk it. And I'm so glad I did: the sculpting, soothing, firming, lifting magic that happened in one hour was almost too good to be true. My fine lines? Erased. Dullness? Vanished. Dryness? Eliminated. It completely massaged away any signs of jetlag or late nights cocktails leaving my skin impossibly glow, lifted, and sculpted to the gods.

Black Diamond Non-Surgical Lifting Facial: 60 minutes

Cost: Quoted upon arrival

Best Private Hammam Experience

Sanitas Spa at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Is there anything more glamorous than sleeping in an actual palace? Dating back to the 17th century, the grand Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel was formerly an Ottoman-era imperial palace. It's since been reimagined with more modern comforts, but the opulence is still there. The open-air courtyard is draped with greenery and flowers as you watch boats sail past on the Bosphorus; it’s minutes away from some of Istanbul’s most famous sights; and the Sanitas Spa is fantastic.

Traditionally, hammams are a community-based experiences. It's not unusual for you to be totally in the buff (save for disposable underwear) while being scrubbed down next to a total stranger. So if you're a bit more shy or prefer something more intimate, this is where to do it. Ask for Diaz—she was the most incredible spa attendant. You kick off the treatment with a hot sauna before going into the hammam. Then you get scrubbed down head to toe with a kese glove in an almost surgical level of precision. It follows with being enveloped in a cloud of warm, soapy foam before an uber soothing massage. After a rinse, your entire body is covered with a mask made of honey, milk, and rosewater, that naturally warms your body as its applied. As you let it get to work, the spa technician washes and conditions your hair before a final rinse off. At the end, they help dry you off and apply a super calming rosewater tonic to your skin to seal it all in. Pure bliss.

Best Blowout

LUXUS Istiklal Cadessi

Hair is basically a religion in Turkey and most local women have a standing salon treatment to keep is glossy and bouncy. It's sort of a rite of passage in Istanbul and you can't pass up the opportunity to get a good blowout or silkifying treatment. It's especially ideal in summer, if you, like me, have been swimming in the ocean and out in the sun leaving your hair dry, brassy, and straw-like. Here you can get a bouncy blowout, trim, tone, gloss, hair botox, and more. The result? The shiniest, happiest hair you've ever had.

Wash, blowout, + trim: Depends

Cost: 200 TL, 500 TL, 1000 TL (approximately $37 USD)

Best Manicure + Pedicure

Pap Art Nail Studio

If you're going to Turkey, you should definitely get your nails done. Not only are the manicures amazing, but it's so much more inexpensive to get your nails done. (For example, a gorgeous gel mani with design costs about $35 USD.) Whether you prefer something simple or more elaborate with art or designs, Pap Art Nail Studio came highly recommended. The nail technicians are talented and meticulous with their attention to detail and the salon is clean and orderly—a dream for someone type A, like me.

Gel Polish Renewel + Gel Polish Manicure: 1450₺ (about $31 USD)

Nail Art: 30-150₺ (about $3.50 USD)

Best Shopping

My favorite choice of souvenir anywhere I travel is a fantastic local beauty product. There's no shortages of markets, shops, and boutiques in Turkey and everything I've found has been beyond dreamy.

Pelcare

Sun butter? Superfood glow cream? Saffron sunscreen? Those are just the few things you'll find created by gorgeous Istanbul-based beauty brand Pelcare. Everything is beyond gorgeous and smell absolutely divine.

Abtira

I'm a sucker for a great botanical-based skincare brand and stumbling across this gorgeous one was a stroke of luck. It has an impressive amount of skin serums, oils, balms, and tinctures—it even has a line tailored to menopausal skin. I'm partial to the lavender marigold SPF balm.

Atelier Rebul

If there's one thing I want to smell like, it's golden hour. And this beauty brand does a fantastic Istanbul-inspired scent that bottles that exact scent. The brand dates back to 1895, where French pharmacist Jean Cesar Reboul is said to have founded Turkey's first "pharmacie," Rebul Pharmacy). I spray a little cloud over my skin every morning and I swear I’m instantly in a better mood. It’s uniquely warm and refreshing vanilla scent with pear, neroli, jasmine, and toasted coconut. So subtle, yet it lingers all day, and I’ve never gotten more compliments.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Nothing gets us more excited than talking about a not-so-little tweakment or a nip-tuck procedure. In the spirit of transparency, Marie Claire’s aesthetics column, Life in Plastic, delivers a first-hand peak into what goes on behind the doctor’s door.

Alana is a 42-year-old woman living in NYC with two children. She had four sessions of Emsella in Spring 2026. This is her story, as told to Marie Claire, edited for length and clarity.

After having two children, my pelvic floor became very weak. Every time I work out, I pee my pants. Like, immensely, and it was honestly just so frustrating. I’ve been peeing my pants for the past five years; it’s terrible. “Damage to the pelvic floor happens during vaginal birth due to the stretching and tearing of the soft tissues and muscles that support the pelvic organs,” explains double board-certified OBGYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon Patricia Wallace, MD. “Women have more risk factors that impact the pelvic floor than men, and therefore have more issues—loss of bladder control, often with activity, coughing, or laughing, called stress incontinence.”

Nothing would fix it, either. I went to the doctor and they told me to keep doing kegels. But nobody shows you how to do a kegel the right way, and it’s just a very frustrating process. I even went to a GP (my general doctor), and they told me to go to physical therapy to strengthen my pelvic floor. I tried it, but it was super intrusive. I had to go twice a week, and frankly, I’m too busy. I work, and I have two kids. It’s not happening.

Then I heard about Emsella, which was just four 30-minute sessions. “Emsella is high-frequency electromagnetic energy that causes contractions in all the pelvic floor muscles. Emsella 'body builds' the pelvic floor,” explains Dr. Wallace. “It is impossible to contract all these muscles voluntarily, and while pelvic floor physical therapy is always great for technique, breath and body mechanics, it doesn’t lead to an increase in muscle mass.” I heard great things, but you really don’t believe it works until you try it. I finished the treatments a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to report there is no more pee in my pants.

Session One of Emsella

I wasn’t anxious going into my appointment. Honestly, I was just nervous. All I was thinking was, Is this going to hurt? But at the same time, we do so many things and treatments that are painful to our bodies just to help us feel better. The second I got to the office—I went to BLT Body Boutique by Dr. Yael Halaas in Manhattan—I felt better. The space was gorgeous, clean, and beautiful. I filled out some typical paperwork and waited in the lobby until they called me back into a private room.

In the room there’s this flat chair, and that’s the Emsella device. The nurse practitioner told me how to sit on it—you basically lean forward and push your pelvic floor down. Then I just had to stay seated like that for 30 minutes. It went by pretty fast, which was great. It feels like this motion of electric shock waves or energy that are hitting the inside of your pelvic floor. Imagine you’re snapping rubber bands on your hands. It feels like that, but on your pelvic floor. It’s this electrical current that travels through your body and contracts your pelvic floor muscles.

There’s no pain or even discomfort after the session. I ran the next morning and felt like I wasn’t wetting myself as much. This is TMI, but I also get kind of damp when I sleep—like I try to hold my pee and wake up a little wet. It wasn’t as bad the next morning.

Emsella Sessions 2 through 4

The process for all the sessions is the same. It’s the same strength and the same amount of time. I did one a week. I probably started to notice the biggest difference after my third session. I didn’t even know if I was going to go back for a fourth session, but better to be safe than sorry. After that last one, I started waking up, and my pants were totally dry. I don’t have to change my underwear every time I come home from the gym. Like, it’s two in the afternoon, and I’m wearing the same clothes I wore to work out this morning.

“Some women feel impact after a few sessions; other women see results closer to the end of six treatments,” says Dr. Wallace. “I usually recommend repeating sessions three times per year or more as needed to stay strong. Just like any other muscle, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

The Takeaway on Emsella

I have no regrets. It made such a big difference. It hits the spot, and I honestly don’t know why anyone would spend months in PT over doing Emsella. I’ve told all my friends to do it. Nothing is ever wet anymore. It’s great.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

Hello and welcome to today’s edition of my oversharing on the Internet. If there’s one thing that will prompt me to talk about my arm liposuction, life-long bloating, and chronic constipation for thousands of people, it’s my undying love for my vibration plate. I know, I know—you think it’s hype, it’s fake, it’s a TikTok shop scam. But no! It’s not! I promise! In fact, it’s actually the best money I’ve maybe ever spent.

Now, I’m someone who is and has always been an inflammatory individual. I swell in the heat, wake up puffy and distended more often than not, and maybe have five days a month when I don’t feel bloated. My bowel movements—well, not to be TMI—but they’ve never been so frequent. Last November, I was feeling all of the above to the max. I was fresh off my arm liposuction procedure, which meant I still had anesthesia bloating, wasn’t cleared to work out, and had so much stagnated fluid pooling in my armpits. I was quite literally out of my mind. My doctor said getting my lymphatic system going was the quickest path to feeling like myself again.

At the same time, the Merach Vibration Plate took over my entire feed. Gaggles of influencers were preaching to me day in and day out how they’d lost weight (I still call BS on that front), felt less bloated, noticed less cellulite, had reduced inflammation, less muscle pain, and better digestion. Paige Desorbo even championed her vibration plate for hot girls with tummy problems on Giggly Squad, saying, “The first time I tried it…I didn’t stop shitting for two hours.” If that's not a winning endorsement...

The idea of a vibration is pretty straightforward and frankly not new at all. In one form or another, they’ve been around for close to 200 years, and their benefits have been studied extensively as they relate to bone and muscle health. They’re fixtures in rehabilitation centers and gyms (although to be totally honest, jiggling on a vibration plate is not something I’d opt to do in public); wellness and massage centers often have them in their studios, too.

You stand on a shaking device for 10 to 20 minutes a day, either upright or while doing a series of low-impact stretches, letting the motion activate your lymphatic system. “They can help loosen up overworked muscle tissue and help rid the body of metabolic waste, resulting in a far quicker recovery process,” Val Oliveira, a lymphatic drainage specialist and founder of Brazilian Lymph Spa, tells me. “They’re not a magic fix, but they can be a convenient, low-effort tool that complements an active lifestyle and other healthy habits.”

Frankly, it didn’t sound like I had anything to lose, aside from $79, so I ordered the plate getting the most praise online, and it arrived at my doorstep two days later. I started off slow—partially because I was still recovering from surgery and partially because I didn’t want to be left with the Paige Desorbo effect. My plate came with 10 levels, but I settled on level two from the jump. It’s a pretty weird sensation—every little bit of fat and loose skin starts shaking rapidly, with intensity building in certain areas depending on your positioning. I started my session by lightly tapping my lymphatic sites above the collarbone, in my armpits, and around my groin.

My legs started to feel a little itchy (normal!), and within five minutes I needed to pee (also normal!). I did some light stretches, but nothing too crazy. Once my 10 minutes were up, I felt a little more energized, but that was the main takeaway. Still, I didn’t mind it; it was a very easy way to burn over a hundred calories before starting my day, so I kept standing on it every morning. PSA: I recommend using it before drinking or eating anything—especially if you deal with acid reflux.

I became religious about using it and worked my way up to level four, which is my sweet spot. More powerful levels aren’t always better. I have very thin skin, and when I use level five or six, the pressure ends up causing bruising. I also started drinking hot water with lemon directly after I finished my session, and followed that up with a scoop of Coconut Cult, a probiotic yogurt. This three-step morning routine made a world of difference in how I felt every morning. I started waking up feeling lighter. My digestion was the best it had ever been. And my general puffiness started to fade. The pocket of fluid in my armpit also started to drain.

It wasn’t until about a month into consistently using my vibration plate, though, that I realized just how big a difference it made. I left for a weekend trip, and after skipping my plate for just three days, I noticed I was more bloated, more constipated, and just generally heavier and more sluggish. That’s the exact moment my obsession (because it is an obsession) clicked.

Now I won’t sit here and play into the untrue and clickbait-y dialogue that a vibration plate is going to make you lose weight. Alone, it’s not. But because it helps activate the lymphatic system, it can make a big difference in fluid retention. “The vibrations create repeated muscle contractions that help stimulate lymphatic and circulatory activity throughout the body. For many people, that can support lymphatic movement and digestive processes, which can temporarily reduce feelings of puffiness and bloating,” says Oliviera.

Six months in, and I can confirm the hill I’m willing to die on is that a vibrating plate is the best $79 you’ll ever spend. Would I tell you to buy every wellness gadget TikTok tries to sell you? Absolutely not. But this is the rare one that graduated from impulse purchase to permanent fixture in my morning routine. I'm still using it—which, honestly, might be the most convincing review I can give you.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

If you're looking for a sunny beach vacation, chances are you've already considered booking a flight to the Caribbean, especially if you live on the east coast of North America—the convenience is undeniable. But if you're looking for something other than one of the major players among the 30+ countries and territories of the Caribbean, like the Bahamas, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, or St. Barths, then I suggest taking a trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as soon as humanly possible.

Located only four and a half hours from New York City—less time than it takes to fly to Los Angeles—the stunning volcanic island is one of the most southernmost Caribbean getaways (which means that it was still toasty warm when I visited in March, while NYC was buried under a blanket of snow), with stunning blue-green waters, soft sandy beaches, and a delightfully laid-back attitude. Time moves a little slower upon arrival, and truly nothing feels better than leaving behind the frenetic hustle and bustle of the city in favor of a few relaxing days under the sun—so long as you apply plenty of SPF, of course.

Now that summer vacations are finally upon us, use this as your insider guide to the best beauty and wellness treatments on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and enjoy everything the island has to offer.

Best Facials

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

If you want a comprehensive facial combined with a relaxing head massage (and honestly, who doesn't when you're on vacation?) look no further than this luxury spa. Coupled with guided breathing and visualisation, the facial massage portion is sure to help you melt into the table for an hour and a half of pure bliss.

Mindful Facial: 90 minutes

Cost: $380

The Magnolia Spa

The hundreds of five-star reviews sold me on the no-frills facial at The Magnolia Spa. Sometimes, you just want to rest easy knowing that you're going to walk out the door with clear pores, a sculpted set of cheekbones, and ridiculously glowy skin. It doesn't hurt when the price is right, either.

Relax, Revitalize Facial: 75 minutes

Cost: $120

Best Spas

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

The Mandarin Hotel is the pinnacle of luxury, and there's no better way to melt away the stress hiding in your body than with one of the spa's signature treatments. From massages to facials to full-body scrubs, good luck choosing just one to indulge in during your Caribbean trip. The warm Oriental Harmony scrub is one of the best, with two providers working in tandem to buff away rough skin and banish post-flight tension.

Oriental Harmony: Two hours

Cost: $540

Sandals Saint Vincent Red Lane Spa

Nothing says "I'm on vacation" quite like a body wrap treatment. The newly redesigned Red Lane spa at Sandals Saint Vincent is the epitome of relaxation, and the Deaging Body Wrap Treatment is everything your tired, dehydrated skin deserves on vacation. Tighten skin laxity and enhance skin's natural radiance during an hour of pure bliss—then spend the rest of your afternoon on one of the lounge chairs by the pool with a glass of champagne. You deserve it!

Deaging Body Wrap Treatment: One Hour

Cost: $183

Best Massages

Sandals Saint Vincent Red Lane Spa

There are few things I love more than a hot stone massage, and the treatment I received at The Red Lane Spa nearly put me to sleep I was so relaxed. The additional minerals help to soften and purify the skin, while a skilled masseuse releases those stubborn knots from your back and hips. The stunning redesign of the space is also made for lounging around in a robe, sipping champagne, as I did after my hour-long treatment.

Himalayan Salt Stone Massage: 60 or 90 minutes

Cost: $206 - $282

Bequia Beach Hotel Spa

For a fully customized treatment that features hot volcanic stones (from the island!), deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy, the stylish spa at Bequia Beach Hotel has hands-down one of the most relaxing massages you'll ever receive on vacation. My advice? Pretend you're floating on one of the high, fluffy clouds around the island while your aches and pains disappear..

BBH Signature Massage: 60 minutes

Cost: $145

Best Manicure + Pedicure

The Onyx Spa, Paradise Beach Hotel

Hey, sometimes you just don't have time to get your manicure or pedicure done before hopping on a plane to paradise. Book an appointment at the Paradise Beach Hotel's spa to receive a classic, gel, or Gel-X manicure or pedicure and feel prepped and ready to be blissfully shoeless on the beach for the next few days.

Gel Pedicure: 75 minutes

Cost: $90

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As far as wellness fads go, sitting in a warm pool being massaged by jets is quite pleasant when you compare it to popular longevity treatments like NAD+ drips and breath restriction exercise. Despite being a buzzy concept in the modern longevity movement’s quest to live longer and age slower, hydrotherapy—or using water to help treat common concerns like muscle aches, stress, and fatigue—has been around pretty much since the start of human history. The ancient Romans famously had their public bathhouses, while ancient Greeks are considered the inventors of contrast therapy.

While you might be familiar with, or even partaken in a sauna and cold plunge, it turns out there are a few things experts say we’ve been getting wrong when we submerge ourselves. I know, it’s just water, how complicated could it be? While you will still see some benefits if you just dunk yourself in cold water and call it a day, you won’t get the full scope of what hydrotherapy has to offer, says Marcus Coplin, ND, medical director at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort and The Springs Resort, and chief medical director at Bastyr University. Everything from how long you spend in the water to the type of water and even the order you do your treatments will influence how effective that treatment is, he says.

With that in mind, I asked the pros to reveal which hydrotherapy option will help you achieve your wellness goals and how best to practice it in order to reap the maximum benefits. Keep reading to learn four expert-approved ways to get wet.

Contrast Therapy

What Is Contrast Therapy?

While sauna and cold plunge might be the most well-known iteration of contrast therapy, any combination of exposing yourself to alternating temperatures—even a hot-and-cold foot soak, can help with recovery.

“You're exposing the body to two extremes of the stress spectrum,” Dr. Coplin explains. “The heat is increasing the red blood cells' ability to release oxygen to be used by the cells as fuel, increasing the entire metabolic capacity of the body.” The heat also expands your blood vessels, he says, allowing more blood to circulate throughout your system. When you then get into the cold, it contracts the capillaries, pumping all that metabolically rich blood back into your organs, which Dr. Coplin equates to “putting gas in the tank for these tissues.” The cold also helps get your lymphatic system moving, and the shrinking of the blood vessels helps alleviate inflammation by moving the blood away from those sore, swollen areas. Dr. Coplin does note that opting for wet or dry experiences will also impact the therapeutic benefits you see from contrast therapy.

“When you are immersed in water, there's a physical element to that,” he explains. “There's the pressure that the water exerts on the skin, which moves the lymphatic fluid from the skin into the capillaries. It creates a gentle pump for the body that way. Water is more directly therapeutic with that deep metabolic reset, whereas the drier experiences are more longer term.”

How Do I Do Contrast Therapy Correctly?

The ideal routine to reap these benefits, says Dr. Coplin, is to follow a heat, cold, rest, repeat program. Resting your body at room temperature after contrast is fundamental, he explains, because after heating up and cooling down, your body needs to rediscover its equilibrium. “It does that by activating the parasympathetic element of its nervous system, which is the de-stress element,” he explains. “If you're walking around with a low degree of chronic stress, putting your body into an intentional and targeted heat stress, and then cold stress, letting the body rest erases that chalkboard that's been slowly keeping tally of all those subconscious chronic stresses that your mind maybe didn't register, but your body certainly did.”

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t reap more benefits the longer you subject yourself to temperature extremes, meaning endurance is absolutely not the name of the game. “Go with what your body is telling you,” he says, meaning if you start to get dizzy or out of breath, then that’s your body’s way of saying it’s time to get out. He says his initial recommendation for contrast therapy is to do five minutes in a heat element, followed by 30 seconds to a minute in the cold, and then two to three minutes at room temperature resting, repeating that cycle three times.

While many biohackers have turned cold plunge into an endurance sport, Dr. Coplin says that can actually be detrimental to your goal. “You should always stay in cold water just long enough to where you can feel yourself relax into the discomfort. It doesn't need to be forcing yourself to stay in there.” And, there’s truly no reason to do more than three cycles, he says. In fact, it can be detrimental to your end goals. “It might overwhelm your body to the point where you're going to be tired and grumpy because your body is eliminating at a faster rate than it can handle.”

Hydrotherapy Circuit

What Is a Hydrotherapy Circuit?

For those that like a little variety, hydrotherapy circuits have been gaining in popularity as destinations for health-conscious guests across the globe. Depending on the locale, you can find everything from the usual saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and whirlpools, plus more unique experiences like the frost-producing shower at the St. Regis Resort in Long Boat Key or the icy walls of the Snow Room at the luxe Meraki Wellness in Grand Cayman. In Denver, Coba has a 43,000 square foot bathhouse in the works that will feature indoor and outdoor water elements like a float pool, heat stone, and cold sauna that guests can access with a $50 day pass.

According to Meraki co-founder Peter Clarke, hydrotherapy circuits allow for more tailored treatments that better fit your needs. “You might be an elite sportsman and you may want to do something one way or you might be a total novice and never ever done it in your life,” he says. “They would want different things.” Maybe you know that your body responds better to a wet heat, like a steam room, but prefers a dry cold, like a cold sauna. Or perhaps you like the double whammy of wet that comes from a heated whirlpool and a cold plunge. Hydrotherapy circuits allow you to experiment with different elements of contrast therapy and find the modalities that work best for you.

How Do I Do a Hydrotherapy Circuit Correctly?

Some circuits are unguided, while others have attendants to move you through the flow and advise you on timing and order of treatments to best achieve your goals. According to Giota Strikoudi, wellness concierge and founder’s ambassador at Meraki, they advise everyone to start with the sauna, because it provides the most impactful heat treatment. “Sauna influences heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic nervous system regulation in the heart,” she says. “It's related to stress regulation, so on that aspect, sauna has the same benefits as low to moderate exercise.” From there, Strikoudi says you should head to a cold element, like an experiential shower, followed by the steam room to help re-moisturize the skin after the dryness in the sauna.

But the beauty of a hydrotherapy circuit is you can find what works for your needs. If a cold plunge is not something you can handle, hydrotherapy circuits provide alternatives that allow you to experience the benefits of cold therapy in a more manageable format. “The snow shower is lovely — it's much easier than the cold plunge because you're not submerging your whole body in the cold,” says Janet Monroe, a licensed massage therapist at the St. Regis Longboat Key.

The important thing is not what type of cold you do, but just that you do it. “You're missing a very powerful therapeutic if you don't do the cold,” says Dr. Coplin. “If you can get connected to your breath and get in the cold water for as little as 30 seconds, what you find is that each time you do it, you're more adapted to the cold. You're actually retraining your body's window of what comfort feels like, and that is that neurological reset, hormonal reset, circulatory reset.” Just don’t forget to follow that heat, cold, rest, repeat cycle no matter which elements you choose.

Hot Springs

What Are Hot Springs?

While hotspots like Colorado and California boast an impressive array of natural mineral hot springs to soak in, many Americans have less exposure to balneotherapy—the technical term for mineral water bathing—than their European counterparts. Balneotherapy combines the physical benefits of contrast hydrotherapy, says Dr. Coplin, along with trace amounts of mineral absorption, which can have a range of impacts on the skin, from arthritis relief to remedying inflammation, depending on the mineral. “Every mineral spring is unique—each is based on the unique path that water found its way up to the surface from these supercharged water reservoirs deep in the earth,” he says. “As it finds its way up, it's collecting different mineral profiles based on the sediment beds that it's moving through.” In the U.S., our most common minerals are sulfur, sodium, potassium, silica, lithium, and calcium, he notes.

“Mineral waters provide both transdermal mineral absorption, where minerals like magnesium are going into the skin and being incorporated directly into the intracellular space,” says Dr. Coplin,who is also board president of the Balenology Association of North America. “There’s also what we call the mechanical aspect of some minerals, like sulfur, which actually creates an enhanced opening of the capillary beds in the skin, improving the circulation into chronically inflamed skin and helping the body better deliver nutrients and oxygen to that tissue. For hundreds of years, sulfur hot springs have been used to successfully treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.”

What Is the Correct Way to Maximize Hot Springs Benefits?

Just like the heating elements in contrast therapy, there’s no need to spend hours soaking in a steaming pool. Fifteen minutes will do the trick, and if the hot spring you are at has some sort of cool shower or stream nearby, do yourself a favor and do a 30-second dunk in the cold. While you might be thinking you need to find a hot spring with the specific mineral content that addresses your needs, Dr. Coplin says that there’s no reason to jet around the world in search of the “right” hot spring for you. “Everybody wants to know which is the best hot spring for them,” he says. “The real answer is that all of them are going to have a benefit. If someone who has arthritis goes to a sulfur spring they're still going to get a benefit. It's just maybe not as targeted and specific.”

Mineral Baths

What Are Mineral Baths?

If you’re not fortunate enough to live close to one of the Uninted State’s 1,600+ natural hot springs, your next best option is to create a mineral soak in your bathtub. Brands like Flewd and Esker offer formulas that are high in minerals like magnesium and loaded with beneficial aromatics and vitamins to soothe the skin and the senses. While baths lack the high heat benefit of most hot springs, says Andrea Colón, NMD, which are typically anywhere from 94 to 104 degrees, an at-home soak is a more accessible and convenient option for most.

“Soaking in mineral baths can alleviate muscle tension and stiffness,” says Dr. Colón. “Minerals like magnesium are known for their calming properties due to its ability to activate GABA receptors. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that can help to regulate the nervous system and promote overall relaxation.” Magnesium tends to be the most common mineral for at-home bathing, says Flewd founder and CEO Michael Lupo, because it’s one of the easiest to work with (outside of lithium orotate) and least likely to irritate the skin. “With a lot of minerals you read about the benefits and it sounds great, but there are issues where it smells bad, or it doesn’t dissolve, or it leaves a film,” says Lupo.

Magnesium also has the most research around transdermal absorption (although all of our sources agree that more studies are needed). “Transdermal absorption relies on having the right convergence of warmth, water, and weight,” says Lupo. ”You need to have some kind of temperature increase to help open the pores. You also need the aspect of high water solubility. Magnesium chloride has one of the highest water solubilities out of all of the variants of magnesium. It also has one of the smallest molecular weights, which means it's much easier for it to get through your skin into your bloodstream through transdermal absorption.”

What Is the Correct Way to Maximize Mineral Bath Benefits?

While magnesium chloride is often thought of as the gold standard for mineral baths, the more common (and affordable) type of magnesium you usually see is magnesium sulfate, or epsom salts. “Both forms of magnesium have been associated with muscle relaxation, pain relief, and stress reduction,” says Dr. Colón. “But there are a few differences in how well they are absorbed”

You have a few options these days for the type of bath, with the most common being salts, like those found in Flewd’s muscle-melting Ache-Erasing Anti-Stress Bath Treatment, and liquids like Esker’s Liquid Magnesium Bath Enhancer, which features two types of magnesium and a gorgeous blend of palo santo, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils. “If you have sensitive or dry skin, you may prefer the magnesium liquid which is better for moisturizing,” says Dr. Colon. “For someone with more oily or acne-prone skin, magnesium salts might be the better choice.”

Dr. Coplin says the best way to mimic a natural hot spring at home is to do a little bath alchemy. “I usually recommend people buy bulk epsom salt from the drugstore, and then get the beauty brand that they like that has some kind of trace mineral,” he says. “Put in three or four cups of your bulk salt, and then add your bath treatment, and that's where you can really create a beautiful experience that has a therapeutic benefit. Magnesium salt at that ratio helps drive those trace minerals more effectively, so you can enhance the therapeutic effect of the other minerals by increasing with the epsom salt.”

While you may think soaking longer would be better, Lupo says that transdermal absorption for magnesium happens at around 10 minutes, so anything after that doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting a higher absorption of minerals. Be sure not to wash off after your bath, as there may still be trace minerals on your skin that could absorb, says Dr. Coplin. Rinsing is fine, but skip the soap.

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Meet the Experts

It’s not often that you get to meet one of the most storied actresses of our time. It’s even less common that they’re as grounded and open as Zoe Saldaña. Well, I defied both of those odds when I sat down with Saldaña recently to discuss her approach to beauty and her new role as a Lancôme Longevity Ambassador.

​“They've really been consistent,” the actress says when I asked about her decision to partner with the luxury cosmetics brand. “They have worked with amazing ambassadors, and they've been loyal to them for years.” It’s that trustworthiness that originally drew her to the brand, but the product's efficacy ultimately helped her decide. “These formulas have been integrated into my routine so easily,” she says. “They really do work.” The formulas in question? Lancôme's Absolue Longevity MD line.

Designed to target biological—not chronological—aging (i.e., the age and condition of your skin, not just your age in years), the collection is crafted around the ingredient Mitopure. It supports cellular health and mitochondrial function, which help fortify skin firmness, hydration, and collagen production from the inside out. In short, the goal is to help skin look and act more youthful by targeting the cellular changes associated with aging.

​Skincare is only one part of Saldaña's wellness routine, which she says she depends on to keep herself from becoming “dysregulated and overwhelmed.” Ahead, she shares the rest of the products and practices that keep her fueled, present, and Doing Well.

"Lymphatic massages. You really have to stick with them, but you will see the results if you do. I also love extremely hot baths. I'll take sometimes up to three or four baths a day, and sometimes I add epsom salts. But you have to be careful because they can dehydrate you. Just chug two liters of water afterward."

"Frequency music. I’ve stopped listening to most podcasts because ingesting so many opinions can be overwhelming. When I’ve finished listening to the ones that I do like, I’ll turn on a frequency playlist, and it just taps into that frequency that you kind of operate from. I really think it works because sometimes, when I listen to song lyrics, if my mind is already working on something, it can become really distracting and dysregulating. It’s kind of like brain floss."

"Don’t pick up your phone. I’m trying really hard to stick to it, and I’ve really been successful so far. It’s so easy, when I get overwhelmed, to want to punch out and doom scroll. It kind of feels like that cigarette that you need to have a little quick fix that doesn't quite fix anything, you know?"

"The Absolue Longevity MD Intercept Face Cream. It has now become the only night cream that I use, and it’s phenomenal on the skin and leaves my face feeling so supple. I’m also a really big fan of perfumes. Frederic Malle is one of my favorite brands. Right now, I’m loving Rose and Cuir, but I used to be obsessed with Carnal Flower too. "

"A fabric scrunchie. I have them in every bag that I own. Every time I go to any pharmacy, I'll just pick up a bundle of them. I also love hand cream. I’m big on moisturizing."

"Resting is really important to me. Having the discipline to know when to say no and when to stop. You have to respect the hours that your body needs to reset. That, to me, is my idea of nurturing my mental health. As a mother, I know that everything that I put into my body will affect my temperament with my children. I am all about just honoring what will make me feel better tomorrow so that I can be better for them."

"Listen to yourself. Make peace and find beauty with what you see in the mirror. Work with it because what you are is enough. You will always be enough, and just tell the noise to shut up."

Shop Zoe Saldaña's Wellness Routine

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Welcome to Marie Claire’s Global Glow Guide, your one-stop-shop to the best beauty destinations around the world. Whether you need to find a bouncy blowout while traveling abroad or the best facial to rehab post-flight skin, we’ve got you covered.

Somewhere between the gasp-inducing landing and your first swim, you begin to notice that people look a little more polished than usual in St. Barths. Spend a few days there—long enough to settle into the island’s rhythm—and the pattern reveals itself: mornings are for sunlit swims off quiet beaches like Gouverneur, leisurely Mediterranean-style lunches fill the afternoons, and the rest of the day is for the kind of rituals that turn looking “undone” into an art form.

That effortlessly refined aesthetic isn’t accidental here; it’s a commitment to maintenance, from facials that erase jet lag to hammams that make the Caribbean sun feel like an ally. In Gustavia, Fouquet’s draws as much from its setting as its spa—a hilltop perch with sweeping harbor views, manicured pools, and treatments attuned to the island’s slower tempo. Over on a more secluded stretch of Flamands, Cheval Blanc defines a different vibe: garden paths, a quiet shoreline, and an understated calm that makes lingering feel like part of the ritual.

Whatever your mood, this guide contains the most coveted spots on the island—establishments that locals and regulars rely on to maintain that year-round St. Barths glow.

Best Facials

Fouquet’s St. Barths - Spa Diane Barrière

If there’s a place that explains the island’s particular brand of polish and style, it’s Fouquet’s. Set just above Gustavia, the hotel masters that rare balance—lively when you want a scene, but entirely private when you don’t. The terrace bar catches the light at sunset, but just beyond it, the property opens into private terraces and cabanas, so you can slip out of view, even in the center of town.

The Spa Diane Barrière runs on a distinctly French logic: precise, methodical, and corrective. Facials are built around Biologique Recherche and similarly serious formulas, with an emphasis on technique over theatrics. The signature Remodeling Face treatment—part manual, part microcurrent—works at a structural level, lifting and refining without tipping into anything obvious. You leave looking more refined than before, like the lighting has been adjusted slightly in your favor. Massages follow the same approach—tailored, effective, and designed to reset rather than overwhelm.

That philosophy extends beyond the spa—Fouquet’s is a place that understands how to give you space. The property is made up of just 21 bungalow-style suites, scattered along the hillside with a kind of deliberate privacy. Each comes with its own terrace and plunge pool, positioned so precisely that you can spend an entire afternoon in the sun without anyone in your line of sight—no wandering glances, should you decide to tan without bikini lines, just the red roofs of Gustavia and the horizon beyond.

Bespoke Facial: 60 Minutes

Cost: $207

Eden Rock - Eden Spa x Dr. Barbara Sturm

Eden Rock holds the center of the island’s social rhythm, but carries it with the unmistakable sophistication of Oetker Hotels (it is, after all, the Caribbean sibling to the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the south of France). Set directly on St. Jean Beach, the property manages to be the island’s most high-profile stage while remaining a deeply personal sanctuary.

The crown jewel of the wellness offering is the SturmGlow Eden Rock with HydraFacial, offered exclusively here. It pairs HydraFacial’s deep cleansing and extraction with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s anti-inflammatory, barrier-focused formulas, delivering immediate but controlled results: smoother texture, clearer pores, and that even, hydrated finish that reads simply as “well-rested.” You can step out of a treatment and straight into a late-afternoon lunch at Jean-Georges’ Sand Bar without missing a beat.

As Sturm describes it, there’s “a real sense of ease and elegance” here, which is exactly what the experience delivers. Her presence is felt throughout—the spa, the treatments, even the rooms, which are stocked with her products. The overall effect is considered without ever becoming formal. You look better, but more importantly, you look like yourself, just slightly recalibrated.

Super Anti-Aging Facial: 90 minutes

Cost: $451

Cheval Blanc St. Barth

Cheval Blanc is the island’s most refined expression of luxury, which is unsurprising, given its place within LVMH’s elite hospitality portfolio. Set along Flamands Beach, the Guerlain spa is tucked into tropical gardens where the entire setup feels deliberately softened: the air, the light, the pace of the day.

Facials draw on Guerlain’s 200-year heritage, but what sets them apart is the technique. Treatments rely on precise, considered manual work—lifting, draining, refining—adjusted in real time rather than following a fixed protocol. The effect is cumulative rather than dramatic: skin looks clearer, more even, more settled, as if it’s arrived at its best version gradually.

It’s luxury at its most convincing. You leave looking rested, not treated—which, here, is often the more believable result.

Tailor-Made Facial: 90 minutes

Cost: $359

Best Spas

Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa

There are not many places where you check in for a multi-day reset built around your biological age, but Le Barthélemy is one of them. Its longevity retreats, developed with Saint-Barth Longevity and Dr. Franck Baudino, are less spa programs than full-scale recalibrations—multi-day, highly personalized, and priced accordingly, with more comprehensive stays reaching upwards of $27,000.

Everything begins with data: biological age testing, hormonal and metabolic analysis, inflammation markers, and even microbiome mapping. From there, the experience becomes more structured than typical wellness—targeted nutrition, cold exposure, light therapy, and movement, all shaped around the individual.

It’s technical, but never clinical. Treatments unfold between the beach, the spa, and private villas, with recovery built into the day. It’s less about switching off and more about optimizing—arguably where this category is headed.

La Mer Hydrating Facial: 60 minutes

Cost: $301

Hotel Christopher - Sisley Spa

Set along the rocky cliffs at Pointe Milou, the Sisley Spa at Hotel Christopher leans into its setting without overcomplicating it. The French brand itself runs the spa, so treatments are built around Sisley’s phyto-aromatic formulas—botanical blends and essential oils, applied with a level of consistency that feels considered rather than improvised. Treatment rooms open directly onto the sea, with the sound of the waves and the trade winds moving through the space. The setting is like a postcard, with a view that’s long, uninterrupted, and a tad dramatic.

Regeneration Experience: 120 minutes

Cost: $428

Best Massages

Rosewood Le Guanahani

Set across its own peninsula, Rosewood Le Guanahani feels properly removed from the rest of the island. The Sense Spa is expansive but remains understated, prioritizing rhythm and continuity over intensity. Treatments are longer and more structured, with a focus on fluid, continuous movement rather than anything overly targeted. There’s a sense of method to it—everything is done properly, without rushing or excess—which is what makes the result last. It’s the place you go when you actually have the time to switch off.

The Ouanalao Ritual: 120 minutes

Cost: $390

Le Sereno

On the lagoon in Grand Cul-de-Sac, Le Sereno’s spa is about as close to the water as it gets, with a beachfront treatment pavilion set directly on the shoreline. Massages are lighter and more continuous—no heavy pressure, no overworked sequences—just long, unhurried strokes that follow the body rather than interrupt it. Valmont products keep the approach precise and elevated without tipping into anything clinical. It’s the kind of place you book mid-morning, then drift straight into lunch at Al Mare without really breaking the rhythm of the day.

Relaxing Massage: 60 minutes

Cost: $191

Hotel Le Toiny

More discreet, more remote, the spa at Le Toiny sits in a restored cottage at the Beach Club, just above the water, open to the breeze and slightly removed from the rest of the island. Massages are less choreographed and more responsive—guided as much by the setting as by the therapist. You’re aware of the wind, the sound of the water, the fact that nothing feels particularly structured. At a certain point, you stop paying attention to what’s being done and just sink into the bliss, which is usually the point.

Custom Massage: 60 minutes

Cost: call to inquire

Best Manicure & Pedicure

Beauty Secrets (Gustavia)

This is where the locals go. Beauty Secrets is understated and efficient, with a focus on consistency over atmosphere. It’s not especially flashy, but that’s part of the appeal—the manicures hold, the shaping is clean, and everything is done properly. In a place where salt, sun, and sand tend to undo most things quickly, that reliability matters more than anything else.

Best Blowout

Lorient Coiffure

This is where people go when they want their hair to cooperate with the climate rather than fight it. Located in the heart of Lorient, this salon is a longstanding fixture known for efficient, well‑executed blowouts using high‑quality professional formulas—Olaplex, Kérastase, and other salon‑grade lines. The approach is polished but never overworked, ensuring the finish holds through the island's humidity and still looks effortless for dinner.

Best Culturally Immersive Wellness Experience

Zion Gym

Zion is the island’s authentic wellness hub, an open-air ecosystem where the disciplined side of St. Barths shows up to train and recover. It functions as a high-performance social club where you can follow a "feet-in-the-sand" workout with a targeted sports massage in the Treehouse or an inflammation-busting ice bath. The ritual usually culminates at the Jungle Bar, which serves everything from ginger-heavy wellness shots and protein shakes to spirulina smoothies. It’s unpretentious and deeply real—you leave feeling like you’ve tapped into the island’s actual pulse rather than just observing it from a lounge chair.

Best Shopping Destination

Zimmermann

If there’s an unofficial uniform to high-end resort dressing, Zimmermann is it. From the Hamptons to St. Tropez to Capri—and very much here—Zimmermann has effectively set the tone: floaty dresses, sun-washed prints, and silhouettes that feel considered without being complicated. What sets it apart is the craftsmanship. The pieces hold their shape, move well, and photograph exactly how you want them to. In St. Barths, it doesn’t read as a trend so much as a default—usually paired with a Loewe basket bag, K Jacques sandals, and very little else. You don’t look like you’re trying to make a statement; you just look like you’ve settled into the island’s pace.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.”

There’s no right way to “do” wellness, but Marie Claire’s Doing Well offers a glimpse into the self-care mantras, therapies, and affirmations practiced by industry trailblazers.

For Christy Turlington, wellness has never been a trend to chase or a routine to overhaul at the start of a new year. It's something steadier—woven into her life long before the word "wellness" became performative. She started practicing yoga at 18. She prioritizes sleep with the kind of reverence most people reserve for retail therapy. And when she has 10 minutes to spare, she doesn't scroll—she meditates.

This innate approach to Doing Well feels increasingly rare right now. In a landscape obsessed with novelty, Turlington's philosophy of wellness is rooted in practices that have endured for centuries: movement, breath, rest, nourishment. Turlington tells me that she doesn't think of wellness as a trend, but like a lifestyle.

It's also why her newly announced role as the Global Brand Ambassador for Lancôme feels entirely in step with her career. Turlington's long been selective about brand partnerships, choosing alignment over ubiquity. This one, she says, comes down to shared values and longevity. "My whole life and my whole exposure to what beauty is has really been with this iconic brand in mind," Turlington says. "It's meaningful when your life and your values intersect with something so lasting and timeless."

During our chat, Turlington reflects on the small rituals that keep her grounded—from the simplest staples in her routine to the non-negotiables she credits with sustaining her mental and physical health. Her answers are non-prescriptive, reminding me that there's no single right way to do wellness. In an industry built on what's next, her answers linger on what lasts.

I'm not typically on the media side, but if I had 10 minutes [for wellness], I’d probably do a short meditation.

Probably more of a treatment—like a facial—rather than a product. I was just in a hotel a few days ago, and if I have time, which is rare, just going somewhere to lie down and have someone pamper me feels good. I tend to prefer something more like a lymphatic massage.

Probably Chapstick.

It’s always a priority. I think it should be for all of us. And I feel like the conversation around mental health is more present than ever.

I don’t really think of wellness as a trend. Wellness has been part of my life for a really long time. I don’t think of it as, ‘Oh, this latest thing is going to do this.’ Acupressure, acupuncture, yoga, meditation—those are thousands of years old, and they still work best. I started practicing yoga when I was about 18—so many, many years ago.

Nutrition and health are pretty central to my life and have been for some time, maybe because of yoga. Sleep is the most important thing. It all goes hand in hand with good nutrition. I really believe in moving your body as much as you can. I love to run, I love yoga, I love to hike, and I love being outside. Movement and sleep are key.

That wellness and beauty are the same. Embracing wellness sooner is probably a good idea; it’s better in the long run.

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If you’ve spent any time on fitness-Tok recently or live in a city where trends seem to manifest overnight, you’ve probably noticed the rise of weighted vests on walks, hikes, and during strength training routines. But why? Well, put simply, weighted vests are an easy way to bring strength training into your everyday life. The added resistance increases the challenge of any activity— even low-impact movements like walking—which helps to maintain muscle mass without the need for heavy equipment.

That said, weighted vests aren’t exactly new. Trainers and athletes have used them for years as part of their strength training routines, but the trend never quite hit the mainstream until now. The Bala Bangle to weighted vest pipeline, some might say.

Before you click purchase, it’s worth thinking about how this will actually fit into your routine. Will it become part of your everyday movement, or end up collecting dust alongside the foam roller you swore you’d use? Weighted vests can be incredibly effective, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on how heavy it is, how long you wear it, and the type of movement you pair it with.

To find out if this trend is really worth the hype, I spoke with board-certified surgeons, physical therapists, and personal trainers about what weighted vests actually do for your body and how to use them safely.

Why Strength Training Matters for Women

According to board-certified spine surgeon Saad Chaudhary, MD, strength training is incredibly beneficial for women as they age because it helps counter many of the physiological changes that occur over time. Women in their late thirties and beyond, especially those who are perimenopausal, can lose 3–8 percent of their muscle mass per decade (the horrors persist). “Weight training can stimulate muscle synthesis and preserve and rebuild muscle stock,” explains Dr. Chaudhary. “Moreover, weight-bearing activities and strength training can counteract rapid bone loss and help combat osteopenia and osteoporosis by creating mechanical stress that promotes bone density and reduces bone resorption and loss.”

How Can Weighted Vests Help?

Physical therapist Dan Ginader, PT, DPT, explains that women are not only more at risk for reduced bone density but are also statistically less likely to engage in regular strength training. “Weighted vests are an easy and accessible way to add resistance to bodyweight exercises,” he says. “If you’re primarily working out at home and doing movements like squats, lunges, or push-ups, a weighted vest can be a great way to add resistance and build strength.”

ACE-certified trainer Alex Silver-Fagan calls weighted vests “such an underrated tool” because they add resistance to movements you’re already doing without requiring a full gym setup. That added load helps maintain and build muscle in a functional way, which becomes increasingly important as we age. “I love them because they make resistance training more accessible, and you can work on strength, posture, and stability in ways that feel natural and sustainable.”

Dr. Chaudhary adds that several groups can benefit from incorporating a weighted vest into their routine, even on an intermittent basis. These include postmenopausal women, those with osteopenia or osteoporosis, older adults looking to prevent frailty, and anyone with limited gym access or time constraints.

How Weighted Vests Help Your Bones and Balance

Weighted vests can help slow bone loss by increasing the amount of weight and pressure placed on the torso and bones. “Exposing your skeleton to controlled and increased weight and load stimulates the bone-forming cells and inhibits the cells that resorb bone,” says Dr. Chaudhary. “Routine use of a vest in daily activities can have a modest effect in diminishing bone loss and fending off osteoporosis.”

He adds that a weighted vest can strengthen the core and lower-body muscles, which play a key role in maintaining balance and reducing fall risk. “A weighted vest can lead to stronger core muscles (key muscles of the spine, trunk, and pelvic region) and lower extremity muscles resulting in improved balance and minimizing fall risks,” he says.

However, Dr. Ginader notes that while weighted vests are an effective way to add resistance, they may not be the most targeted tool for improving posture or balance on their own. “Anybody can benefit from resistance training, and it’s best to start as soon as you can instead of waiting to fall into an ‘at-risk’ group,” he says.

Can Weighted Vests Replace the Gym?

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to splurge on a pricey gym membership or prefers to exercise outdoors or at home, a weighted vest can transform simple movements into a full-body workout. Silver-Fagan says, “You can take movements you already know, like push-ups, step-ups, or even a simple walk, and suddenly make them strength sessions.”

However, OMORPHO weighted vest founder Stefan Olander notes that these vests are not meant to completely replace traditional strength training. Instead, they enhance what you’re already doing, helping you build strength in a more accessible and sustainable way.

How to Use a Weighted Vest Safely

Before you strap on a weighted vest, it’s important to make sure your body can handle the added resistance. Dr. Ginader recommends starting small. “First become fully comfortable performing exercises without one. Once you can do that, start with a light vest around five to 10 pounds and slowly build up from there,” he says.

Dr. Chaudhary agrees that gradual progression is key. “It is optimal to start light, allow the body to accommodate, and make adjustments over time to enhance the musculoskeletal benefits of training while minimizing the risk for injury,” he explains. “I would advise starting fairly light at 2-5 percent of your body weight. Avoid high-impact movements including jumping and repetitive twisting. Start with 15 to 20 minutes, then increase duration gradually.”

Silver-Fagan adds, “Once you’re comfortable walking with it, start layering the vest into bodyweight movements you already feel confident doing before adding anything high-impact. Focus on posture and core engagement first. It’s not about pushing harder, it’s about moving better.”

However, Olander advises anyone with pre-existing injuries or joint concerns to check with a medical expert before adding external load. Dr. Chaudhary notes that certain conditions require caution or complete avoidance, including a history of spinal compression fractures, significant spinal stenosis or disc herniations, advanced osteoporosis, and more.

So, Are Weighted Vests Worth It?

Whether you’re in your early twenties and just starting your fitness journey or trying to maintain muscle mass as you age, a weighted vest offers a simple way to strengthen muscles and bones without putting extra strain on your joints. “Weighted vests provide a means to gently increase loads to the musculoskeletal system with a larger surface area of weight distribution across the torso,” says Dr. Chaudhary. "Using this device for everyday activity or gentle weight-bearing exercises can optimize the muscle and bone-building benefits without stressing the joints.”

Silver-Fagan adds that form and awareness are everything. “If you have back, joint, or balance concerns, talk to a trainer or physical therapist first. Start light, move with control, and stay aware of your alignment.”

A weighted vest won’t magically fix your posture (shoulders back) or turn you into a powerlifter overnight, but it’s an easy way to level up your daily walk and add a little more challenge to your routine without overdoing it.

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If you want a masterclass in how women’s health gets sidelined, look no further than hormonal conditions. Endometriosis takes an average of 10 years to be diagnosed. PCOS? Up to 70 percent of women go undiagnosed. And then there’s the pièce de résistance: menopause. A universal experience for half the population—and yet, for decades, women have been, as Vanessa Coppola, DNP, FNP-BC, puts it, “made to believe that their suffering was psychological rather than physiological.”

Women approaching menopause have long been told—often by men, which is its own irony—that hot flashes, low sex drive, brain fog, and weight gain are “just a normal part of aging.” The implication? That discomfort is inevitable, and treatment is optional. In reality, getting (somewhat) comfortably through perimenopause and menopause is doable with hormone therapy.

The catch: the very effective and safe treatment has been cast as a dangerous, cultural boogeyman due to a deeply flawed Women’s Health Initiative study from the early 2000s, in which nuance was lost, benefits were ignored, and panic took over. The FDA slapped a Black Box warning on hormone therapy, and use of the treatment dropped 22 percent from 1999 to 2020.

The truth is far less alarming. Not only have treatment practises been changed since the study was conducted, but hormone therapy can be life-changing for managing the symptoms that accompany declining estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone levels. The goal of modern hormone therapy isn’t to “replace” hormones to the levels of your 20s or 30s; it’s to supplement them to a degree that eases symptoms and protects long-term health, explains board-certified OB-GYN and Medical Director at Allara Health, Tiffany Pham.

But because we live in a medical system that has historically prioritized male bodies over female ones, research gaps remain glaring. As Dr. Coppola notes, “we are truly missing from the research to a large degree, and that needs to change in a very big way.”

Still, there’s reason for optimism. The cultural tune around hormone therapy is finally starting to change—and there’s hope the research will catch up. Social media has opened the floodgates for candid, destigmatized conversations. Celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Oprah, and Michelle Obama, have publicly discussed their experiences with hormone therapy. Even longevity-focused physicians like Peter Attia, MD, have entered the mainstream conversation, who appeared 60 Minutes and called hormone therapy a “misunderstood” area of research, and argued that ignoring it could be considered the “crime of the century.”

To be clear, hormone therapy isn’t anti-aging snake oil. But as board-certified endocrinologist and obesity expert Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, points out, “many women who could benefit are either never offered hormone therapy or are discouraged from considering it. This has led to unnecessary suffering, feelings of dismissal, and the belief that symptoms are something women must simply ‘push through.’”

What’s needed now isn’t blind enthusiasm or blanket rejection, but nuance and context. So let’s stop fear mongering hormone therapy. Let’s replace panic with information. And let’s finally treat menopause like the major health transition it is.

What Happens to Hormones During Menopause?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, there’s a very important caveat: perimenopause and menopause aren’t ever going to be a cookie-cutter experience; it’s a highly individualized change. While when you start experiencing symptoms and the degree to which you do varies person to person, every biological female will go through hormonal fluctuations once she approaches her late 30s or early 40s. “Perimenopause is marked by unpredictable swings, not just low levels,” explains Dr. Salas-Whalen. “Eventually, during menopause (defined as 12 months without a period), estrogen and progesterone drop significantly, while other hormones like testosterone decline more slowly over time.”

Because our hormones are responsible for so much of how we feel—estrogen controls our internal thermometer and vaginal health, while testosterone plays a role in sex drive—their changing levels have a big impact on how women feel and function. “Hot flashes and night sweats are the hallmark symptoms, but the impact on lifestyle is much broader,” says Dr. Pham, noting that woman should expect to see changes in cognitive function, hair loss, sex drive, metabolic changes, and weight gain, and adult acne—to name a few. Fun stuff.

Where Does Hormone Therapy Come In?

Hormone Replacement Therapy, which is now more often referred to as Hormone Therapy or Menopausal Hormone Therapy, is a series of medications prescribed by your OB-GYN or other board-certified physician to help supplement declining hormone levels—and lessen the symptoms that come with it. “Treatment involves the clinical use of estrogen alone or estrogen combined with a progestogen to relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, improve sleep and quality of life, treat vaginal symptoms, support sexual function, and preserve bone density that decreases as women age,” explains board-certified OB/GYN and medical irector at Winona Cathleen Brown, DO.

That said, there’s no cut-and-dried formula for hormone therapy. Your doctor will likely run a hormone panel, but it is a case-by-case prescription. "The dose of MHT is determined by evaluating a patient’s symptoms, age, time since menopause, medical history, and individual risk factors,” says Dr. Brown. “The goal is to use the lowest effective dose and safest route of administration for each patient, with ongoing reassessment and adjustment over time.” Some patients will stop hormone therapy once their hormones level out post-menopause, while others might continue if they find some benefit. That’s why it’s important to find a provider you can trust and who will monitor you consistently.

How Do These Hormones Get Supplemented, Exactly?

There’s a handful of different way to get hormones into your system. Hormone therapy can be delivered through patches that gradually release hormones into your body, topical creams or gels, oral medications, injections, or pellets, which are inserted under the skin for time-released doses. “Each has benefits and drawbacks,” says Dr. Coppola. “Topical and transdermal options are often preferred due to their favorable safety profiles and steady hormone delivery, but the choice should always be individualized based on patient needs, preferences, and risk factors.”

Are There Risks With Hormone Therapy?

Nothing is without risks, but there is a lot of fear surrounding hormone therapy that’s overstated. The why and when is clear. Following the 2001 Women’s Health Initiative study—which used hormone formulations and patient populations that don’t reflect current practice—that showed an increase in risk for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and stroke, among other risks, the FDA slapped a Black Box warning label on hormone therapy, which led to a 22 percent drop in use from 1999 to 2020. “Much of the fear stems from misinterpretation of early 2000s research, which looked at older women starting HRT long after menopause using outdated formulations,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. “Newer data show that when started at the right time, in the right patient, HRT is safe and beneficial. Fear has been over-amplified, often without context. Women shouldn’t be scared, but they should be informed.”

Is Everyone a Candidate for HRT?

Most women can be a candidate, but as with anything, there are exceptions the rule. “Those with an active breast cancer diagnosis, blood clot (including clots that lead to heart attacks or strokes) or condition that predisposes to developing blood clots, an allergy to the medication, active liver disease, or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding [shouldn’t do hormone therapy],” says Dr. Pham. It’s also worth noting that some individuals might manage their symptoms better with alternative medications. “It’s not an end all be all—it is part of a toolkit of medications and therapies that can be utilized,” says Dr. Pham. This is why it’s so important to find a doctor who will be able to guide you through the different options available to you.

What Does the Future of Hormone Therapy Look Like?

While much remains to be seen, the hope among leading physicians is that hormone therapy begins to at least be a first-line topic of conversation for women in perimenopause. “Historically, women’s health (especially midlife and post-reproductive health) has been underfunded and under-prioritized,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. “Talking about the benefits is long overdue. There’s growing awareness, better education among clinicians, more nuanced media coverage, and increased advocacy from women demanding better care.”

If we keep this up, women approaching menopause will be able to get through it with facts (and relief) instead of fear.

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Last year was a rough one for me, for many reasons. Aside from the usual life stressors that accompany being a thirty-something woman in America in 2025, I was struggling to emerge from the depths of my grief after losing my dad in the spring. There is nothing that can prepare you for that type of heartache, even when you're surrounded by boundless love and support from your friends and loved ones. The toll it takes on your heart, and your mental health, cannot be overstated. Still, after several months cocooning myself in my Brooklyn apartment, I found myself with the opportunity to travel to Japan, a dream destination that I had always wanted to visit. It felt like a sign that maybe, just maybe, the weight of my circumstances wouldn't continue to feel like it had for the previous five months (namely endless and unyielding). In other words, when Shizu Okusa, the founder of Apothékary, calls, you answer—and then you get on the damn plane.

Though our circumstances for coming to Japan (or in Okusa's sake, coming back) are different, the purpose is relatively similar. "When shit hits the fan, you really have the opportunity to do an inventory of your mental health," she tells me over Zoom. The Wall Street alum knows a thing or two about a high intensity lifestyle. So, "I took some time off and I went to Japan." Her parents were both born and eventually emigrated to Canada separately (they met and married in Vancouver). But the call of her ancestral homeland never faded from Okusa's mind.

"I was just really curious about the traditions, and my family," she tells me. "My mom was a photographer and potter, and we kind of grew up on a farm because of the nature of my dad being a Japanese gardener. He brought Zen Japanese gardens to Canada. He used to make the clay for [her] pottery through the dirt of our farm. They would join forces to make everything that we ate from and everything that we ate, period, because everything was grown right there. So that was the real connection of nature."

Five years later, her healing journey to Japan ultimately inspired her latest business venture, Apothékary, a brand of herbal remedies that marry Japanese tradition with modern wellness. "It started to really come to be because of seeking a more natural form of remedy for my own mental health, which really [is connected] to stress and sleep," she says. "[Those] are the core pillars of wellness." She believed that there could be a better was to bring natural, ancient medicine that has existed for thousands of years, both rituals and product, to the market. But, ever a knowing businesswoman, Okusa understood that the American consumer had already grown wary of the seemingly endless supplement options and their lofty claims.

"The word 'supplements' just feels really dirty and not trusted, and [there is] a lot of skepticism behind it," she acknowledges. "But I think when we look at Japanese or Eastern medicine broadly, we don't think of it as a supplement, [or] as a category in those countries. It's really the form of healthcare." For better or worse, the pandemic inspired many people to seek out alternative forms of medicine, which Apothékary's line of tinctures offers, but the founder was still eager to revisit the in-person practices that are so central to the Japanese approach to health and wellness, and to her brand, and incorporate them into its ethos.

Now, fours years after those social distancing measures have been lifted, they very much are a core tenet of Apothékary, which is why I found myself, bleary-eyed but elated, stepping off a plane to join Okusa and a handful of fellow editors in Kyoto for a few Japanese rituals. "Kyoko is just an incredible bridge between ancient and modern traditions, and also science," she tells me. "You really get that juxtaposition with the shopping and modern technology, but you get the temples and then you get the shrines and then the meditation. That's kind of the feeling that I get with Japan—this authority of heritage meets the authenticity of culture."

Her goal for the three days we spent together? To help calm our frazzled Western nervous systems. "The whole journey East is around nervous system reset, but also building out how nature actually exists and anchoring each of these rituals with a element," she explains. "So we tied it to fire, water, air, and earth." That meant a guided breath work session, a visit to the Japanese onsen, a matcha tea ceremony guided by a monk, and a Kintsugi class, or the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals, which embraces the idea of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in the imperfections) and mushin (accepting change).

As I spent my final day with the group, painting a delicate line of gold down the side of a cracked tea cup, I realized how comfortable I felt, even 7,000 miles from home. Here, among former strangers in a bustling (if still very calm) city, full of hot tea and a few drops of Apothékary Mindcraft, my mind felt more at peace than it had in months.

With my phone tucked away in my bag and my hands preoccupied with the delicate work of mending something that was broken—but growing more beautiful by the minute—I allowed myself to take a deep breath. And then another. And then another, until I walked along the edge of the city's Kamo river, feeling, if not quite weightless, lighter than I had in very long time. If this is what it means to embrace Japanese wellness—slowing down, appreciating imperfection, experiencing more nature—even you can't always hop on a plane to the other side of the world, then I think 2026 will shape up to be a much softer, calmer, and wonderfully intentional year. But by all means, book a flight to Japan as soon as you can. I know that I'll be doing the same.

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As someone with very dry skin (winter only makes matters worse), exfoliating is a non-negotiable. I love a good body scrub and glycolic acid-based serum as much as the next beauty editor, but my real insider secret is dry brushing at least once a week. You might associate dry brushing with Almond Moms or wellness content creators on TikTok who promote the "benefits" of frequency generators and days-long silent retreats. But in reality, dry brushing is far less woo-woo than it seems.

Dry brushing is an Ayurvedic practice believed to awaken the skin and move what’s often called “stagnant energy,” which, in practical terms, refers to sluggish circulation and lymphatic flow. Dermatologists, on the other hand, view it as a straightforward exfoliating technique that removes dead skin cells, and note that the gentle pressure may also support healthy circulation and lymphatic movement. “When done regularly, dry brushing can temporarily make skin look firmer and more toned due to increased blood flow to the treatment area,” says board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD.

Before you overdo it or grab a brush with stiff, scratchy bristles, there are a few things to know. Below, experts explain the real benefits, how to dry brush correctly, and the best tools to get you started.

What Are the Benefits of Dry Brushing?

According to Dr. Camp, the dry brushing technique removes dead skin cells and increases microcirculation at the skin’s surface. He adds that “dry brushing can potentially prime your skin for moisturizers too,” meaning your creams, balms, and body butters may absorb more effectively afterward. (I'll do just about anything in the name of softer skin.)

Dry brushing is also used to support lymphatic flow, which is essentially the body’s waste-removal and immune drainage network. “Since the lymphatic system does not have a pump, it is helpful to manually stimulate it with touch or movement," says esthetician Cali Strauhs. She also incorporates other lymph-supportive practices, such as standing on a vibration plate, elevating her legs, and tapping the body's major lymphatic areas. When done correctly and regularly, that can lead to de-puffing and de-bloating effects.

Improved circulation can also enhance the skin’s overall tone and texture. “Dry brushing helps increase microcirculation, which can improve nutrients to the skin and remove wastes that accumulate in the tissue and may contribute to the appearance of cellulite,” says esthetician Cecily Braden. Dr. Camp agrees, adding that dry brushing can make skin appear firmer and more toned for a short period of time.

Does Dry Brushing Actually Work?

According to Dr. Camp, most claims about dry brushing lack scientific evidence and are largely anecdotal, with very few offering strong clinical evidence. Many of the most popular claims circulating on social media lack substantial research support.

One recent paper on the Japanese technique kanpūmasatsu, a dry-towel self-massage that is somewhat similar, found that light superficial stimulation “may enhance lymphatic flow beneath the skin," although the mechanism and measurable outcomes were not well documented.

Even with the lack of data, searches for dry brushing are up 25 percent since 2022, per Google Trends. There are thousands of positive reviews on best-selling dry brushes and countless TikToks and Instagram videos showing how much tighter, smoother, and more radiant skin can look after brushing. I’ve been dry brushing for years, and I always notice that my lotions absorb more quickly and my skin looks far less dull afterward, which is especially nice before a big occasion.

Can Dry Brushing Tighten Skin?

It's important to understand the limits of the practice. “Dry brushing is unlikely to tighten loose or lax skin,” says Dr. Camp. Loose skin is often caused by aging, sun exposure, or weight fluctuations. Daily sunscreen is more effective at preventing collagen breakdown, and ingredients like retinol or vitamin C can support collagen production more reliably. In-office treatments such as microneedling, CO2 laser resurfacing, and radiofrequency devices create significantly more tightening than dry brushing ever could.

How Do I Choose the Best Dry Brush?

Before you begin, Dr. Camp emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool. Brushes that are too firm or made with low-quality bristles can cause more harm than good. In general, you want bristles that are soft to medium in firmness and feel flexible rather than uncomfortable or scratchy. Natural fibers, like boar bristles, offer a firmer exfoliation, while plant fibers, such as sisal or tampico, provide a nice mid-level option. If you have sensitive skin, a softer synthetic bristle is often the best choice to avoid irritation.

Densely packed bristles tend to give the most even feel, whereas sparse or overly stiff bristles can tug at the skin or leave streaky marks. “Over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier, making it vulnerable to environmental irritants and causing sensitivities. It can weaken the deeper layers, cause oxidative stress, and create inflammation, which is the precursor to aging," adds Braden. Gentle exfoliation, she counters, can refine texture, balance oil production, and support deeper nourishment. The goal is not to force aggressive cell turnover, but to maintain a healthy, resilient skin barrier. “Not all dry brushes are created equal,” Braden explains. “Quality and firmness vary, and it is important to find one that fits your needs. Do not purchase based on price, but on the softness and quality of the bristles.”

How Do I Dry Brush Correctly?

There is some proper technique involved in dry brushing, which is essential in order to achieve all of the benefits of the practice.

Step 1: Lightly Tap Your Clavicle Bones

• This is the hollow above the clavicle where lymph ultimately drains. Gently tap or massage this area for 10 to 15 seconds.

Step 2: Activate Other Key Lymph Nodes

Lightly tap or stroke these areas before brushing:

• Underarms (for chest, breasts, arms)
• Groin (for stomach, hips, legs)
• Behind the knees (for lower legs and feet)

Step 3: Brush Toward Lymph Nodes

Follow the pathway of lymphatic drainage:

• Arms: Start at the underarm, brush down toward the hands, then sweep back up.
• Legs: Start at the groin, brush down toward the feet, then sweep back up.
• Chest and breasts: Brush toward the underarms.
• Stomach: Brush downward toward the groin.

Step 4: Watch Your Pressure

“Use light, sweeping strokes with moderate pressure. The skin should turn slightly pink, not red,” says Strauhs. You’ll know it’s working when you feel an urge to pee, as that’s lymph movement.

How Often Should I Dry Brush?

While TikTok might make daily brushing sound like an everyday ritual, experts say less is more. “Dry brush at most one to two times a week,” says Dr. Camp. “Make sure to clean your brush periodically to remove buildup and prevent contamination with microorganisms.” Braden agrees, noting that the "skin needs time to heal, regenerate, and respond in between sessions.”

When Is the Best Time to Dry Brush?

You're going to want to dry brush in the morning (or night), right before your shower. Dr. Camp explains that rinsing your body with a body wash will remove loose, dead skin cells. Once you're out, apply a body lotion to lock in hydration. “Because of the exfoliation benefits, it’s important to hydrate your skin afterward to nourish and keep the new cells pliable and protected,” says Braden

Who Shouldn't Dry Brush?

Dry brushing is not suitable for everyone. “Do not dry brush over sores or areas of skin that are open or raw,” says Dr. Camp. He recommends avoiding it in areas affected by eczema, psoriasis, or other inflammatory skin conditions. Those with very sensitive, dry, or fragile skin may want to brush less often or skip the practice entirely.

The Best Dry Brushes

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

There’s no right way to “do” wellness, but Marie Claire’s Doing Well offers a glimpse into the self-care mantras, therapies, and affirmations practiced by industry trailblazers.

Aditi Shah thinks we should all get more sleep—and I'm inclined to agree, given the fact that I can’t even remember the last time I’ve had a good night’s rest. But her idea of adequate sleep isn't just making sure you get your full eight hours a night. During our 30-minute phone conversation, the 34-year-old Peloton yoga instructor detailed all the ways she's strengthened her commitment to being well-rested, including (but certainly not limited to) sleeping on an AI-powered mattress topper that regulates her body temperature overnight and avoiding screen time for at least an hour before officially turning in for the night.

As a person whose career relies on movement and physical activity, sleep is important, but it's obviously not the only feel-good practice she swears by. Shah is a huge advocate for therapy (mental and physical), she prioritizes gut health, hydration, and overall nutrition over any buzzy wellness trends, and she's incorporated meditation and other Ayurvedic practices into her daily routine as a way to connect with herself on a deeper level.

As we chatted, Shah gave me all of her candid thoughts about wellness, from why she's not a fan of juice cleanses to why therapy is one of the best investments in your health you can make. Keep reading to find out how she's Doing Well on a daily.

Well, I am a yoga and meditation teacher at Peloton, so I feel like this is my whole life. Things like Ayurveda—fennel seeds in water for better digestion, magnesium oil on the soles of your feet before bed, or meditation, which is part of what I do every day all the time—all of these things, I feel like, aren't always widely accepted. But I'll say so many of the practices I grew up with have been sort of redeemed in that they have now come around and become really popularized.

I grew up having to have turmeric and hot milk anytime I was sick, and I used to hate it, and now it's like a whole thing. I feel like sometimes our lived experiences have more wisdom than what we know, and a lot of the things that I do are kind of in that category.

So, I might be biased, but Peloton. I think Peloton has so many great options, and I think there's something to be said for consistently spending time with the same person, whether it's virtually or IRL. With Peloton meditations, I'm actually listening to my friends's voices, which is really helpful in reframing or refreshing my day because it feels like it's a person that I know that I trust, and that I know where their heart is at. And then I'm sort of listening to their meditation and their point of view in a way that I might not hear in our normal conversations. I feel very lucky to have that.

I'm a big meditation person and a big journaling person, so every Sunday, I create internal focuses or goals or what I'm thinking about: how I want to relate to myself, what I want to prioritize internally and externally—simple things. And sometimes that turns into a sort of mantra for the week, but the one that I would say I am more connected to that I do all the time is metta, which is actually a kind of meditation. It's a loving kindness meditation. In this practice, specifically, you repeat traditional phrases, but I really appreciate this because it's the kind of practice that allows you to have improvement and change over time. The consistency is going to help you change how you relate to yourself in the world.

The phrases that are repeated are, "May I be safe, may I be happy, may I be healthy, and may I live with ease." You can add specificity to it, but you take these phrases and direct them towards yourself first ("May I be safe"), and then to others ("May you be safe"), and then eventually, to all beings ("May we all be safe"). It sounds like it's focused a hundred percent on myself, but the practice of connecting to and caring for ourselves really helps us to create this inner reservoir.

First of all, I think that long-term investments in your health, like therapy and physical therapy, end up being expensive because I do them for years, but they're worth every penny because, at the end of the day, wellness or health or mental health is not a one-time, check-the-box thing. It's an ongoing practice. If I were to go into products that anybody could buy, it'd be all of the sleep things—I love a good night's sleep!

I have a Tempur-Pedic mattress that has sleep tracking in it. It moves up and down and it has all of the features that you could need to sleep. On top of that, I have an Eight Sleep pod cover—it's like a mattress topper and also a blanket that's temperature-controlled and has AI technology in it to adjust the temperature for you. When you're in REM sleep, you're not really in charge of your body, including temperature regulation. So a lot of people have things like night sweats, especially for women going through hormonal changes. Your body temperature sometimes fluctuates and your body isn't regulating your temperature. So the Eight Sleep does it for you so that you're in the temperature pattern that's going to allow you to get the best quality sleep, which I think is incredible and has genuinely helped me. And I also really love my Hatch alarm clock because it's like a light alarm clock.

I always try to take a walk after dinner. I try to get quality sleep. I meditate every day. I love hot water to help with digestion or hot water with fennel or hot water with lemon. And hydration. All these things are free things that are going to have so much impact on my health.

One of the products or devices that I think feels like a really good ritual to me and is not wildly expensive is dry brushing. It actually really helps to activate your lymphatic system. I feel like it actually kind of wakes up my skin and it's good for my skin, but you really just need one dry brush and you can use it for a long time.

I strongly believe that mental health is a long game and the best time to fix the roof is not when it's raining. So I really try to have some of these practices all of the time, even if I do feel well and I know it's really easy to drop off. It's a lot easier to hone into your practice when you feel good than when it feels really intense, so maintaining a meditation and journaling practice is a huge part of me prioritizing my mental health even when I'm feeling great.

My life is very, very busy, so going back to sleep is another way I prioritize myself. Definitely. I think good sleep lifts all the ships in your harbor. And practicing saying no. There is so much to do in New York, which is such a gift, but so is really being able to prioritize what matters to you.

I really try, especially on school nights, to end my day at a reasonable time. And it's really, really important to me to sort of have a nice wrap-up to the end of my day because it puts me in the right mindset. It's like having a ritual. I think these rituals help us to shift into whatever phase we're going to do, and when I'm done with my day, I'm going to shift into a restful phase. I have sort of the same routines: I love a hot cup of tea or fennel water because I'm a big gut health person too.

I try to get rid of screens at a certain point and read a book, which also really helps me disconnect. It's like a signal to my brain, like, "Okay, you're done with thinking about all of the job stuff," or whatever else is going on. I can just shift my mind to a different place.

Before I go to sleep, I always do three dimensional breaths—like big diaphragmatic breaths—and I think it helps to really shift my whole body and my nervous system into more of a state of "rest and digest" and out of the "active and doing stuff" part of life.

I remember when juice cleanses were a thing. Do you remember when it was like everywhere all the time? I think I tried it once for like a few days, I don't even remember, and it was so hard for me. I'm not an expert on the nutrition of a juice cleanse, but for me, I really need other things in my diet than what I was getting out of just a juice cleanse. I'm a person that's also movement-oriented. I'm going to work and moving in my body every day, and I'm not convinced that that's necessarily good for me to do if I'm not getting enough calories.

I think it's important that, instead of jumping onto a trend of taking certain supplements, to get your own blood testing done and see what you actually need to fill in any nutritional gaps. For example, there are certain supplements I need to take because I'm a vegetarian. I need to take a B complex. I take an iron supplement, because again, I don't eat meat. I also take a protein supplement. I really just like to make sure that I'm personalizing whatever I'm putting into my body to what's actually happening in my body.

Beyond that, it's kind of just the normal stuff: eating a variety of food, making sure I get adequate fiber, adequate hydration, natural but also potentially supplemental probiotic foods. I try to make sure that I finish eating a few hours before bed. I think that makes a really big difference, not only in the way that I sleep, but the way that I feel in the morning.

I always take a walk after dinner, and I think that's a nice way to wind down and it's good for your gut health and digestion. I also think one of the easiest things that anyone can do that I try to do is cooking at home more because you know exactly what's going into your food, and you can really prioritize getting ingredients in that maybe you're not getting other places in your diet.

In principle, I think it's a really great idea because, of course, our lifespans are increasing, so we should be thinking about how to make our years—especially our later years—healthy as well. But at the same time, the real keys to longevity are just starting by nailing the basics: nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, strength and cardio, healthy relationships, mental health. I really think it's important for us to look at our metabolic health, our cardiovascular health, and our inflammation. I think because longevity is... trending, there are a lot of higher level interventions that people are paying attention to more than the basics, which to me feels kind of silly. There's no amount of red light therapy or intermittent fasting or cold plunging that's going to move the needle if you're not doing these things first.

My physical therapist has a funny way of explaining it: he says it's like jumping over a hundred dollar bill to pick up a dollar—you're missing where you could really make your money.

We live in a world where so much of the information that we get, or so much of the influence in our life, is from media and social media and people who we don't know from the inside out. When we see an influencer or somebody that seems aspirational, we don't really know what's going on behind the scenes. And I think it's really important to realize that what people look like or what they're saying on the internet is not a real reflection of their health or wellness or their mental state or anything like that, and that everybody is actually completely unique and nobody is going to have the same body or the same needs. So I would tell my younger self to just be really curious about what actually works for you. Pay attention, be curious, and know that real health starts from the inside out.

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There’s been a lot of chit chat around lymphatic drainage lately, whether it’s TikTok videos about manually stimulating your lymph flow or the rise of massage studios like The Tox popping up across the U.S. But recently, more and more brands like Cean have emerged, promising to do the work for you via clothing that claims to stimulate the lymphatic system. Instead of undergoing a physical massage or at-home lymphatic drainage routine, these garments (from underwear to full onesies) tout patented compression technology and targeted 3D pressure patterns to encourage healthy lymphatic flow, which can potentially benefit sluggish systems, sedentary lifestyles, and even conditions like chronic fatigue or PCOS.

It all sounds a little too good to be true in my opinion, which is why I asked board-certified experts to break down how the lymphatic system works, what these suits actually promise, and whether they can deliver these types of impressive results. Does a compression garment hold the secret to a less bloated, more sculpted physique? Keep scrolling to learn more about "wearable lymphatic massage."

What Is the Lymphatic System?

According to oncology lymphedema therapist Angela Bradley, MPT, CLT-ALM, the lymphatic system is a complex and vital part of the body that can be negatively impacted by a range of health issues. Think of it as your body’s drainage and defense network. You’ve probably seen influencers touting the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage on TikTok, but at its core, the system works to keep swelling in check by collecting excess fluid from tissues and returning it to the bloodstream, circulating white blood cells to fight infection, and filtering out toxins, waste, and abnormal cells.

Lamees Hamdan, MD, an integrative medical doctor, explains that the system’s purpose is twofold: detoxification and defense. “It keeps our tissues balanced by preventing fluid buildup, while also acting as a surveillance system for pathogens, ready to trigger an immune response when needed. It also helps destroy old or abnormal cells your body doesn’t need,” she says.

This intricate network of organs, vessels, and tissues runs throughout the body, with clusters of lymph nodes concentrated in the neck, underarms, and groin. It also plays a central role in immunity, producing and circulating lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and other immune cells. Yet, as Bradley points out, “unlike other systems, it does not have the ability to repair itself. Once an area has been damaged from surgery, radiation, or trauma, it cannot heal on its own.” That’s why directing lymphatic fluid back toward the heart and lymphatic ducts regularly and consistently is essential to keeping the system functioning well.

What's the Purpose of Compression Garments?

Compression wear has been around for years, like those brightly colored compression socks that are designed for long-haul flights to help prevent swelling. But brands like Cean and Heat Healer promise more than just standard compression. Lauren Dovey, the founder of both brands, says they were born out of her own health challenges. "I’ve always dealt with lymphatic sluggishness, PCOS, and circulation issues, and while medical-grade compression helped physically, I couldn’t find a single option that I actually wanted to wear or felt comfortable in,” she tells me. “The category was dominated by clinical or shapewear-style garments that felt restrictive, outdated, sweaty, and disconnected from how I wanted to feel in my clothes.”

Frustrated by the lack of options, Dovey spent over a year developing Cean with a U.S. manufacturer to create a new kind of textile that is soft, silky, and breathable—qualities often missing from restrictive garments. From there, she layered in Cean’s patented lymphatic pressure pattern, certified graduated compression, and a refined fashion silhouette. The result is a line of pieces that look like elevated wardrobe staples but quietly work beneath the surface, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting lymphatic drainage. They can also help manage common symptoms tied to circulation and lymphatic issues, such as fluid retention, bloating, and swelling.

Since launching in 2025, Cean has built a loyal following of customers who say the pieces help them feel lighter, less puffy, and more supported, whether on long-haul flights or as part of their daily wardrobe. The brand recommends up to 16 hours of wear per day for its more compressive leggings and onesie, with lighter pieces designed for even longer use. “The throughline is that the garments feel good and do good without compromising style,” Dovey says.

Clinically speaking, the foundation of both Cean and Heat Healer is rooted in decades of medical use. Graduated compression and 3D massage stimulation are well-documented to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support lymphatic drainage. “My innovation was in bringing this science into a wearable system that blends clinical-level results with everyday fashion,” Dovey explains. Heat Healer’s infrared yarn is already backed by 10 peer-reviewed studies, while Cean is preparing to launch its own clinical trial focused on fluid retention, circulation, and cellulite to further validate early customer feedback.

Do These Garments Actually Move Your Lymph?

Cean garments use patented 3D pressure patterns that claim to mimic manual lymphatic massage by guiding fluid toward lymph nodes. Heat Healer, meanwhile, layers in graduated compression—24.4 mmHg at the ankles, easing to 15.5 mmHg at the thighs. (For context, mmHg is a medical unit that measures pressure; here it reflects the amount of squeeze applied to help fluid and blood move upward.) This gradual shift creates a pumping effect that reduces fluid retention, boosts circulation, and can create a smoothing effect on skin.

So how is this different from Spanx? Dovey explains: “Shapewear compresses. CEAN supports. Most shapewear is designed to hold you in, often restricting blood flow and pressing against the digestive tract. CEAN works the opposite way. Our garments are mapped to follow your body’s natural flow, especially your lymphatic and digestive systems. Instead of restricting, they apply graduated pressure to encourage movement, drainage, and circulation while still delivering a sculpted, elevated look.”

According to Dr. Hamdan compression garments work by making your muscles push harder against the tight fabric, which strengthens contractions and helps lymph fluid drain more effectively. For clarity: lymphatic fluid is excess fluid that collects in tissues; during compression it’s nudged into larger lymphatic vessels, funneled through the thoracic duct, and eventually drained back into the bloodstream, where the liver and kidneys process the waste.

Dr. Hamdan notes that compression can be particularly helpful for people with circulation issues, swelling at the end of the day, or conditions like lymphedema (a buildup of lymph fluid, often after surgery), venous insufficiency (when valves in the veins don’t properly return blood to the heart), or post-surgery recovery. “If you’re standing all day, like a surgeon or a security guard, compression can help prevent varicose veins and reduce swelling,” she says. For healthy individuals, the benefits are often temporary—your legs may feel lighter or look more sculpted while you’re wearing them, but once you take them off, fluid can pool again if you’re sedentary.

As for Heat Healer’s added benefit, the line uses infrared yarn technology, which Dovey says is supported by 10 peer-reviewed studies showing improvements in recovery, circulation, and even sleep. “Heat boosts circulation by bringing more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the area,” Dr. Hamdan adds, “which can support recovery and reduce feelings of heaviness.”

Potential Risks of Compression Garments

Dr. Hamdan cautions that if you experience any numbness or tingling while wearing compression garments, you should stop immediately, as it may mean blood circulation is being restricted. She also notes that daily wear can sometimes cause skin sensitivities, dermatitis, ingrown hairs, or even pilonidal cysts. And while compression and lymphatic drainage can be beneficial, there are situations where they should be avoided.

“During pregnancy, lymphatic massage can often be helpful for reducing swelling, but it should only be performed by a trained professional and with clearance from a doctor,” she explains.

The same caution applies during illness. “I don’t recommend a lymphatic drainage massage during an active infection,” Dr. Hamdan says, “because stimulating lymph flow could spread the infection to other parts of your body.”

So, Should You Try Compression Garments?

Compression garments, whether from brands like Cean with patented technology or more traditional options like compression socks, are not a miracle cure. Still, they can be helpful in certain situations, such as reducing swelling after a long euro-summer flight, supporting circulation post-surgery, or preventing varicose veins in people who spend hours on their feet. In these cases, compression leggings can help keep valves strong and functioning properly, Dr. Hamdan says.

Even so, manual stimulation of the lymphatic system and regular movement remain necessary, no matter what you wear. “Movement is key,” she emphasizes. “We need to educate people about moving their legs every 30 minutes. That action pumps blood back into the heart, and those muscle contractions also help move lymph upward.”

Ultimately, she adds, the focus should be on root causes. “What is causing your legs to be swollen? Is it too little hydration? Too much salt in your diet? Too little movement? Sometimes simply putting your feet above your heart at the end of the day can help drain the excess fluid back.”

At the end of the day, compression wear can give you a boost, and it finally comes in more stylish options than the hot pink pineapple socks you pull out for every long-haul flight. But it will never replace the basics. Drinking water (somehow always the answer), moving regularly, and manually stimulating the lymph nodes through massage, either at home or with a professional, are what truly keep the system flowing. Still, don’t be surprised if I slip into my Cean underwear hours before every Hinge date.

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Meet the Experts

There’s no right way to “do” wellness, but Marie Claire’s Doing Well offers a glimpse into the self-care mantras, therapies, and affirmations practiced by industry trailblazers.

Whether or not you’re a gymnastics fan, there are a few names that have become legendary in the sport's history and American popular culture by extension. One of them is none other than Jordan Chiles. Chiles is a two-time Olympian, author of the best-selling book I’m That Girl, a UCLA student and athlete, and now, the founder of a mentorship organization. The résumé is stacked.

In August, Chiles announced the launch of her latest venture, Shero Athlete Collective. The platform aims to help young women athletes navigate everything from competition to brand deals, with the support of one of the greatest athletes of all time, Chiles herself. As impressive (and busy!) as she is, what people don’t see is the toll that such a hectic schedule and active lifestyle can take on a person’s well-being, a fact that Chiles reiterated during our recent sit-down.

“I’ve been in so many different time zones over the past few weeks, I barely know what time it is,” she jokes, as she snacks on chocolate-covered pretzels. While Chiles is a winner in a very literal sense of the word, she has also championed a wellness routine that keeps her clear-headed and energized for the hectic schedule she’s always navigating. Chiles is a one-woman masterclass in self-prioritization—something that I, and many others I know, struggle with.

Ahead, the gymnastics star shares everything from her refreshing approach to dieting to how she treats naps with a sacred reverence. While dropping some serious gems, Chiles also reveals the products that keep her wellness routine running like a well-oiled machine. Keep scrolling to see everything that makes up an Olympic gymnast’s wellness routine.

I don’t do anything super woo-woo, but lately, I’ve been making sure I put good things in my body and that my mental health is okay. Doing my skincare and hair care routines really brings out my wellness side. I’ve also become very serious about my naps. Even though I have three dogs, I don’t necessarily have human children, so I cherish the ability to take quick naps when I can because it really helps me regulate my nervous system, especially since I’m constantly traveling for work.

I love browsing Pinterest and scrolling aimlessly, but I also watch old videos of myself and my performances. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by my life and schedule, but for some reason, watching how far I’ve come puts things back into perspective for me. Yes, I’m a two-time Olympian, and I do all these things, but it reminds me of the little girl who wanted to be a great athlete and inspiration. Now, I get to do and be that. So I try to remind myself of how far I’ve truly come.

My morning mantra is the title of my book, ‘I'm That Girl.” It’s the motto I’ve adopted for myself for all of 2024, and it’s one of many affirmations I tell myself. Not every morning will feel the same, but when I need a reminder that I truly am That Girl, I look in the mirror and say things like ‘you're beautiful,’ ‘you're strong,’ ‘you're confident.’ These are words friends or family have said to me, so I try to keep them in mind always.

There are a few items that are priceless to me, so I consider them the most expensive in my routine. My Bible, for example, reminds me that God always has me and that his angels are always watching over me. There’s also my iPad because I love to color. But I’d say my most expensive item in terms of price is probably my designer bag collection. The most expensive one I’ve ever bought is my Chanel flap bag, so that’s likely my most costly.

My support system, including my family and my emotional support dog. They are the people who are always right there behind me and understand what I'm going through. They get how my life is, and that’s something I’m always so thankful for because I know those people will always be in my corner.

I’ve been prioritizing my mental health by really being able to focus on myself. I'm a very kind-hearted gift-giver type of girl. I've been like that my entire life. Now, at 24, I’m starting to realize that life is catching up with me, and I've done so much that it's time to focus on taking care of myself.

I disconnect myself from myself. I know that sounds weird, but I try to separate the Jordan who’s very focused from the one who’s hanging out with her friends. That one is different from the one who’s a dog mom, and that one is different from the one who competes. So really, I’ve been able to decompress by separating my worlds and just being present in the moment.

I’m not super big into wellness trends, but I will say I had to learn to appreciate therapists. I had a sports psychologist when I was younger, and I didn’t like it because I didn’t see the point of talking to someone about my life. However, as I’ve gotten older, therapy has become something that I really advocate for, whether people are involved in sports or not.

I’m not super picky about nutrition per se because my needs are completely different from those of the average person. I'm not a diet person, but I lean toward things that I naturally like and avoid ones I know cause me problems. I’m a big fruit girl, so I eat some kind of fruit almost every day. I also stay away from dairy and milk as much as I can. That process of balance and elimination, if needed, is what works best for me.

I always say it's your body, it's your mind—you choose what to do with it. Now, for me, I just follow the healthiest route. When it's my time, it's my time. I don’t think longevity is a bad thing per se, and I enjoy trying all the beauty products that are meant to help address signs of aging. That said, when it comes to putting things into your body to boost longevity, that’s where I become a little skeptical.

Focus on what your end goal is. I would tell my younger self to just focus on what is good for you and to surround yourself with people who are going to create the same world and space as you. Make sure you can look in the mirror and identify who you are. Identify that you're beautiful and give yourself these affirmations, because authenticity is the greatest thing anyone can have.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

There’s no right way to “do” wellness, but Marie Claire’s Doing Well offers a glimpse into the self-care mantras, therapies, and affirmations practiced by industry trailblazers.

Fresh off an incredible 2025 tennis season and just a few days after her US Open run, Madison Keys popped onto my Zoom still buzzing with the kind of energy that carried her through the past year. Back in January, she snagged her first Grand Slam title in an edge-of-your-seat final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka—a win that solidified her place among the sport's GOATs. But what struck me most—aside from how genuinely warm and relatable she is—is that for Keys, peak performance isn't only about long practice sessions or match day adrenaline. It's about tuning into her body and mind, even amid the chaos and intensity of tour season.

Keys is game to try almost any wellness practice once, but she's the first to admit consistency matters more than buzzy trends. She swears by acupuncture and meditation, keeps an LED light mask tucked in her carry-on, and refuses to travel without a sleep mask and a pocket-sized sound machine. Like every hot girl with a mysterious stomach saga, when gut health issues left her guessing, she turned to Thorne's personalized testing when nothing else was clicking—and says it changed everything.

As we caught up, Keys was candid about what works, what doesn't (spoiler: ice-cold showers are out), and why filling her own cup first is the opposite of selfish. Turns out, winning Grand Slams isn't the only thing Keys is serious about. Here's how she's Doing Well every day.

I do all of the things. I like the more conventional practices, like acupuncture. I love it and really believe in it. I’m also big on red light therapy—I have the hat, the face mask, the blanket. Honestly, there’s pretty much nothing I won’t try at least once. I really do believe in all of it. I don’t know if people would call it woo-woo, but I think sometimes they don’t realize how much it can help.

And I’d also say meditation is incredibly important. Just finding a few quiet, still moments—whether it’s guided or with music—has always been my go-to when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It’s the most grounding thing for me.

I guess it’s similar as to what I just said. I love a guided meditation, usually on Spotify or something like that. I travel so much, and there’s usually a lot of chaos going on. My job can be unpredictable—things get thrown at us all the time. Like, this year in Madrid there was that massive blackout in Europe. We had no power for an entire day, which was crazy. Once the power finally came back on and I got back to my room, I was just like, I need someone to guide me through this and help me reset.

I have one of those LED face masks, and I travel with it. I think they’re the greatest thing on the planet. I use mine every single day. I got off it for about a week just because I was being lazy, and I swear I saw a difference. I was like, “Put it back on!” You really have to use it daily, but when you do, the results are incredible. It’s all about consistency.

I’d say my silk eye mask because it always travels with me. Actually, I have it with me right now. Oh, and I also have this little Hatch sound machine—it’s super cute and only about $30 on Amazon. I’m pretty sure it's meant for toddlers, but I love it because it’s travel-sized. Having my sleep mask and sound machine, no matter where I am in the world, is my one consistent routine. It really helps me get comfortable and fall asleep.

By really taking time for myself and continuing to do the things that matter most to me, one of which is talking to my therapist. It’s easy to fall out of that habit when schedules get busy, and it can be hard to make time for the things we should prioritize. Sometimes we get in our own way and let other things take precedence over our well-being. For me, it’s about making the effort to carve out time every week to sit down and talk with [them].

I’m such a baby when it comes to the cold. I hate it so much. I’ll cold plunge if I have to, like after a really tough match when I know it’ll help with recovery. I’ll complain the whole time, but I’ll do it. But the whole trend of doing it every day or waking up to take an ice-cold shower first thing every morning? Absolutely not. Yeah, I will not do it.

A few years ago, I was having some gut health issues and felt like I was doing everything right—eating healthy, cutting out dairy, even trying to cut out gluten—but nothing made a big difference. I also realized I was trying too many things at once, so I couldn’t tell what was actually helping. I ended up doing the Thorne gut health test, and it was honestly the most helpful thing ever. You send it in, and they give you this detailed lab report along with suggested supplements and dietary adjustments. Two of the supplements they recommended—one called EnteroMend and another called Undecylenic Acid—completely changed how I felt.

Now, I can tell when I’m not consistent with them; if I slack off, my stomach starts bothering me again. As soon as I get back on track, I’m like, wow, consistency really is everything.

I’d tell my younger self that taking time for yourself and prioritizing your mental, physical, and overall wellness is never selfish. To truly show up for others, you have to be healthy and in a good place yourself. It’s so easy to keep putting more and more people ahead of you, but then it becomes harder to be there for them because you’re not coming from a full cup. I’d remind myself that it’s not just okay, but essential, to fill your own cup first before showing up for the people you love.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

The morning my new job asked us to map out our “vision and goals,” I was still reeling from a night at my sick mother’s bedside. Around the bright boardroom, my co-workers—mostly women—scribbled furiously, as if they’d been waiting their whole lives for this prompt. One by one, they stood to share their goals, while my pen still hovered over the printout. Is it pathetic to write “buy a BBQ”? I wondered. That was my plan for Saturday: it was tangible, close, survivable.

My mom had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma two years earlier. I was in my early twenties and working as an associate stockbroker when I became her primary caregiver, handling everything from scheduling appointments to cooking meals to sleeping overnight in the hospital. The volatility wasn’t just in the markets—it was in the office too. Moods rose and fell with the numbers, and with everything unraveling at home, it was just too much instability for me. So I left and joined a company that emphasized wellness culture, drawn in by its promises of community. In my final interview, I said, “My mom has cancer. She’s my priority.” The hiring manager’s response struck me as understanding and encouraging.

A values-driven company, I thought. One that emphasized community and wellness. Surely it would hold space for the weight I was carrying. I thought I’d found a workplace where I wouldn’t have to hide how hard things were. But what I quickly learned is that corporate wellness often rewards performance—not honesty. And when you’re grieving, when you’re unraveling, when you’re just trying to survive the day, there’s no room to opt out.

So there I was, sitting in that boardroom, staring at a blank worksheet while everyone else eagerly shared their five-year plans. Just as the facilitator called my name, I crossed out what I’d written and mumbled, “I’m not quite…” before my new boss cut me off: “Make sure your goals are crystal clear by next week and ready to share.” I nodded.

Months had passed since that first “vision and goals” session, and on the surface, I was doing well. I smiled in meetings, I made friends and enjoyed wearing sweatpants to work. But underneath, I was unraveling. My mom was getting worse. Every day I was splitting myself in two: one version learning and contributing, the other bracing for the next scan result, the next hard conversation, the slow fade of the person who made me.

When I still hadn’t posted my goals on the wall or shared them in a team meeting, my boss took note. With a tone that straddled concern and condescension, she asked, “Why haven’t you shared your goals?” I tried to explain, but as they’d say in that office—it didn’t land. Over time, my struggle to fit the company’s personal-development culture was met with quiet disapproval. It often felt like my grief was being interpreted as “a lack of clarity”—but I was just in survival mode.

After my mom passed away in 2015, I wanted to keep moving. I showed up. I worked. I tried. But I was also grieving, acting as her power of attorney, managing life insurance, selling my childhood home. I began to notice things: how all the women around me seemed effortlessly upbeat. They practiced nodding. The “uh-huh, tell me more.” The oat milk lattes. The back-to-back sweat sessions. The identical visions taped to the wall: white beachfront homes, half-marathon medals, corner offices. Maybe they’d found clarity through the work. Or maybe, like me, they were performing a version of themselves they thought the company wanted.

When I looked at that blank page, all I could see was that in ten years, she wouldn’t be here. Every goal felt hollow—something she would never know or witness. How was I still expected to plan, to strive, to want more? But eventually I gave in. I filled out the worksheet with goals that didn’t feel real. I took on more. I asked for stretch roles. But the more I leaned in, the harder it became. Though the culture had supportive elements, its emphasis on positivity and future planning was difficult to reconcile with my grief. It’s especially difficult for women, who are expected to be emotionally available and endlessly productive, nurturing and strategic, resilient and forward-thinking.

Eventually, I arrived at the next company offsite ready—or at least trying—to show up differently. On the first day, we were asked to define our life’s purpose and present it to hundreds of peers. I scoffed. Distill your life’s purpose in an afternoon? Still, when it was my turn, I stood up and said, “My purpose is to live life to the fullest in my mom’s honor.” For the first time in years, I felt proud. It was real. Later that night, as I recall it, my boss pulled me aside and said, "Your whole identity can’t be that your mom died." I was gutted. In one breath, it felt as though something sacred had become shameful.

Driving home the next morning, I started to question whether workplace wellness programs were helping anyone at all, or just adding another layer of pressure. In 2022, companies spent $51 billion on these initiatives, yet employee stress remains at an all-time high. Nearly 85 percent of large U.S. employers offer wellness programs, but burnout continues to rise, and less than half of workers say they feel supported by their employer’s efforts. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t broken for struggling to keep up. The system just wasn’t built for someone carrying what I was.

I wasn’t ready for more change after losing my mom, so I stayed with the company for another four years. The familiarity allowed for some steadiness while I slowly began to imagine what could come next. It wasn’t all bad there—I made lifelong friends, and the experience helped clarify what I didn’t want in a workplace: the pressure to always be emotionally aligned, upbeat, “on.” That clarity, in turn, led me to something new. I started a small floral business out of my garage and began writing my upcoming memoir—two projects connected to her in different ways. Maybe I was right: she’s had a hand in my future all along.

With distance, I can see that grief reveals an essential truth: the real work isn’t chasing goals others validate—it’s having the courage to live within your own template. Living in honor of my mom isn’t an identity to outgrow. It’s a foundation I grow from. Wellness culture might empower some, but for others, especially those in crisis, it becomes yet another metric we’re failing to meet. Sometimes, the most radical act of growth is just surviving the day. And sometimes, the most honest version of wellness is letting grief be true.

Beauty routines are integral to getting In The Mood—not for any other person, but for you. Here, get a glimpse into the products, habits, and mantras that help powerhouse women slip into the sexiest version of themselves.

Gwyneth Paltrow has long been at the center of the beauty and wellness conversation, and today she's adding another innovation to the mix: Goop Beauty's brand-new Exosome Hydration Therapy Serum. The silky-smooth, quick-absorbing formula is powered by exosomes—the latest buzz ingredient in skincare—for youthful-looking, radiant skin. In true Goop fashion, the formulation is both luxurious and innovative. Paltrow rarely follows the hype (after all, she's made a habit of internet-breaking launches)—but she's confident enough in this one to get behind it. But the real question is: how does the woman whose brand became the blueprint for modern wellness get In The Mood?

During our chat, Paltrow is refreshingly candid, with a grounded ease and demeanor that's unmistakably her. She laughs about how she's not great at makeup—mascara is as sophisticated as she gets—and admits she's given up on lipstick altogether. She walks me through her date night perfume and confesses that the least sexy step in her routine actually makes her feel the sexiest. For her, beauty is about what actually works, not keeping up with trends or trying to impress anyone else. That's why, even in an already hyped category like exosomes, she only brings to the market what she fully supports. Keep reading for the beauty rituals that make Paltrow feel entirely herself.

I guess it’s the idea that I accept my full self—the whole spectrum of myself, all the gradations.

I like to put essential oils in the shower and use our body scrub. I also like to dry brush beforehand to invigorate the skin, exfoliate, and get the lymphatics going. Then I use a double exfoliant in the shower with essential oils. One time during a photoshoot, someone tied a bunch of dried eucalyptus leaves to my shower head, which was such a nice touch—I’ve done it a few times since then.

That’s a hard question. I guess shaving my legs.

Lately, I’ve been using a fragrance from Vrayo called Mamajuju. It smells warm and it’s spicy but not too spicy. It has a very earthy, warm sense to it.

Oh, man. I'm so bad at makeup. I mean, mascara, that's about as sophisticated as it gets. I'm not good at putting on lipstick. And also, my husband is not a fan of a red lip, so I've given up [laughs].

I'm a Chanel Rouge Noir girl. I've been for a long, long time.

If I’m really exhausted and not wearing makeup from an event or anything, I’ll do an abbreviated routine: just a little of our detox formula cleanser, a hot washcloth to scrub my face, then our peptide and face oil before bed. Now that we have the hydration serum, I may have to adjust it a bit.

I’m looking forward to a slower pace, more time just being and reading, and less doing.

I think face oil. I’ve used it for decades, partly because I’ve always been on the dry side. I naturally massaged my face with oil long before gua sha tools were what they are now. I feel like I just naturally always did that with face oil. And I think that combination of oil and keeping the skin really beautifully hydrated with massage is a great beauty tip.

Shop Gwyneth's Favorite Products

Would you turn over your wellness to Artificial Intelligence? Before you balk, hear me out. What if your watch could not only detect diseases and health issues before they arise but also communicate directly with our doctors to flag us for treatment? What if it could speak with the rest of your gadgets in real time, and optimize your environment so your bedroom was primed for your most restful sleep, keep your refrigerator full with the food your body actually needs and your home fitness equipment calibrated to give you the most effective workout for your energy level? What if, with the help of AI, your entire living environment could be so streamlined that you were immersed in the exact kind of wellness your body and mind needed at any given moment, without ever lifting a finger?

It sounds like science fiction, but those days may not be that far off. At least, not if Samsung has anything to do with it. Right now, the electronics company is investing heavily in its wearables sector to ensure that Samsung is at the forefront of the intersection of health and technology. And in 2025, that means a hefty dose of AI.

Wearable wellness technology like watches, rings and fitness tracking bands are not new. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t wear some sort of smart tracker today. But the thing that I’ve always found frustrating about wearable trackers is the data. Sure, you can see how many steps you’re taking, how many calories you’re eating, how restful your sleep is and sometimes even more specific metrics like your blood oxygen or glucose levels, but the real question remains: what should you do with all that data once you have it? What happens when you get a low score or a red alert? Without adequate knowledge of what these metrics actually mean and how they are really affecting your body, how can you know how to make a meaningful change that will actually improve your health? At best, they become a window into your body. At worst, they become a portal to anxiety and fixation, which many experts are now warning can lead to orthorexia, an unhealthy obsession with being healthy.

The Samsung Health app, when paired with the brand’s Galaxy watches, rings, and bands, tracks a staggering amount of metrics from your heart rate to biological age. Forthcoming updates will include even more, including the ability to measure carotenoids in your skin as a way to assess your body’s antioxidant content. But Samsung also understands that what you do with the data is just as important as having it, which is why they’ve introduced an innovative AI-supported coaching program.

Out of the four pillars of wellness (sleep, food, activity and mindfulness), the first metric to get the coaching treatment is sleep because, according to Dr. Hon Pak, MD, Head of the Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience for Samsung, it’s the easiest to track through wearable technology (which relies on skin contact) and, well, aren’t we all obsessed with sleep right now? According to a study conducted by Samsung Health in partnership with the National Sleep Foundation, the amount of people actively tracking their sleep has increased 182 percent over the last two years. Why? Because it’s a commonly accepted truth that how you sleep has an impact on all other areas of your health and wellness.

Here’s how it works: the app tracks your sleep metrics for seven nights, including your sleep duration, efficiency (how often you wake up), consistency, how many full sleep cycles you achieve, and more. After the seven nights, you’re assigned a “sleep animal,” essentially an anthropomorphic characterization of your sleep quality. Achieve high marks on all metrics for great sleep? You’re an Unconcerned Lion. On the opposite end of the spectrum are Exhausted Sharks. About one third of people, and women especially, are Nervous Penguins, meaning they might be in bed for enough hours, but sleep efficiency is low—they wake up frequently throughout the night.

But sleep animals are more than just cute. They not only help to make your sleep patterns easier to understand but they also give you something to work toward—a sleep goal if you will. The objective, of course, is to be an Unconcerned Lion and the AI-driven sleep coach offers advice on how to get there based on your current sleep metrics.

Right now, those tips are heavily in the sleep hygiene category, like decreasing the temperature of your bedroom, shutting off screens an hour before bed and others that we’ve surely all heard before (Samsung says they are developing more specific tips as well). But what is unique about the coaching program is that these tips change based on your sleep animal, so if you’re a Nervous Penguin one month and, say, a Cautious Deer another, you get different advice (it’s recommended to re-evaluate your sleep animal every month). The Samsung Health app also makes it clear how your sleep affects and is affected by other areas of your wellness with its ability to cross reference other metrics like food and caffeine consumption, activity levels, and daily energy scores. And most importantly, this coaching program actually works. Samsung’s data shows that by following the sleep coaching program, 94 percent of Exhausted Sharks were able to improve their sleep scores in just two months.

Of course, this also reveals the current issue with wellness-focused wearables: you are still the one who has to remember and commit to making the changes that are suggested. But wouldn’t it be great if one day, all of this could be done automatically?

A glimpse inside the Samsung exHome Concept House in Suwon, Korea answers this question and, let me tell you, it’s pretty damn cool. Powered by the Samsung SmartThings app, which links all Samsung Smart devices together from your watch to your refrigerator to your lights, your bedroom could be temperature controlled to your body’s ideal sleep temperature, the lights dimmed subtly to remind you to go to bed at a certain time, and blinds opened when it’s time to wake up. Your refrigerator could track not just what is inside and order more groceries by itself (through Instacart) but also see what you’ve been eating and suggest recipes rich in the macro and micronutrients you need that day. Your TV could double as a personal trainer using a 3D camera to monitor your form and take you through workouts chosen specifically for your day’s energy score. It could change your water and air filtration based on the environment outside, feed your dog automatically when you’re running late, and streamline your life in ways that, until now, we could only dream of. Many of these functionalities are already available with Samsung products, but the automation and intuition of AI is still being integrated.

Perhaps most importantly, given an aging population that increasingly relies on informal caregivers (a role that overwhelmingly falls to women), you can even link smart households together, allowing you to monitor the health and wellbeing of older relatives across a vast distance. Caregivers can get an alert if someone hasn’t woken up at their normal time, for instance, and robot vacuums can be used as roving cameras to see if someone has fallen and they can’t get up. Aside from wellness, an AI-driven smart home could actually have real medical implications.

Which brings us to the core of the tracking conversation: what is the endgame? Taking it upon yourself to track your wellness is obviously a positive, given the fact that only around three percent of medical spending in the United States is allocated to prevention, but what about when something needs more direct medical intervention? According to Dr. Pak, Samsung is working to streamline the conversation between medical professionals and their patients’ tracking data, the goal being to allow doctors real time access to their patient’s stats to help advise on potential issues at the first warning signs and offer more direct treatment.

Those days aren’t quite here yet, and health trackers will certainly never replace actual medical care (no matter what politicians like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. might wrongfully claim), but with new capabilities rolling out at lightning speed, they could become an important part of our long term health and wellness strategies. For now, I’ll just listen to my sleep coach and remember to turn the lights off myself.

There’s no right way to “do” wellness, but Marie Claire’s Doing Well offers a glimpse into the self-care mantras, therapies, and affirmations practiced by industry trailblazers.

Retirement looks good on Diana Taurasi. When the undisputed GOAT—Taurasi is the all-time leading scorer, a three-time WNBA champion, and a six-time Olympic gold medalist to name just a few of her many record-breaking achievements—announced that she would not be returning to play for the Phoenix Mercury earlier this year, many wondered what her next move might be. How does someone who spent 20 seasons on a regimented schedule of games, travel, and training transition into the next phase of life? As it turns out, relishing in the slower pace has been nothing but pure bliss.

“I'm taking a step back from everything,” Taurasi says. “I'm really just enjoying being around my family, being around my kids and my wife all day, and tapping into friendships and different people that for the most part I’ve just been too busy to really give myself to. It’s been nice to take a step back and have less on my plate.”

The former pro basketball player is still picking up passion projects here and there. She recently partnered with pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Regeneron to share her experience of dealing with eczema. And later this month, she’ll be hosting a basketball camp with the Snow Valley Basketball Santa Barbara for young girls to sharpen their skills on the court. She believes a big part of wellness is the connectivity that basketball—and sports in general—brings with the people around you.

“That's the power of sports,” she says. “There is something amazing when a collective group of people can all push towards one way and one goal. Sometimes you get there and sometimes you don't. But the journey is definitely very important.”

Below, Taurasi further breaks down her wellness routine and how she’s taking care of her body, mind, and soul.

I did have a pretty strict routine with some yoga and Pilates, and I think with that came a lot of deep breathing and meditation that calmed me down before I went out there and really got into the game. So later in my career, I really used that to center myself before I got on the court, and to this day before every workout, if I go play golf or tennis, or I do a home workout, I set aside a good five to 10 minutes of just some really intentional stretching and breathing, and just think about why I'm doing it. That gives me just a little bit of motivation to do it.

There's a couple of artists that I really like, and I put them on and they kind of just put me in this really flowy and wellness state of mind. But [wellness] can come in different ways too. We always talk about the relaxed side, but there’s another side that you need; that edgy and getting ready for physical and motivational pump up.

I grew up in Los Angeles, so a lot of the early West Coast '90s rap was really something that I loved [to listen to]. It is funny [thinking about] the duality of being calm and being really intentional and focused to go out and play basketball. I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Alice In Chains. As I got older, my core of music stayed the same. But then I added Citizen Cope, David Gray, and all these different artists that really just make music so amazing.

I always start the day with a cup of coffee. [As a family] we have breakfast together, and I think just that cup of coffee gets me ready for the day, whatever it may be. It might be a day of taking the kids to soccer practice, a basketball practice. It might be a day of running errands or a day that I have nothing. And that cup of coffee really just grounds me and gets me ready for the day.

So the most expensive would probably be the physical trainer that I've used for the last 20 years here in Phoenix. This amazing PT, masseuse, just all things incorporated. She's worth every single penny. I've worked with her for probably 20 years of my WNBA career here in Phoenix. Just an amazing woman (and she's probably the most expensive [PT out there] too).

When it comes to working out and wellness, there is something to be said about showing up for someone else. I think that is the ultimate well-being [practice]: when you can share it with another human being and use that synergy to motivate each other to better each other. That's the one thing about basketball that has always brought to me and all the people connected to it.

A lacrosse ball. I get so much done with a lacrosse ball before I work out on my feet, hammies, IT band, etc. just to help with agility and stuff.

For as driven as I was in my 20 years of playing, I'm really just okay with not being that busy. I'm okay with not having that much on my plate. I'm okay with the simple things in life right now. Those things are keeping me happy. They're keeping me centered.

I've been trying to do it on both sides. I try to wake up, leave my phone down, and go and have my coffee and our good mornings at breakfast together, which I don't always stick to.

At night, to be honest, a little bit of therapy for me is to actually be on the phone and look at real estate. I love to look at real estate and follow it. I'm a Redfin proponent; I love it. I'm always on it. Then we always like to watch a vacation show or a travel show. That kind of unwinds me.

I've been a vegan for 10 years now. So I think that realization for me came a long time ago. It was something that can really impact my career pretty quickly, and what you eat impacts me the most (especially when you’re trying to be the best athlete you can be and stay in the best shape and for recovery [and] all those things). So I really took a deep interest in plant-based nutrition, and it's been amazing. Penny’s plant-based. Our kids have been plant-based. It really has really been interesting; we've learned a lot about food, different kinds of food, and different types of nutrition. That comes with also the wellbeing of animals and the earth. So it's kind of one of those things that's been all encompassing, and it has been a great journey.

Everything happens for a reason, and the way you react to it really shapes who you are in the long run. I would probably just tell my younger self to get more sleep. I think sleep would've taken care of a lot of things.

In the quest for perfect skin, I’ll try nearly anything. After all, as a beauty editor, it's my job to stay at the forefront of trends and offer my face up to science (and, let’s be honest, vanity). So when I heard that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was a pain-free way to stimulate collagen in the skin and help reduce signs of aging, I immediately signed up to try it.

Unlike a lot of beauty treatments like fillers or neurotoxins like Botox, HBOT falls into that sweet spot between mental clarity, physical health, and beauty. It is even something the "I Don’t Die" guy includes in his "anti-aging" protocol. Theoretically, it is a great bang for your buck, since it offers benefits across multiple categories. However, because it is still a relatively new modality for out-of-hospital use, there are a lot of questions surrounding the treatment. I tracked down the answers for you—how it works, what research supports it, what skin concerns it addresses, and, of course, my personal experience with the HBOT treatment.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exposes your skin and body to super-concentrated, pressurized doses of 100 percent oxygen. It is typically accessed by sitting inside a chamber or by breathing in high levels of oxygen. As board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, explains, “Since oxygen is required for all metabolic processes of repair and cleaning in the skin, the thought is that giving tissue high levels of oxygen will encourage the skin to repair and clean faster and better, and optimize anti-aging pathways.” In layman’s terms, it is essentially like refueling the gas tanks so the cells can work and improve themselves.

For context, board-certified plastic surgeon John Diaz, MD, notes that the air we normally breathe contains about 21 percent oxygen. Inside a hyperbaric chamber, that concentration increases to 100 percent, and the pressure rises to anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the normal atmospheric pressure. This combination pushes more oxygen molecules into the body’s tissues, allowing for greater absorption than would be possible under everyday conditions.

Concierge wellness doctor and founder of Remedy Place, Jonathan Leary, DC, adds that the elevated oxygen levels can penetrate deeper into tissues, even those with compromised blood flow. “This enhances cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and supports overall health,” he says.

How Does HBOT Improve Skin?

If you are considering HBOT specifically to benefit your skin, Dr. Leary explains, “Anything that can help increase oxygen saturation in the blood and boost blood flow will have an impact on most areas.” In medical settings, high-pressure chambers are even used to treat open wounds and burn victims to help accelerate healing.

Dr. Diaz adds that some studies suggest HBOT may stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving overall tone and texture. He also explains that HBOT may help prevent or improve acne through several mechanisms. High concentrations of oxygen can kill acne-causing bacteria, and improved blood flow may help reduce the inflammation and irritation associated with breakouts.

What Research Is There on HBOT’s "Anti-Aging" Claims?

While it may look like something out of a dystopian novel, there is solid clinical research backing HBOT. Dr. Leary notes that studies have shown that HBOT can increase collagen density and enhance skin texture, suggesting it may help reduce signs of aging. Dr. Diaz adds, “It is thought to improve healing by stimulating cell production, boosting collagen production, killing bacteria, and improving blood flow.” However, he notes that most of the research has been conducted on wound healing, not on otherwise healthy skin. “It is assumed that collagen production is improved in normal skin as well,” he explains. “Recent studies have shown that HBOT may help prevent some of the damage associated with aging, especially at the DNA level. There has been a lot of interest in HBOT as an anti-aging treatment for this reason.”

How Many Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Sessions Are Needed to See Results?

According to Dr. Nazarian, “It varies depending on the study, but generally, 30 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen, five times a week over a three-month period, has been shown to demonstrate results.” However, she notes that the exact protocol for optimal benefit has not yet been determined, and more studies are needed to better understand how to best utilize this treatment. Anecdotally, many people report seeing improvements in their skin—like an increased glow—after just one session, but these early effects may not be long-lasting or reflect substantial changes beneath the surface. “It takes anywhere from one to two months for new skin cells to cycle,” adds Dr. Diaz, “so it may take at least a month to see a noticeable difference after undergoing HBOT.”

To achieve more long-lasting effects, Dr. Leary recommends maintaining a consistent regimen of sessions (which is true for most skincare treatments). While individual responses can vary, most people begin to notice significant and sustained benefits after a series of treatments. His general guideline is to undergo HBOT two to three times per week for the first few weeks. “Ideally, I would want you to go in as much as possible,” he says. “If you can do back-to-back sessions for a week or two, you will likely see a significant change.” For those dealing with chronic conditions or specific health goals, a more intensive schedule might be recommended. In such cases, working closely with a healthcare provider to customize the frequency and duration of sessions is important.

What Are the Risks of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

“You should avoid hyperbaric oxygen chambers if you are pregnant, have conditions such as untreated pneumothorax or severe COPD, or if you are undergoing chemotherapy with certain agents,” says Dr. Leary.

Side effects are typically minor and may include ear or sinus discomfort due to the increased pressure, says Dr. Diaz. “People who have had recent ear, sinus, lung, or eye procedures should avoid treatment because of the effects of increased pressure on these structures.” While risks are rare, especially for the average person, they can occur. It is important to consult a physician before undergoing HBOT.

Is HBOT More Effective Alone or With Other Skincare Treatments?

It's important to remember that while HBOT by itself is beneficial, the results for skincare are likely to be extremely subtle. “Because HBOT is not the standard in skincare, I would suggest anyone who is curious to try it go ahead, but only as part of an overall skincare regimen, while continuing other methods that have more substantiated results,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Treatments like microneedling and lasers like Fraxel generate a great deal of collagen with continued use. These methods have been successfully used to treat scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentary changes.”

Dr. Leary adds that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also be a great complement for people who are undergoing intense skincare treatments. “For post-laser or microneedling, this would be significantly helpful and can help speed up recovery time,” he says.

Beyond skincare, some of the other potential benefits of HBOT include increased energy levels, enhanced mental clarity, reduced inflammation and pain, improved circulation, relaxation, and stress relief. So even if your skin does not look dramatically different right away, HBOT may still offer amazing benefits in other areas.

My Experience with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Given my unofficial title as a human guinea pig, I was excited for the opportunity to test out HBOT at Remedy Place, also known as the “world’s first social wellness club,” in New York City. There are two main types of hyperbaric chambers: mild pressure and high pressure, both designed to maximize the therapy’s benefits. The ones at Remedy Place are mild pressure and use ambient air oxygen, meaning there is no flammable threat since the oxygen is not coming from a tank (some people also find tank oxygen to be overwhelming).

Before hopping in, my guide explained that the oxygen delivered to your body accelerates the production of white blood cells, which helps you heal faster. He noted that a lot of their clients are athletes recovering from injuries, as well as more sedentary individuals dealing with issues like shin splints. He described the experience as a “bicep curl for your lungs,” explaining that most of us rarely practice active breathing or even breathe fully. He also mentioned that afterward, I would likely feel a boost in mental clarity and creativity, since all neurotransmitters would be firing and I would drop into a theta brainwave state, making it easier to concentrate.

Like many of the other tech-driven treatments at Remedy Place, these chambers were unlike anything I had ever seen. It felt like strapping into Kylie Jenner’s private jet, complete with a luxurious interior and a cozy throw blanket. I was told I could use my laptop in the chamber, and that many clients often come in for a work session (classic tech bros). Of course, I forgot mine at home. They offered me an iPad to stream shows, but I feared becoming an iPad baby at 28, so I raw-dogged the entire session by staring blankly around the room for 60 minutes while listening to What Was That. (They also offer 90-minute sessions if you are feeling ambitious.) I was initially worried I would feel claustrophobic in the chamber, but it was surprisingly roomy and comfortable.

For the first five minutes, I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of pressure—think the same feeling you experience during a flight’s takeoff or landing. I felt a lot of pain in my ears until they finally popped a few minutes in. I focused on taking deep breaths, which made me realize how little attention I usually pay to breathing. I worry I am a mouth breather (I have even started mouth taping), so this felt like a good way to practice nasal breathing.

At one point, I texted my mom that I was in the chamber. She responded, “You're something else.” And if that is what ends up on my tombstone, so be it. “Something else” has a nice ring to it. Not like other girls—something else.

When I got out of the chamber, I didn’t notice a major difference in my skin (it takes multiple sessions, after all), but I did feel a little sharper and like I was breathing easier. I was actually a bit stressed because I felt like I needed to use this newfound clarity wisely. Perhaps someone should have handed me a New York Times crossword or a set of statistics problems, but instead, I went to dinner with friends and yapped about the treatment the entire time.

While immediate benefits of mild pressure HBOT—like mental clarity, reduced pain, and deeper relaxation—can be felt after just one session, achieving long-lasting effects typically requires a commitment to regular treatments over time.

In a time when we are inching toward a recession and worrying about things like the price of eggs, it does feel a little strange to be getting special oxygen delivered directly to me. (There is oxygen at home, after all.) But it was interesting to see what is available, and how high-performers invest in staying ahead. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others online, but it’s important to remember that maintaining that level of performance often takes a huge investment of time, money, effort, and resources. Personally, I don’t know if HBOT is something I could commit to regularly at this point in my life, but if I ever came into wealth or decided to seriously focus on my athleticism, it’s definitely a wellness modality I would consider adding to the routine.

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Meet the Experts

There are some wellness rituals that prioritize your health and overall wellbeing, like a daily yoga practice, transcendental meditation, reiki sessions, and home-cooked meals that use only the finest organic ingredients from your local farmers market. All lovely, all tapping into that carefree bohemian artist that lives deep within all of us (I'm guessing). I, too, fantasize about the type of willpower that would allow me to abstain from some of my not-so-great vices and prioritize the condition of my skin, the amount I'm sleeping, and the nutrients I put into my body. However, I am human, not Gwyneth Paltrow, and I deserve to treat myself on occasion. Sometimes that means picking up a few new pieces to add to my spring wardrobe even though I swore to be better about shopping my own closet or enjoying a bowl of truffle pasta and gossiping with my closest girlfriends (gossip is my cardio). My preferred type of self-care also includes indulging in a cheeky shower beer while I lather myself up with my favorite luxury soaps and hair masks.

Lucky for me, body care brand Flamingo has teamed up with Tinx, creator and author of the forthcoming book Hotter in the Hamptons, as well as woman-owned NYC brewery Talea to create a chic shower beer collection, four words I never thought I'd be able to string together. Apparently I'm not the only woman equally invested in fashion and beauty as well as the joy of a shower beer since the collection was inspired by Tinx's favorite spots to grab a pint and a desire to level-up the self-care ritual for any and all shower beer fans.

As she explains, “Life’s just better when you romanticize the little things—so why not make your shower one of those moments? When Flamingo and TALEA came to me with the idea of pairing a smooth shave with an ice-cold beer, I was instantly in. [This is] the easiest way to turn your quick routine into something to look forward to."

Beer in general isn't always seen as a "feminine" beverage (even though historical evidence suggests that women were actually the first brewers over 7,000 years ago) so I appreciate that the trio is bringing a distinctively girly and fun beer-adjacent product to the body care market. I mean, who doesn't want to stick a cute little beer caddy to the wall of their shower to hold their favorite pale ale or pilsner after a long day of work or to upgrade their lavish everything shower? It's practical self-care at its finest.

You'll be able to purchase Flamingo’s new Moisture Plus Razor and receive the purple Shower Beer Holder free with your purchase directly from the body-care brand, and snag the limited-edition craft beer (an intriguing blackberry lager) at Talea taprooms across New York City while supplies last. Beauty meets beer? Don't mind if I do.

One thing about me: I never get enough sleep. Blame it on being a workaholic, my phone addiction, or staying up late to read ACOTAR, but I almost always end up in the seven hour range. While that might seem sufficient for some, my WHOOP device insists I should be clocking closer to nine hours, which feels impossible to me. So when I heard about using mouth tape for better sleep, aka the latest trend making waves in the wellness space, I was intrigued. Could mouth tape be the key to finally snagging a few extra zzz's?

As a beauty writer, my quest for “wellness" often focuses on optional extras like cupping, cold plunges, and infrared saunas, rather than prioritizing what’s been proven to matter most (and is totally free): sleep. I’m not alone in this, either. According to Gallup, Americans are sleeping less than ever before, and the quality of the sleep is similarly poor.

The sleep space, however, is booming. According to Statista, the global sleep economy was valued at about $432 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $585 billion by the end of 2024. Products designed to help us snooze better are seemingly endless, from magnesium powders and red light therapy devices to silk eye masks and alarm clocks that simulate the sunrise—not to mention high-tech beds that regulate your sleep temperature, sometimes even adjusting it separately for your partner. It makes sense that mouth taping is now joining the (slumber) party. In fact Spate reports that mouth tape is seeing a 445.5% year-over-year growth in TikTok views this year, with an average of 10.7 million weekly views.

To separate fact from hype, I spoke with industry experts to find out whether mouth tape is safe to use and worth trying. Then I spent a month testing it myself to see if the practice delivers on its promises, particularly better, deeper sleep.

What Is Mouth Tape?

The practice of mouth taping has actually been around for a while, but it’s recently gained traction on social media, with everyone from wellness influencers and podcasters to the cast of Love is Blind touting its benefits.

According to cosmetic dentist Joyce Kahng, DDS, mouth tape is a small piece of adhesive designed to cover the lips, either fully or as a strip across the center. The goal is to promote nose breathing for better, deeper sleep. “I personally use mouth tape every night and highly recommend it,” she says. If you’re wondering why there’s so much excitement around it, she explains that mouth taping encourages a lip seal, which promotes nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing. "Nasal breathing delivers higher-quality oxygen to the brain and body, improving overall health.” And the purposed benefits are, admittedly, pretty intriguing.

Can Mouth Tape Improve Your Sleep?

If you're struggling to sleep more and achieve better quality sleep, mouth tape may be able to help. According to orthodontist Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MS, it is significantly better to breathe through your nose than your mouth, particularly during sleep, which is how mouth taping can play a pivotal role. “When switching from mouth to nasal breathing during sleep, many people see significant improvements in restorative sleep and decreases in sleep disturbances."

If improving your sleep is constantly on the back burner of concerns, Dr. Fraundorf stresses that, “inadequate sleep is associated with a wide range of health issues, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, weight gain, and mental health conditions like depression. Therefore, improving your sleep should, in theory, help work against these conditions.” Essentially, quality sleep should always be a priority, even if it means (safely) taping your mouth.

Plus, mouth tape may be able to help if you snore. Otolaryngologist Daniel Z. Farishta, MD, explains that, “Snoring is caused by obstruction at various levels in the airway—one of which is the nasal passage. Once the obstruction resolves, snoring also improves." He adds that mouth breathing can exacerbate snoring, so by taping the mouth closed and encouraging nasal breathing, snoring should improve. (So perhaps your partner will also get better sleep when you try out mouth taping.) However, Dr. Fraundorf cautions, “It's challenging to make a blanket statement about the effectiveness of mouth taping for snoring, as individual cases and the causes of snoring vary." She adds that while some clinical studies suggest that mouth taping can reduce snoring, particularly for those who snore due to mouth breathing, the research remains limited.

What Are Other Benefits of Mouth Tape?

Mouth tape is particularly beneficial for dental health. Breathing through your mouth during sleep dries it out, reducing saliva flow. “Saliva is essential for remineralizing enamel and keeping teeth healthy,” Dr. Kahng notes. Without adequate saliva, people are more prone to cavities and other oral health issues. “So, in addition to promoting proper breathing, mouth taping helps protect teeth by preventing dryness and supporting saliva production," she says.

Some users also claim that mouth tape can improve your jawline. For instance, many people reference “mewing,” the practice of pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth to potentially change facial structure or enhance the jawline. Mouth taping can allegedly encourage this while you sleep—at least according to some advocates on social media. “While there’s some truth to this, mouth taping alone won’t drastically alter facial features,” says Dr. Kahng. “Proper tongue posture and a closed-lip posture can support good oral health and facial development, but these practices need to begin early in life to have a noticeable effect.” Unfortunately the impact on your jawline contour is minimal, she explains.

There’s also a common misconception that simply sealing your lips solves all sleep-related issues. “Mouth taping isn’t a cure-all,” Dr. Kahng cautions. “If you have airway issues or sleep apnea, taping won’t address the underlying problems." She adds that it’s crucial to consult with a dentist or healthcare professional before starting mouth taping to ensure it’s appropriate for you.

That said, while mouth taping isn’t scientifically proven to deliver dramatic changes, the placebo effect can still potentially make a positive impact. Influencer Lauryn Bosstick, who recently launched her own brand of mouth tape, shares her experience: “After a few weeks of mouth taping, my energy was through the roof. After two months, I noticed the biggest difference in my face. My jaw was stronger and more defined, the whites of my eyes were brighter, and I wasn’t thirsty in the morning. I felt incredible. And the sleep? Crème de la crème.” Basically, if you feel like you see results, the treatment may be worth keeping in your nighttime routine.

Is Mouth Tape Dangerous?

As with any wellness modality, it's always wise to check with the pros if you're nervous about using mouth tape or unsure of how to start. “Mouth taping isn’t inherently dangerous, but it’s not recommended without consulting a dentist first,” says Dr. Kahng. If you’ve seen viral clips online of someone clearly struggling to breathe while taping their mouth shut, know this: “Mouth taping is meant to promote a natural lip seal, not force the lips to stay closed at all costs,” she says, adding that if you already have an airway issue, such as sleep apnea, mouth taping won’t address the root problem and could potentially make it worse.

Most mouth tapes on the market are lightweight, thin, and breathable—they’re not designed to seal the lips shut with excessive force. Many even feature small holes or come in thin strips to allow for some airflow. “If you’re worried, you can always remove the tape in the middle of the night if you feel discomfort,” says Dr. Kahng.

Allergic reactions to adhesive can occur, which is why it’s crucial to choose a reliable brand—avoid questionable mouth tapes from random websites. Even when purchasing from third party sellers, you may not know the exact adhesive used, which can increase the risk of allergic reactions. If you’re concerned, opt for products specifically designed for sensitive skin or those that clearly disclose their materials. “Stick to a gentle tape, like surgical or athletic tape. Nothing harsh or difficult to remove, like duct tape. The tape should adhere securely but come off effortlessly,” says Dr. Fraundorf.

If it’s your first time using mouth tape, Dr. Fraundorf recommends easing into the practice by starting with short intervals during the day. “Begin by placing the tape over your mouth for about 10 minutes, then gradually increase by 10 minutes each day for about a week. Once you feel comfortable, you can try using mouth tape while you sleep.” Remember that the goal of mouth taping isn’t to seal your lips shut—it’s to gently encourage your muscles to relax and promote nasal breathing.

My Mouth Taping Review

I initially started this experiment to improve my sleep patterns, but there was also a vanity component to it, as I’d heard the myth that mouth tape could alter your face shape. I’m a self-proclaimed mouth breather, but apparently, that’s an ick these days and I’ll do anything to stay desirable, so I set out on for a month of testing different mouth tape options.

The first tape I tried didn’t have any holes for airflow, which felt a bit claustrophobic but I eventually got used to it. Some mouth tapes I tried were shaped like pink lips and others in an H shape that could be applied horizontally or vertically, offering more airflow (my personal preference). All the tapes I tested stayed on throughout the night and didn’t cause any allergic reactions.

My main issue with mouth taping is that I usually wait until I’m profusely yawning to go to bed, and placing the tape on at that point felt uncomfortable. It was as if one big yawn could rip the tape right off. I also kept waking up thirsty in the middle of the night—probably more due to my chronic dehydration than the tape itself.

Something else that concerned me was whether the tape might cause wrinkles around the mouth area. According to board-certified dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD, “Repetitive pulling, picking, or tugging at your skin is not great—it can make lines and wrinkles more prominent over time.” She also warns that picking at your skin to peel off the tape can cause inflammation or hyperpigmentation. Acne-prone and oily skin types should also proceed with caution, as the adhesive may trigger breakouts. However, I didn’t experience any during my time using it, so it likely just depends on your skin.

Another downside? I couldn’t apply my beloved lip sleeping mask (the tape wouldn’t stick on top), so I’d wake up with dry lips. On days when I didn’t hydrate them properly before bed, the tape caused my lips to peel.

So, did I notice a dramatic difference after a month of mouth taping? Honestly, not really. According to my WHOOP device, I did spend slightly more time in REM sleep some nights, so I’ll take that as a win. But my face still needs a good gua sha session every morning to sculpt my face, and I’ve yet to inspire any buccal fat removal rumors with my jawline. I guess I’m still waiting for the mouth tape magic to kick in.

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Meet the Experts

Back in the day, the only way to coax me into taking vitamins was if they came in fruit-flavored dinosaur form. As the years passed, I eventually learned to swallow my pills, but it was always difficult, so I never stayed consistent with taking them. More recently, I hopped on the IV drip bandwagon to bypass that struggle altogether and get my vitamins directly into my bloodstream. I also wanted to see if I’d feel the effects faster (I did). However, as you’d expect, maintaining this practice wasn’t exactly realistic for my budget. Plus my fear of needles made the whole process pretty miserable. So when I discovered that I could skip the IV and the pills—and wear my vitamins instead—I was intrigued.

Over the last few years, a new wave of vitamin patch brands have come to market, which use the same transdermal technology as wearable birth control and nicotine patches to release nutrients through your skin directly into your bloodstream; allowing for more consistent delivery compared to oral supplements. “To enhance efficacy, patches are often placed in strategic areas where venous areas are condensed, such as the inner wrist, so they can be absorbed faster,” says Marisol Saavedra, MD, an aesthetics doctor in London and co-founder of IV therapy company Tonic.

The rise of vitamins-by-sticker—from brands like Barrière and The Good Patch—shouldn't come as a surprise: A 2023 study from the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that 74 percent of American adults take a daily supplement and 55 percent qualify as regular supplement users. If any of them are like me and hate swallowing pills and don’t love the idea of regularly getting poked with needles, patches offer an easy, effortless alternative.

Not to mention stickers are also having something of a renaissance, particularly when it comes to skincare. Gone are the days of hiding your blemishes beneath layers of concealer—now, we proudly adorn them with Starface or Hero Cosmetics pimple patches. You can even fade a spot of hyperpigmentation with ZitSticka or Peace Out patches. Self-care has become a fashion statement, and vitamins are finally joining the (increasingly stylish) wearables club.

However, we’ve all seen the rise and fall of certain wellness trends, so it begs the question: Will vitamin patches prove their worth and survive the trend cycle? Here's what we know.

What Makes Vitamin Patches Notable?

Just as the wellness boom has reached a fever pitch, so have the conversations surrounding it. Everyone is interested in talking about their new wellness routines or the best wellness trends they’ve tried, and the industry has responded in kind. Social wellness clubs are popping up (hi Remedy Place!), high-end hotels are launching longevity clinics (hello Rosebar at Six Senses Ibiza!), and wearable health tech is becoming an everyday accessory (I’m looking at you, Oura Ring.) So while taking vitamins used to seem like a chore, it’s now shifting to become a conversation starter. We want to talk about it just as much as we want to boost our health. I, for one, have relished in talking about my Daily Defense patches to whoever will listen.

For Barrière, this means designing stylish patches in the shape of cherries, lightning bolts, and moon phases. “We wanted to create a product that people actually wanted to wear and that injected a bit of joy into their everyday wellness routine,” says its founder, Cleo Davis-Urman, who also hinted at exciting designer collaborations in the future. “A glint of gold on the arm, a touch of lace on the wrist, a bold astrological sign on the neck…our designs [are meant to] look beautiful on the skin.”

Not only are the stickers fun to wear, they’re comfortable, a stark contrast to most medical vitamin patches that are currently available. Davis-Urman was inspired to launch her brand after learning she had dangerously low levels of B12, despite taking supplements regularly. But she found that the patches her doctor recommended were highly uncomfortable (not to mention nothing special to look at) so she set out to create an alternative that is both cute and feels good on the skin.

Still, not everyone wants to adorn themselves with obvious stickers for the sake of wellness, which is why brands like The Good Patch offer more discreet transparent, white, and tan rectangles (plus one pack featuring cartoon owls made specifically to help kids fall asleep). “Based on our consumer research, we know that the most common wellness concerns are stress, sleep, energy, and focus,” says Cedar Carter, CEO of The Good Patch. To address these issues, the brand’s patches contain ingredients such as lion’s mane (for focus), ashwagandha (for relaxation), and melatonin (for sleep). They are meant to be placed on your inner wrist, or any venous area, so the vitamins can quickly be absorbed into the bloodstream, whereas Barrière encourages customers to adorn themselves anywhere with clean, dry skin, ideally where someone can see the design.

What Do Vitamin Patches Do?

At the moment, clinical research on the efficacy of transdermal vitamin patches is limited. That doesn’t mean the science isn’t there, but clinical testing is very expensive and small brands often have to wait until they turn a significant profit before they can invest in testing. “While customer reviews can be helpful to gauge others’ experience with the brand [or] product, every individual is different, and the placebo effect is extremely powerful,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Luckily, research and testing is happening, albeit slowly, in order to discover the efficacy of micronized ingredients, how well they pass through the skin barrier, and how potent they actually are at different concentrations.

In fact, a 2020 study found that vitamin D3 feasibly passes through the skin barrier via transdermal patch, and Davis-Urman says she is working on a combination of clinical trials and medically validated questionnaires to be published early next year.

Even with the current lack of hard data, the placebo effect could still make vitamin patches worth your attention. Studies have shown that a placebo, even one that you’re aware of, can still be 50 percent effective as the real thing, regardless of format.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Vitamin Patches?

Ultimately, that's up to you, but cost and efficiency are two reasons why some may opt for a sticker. “IV drip is the most effective delivery method of vitamins, as the vitamins are entering your bloodstream directly,” says Dr. Engelman, but again, this can be expensive (on average, prices start at around $130 per treatment). Furthermore, Dr. Saavedra says that capsulized vitamins can lose efficacy during digestion due to various reasons, such as gastric stomach acid, and some studies support the theory that humans cannot synthesize water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin patches offer an optimistic alternative, even with the lack of clinically-proven data.

So, I say try them! If you want to sleep, slap on a magnesium-rich patch. If you want a burst of energy, opt for one with caffeine. If you’re trying to boost your immune system, then add one with a mix of elderberry, zinc, and vitamin D3. I’m a big fan of The Good Patch’s Think Patches ($12), which infuses lion’s mane, Bacopa, yerba mate, and 15mg of caffeine for laser-sharp focus.

Whether or not you want to wear your vitamins, it’s clear that health and wellness in patch form is here to stay. Ross J. Barr's Patches ($21 to $60) harness the power of aromatherapy with transdermal placement on acupuncture points for therapeutic effects. Gatorade's GX Sweat Patch ($25 for two patches) is a game-changer to track your overall health, measuring sweat rate, sodium loss, and liquid loss during exercise and sending that information to an app on your smartphone so you can learn how to optimize your athletic performance.

Davis-Urman is working on patch formulas for women during different life stages, from pre- and postnatal to perimenopause and menopause (a category of women that is historically underrepresented by the health and wellness industry). And Dr. Saavedra predicts brands will begin to roll out patches that target cellular health and anti-aging, supporting mitochondrial function and biohacking the body in response to the wider longevity-focused trends we’re seeing.

As exciting as the future sounds for wearable wellness, for now I’m just relishing that I can get daily vitamins in a way that feels even more enjoyable—and markedly more chic—than eating a fruit-flavored dinosaur.

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Meet the Experts

I knew I had a lot of shopping in my future when I decided to run my first marathon last November. Even amateur runners can guess that they'll require leggings with pockets (my favorites were Lululemon), a bounce-proof sports bra (Nike's are top-tier), and several pairs of their personal best running sneakers (it's the Vomero Plus for me) to make it through a 26.2 mile course in one piece.

As I began training in earnest last July, I realized I'd overlooked just-as-essential portions of preparation: skincare, hair care, and general wellness. It wasn't just my feet and legs pushing me each mile, after all. My entire body showed up for every jog and cross-training session; my mind also needed to get into shape to handle the inevitable "I can'ts" that crept in when the distances got longer and training got harder.

That said, my training was a little less intense that what you'll find from a dedicated running editor. My lifestyle is simply too busy to install a cold-plunge tub in my apartment or book a one-week retreat before the race. I wasn't interested in spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to optimize my performance by a few minutes—I just wanted to train to finish, period. So I squeezed in runs on summer vacation and during New York Fashion Week; by race day, I'd run across five countries over five months.

Cut to nearly 365 days later: I'm preparing to run the New York City Marathon all over again. (Runner's high is real; and so is runner's delusion.) After creating a foundational routine last year, I felt even more ready to tackle the course once again. Both times, what supported me along the way were low-fi products that could have a place in my life with or without a race, and that could travel with me when work demanded it: SPF 50 and sweat-proof sunscreen; calming face balms; cleansing shampoos; extra-grippy hair-ties; roll-up-and-go sauna blankets; and so on.

By nightfall on Nov. 2, I'll have completed the New York City Marathon for a second time, and I'll have done it in a way that was, surprisingly, low-stress. Ahead are all the extras that helped me get ready to finally cross the 26.2 mile finish line two years in a row—but they're just as suited to training for a 5k, 10k, or half marathon.

My Training Run Skincare and Hair Care Stack

I made two enemies when I began running four, sometimes five, days per week: the sun, and my sweat. But, they were easily vanquished with some key beauty minis in my go-pack.

The Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion was my one and only SPF choice during my five months of training. I tested a few new sunscreens here and there for work, but I went back to this one for its pleasant scent and blends-right-in formula. Some other sunscreens would congeal and create a post-sweat white cast even on my extremely pale skin, but this one did not! To protect my lips—which are prone to peeing in the heat—I also carried a tube of SPF-laced chapstick. A quick swipe on my pit stop, and, voila, no chapping.

On the sweat front: Obviously, deodorant is an essential no matter how you're getting your steps in. Training sessions that lasted up to four hours, however, needed something strong. I'd read rave reviews for Duradry online and found it lived up to the sweet-smelling, anti-perspiring hype; so did Megababe, my go-to to keep my legs, pits, and inner arms smooth and unchafed on longer runs.

My hair is much more high-maintenance than my skin. I have hair down to almost below my shoulder blades with fluffy, Dakota Johnson-esque bangs. For training runs, a simple ponytail was never going to cut it. (And sweaty, sticky bangs in my eyes? No, thank you.) I didn't have to look far for a style or materials that would keep it all out of my face and secure for all five, ten, or twenty miles of my runs. Goody's drugstore hair ties with extra grip go in and stay in—specifically, in two French-braided plaits. On top, I push my bangs back with one of Lululemon's thin headbands. These come in a width that keeps everything off my forehead without overheating me. Plus, they're sold in colors to match the many, many sports bra and legging sets I ordered.

The Cool-Down Shower Routine

I sometimes felt like I spent almost as much time taking cold showers as I did running around Central Park on my marathon training journey. It's unsexy, but it bears repeating: You sweat a lot when you're running five days a week, sometimes for as far as twenty miles on the longest run. About two weeks in, I realized that tricking out my shower would be a nice motivator: Ending each run would feel like a treat when I had delicious-smelling products to look forward to.

Crown Affair's Marie Claire Skin and Hair Award-winning shampoo and conditioner have the cleanest scent and made my ponytail-braid-damaged hair feel the softest after each blow-out. For my body, I scheduled a twice-weekly scrub with Josie Maran Vanilla Vibezzz—it sugars off all the dull, dead skin (especially around my ankles) and leaves it feeling much softer than I found it. And daily, I avoided face and body breakouts in spite of all the sweat and sunscreen with Dieux's gentle, foaming glycerin cleanser.

My biggest shower splurge of them all was a fresh shower head. I replaced my apartment-issued version with Canopy's hand-held, including a scalp-massager attachment and essential oil diffusers. Pre-marathon training, I couldn't stand cold showers, even though I knew they were better for my muscles. Now that I have a tool that eases tension in my scalp and turns my entire bathroom into a steamy, fragrant oasis, I can spend hours in one.

Rest-Day Essentials and Treatments

Rest days are just as important as training days, if not more so. I learned this lesson after pushing myself a little too hard at the start of my marathon journey and suffering a slight ankle injury. (Don't worry, I clearly made a full recovery.) Taking a breather is crucial for staying physically and mentally ready for longer and longer runs as training goes on.

Some of my rest day essentials were only-in-NYC treatments that purged my sweat-clogged pores and soothed my aching muscles. A facial at Ställe Studios included a buccal massage to ease all the tension in my cheeks and jaw I'd built up from grinding my teeth on my long runs; this year, I'm trying out the new Spencer's Spa downtown. I also tried out a foaming, third-generation collagen treatment from QMS Medicosmetics, (hosted at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge), to plump up the places on my forehead and neck where all those hours running in the sun were enhancing my fine lines and wrinkles.

But I have to be real: Even as a fashion and beauty editor, I didn't have the budget (or the time!) to go to weekly cryotherapy sessions or full-body massages. I brought the spa home instead, starting with a daily dime-sized dollop of Neuraé's Sérénité balm. It's hydrating, smells like a blend of fresh flowers and clean laundry, and is formulated with N|A3 technology that stimulates the part of the brain controlling feelings of relaxation when it's applied. (Necessary!)

My two most-used devices, for two years running, were HigherDose's Infrared Sauna Mat and Theragun's Handgun Massager: the former for an extra sweat after a long stretch and foam roll in my living room, the latter for treating a sore back and quads as my weekly mileage ticked upward. Rolling out my sauna blanket on the living room floor earned me some side-eyes from my dog and my husband, but it became my happy place for even more muscle relief and some meditation.

I'd finish off rest day with an eye mask (Dieux's, straight from my freezer), a foot mask (Aquaphor, courtesy of Amazon) and a Ghia Spritz—one part Ghia to two parts sparkling water. It's a personal preference, but I felt more energized for early-morning wake-up calls after putting down the "real" drinks on my training journey.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Content creator Devin Raimo, who has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, says she's been drinking Poppi's prebiotic sodas for more than a year. Labeled as a “better for you” beverage, Poppi claims to support a healthy gut with prebiotics, apple cider vinegar, and less than five grams of sugar.

Raimo bought into the brand's cheeky marketing and, frankly, delicious taste when it came across her social media feeds—and she's hardly alone. Poppi boasts plenty of influential customers, including Kylie Jenner, Alix Earle, and Olivia Munn. Even without celebrity endorsements, it's one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S. Poppi's millions of fans have helped it swallow up 19 percent of the market share—1.5 times that of Coke’s.

That’s why it was so surprising for Raimo when her For You Page stopped feeding her Lemon Lime and Orange Cream flavor reviews and instead two-minute crash courses on a Poppi lawsuit instead.

Earlier this week, Poppi was hit with a $5 million class action lawsuit that claims the soda alternative misleads consumers with marketing aimed at boosting gut health. “Poppi soda only contains two grams of prebiotic fiber, an amount too low to cause meaningful gut health benefits for the consumer from just one can,” the legal document states. “Accordingly, a consumer would need to drink more than four Poppi sodas in a day to realize any potential health benefits from its prebiotic fiber.” That quantity isn’t just a lot of bubbles—it also equates to quite a high level of cane sugar consumption.

The Poppi fan base, typically clad in their branded pink sweatsuits online, is a bit divided on how the lawsuit will impact their soda-drinking habits. Most, like Raimo, will keep supporting the healthy-ish soda. For her, it was never about gut health. “I was more so drinking them for taste to begin with,” she tells me. However, others are understandably confused about what their Poppi consumption means for their gut health while the brand faces legal scrutiny.

To help clear up confusion, I'm breaking down exactly what to know about the lawsuit (including Poppi’s response)—and sharing what it means for your gut microbiome, ahead.

The Poppi Lawsuit, Explained

The lawsuit, filed in a California court last week, is considered a class-action consumer fraud case. I’ll spare you the 24-page document and provide the Spark Notes. While acknowleging that part of Poppi’s appeal is great taste and cheeky marketing, the suit does claim that the brand’s “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy.” slogan and promise of prebiotic fiber—a type of dietary fiber that helps foster beneficial bacteria in the gut—results in “misleading claims regarding the products health benefits.”

According to Yana Delkhah, board-certified emergency medicine physician and Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioner at Apa Aesthetics and Clinique de Champs, the lawsuit has legs to stand on from a health perspective. Offering just two grams of prebiotic fiber per can, she explains you won’t reap the prebiotic benefits of a healthy digestive tract, enhanced immune function, or reduced risk of disease from Poppi consumption alone.

“Two grams of prebiotic fiber per can is quite low compared to the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber, which is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men until the age of 51—then it's 21 for females and 30 for men,” she says. “While two grams can contribute to your overall fiber intake, it's insufficient to produce significant gut health benefits.”

Has Poppi Responded to the Lawsuit?

Marie Claire reached out to Poppi for a comment on the lawsuit. A representative for the brand shared the following statement:

“We are proud of the Poppi brand and stand behind our products. We are on a mission to revolutionize soda for the next generation of soda drinkers, and we have diligently innovated to provide a tasting experience that millions of people have come to enjoy. We believe the lawsuit is baseless, and we will vigorously defend against these allegations.”

Does Poppi Actually Do Anything for Gut Health?

According to Dr. Delkhah, don’t expect Poppi to actually impact your gut health—or health in general. “Drinking four cans of Poppi a day to achieve a beneficial level of prebiotic fiber is impractical and could lead to excessive sugar consumption,” she explains.

“Each can of Poppi contains about five grams of added sugar, so consuming four cans would mean ingesting 20 grams of sugar, which is close to or exceeds the American Heart Association’s recommended daily limit,” the expert adds. This high sugar intake could negate any potential benefits from the prebiotic fiber, leading to health issues such as weight gain, insulin resistance, and other metabolic problems.

Are There Side Effects to Drinking Poppi?

Just because Poppi allegedly doesn’t help your gut with just one can, doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. “There doesn’t appear to be any direct harm in continuing to consume it occasionally,” says Dr. Delkhah.

Still, it’s a soda—so don’t expect it to offer the same nutritional benefit as a salad. “This is a great alternative for people who are addicted to soda, diet or regular, to help them have something similar but with less negative effects.” In short, moderation is key.

Is Poppi Healthier Than Other Sodas?

While Poppi has added sugars, it is still a better alternative to other sodas. “It doesn’t seem to have aspartame (a possibly carcinogenic ingredient found in most sodas) and has a lower sugar content, along with the inclusion of some prebiotic fiber,” says Dr. Delkhah. “However, it is not a health drink and should not be relied upon as a primary source of prebiotic fiber or overall gut health.”

Can I Drink Poppi Every Day?

Poppi is still a soda. Like everything with sugar added, it’s best in moderation. It is better than regular soda, however. Drinking one can a day, in addition to consuming a healthy diet and sufficient water, shouldn’t cause harm.

How Much Caffeine Is in a Poppi Soda?

Not a lot. Only two of the 13 flavors contain any caffeine: Doc Pop and Classic Cola. In those, the caffeine content is naturally derived from green tea and taps out at 32 mg. For context, a can of Coke contains 34 mg.

Marie Claire will update this post when the outcome of Poppi's lawsuit is released.

Some people stock their closets with multiple pairs of jeans, but if you opened my closet door, you'd see that 95% of it is activewear. Nothing lights me up quite like a chic workout set, and as someone who exercises at least five days a week, I need a lot of sets (among other pieces) to keep me going. When I need some extra motivation, I spend an embarrassing amount of time scrolling through Nordstrom to see what my favorite brands are up to. ALO is at the top of my list, but I also love Bandier's clean, simple designs, Sweaty Betty's supportive pieces, and FP Movement's flowy styles. Scroll down to shop the extra-special activewear brands I love to wear for a good sweat sesh. And because no activewear outfit is complete without a good pair of sneakers, I rounded out the list with the pairs that get my stamp of approval.

ALO

Bandier

Beyond Yoga

Sweaty Betty

FP Movement

Vuori

Shop My Favorite Sneakers

With all the protein powders, hair vitamins, and other dietary supplements on the market, it's often hard to keep up. Collagen powders, in particular, have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, promising to give customers flowing hair, healthy nails, and supple skin when used in tandem with other high-quality maintenance products, like moisturizers, serums, oils, and shampoos and conditioners. But what do collagen powders really do—and are they worth all the hype?

First and foremost, it's important to understand what collagen is and what kind of role it plays in fostering healthy hair, skin, and nails. Per the National Library of Medicine, collagen is a protein that makes up the structure of many of our cells and tissues. Found in connective tissues, tendons, bones, cartilage, and skin, it aids in immune response, tissue repair, and other essential cellular functions. 

"By age 30, our bodies begin to lose collagen and continue to produce less each year, with production diminishing significantly by the age of 50," notes Nutrafol's Vice President of Product Marketing & Innovation Sam Archer. In regards to hair health, Archer adds: "Our scalps are made up of 75 percent collagen. As we age, the loss of collagen and elastin means that we can no longer hold onto strong hair at its foundation and hair becomes weaker. This can result in hair thinning and loss."

Enter collagen powders, the purported solution to thinning hair, alongside newfound hair and skin health. But the cure for hair thinning, at least, isn't so simple: Archer says, "Collagen peptides can replenish collagen within our bodies, however collagen peptides cannot improve hair growth on its own—which is a common misconception."

Does Collagen Powder Work?

"The evidence is conflicting regarding the effectiveness of collagen powders, and whether or not they work is still up for debate," admits Peter Young, M.D., dermatologist and medical director of skincare company Facet. "There are very few scientific studies on collagen powder, and many of them have come back with mixed results. The theory behind collagen powders is that they can improve and boost our body’s collagen and collagen production, resulting in anti-aging benefits, reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and improvement in skin hydration and elasticity."

However, many people (including me) use collagen powder and find that it produces satisfactory results. "Collagen is a protein known for being a key component in building and repairing bone, muscles, skin (including your scalp), and, yes, hair," explains Ashanti Lation, celebrity hairstylist and founder/CEO of VIP Luxury Hair Care. Furthermore, she explains that she recommends collagen powder to her clients "after childbirth, surgery or any major changes in diet or hormone levels, because these changes can lead to thinning or shedding. Collagen can provide the protein needed to strengthen the hair and lower estrogen levels."

What To Look For in Collagen Powders

As with all food and beverage items you consume, you be aware of what should be―and what shouldn't be―in your collagen powder. Archer says, "Buyers should be on the lookout for naturally efficacious ingredients in their collagen powders, as well as sustainably sourced ingredients." However, she points out that, unfortunately for vegans, "collagen peptides cannot be vegan—collagen can only be made by animals, not plants."

Dr. Young agrees, saying, "Most collagen powders originate from animal sources such as cows, pigs, and fish (“marine collagen”). Hydrolyzed collagens in which the amino acids have been broken down, are easier for your body to absorb. Look for collagen powders with a diverse amino acid profile."

And which amino acid profiles are these? "Bovine (cow) and porcine (pig) sources of collagen powder are best," he says. "You should avoid marine collagen because 'marine' is a blanket term for any aquatic animal, including shellfish, shark and jellyfish, and you never know what you’re getting. These sources of collagen are not easily absorbed by the body." 

When it comes to other ingredients you should avoid, Dr. Young advises staying away from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.

How Do You Use Collagen Powder?

Once you have your collagen powder of choice, you may wonder what to do with it. Luckily, it's a versatile, easy-to-use supplement, and it takes just a few seconds to incorporate into your breakfast routine. 

"Most collagen powders are formulated to mix with a liquid—whether it be water, tea or coffee—to drink once a day. However, serving sizes can vary from brand to brand," says Archer. So pay attention to what the packaging says! Personally, I like mixing my collagen powder into my morning coffee, and I keep the container next to my coffee machine so that I never forget about it. Archer also suggests, "You can also add it to food that contains some water content to help it dissolve, like yogurt, soup, or a smoothie."

Lation adds, "I personally love smoothies, but I’ve seen people add it to their juice mixtures, and even bake with it."

Side Effects

Our experts all agree that before trying collagen powder, it may be best to consult your doctor about whether its ingredients make it a good option for you, particularly if you have preexisting health conditions. And, of course, if you start experiencing troubling symptoms or side effects after starting to use collagen powder, you should stop and consult your doctor.

"Most studies demonstrate collagen powders to be safe to use. The most common side effects are heartburn and stomach bloating," reassures Dr. Young. Some users also complain of skin "purging" after beginning use, meaning that the increase in collagen intake causes some breakouts. For me, these cleared in about a week.

Dr. Young also warns, "Collagen powders should be avoided in people who have a history of or high risk of developing kidney stones. However, consuming collagen in moderation as part of a normal healthy diet is unlikely to cause kidney stones in the vast majority of people."

Finally, Archer points out that women who are nursing or pregnant should consult with their healthcare providers before using collagen powders, as they have not been tested rigorously enough among that population.

The Best Collagen Powders

• Best Collagen Powder for Hair: Nutrafol Strengthening Hair Growth Duo
• Best Collagen Powder for Joint Health: Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder
• Best Collagen Powder for Skin: Spring Valley Collagen Peptides Powder
• Best Flavored Collagen Powder: Apothekary Better Than Botox
• Best Collagen Powder for Strong Nails: Physician's Choice Collagen Peptides Powder

Meet the Experts

Allow me to be blunt: Eczema on your face isn’t fun. It can be wildly itchy, sting, burn, cause bumps and blisters—and a regular moisturizer isn't going to cut it. The good news: Eczema is so common (up to 15 million people have to deal with it) that dermatologists have a pretty solid idea of what causes it (scroll down for the info) and are well-versed in the best face creams for eczema to alleviate symptoms. “Dry skin can cause inflammation, which leads to eczema,” explains Nava Greenfield, M.D. and board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

As such, cosmetic chemists, doctors, and other beauty pros have spent years cooking up ultra-hydrating balms, creams, and ointments that will give eczema-prone skin an extra hefty dose of hydration. Here, we've rounded up the best.

The Best Face Creams for Eczema

• The Best Cream for Eczema on the Face Overall: Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare Up Treatment
• The Best Daily Cream for Eczema on the Face: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
• The Best Face and Body Cream for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Body Cream
• The Fastest Acting Face Cream for Eczema: First Aid Ultra Repair Cream
• The Best Preventative Face Cream for Eczema: Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

Also Recommended

What to Look For in an Eczema Face Cream

• Texture

“I encourage my patients to look for thicker moisturizing creams, balms, and ointments,” says Dustin Portela, D.O. and board-certified dermatologist at Treasure Valley Dermatology. By nature, face creams for eczema will be on the thicker side, but there is an element of preference as well. Some may prefer a silky cream, while others will gravitate towards a very occlusive balm.

• Formulation

Most face creams for eczema include ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and ceramides—that's the baseline. However, Dr. Greenfield urges patients to take a closer look at the ingredient list. “Avoid any product with fragrance and use only products formulated with sensitive skin,” she advises.

What Causes Eczema?

“Eczema causes are multifactorial,” explains Dr. Greenfield. “Genetic and environmental factors can trigger an inflammatory cascade that results in itching, scales, and redness.” Dry skin is by and large the biggest trigger, which is why people might notice more flares during the winter or in cold weather.

What Are the Types of Eczema?

“There are a lot of different kinds of eczema,” explains Dr. Gohara. While most eczema will be treated the same way, a quick visit to your doctor can help identify the specific type of eczema you’re dealing with. “Nummular eczema appears as round, red, and scaly plaques and most commonly presents on the arms and legs,” says Dr. Greenfield. “Dyshidrotic eczema shows up as small fluid-filled vesicles on the fingers and toes on the hands and feet.” There’s also atopic dermatitis, which is a bumpy rash that’s very common in babies.

When Should I See a Doctor for Eczema?

While using a tried-and-true eczema cream will do the job for some people, others might have to pay a visit to the dermatologist for a prescription steroid cream. “You should see results in two weeks, but see a doctor if the rash does not improve, worsens, or becomes itchy or painful," adds Dr. Greenfield.

That in mind, scroll ahead to shop for the best face creams for eczema. From ultra-nourishing drugstore options packed with calming and nourishing ingredients to dermatologist-formulated balms that promise overnight results, we’ve rounded up the top-rated products, below.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

In the ultimate quest for inner beauty and outer glow, Marie Claire asks our favorite trailblazers to share intel on finding balance in their busy lives. Read it all here, in Beauty Inside & Out.

If anyone takes self-care seriously, it’s Olivia Palermo. The beauty founder has a religious routine consisting of (but by no means limited to) morning blowouts, twice-weekly manicures, regular medical facials, and regimented trips to nutritionists, acupuncturists, and sound meditation practitioners. It sounds like a lot, yes. But it’s these moments of “me-time” that help set the fashion influencer up for success, keep her mind and body healthy, and give her the energy to run her businesses—and look good while doing it. 

“I prioritized self-care at a really young age—and that goes for everything I eat and my workout to the shampoo I use, getting cuts, making sure that I get facials regularly, that I get manicures and pedicures, and get my teeth cleaned,” the Dress for Success Impact Ambassador tells Marie Claire. “I've always been a firm believer in life maintenance.”

To get the scoop on how Palermo maintains her zen while doing it all, keep scrolling. From the weekly chemical peel that keep her skin glowing to the wellness gurus that help her stay centered amidst the chaos, here are the routines and rituals the founder of Olivia Palermo Beauty swears by. 

Inner Beauty 

Morning Movement 

I wake up and I say hello to my husband and I give him a kiss. That's a really nice way to start the day, to be honest. It's the calm before everything, so I take time to reflect on myself and do a little bit of meditative thoughts. I’ve been going back to Tracy Anderson—I’m a longtime Tracy Anderson workout girl. This year I also want to incorporate pilates a little bit more. The movement, that heat, the regenerating of your skin cells—it makes such a difference to me. I’m a crazy person, so I usually work out five or six times a week, but it’s important to give the muscles a rest and listen to my body, so it depends. 

“Me-Time” Manicures

I take my selfish time—100 percent. I go to Plaza M in Tribeca for my manicure-pedicure and my back massages. That’s my time. I go twice a week and that’s when I really feel like myself. When I come back from a trip or I just need a minute, I always go there. It's like my little haven. 

Healthy Habits 

As a New Yorker, we go out to eat, but I’m always very healthy. I’ve had a nutritionist [Dr. Gisele Kuhlmann] forever. It’s important because your body is always changing, so you want to shake it up. Johannes, my husband, and I eat mostly a plant-based diet—we have for many years. We do eat fish and chicken, but no red meat. We stick to oat milk now, too. 

Acupuncture 

I’ve been doing acupuncture since I was 21 years old with the same person. It’s amazing and it’s really effective. I think it does depend on the reasons why you’re going, but for me, it’s been really helpful for chronic back pain and muscle spasms. 

Sound Meditation 

I think it’s always important to manifest. You put energy out there, and hopefully you can create it. I’m a big believer in sound meditation—it’s super powerful. I absolutely love it. It’s about finding the right tones and recalibrating the brain wavelengths.

Outer Glow 

Weekly Derm Visits

I am religious—every single Friday I go to Dr. Dennis Gross's office and I get my medical facial. I get a chemical peel. I do a red light bed. I do my laser. I’ve been seeing Dr. Gross since I was 14. It was instilled in me from a young age that you have your skin your whole life, so you have to preserve it to maintain it. 

I also see Dr. Robert Anolik every few weeks. I cut myself shaving back in May like an idiot and I took off nine layers of skin. It was awful and right on my shin, so he’s been lasering it like crazy. 

Simple Skincare 

My skin doesn’t take a lot of product, to be honest. My skin rejects a lot of products in general and I don’t want any buildup. I religiously cleanse and use a washcloth to take any oil off my face. I use light serums. For face masks, I think the Dr. Dennis Gross Blue Marine Hydrating Mask is really great. 

Body TLC 

I do a lot of exfoliation. I use Molton Brown—I like orange blossom or a really light white lily. I’ll stick to that. I have to be very specific with scents. I swear my husband has a hidden nose. He wants me to smell like me. 

When it comes to fragrance, well, I had to switch my fragrance when Goutal got discontinued. I bought, like, half the world, and then I was like, ‘Ok, I need to stop.’ I’ve been using Aerin Ikat Jasmine Eau de Parfum, which I like a lot.

Hair Help  

Andre Davis has cut my hair basically since I was 18. I see him every three weeks and dust the ends to keep them growing. Abby Haliti has been doing my highlights for almost 10 years now—she’s amazing. But my hair is super healthy. I wash it every day. I’ve been really into Milbon. I absolutely love their fine hair shampoo and conditioner and the restoring and purifying shampoo and conditioner. The texture, the smell, it’s just fantastic. When I get out of the shower, I brush it and use a heat protectant to make sure that the color doesn’t get oxidized at all. Then I’ll use my GHD hairdryer—it’s the best one. I blow dry my hair every day. I’ll wake the whole house up—I don’t care, it makes no difference to me. My hair is getting a blow dry and looking perfect before I start the day. 

I also really like the Jolie shower head. Especially when you’re in cities like New York, there’s so much shit in the water. You need a good filter. That really helps with hair and the skin. 

Makeup Must-Haves 

I can do my own makeup perfectly—luckily. I’m proud of that. I use Charlotte Tilbury foundation. I love a sexy, smoky eye, a great wing, and a lash. But working with Nelson [Catarino] for so many years, I’ve learned to love more than just a smoky eye. He can put barely anything on me, but I’ll still look fresh, glowy, and amazing. I also love my Olivia Palermo Beauty setting mist—your makeup doesn’t move, it’s a nice refresher. I tested it on my guys and my girls. All my guys are very specific on their scents, so we kept it rosy and fresh.  

Recipe for Success: Olivia’s Antioxidant-Packed Smoothie 

I love a smoothie and I have one every day. I do strawberry, raspberry, banana, orange, and a little bit of yogurt or oat milk. Blend it all together and that’s it. I get my antioxidants in, it keeps my skin feeling fresh, and it’s important to get your berries. 

This isn't your typical wellness issue. There are no fitness routines or recipes for losing weight. No, this issue is about being well in the well-rounded sense. About destigmatizing mental health in our culture, through pop culture. About breaking the patriarchal medicine mold. About considering the emotional and psychological impacts of something that seems very physical. We explore the body-brand paradox and identify what to download to actually feel better. This is a celebration of a new wave of wellness and we're so glad the tides are changing.

Through her rise to fame on The Office to creating some of streaming’s biggest hits, the actress, writer, and producer has transformed Hollywood. But her most fulfilling project yet is happening behind the scenes—as a mother, mentor, and mogul. 

For women whose livelihood is yoked to their physical self, the concept of wellness is highly complicated.

Removal of the uterus can have consequences that go far beyond the physical. 

The founders of these startups were unwilling to wait for the massive ship that is the American healthcare system to course correct for women.

This summer, spread the love of exercising.

Say goodbye to diet culture myths, expensive fads, and pseudo-science—and hello to frank, funny conversations about healthy minds and bodies.

If there was a magic pill for achieving a perfectly healthy body (and body image) while simply enjoying life, everyone would be popping them like candy. Unfortunately, there’s not. So we turn to meditation apps, self love podcasts, and workout subscriptions. We search for clothes that make us feel good in our own skin and support businesses emphasizing inclusivity. We seek out content creators who seemingly have body image figured out, or wellness gurus with diet plans and fitness routines that promise results. We hit the follow button and become invested in these strangers' lives, because—consciously or subconsciously—we believe we can have that life too. 

As we absentmindedly scroll through their content or impulsively hit the “add to cart” button on products they recommend, these people are working. They’re strategizing, negotiating, filming, and more. Their physical figure—whatever it may be—is attached to their income. Whether they’re benefitting from the TikTok Creator Fund (which reportedly pays two to four cents per 1,000 views) or using their platform as leverage for partnerships and proprietary brands, these individuals are profiting off of the wellness industry, which is projected to be worth nearly seven trillion dollars by 2025.

We spoke to three women whose appearances are directly tied to their profession. Through the public consumption of their body (and their habits and mindset around it), they’ve made an impact in their followers’ lives, prompted change in the fashion space, and shifted ways of thinking. But on the flip side, they’ve had to deal with trolls, struggled to find balance, and learned that it’s nearly impossible to make everyone happy. Here, they candidly share how they navigate the business world when their body is their brand. 

On How One Size Will Never Fit All 

Iskra Lawrence, model, mom, and founder of body care brand Saltair, “accidentally” became a point of inspiration for her followers, 80 percent of whom are, like her, a size 12 to 14. As she’s grown her platform, Lawrence has come to learn that her online community expects her to look a certain way—a way that looks like them. While she has vowed to keep her content as real as possible (no retouching, no editing), she’s also come to accept that fans will come and go as she evolves. 

“Imagine you're in a dress shop. People are coming in to visit the dress shop and they love all the dresses. Then one day, they come in and the shop is filled with shoes. The customers are like, ‘Wait, I always come here for my dresses. I don’t want shoes.’ That’s how my followers treat me when I gain a little weight or lose a little weight. Whenever I have a size shift, whether it’s from working out a little more or having a crazy period, it throws people off. They think: Iskra said she was really happy and confident at a size 12 and she was helping me feel confident at a size 12, but now she’s slimmer—or bigger—and I don’t know if I should believe her. It’s like we’re all running a marathon together and I’m the marker of success. 

Any time I gain or lose weight, there are always comments. I know there are tougher things in life than someone calling out weight gain or weight loss—100 percent. But is it frustrating and annoying? Do I wish for better? It definitely impacts you when you know that there are millions of eyes on you. 

Size is the first thing people notice. We have been sold that our appearance is our sense of worth and that if our appearance changes, something must be going on. Our gut instinct is to praise or criticize a change. We’re taught from day one that wellness is about size and appearance. You lose weight and people say, ‘congratulations.’ That outlook is even in the health and wellness system itself. When I was pregnant, I went to the doctor and the first thing they did was weigh me and tell me that my BMI was high. When this fat phobia intersects into our daily lives, it can be really tough. 

It would be incredible if people could comment on something other than size and shape when they look at a body, but—and I don’t want to be negative—I don’t see that happening any time soon. We would need a total shift in society. We would need to teach, from a very young age, that size is not attached to health or self worth. 

I can’t blame people though. I know how hard it was for me to get out of that mental space. I mean, it’s my whole career to have a healthy mindset. For people who have nine-to-fives that aren’t related to the way they look, it’s a challenge to find time. And it takes a lot of time, and work, and dedication, to change how you think and communicate about wellness. I have a weird empathy sometimes for trolls because it must suck to be stuck in a negative space.”

On How a Step Back Can Be a Step Forward 

Melissa Alcantara, a.k.a. FitGurlMel, firmly believes in giving everything 100 percent at the get-go. For the past few years, she’s channeled all she has into fitness: bodybuilding, training Kim Kardashian, and documenting her workouts. Now, she’s letting go (just a little bit) to focus on the business side of things. She’s amped up content production on her FitGurlMel app, which first launched in January 2021, secured partnerships with brands like Gymshark and Gym Weed, and become more involved in the behind-the-scenes negotiations necessary for the growth of her brand. 

“I’ve lived the majority of my life in extremes. It’s always been 100 percent or nothing. If I was lazy, I was 100 percent lazy. If I was on a diet, it was 100 percent. When I would serve coffee as a waitress in Brooklyn, I gave it my all. I didn’t do that for any other reason than to feel like I was giving everything I had. Since I started my fitness journey, I’ve been on a very strict macronutrient-guided diet and working out at almost 100 percent every day. I would literally get off a 16 hour plane from Australia and go straight to the gym. I wouldn’t even drop off my bags. 

I always did these kinds of things for myself. I started bodybuilding when I knew absolutely nothing about it. I started learning how to use weights and got a coach. I won two categories in my first competition. When I posted a picture, Kim [Kardashian] found my photo and had her people reach out to see if I would train her. Kim is known for her body, so I knew this was going to be big for me. She saw a photo of this super ripped girl, but by the time I actually went to go meet her in person four weeks later, I had gained 25 pounds. That’s a repercussion of competing, but I didn’t know that at the time. I thought: Kim wants me to train her, but she didn’t meet me looking like this. I felt like I had let her down. That pressure was there, but eventually, my body regulated. When that happened, I had a new motivation. It was then all about me feeling good about myself, motivating people, and letting my followers know that they can do what they set their mind to. 

After that, everything happened so fast. All of a sudden I was getting to work with Gymshark, and travel, and meet all these people. I never thought about my personal brand—I never had a thought-out strategy. I’ve always had people dealing with the business end, while I posted what felt natural and good and normal and honest. Over time, my business started to take priority. But I knew that if I was totally focused on eating right and working out, I couldn’t give attention to the day-to-day of my business, which was, ironically, my body. 

For some time, I didn't think I could live in balance. It wasn’t easy; it took work. I had to really be conscious and say, ‘I'm not gonna work out six days a week.’ I’ve finally come to a point where I have more balance in my life. I’ll work out three or four times a week and I don’t even give 100 percent. I eat whatever I want, which is normally home-cooked food, but I’m not always eating wildly healthy. I drink alcohol. My body is always in flux and brands that choose to work with me are not expecting the Melissa from two years ago, or that body. They're more interested in who I am and why it is I choose to do things and the mindset behind it. Now, I’m able to be more involved in talking to brands, negotiating my contracts, all the backend stuff. The irony is people wouldn’t ever know the difference in the way I look. They see me now and still think, Oh my god, you have abs.” 

On Confronting the “Body Positivity” Label 

After being laid off from her music industry job at the onset of the pandemic, Remi Bader signed up for a little thing called TikTok. Fast forward through one viral “Realistic” try-on haul after the other, and the curve model became one of the most successful content creators on the platform, landing major deals with PINK as a size consultant and Revolve (her capsule collection launches August 10). But Bader doesn’t want her honesty to be mistaken for expertise or her candidness to equate to unabridged self love. 

“Everyone very quickly started calling me ‘body positive Remi.’ I didn’t care; I was excited. But over time, I realized I didn’t want to be put inside this body positive box. I don’t feel body positive at the moment and I never want to be inauthentic. I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘Well, you are body positive. It doesn’t mean you need to love your body every day.’ But when I think about body positive content creators, it’s really those people that always show off their body and are able to love their body no matter how it looks—whether they stick out their stomach or are in a certain position. For me, I feel confident when I put on a nice outfit or get my hair and makeup done. That doesn't mean that I love every second of what’s going on underneath. It’s more of body neutrality. It’s accepting that this is me. I’m not going to hide in my room. I’m going to go live my life. 

When I stopped going by ‘body positive Remi,’ it brought about some negativity. Some people would say, ‘Well, she says she’s not body positive so why are we looking up to her?’ That turned into people calling me fat phobic. Not feeling good in my body every single day isn’t body positive and it’s not fat phobic, it’s just me living life. People like to title things and I don’t think that’s necessary. 

I started in this industry talking about my body, so I have to accept that my figure is always going to be tied to my brand. And I have to be okay with the positives and negatives that come with that. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am affecting people in a positive way. The fact that I’m working with Revolve and PINK, helping them with their sizing, and making clothes that are going to fit more bodies—there’s nothing better than that. Of course, I’ve gotten negative feedback for not being the biggest size or not doing enough to help [the curvy or plus-size community], but I’d rather be the smallest, tiniest part of change in the fashion industry than doing nothing at all. 

Most of my followers have been on my journey with me. They know my struggles and they’re happy if I’m happy. There’s always this lingering question: If you lost weight would it affect your brand. First of all, I’m never going to be a size zero. It’s not in the cards for me, but if I were to automatically lose 100 pounds, maybe I’d lose some followers. Maybe I’d gain some more? I try to not let that thought affect me. I’m just trying mentally to be a little more accepting of my current body. 

At a time when our bodily autonomy is under attack, women have become more vigilant about their basic human rights to equality, information, and the highest attainable standard of health—including sexual and reproductive health without discrimination. But the traditional healthcare system tends to treat the complex needs of women all wrong. It takes an acute approach rather than preventative. Disparate versus integrative. As a result, American women are suffering through a national infertility crisis and high maternal mortality (a rate of 23.8 to be exact, the worst among industrialized nations). The Covid-19 pandemic meanwhile has had lasting effects on the state of mental health for women, who are already twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety than men. 

In an effort to change this, numerous founders are disrupting the wellness industry as we know it. We spoke with three who were unwilling to wait for the massive ship that is the American healthcare system to course correct—one a former investment banker, another a former journalist, and the third a doctor-turned-serial entrepreneur. They recognize that, for women, innovation is a matter of life and death. 

Irth, an App for Birth Without Bias

With her first pregnancy, Kimberly Seals Allers, a former reporter at Fortune and editor at Essence, deployed her journalistic skills to research the best hospitals. But when she gave birth, her experience didn’t match the glowing reviews. 

“I walked [into] a ‘highly rated’ and ‘best of’ hospital in New York City, having done months of due diligence and reading reviews,” says Allers. “But I left feeling disrespected, traumatized, and unseen.” 

This impacted her earliest memories of motherhood. “I blamed myself completely, unaware that people are not being treated the same way even in the same place.” 

According to a White House statement issued on its first Maternal Health Day of Action in 2021, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any wealthy nation. For women of color, the reality is stark. According to the CDC, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. The pregnancy-related mortality rate for Black women with at least a college degree was 5.2 times that of their white counterparts.

So in February 2021, Allers launched Irth, an app that seeks to equalize the experience of delivering a child by giving women a central platform for rating and reviewing hospitals, OB-GYNs, and other pre- and post-natal care providers. Think of it like Yelp, but for childbirth, aimed at helping Black and Brown women access the best prenatal, birthing, postpartum, and pediatric services.

It started as a mommy-son project. Her youngest child, Michael, then a 13-year-old coding enthusiast, created the app’s wireframes and soon, the duo started going to pitch competitions. “I had this idea for an app and thought this would be a great way to bridge our worlds,” says Allers. In 2018, they went to an MIT hackathon related to birth and breastfeeding and won the Media for Change award. There, they met an MIT engineer who went on to build Irth’s prototype, which enabled Allers to get more grant funding. To date, Allers has raised more than $850,000 in grants. “I'm really proud of our origin story,” she says.  

Earlier this year, she was invited to meet with Tim Cook during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple recognizes trailblazing creators uplifting their communities through technology. Apple also featured Irth in a spotlight on the App Store to grow awareness. “It was an incredible platform to share about Irth and our mission to remove the bias from birth,” says Allers. 

To date, Irth has more than 20,000 users and reviews from 48 states. Allers is most alarmed by the frequency at which women of color are going through similarly poor experiences, such as hearing negative comments from care providers about family size or marital status. “There were too many reviews from fathers saying they were referred to as Mr. Baby Daddy while supporting their partner; Black women being coerced and admonished about birth control while in active labor,” says Allers.  

Right now, according to Allers, the number-one negative experience being reported on the Irth app nationwide is: "My requests for help were ignored or refused." Such medical racism has resulted in disrespect and death. “A common thread in every maternal death story is that too many hospitals want to dismiss or explain away these reports of pain, instead of taking them seriously.” 

Irth has its sights on reform. The team of just 15 employees recently launched pilot programs with five hospitals to improve patient care for Black mothers. Allers says the hardest work is being done at the community level, encouraging more women of color to submit reviews. After all, it will take sheer volume to sound the alarm bells on one of the biggest failures of the country’s healthcare system. 

“We’re turning our anonymized reviews into qualitative data to teach providers, payers, and hospitals how to give every Black birthing person a five-star experience while bringing life into the world—which is what we all deserve.” 

The Well Doubles Down on Brick-and-Mortar

Step into The Well's New York City flagship, and one might wonder whether they’ve entered a luxurious retreat in Montauk or Malibu. But smack in the middle of Manhattan, visitors to The Well can book meditation classes in a glowing white dome, access body treatments rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, or try their hand at hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, meditation, and more.

Rebecca Parekh, cofounder and CEO, says the very premise of her business is to integrate holistic health into the urbanite's day-to-day—and that meant building a geographically accessible hub to promote such a lifestyle. 

“Our original business was a physical business and we’re remaining true to that because we’re passionate about the in-person experience and offering integrated wellness in big, busy cities,” she says. It’s not a common mindset in this Web3, Metaverse-obsessed startup world.

Burnout in her previous career led Parekh to rediscover the importance of holistic health. "I was an investment banker and was not modeling a wellness lifestyle; when it comes to getting swept into hustle-culture, I got disconnected," says Parekh, who worked at Deutsche Bank for 10 years. Her mom encouraged her to simply cook more and practice yoga daily. Parekh ultimately left banking, transitioning to work as Executive Director of the Global Foundation for Eating Disorders, and then COO for Deepak Chopra Radical Wellbeing.

She began envisioning a business that would promote health on a grander scale and on a daily basis. In 2016 she teamed up with cofounders Sarrah Hallock and Kane Sarhan to begin fundraising for The Well. It opened its nearly 15,000-square-foot Manhattan flagship, complete with a full-service restaurant and retail shop in September 2019—just six months before the pandemic made in-person experiences practically obsolete. 

Parekh and cofounders began offering digital wellness classes and services, such as a three-part webinar focused on how to ease the anxiety of returning to office work and the outside world after months in lockdown. It also focused on e-commerce for its line of vitamins, supplements, and personal care goods.

Although The Well nimbly pivoted to digital during the pandemic, its cofounders never abandoned their commitment to physical locations and products. Through a partnership with Auberge Resorts Collection, the company continued to invest in its second location at The Mayflower Inn & Spa in Connecticut, which opened in November 2020, then its third spot, Hacienda AltaGracia, in Costa Rica in 2021.

To date, The Well employs about 100 people and has raised roughly $50 million in venture capital. After surviving Covid-19 closures, the brand is set for expansion: Parekh says The Well will likely open two more locations by the end of the year, and confirmed the company is working on projects in Mexico, Miami, London, and Aspen. 

While it grows via brick-and-mortar, the company is staying grounded in an industry driven by fads. Parekh credits The Well’s medical and nutrition teams with vetting everything, from services offered to ingredients served in the restaurant. The rigorous standards are set forth by Frank Lipman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and a renowned voice in integrative and functional medicine. “He went from quack to guru, as [mainstream] folks are now believing in what he’s been talking about for quite some time,” says Parekh. 

And in an industry—wellness—that can mean many things and nothing at once, The Well filters out fads by making sure each service fits within the brand’s key pillars: nutrition, body work, skincare, lifestyle, community, and, a newly added category: emotional wellbeing. 

“We focus on meeting people where they are at in their wellness journeys,” says Parekh. “Whether you’re sick or not we believe yoga is medicine, along with the food we eat.” 

Parsley Health: Redefining Care 

Just 13 percent of healthcare CEOs are female—and even fewer are M.D.s. But Dr. Robin Berzin has defied these odds. In 2011, the graduate of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons cofounded Cureatr, an app that streamlines communication with physicians. That experience with health-tech inspired her to launch Parsley Health in 2016—this time as a solo female founder.

Parsley Health is a functional medicine company that takes a preventive approach to chronic disease management. It uses a holistic snapshot of a patient’s sleep, fitness, nutrition, family history, and mental health to determine the best regimens and health protocols. 

It has served tens of thousands of patients nationwide via telehealth, in addition to in-person clinics in New York City and Los Angeles. “We have independent data showing that Parsley's approach to care improves health while reducing specialist referrals and prescription drug use,” Dr. Berzin says. According to company data, by year two, patients have reduced their referrals to specialists by 77 percent. Those previously on chronic medications see a 65 percent reduction in prescription drug use. 

“We closely monitor their health to ensure that their concerns were heard, their treatments were working, and, ultimately, that we were measurably putting them on a path to feeling better,” says Dr. Berzin. She points to the initial visit—which takes 75 minutes, five times longer than the average appointment with a primary care physician—as the real changemaker. 

Last year was a big one for Dr. Berzin. In response to the wellness wave sparked by Covid-19, she grew telehealth from seven states in 2020 to a nationwide operation in early 2021. She also raised a Series C round of venture capital, bringing the total raised to date to more than $100 million. She finished writing her first book, State Change. 

Last but not least, she welcomed her third child. In August 2021, she posted a beaming Instagram photo of herself just three weeks before giving birth, and wrote “I convinced myself at 39 that I was too old to get pregnant easily, even though of course I know better. I help women beat the fertility odds every freaking day at work!” 

With a female physician and a mother of three at the helm, Parsley Health is a family practice with an emphasis on transforming women’s healthcare. Its programs are designed to support women throughout their reproductive lifecycle: pre-conception, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Last month, the company announced the launch of comprehensive menopause care. 

Menopause affects more than 55 million American women and yet 73 percent of these women will suffer in silence without treatment. Perimenopause symptoms can start as early as age 45 while menopause can last for a decade. And, too often, according to Darcy McConnell, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs at Parsley Health, older women experience age-related conditions that are misattributed to menopause. For example, bloating and weight gain are often blamed on hormones, but can actually be due to high cortisol levels, leading to incorrect treatments. 

Parsley Health’s menopause protocol will deviate from the traditional practice of defaulting to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which, according to Cancer.gov, is linked to numerous side effects including vaginal bleeding, dementia, and breast cancer. Parsley Health’s holistic model instead takes a closer look at a woman’s metabolic health and mental health to offer a comprehensive system for monitoring multiple causes and conditions. 

Dr. Berzin says Parsley Health aims to connect the dots, which traditional, patriarchal medicine has failed to do: “When we look at the body as an integrated system—rather than isolated parts—we’re able to implement the right solution at the right time, which halts the cycle of frustration women experience when they’re stuck in the revolving door of specialist referrals and prescription drugs.” 

It wasn’t so many years ago now—maybe around 2016, when the news cycle first started to feel really, constantly cataclysmic—that “self-care” entered the zeitgeist. More than just an instinct to turn inward, self-care can be a necessary and oft-overlooked element of active participation in a scary world: You have to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others; burnout isn’t the road to creating positive change; avoiding compassion fatigue is the only way to stay useful. Sometimes that means doing something just for yourself, or taking some time away from social media, or picking up a new habit like meditation or cooking or running. All good things!

But self-care’s fraternal twin, wellness, offers a more complicated method of coping. Whereas self-care is framed as a strategic retreat before returning to the hard work of world-saving, the pursuit of wellness rarely requires turning back outward at all. The distinction that’s emerged is that where self-care can be actively undertaken, achieving wellness can be a vague, ever-shifting goal post that offers no way of determining when it’s been accomplished. And because it’s so hard to pin down, wellness has created a new foothold for some pretty daring snake oil salesmen. Sometimes they might even try to literally sell you snake oil, but more often it’s an expensive rock to be inserted into a body cavity. (Don’t do that, by the way.) 

Fortunately, several smart and hilarious minds are challenging this conception and adding science, inclusivity, and truly thoughtful analysis back into the conversation. The podcasters hosting the shows below honestly assess wellness fads, deep dive into accepted-as-true claims, and explore the kinds of meaningful self-care that might actually make you feel better. 

Maintenance Phase

Ever wonder what a calorie is actually measuring? Or why protein became such a major part of American diets? Or why some parts of the culture view being fat as a moral failing? Each episode of Maintenance Phase, hosted by Michael Hobbes and Aubrey Gordon, deploys tons of research and clever storytelling techniques to answer these and other burning questions about wellness and diet culture. The hosts are charming, smart, and bring so much empathy and humanity to what can turn out to be some tough topics. Get ready to unlearn everything you thought you knew about the health “facts” you grew up hearing.

Food Psych

Registered dietitian Christy Harrison helps listeners make peace with food. She calls diet culture a “life thief” that leads to body phobia and disordered eating while pretending to be about health and wellness. Instead, Harrison talks to guests about how listeners can improve their relationships with food, body image, and fat acceptance. 

Poog 

Comedic besties and self-described “hags” Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak admit that they love wellness culture, even while they also characterize it as scammy. Ostensibly a show about two hilarious people trying out the strangest wellness fads they can find (note that the podcast’s name is just “Goop” backwards), Poog gets surprisingly deep when Berlant and Novak discuss their insecurities, their health, and how they navigate being a person with feelings in an intense world. It’s like comedy and therapy in a single podcast. 

The F*ck It Podcast

When this podcast started in 2016, host Caroline Dooner mostly discussed the same subjects covered in her book The F*ck It Diet—namely, exchanging the body image issues and disordered eating that diet culture hath wrought for intuitive eating and radical self-acceptance. More recently, the podcast has evolved to look at lots of issues that may seem couched in wellness, but that tend to cause misery. Dooner explores the myths of virginity, productivity culture, and “healthy” dieting in a way that’s irreverent and relatable. 

You Are Good

Less about debunking wellness claims and more about reframing self-care, Sarah Marshall (who also hosts the excellent You’re Wrong About podcast, formerly co-hosted by Michael Hobbes of Maintenance Phase—worlds collide!) and Alex Steed are just two friends who like movies and…can’t that be enough? Each episode of You Are Good takes a classic, feel-good movie (think 9 to 5 and Practical Magic) and uses it as a vehicle for talking about feelings, what it means to find comfort, and the hosts’ and their guests’ own unique experiences of the world. The hosts are so kind and respectful to one another that it becomes a lesson in active listening and offering emotional support, making You Are Good the podcast equivalent of a warm bath at the end of a long day. 

Sounds Like a Cult

You know that saying, “If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck?” Sounds Like a Cult hosts Amanda Montell and Isabela Medina-Maté use this general duck framework to assess various trends to determine if they’re merely a healthy pastime or if they are, well, a cult. Past topics include SoulCycle, multi-level marketing, and sororities, and the hosts look for red flags like exorbitant upfront expenses, fans who become more like preachers for the cause, reviews about a fad’s “life-changing” properties, and pyramid-shaped business plans. The show is well-researched, wonderfully produced, and a little dishy—like discussing trends with your best friends over cocktails. 

Decoder Ring

Television critic Willa Paskin wants to figure out how strange cultural ephemera came to be, and of course that means Decoder Ring veers into wellness territory. Paskin and the podcast's producers do firsthand reporting and go deep on history, making each episode feel like an important document that will explain to future generations (or maybe visiting aliens) why Jane Fonda’s workouts were such a big deal, when “hydration” became a fixation, and how storytelling became a buyable product of its own. 

Diet Culture Rebel

Bonnie Roney once had a fraught relationship with food. As a young gymnast, she spent years on restrictive eating plans, often followed by secretly binge eating—which she thought was a lapse in her own “discipline” but which was actually the result of diet culture myths and an anxiety-inducing relationship she’d developed with food. After becoming a registered dietitian and working on her own feelings around eating, she now hosts a podcast that aims to untangle why so many people feel guilt around food, and how to break free from harmful diet culture cycles. 

Conspirituality

Some wellness trends are silly but essentially harmless. Others, however, can send would-be devotees down a dangerous rabbit hole that leads to things like anti-vax sentiments, pyramid schemes, and even extremist politics. It’s a surprisingly well-trod path, and Conspirituality hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker want to understand just how New Age pseudo-philosophy started to merge with far-right conspiracies—and how to help people who have gotten sucked in. The hosts cover a new group or individual capitalizing on people looking for betterment each episode, and even keep a running list on their website of so-called "wellness influencers" who have publicly endorsed dangerous conspiracies. 

You know a Mindy Kaling one-liner the instant it’s been delivered.   

Off-the-cuff yet wickedly observant. Zeitgeisty, colored with irreverence. And, most importantly, dripping with such sincerity you’re left wondering, Was she being serious? 

“No one can give your children candy except for you, because it's, like, such a hostile act in L.A.”

The quip is dropped, not on set or in a writers’ room, but in a casual eatery in Malibu as Kaling hands me a Tony’s dark chocolate bar pulled from a bag of sweets she’s purchased for her kids—a Ring Pop for her daughter, Katherine, a variety of confections for her son, Spencer—at a shop next door. The remark goes as swiftly as it came; Kaling is now detailing the ethical practices of the candy company.

“They pointedly never use slave labor, which I think is good…but the chocolate’s good too.”

We settle in at the restaurant, just down the road from her beachfront home. (“It was this incredibly extravagant 40th birthday present to myself.”) Soon after debating what to order (she settles on the Hong Kong style catch of the day and orange juice), the topic turns to something else Kaling has been contemplating of late: spearheading Katherine’s school’s Diwali celebration this October. 

“It will just force me to learn a lot about it…. It felt kind of challenging [and] scary in a good way.” The irony is not lost on her that she has become the pop culture poster child for the Hindu celebration thanks to the season three Office episode she penned, titled “Diwali.” 

“It’s getting so mainstream now,” she muses, mentioning the media’s coverage of the parties thrown by South Asian A-listers (Lilly Singh, Priyanka Chopra, herself) last fall. But she seems wholly unaware or at least convincingly unassuming that the mainstreamification of Diwali is not a happy coincidence but owed largely to the ubiquity of Kaling herself. 

Netflix Head of Global TV Bela Bajaria, who was a part of greenlighting Kaling's Never Have I Ever at the streamer, says she can still “remember vividly” when that Office episode aired in 2006 “and how defining that was, to actually talk about Diwali in a [broadcast network] comedy in that way.

“It was very groundbreaking at that time.” 

While the Diwali episode continues to be a defining moment for Indian Americans (and The Office’s popularity has only ballooned in recent years thanks to syndication deals), Kaling hasn’t seen the NBC comedy since the series concluded in 2013. Not because of any ill will towards it, she’s just been there, done that. “When I was [working on it], I watched the cuts so many times,” says the former writer (she’s responsible for 26 episodes), director (of two), and co-executive producer. She’s perfectly pleased to talk about playing Kelly Kapoor with the “random teenage boys” who approach her at the airport, but it’s her daughter she’s excited to one day share it with.

“My hope is that she'll be 12 or 13, and kids will be talking about it at school, and then she'll want to watch it and I can show it to her.” Due in part to her kids’ ages (4 and one-and-a-half) and that they are growing up during the pandemic, she says they haven’t really been exposed to their mom in the public eye. She’s still figuring out how to broach topics like fame with them. (“This is reminding me that I should probably have some kind of a conversation memorized to talk to her about [it].”) 

She jokes—I think—that she doesn’t make many conscious parenting decisions (“we’re just getting by”) but she does, for now, have a few guiding principles: She won’t post pictures of her kids on social media and she won’t discuss their conception stories.  

Kaling isn’t trying to be secretive or press-shy. She simply wants to safeguard their privacy, give her kids a chance to learn and tell their own stories in their own time. One day, when they feel ready, she says she’d gladly speak publicly, even write a book with her daughter (or have Katherine write it herself) about their family’s journey.

“I want them to be old enough to talk to me about it and [tell me] how they want me to talk about it,” she says. “I'm the only parent my kids have…I think I err on the side of super cautious so that there's less things that they can potentially be mad at me about down the line.”

The 43-year-old is more forthcoming when discussing her decision to become a mom in her late-thirties, when she says she felt the most financially stable and secure in being a single parent. “I waited until I had the means and that made all the difference.” She pointedly addresses the privilege in her statement, noting the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. “The choice to have a child—by yourself, on your own terms—it was the best part of my life...It's the thing that I hope women feel confident doing by themselves.”

Before moving off the topic, she offers up her number one piece of advice to all women: freeze your eggs. She wishes, she says, that the cost of freezing eggs was cheaper and is open to joining the boards of or investing in companies that could provide more accessible healthcare options in that regard.

“I wish every 19-year-old girl would come home from college and that the gift—instead of buying them jewelry or a vacation or whatever—is that their parents would take them to freeze their eggs…They could do that once and have all these eggs for them, for their futures…to focus in your twenties and thirties on your career, and yes, love, but to know that when you're emotionally ready, and, if you don't have a partner, you can still have children.” 

It’s that kind of unambiguous and seemingly radical insight that has made Kaling, in some ways, an Indian parent’s worst nightmare (children out of wedlock? Gasp!) and also the defining voice of first-generation Asian Americans. She has led the charge for a generation of brown girls to boldly go where no brown girl has gone before: (To a non-Ivy! Just kidding.) To a place of comfortability speaking up and out about topics—mental health, grief, depression, sex, dating, longing, desire—that remain taboo in Asian American culture.

But being at the forefront of destigmatizing wellness for women of color in film and television wasn’t always the plan. It simply dovetailed with her own journey and growth—through becoming a mom, through finding security in her success.

“I think in my twenties I was only focused on, Okay, I don't want to get fired. I want to be successful, and I was only thinking about myself,” she says. “In no way was I thinking about things that are the most important to me now, which is my health, holding the door open behind me for other people… I kind of lived a way more selfish existence, which is also boring…[Now] I'm surrounded by so many more people. My immediate family, obviously, with my children, but also this community of young women on my show.

“When I write shows about Indian women and what they're interested in, I want to do something original, but I also don't want to shy away from things that I've seen before: obsession with success; elitism about schools. Those are things that were real in my family, and I've been dealing with that. But also what's really important was destigmatizing mental health.”

Kaling’s own foray into understanding wellness was driven by the death of her mother, Swati Chokalingam, in 2012 to pancreatic cancer. “I can only describe it as just anguish for two years,” she says of the grief. Her eyes swell with tears and she momentarily avoids my gaze, but her voice remains steady. Amidst launching The Mindy Project and “working 14,16, hours a day,” Kaling made the decision to begin seeing a therapist—every Saturday at 11 a.m. for one year—to process the loss.

“Ultimately, it's about efficiency. I think you can get things done more if you're able to talk to the right people about the things going on in your life,” she says. “I remember thinking, This is extremely helpful, but this would have even been helpful when I was younger, when I had issues…Life is so hard. And I don't think you should just have to depend on friends and family to get you through those things.” She hasn’t returned to therapy since that time but “would not hesitate to go back if I felt I needed to.” 

Now, her mental health is directly tied to “the restorative power of a run,” something she does daily. “I'm always so self-conscious talking about how much I love running because I don't look like someone who's athletic or anything. But it has really helped me...It just focuses me and makes me a better writer. I think I'm a friendlier person, a more patient mom.”

She adds that not being on camera has been a significant factor in fueling her wellbeing. “The amount of articles that were like, ‘It's so good for a culture that this unattractive woman is finally on camera.’ I didn't know I was so unattractive until I was the star of my own show. So not having to see those things, that's wonderful.” 

Despite her candor, it’s clear Kaling isn’t fully at ease discussing the nebulous concept of wellness. She admits it’s new for her to find tangible value in taking care of herself.  

“For most of my teenage years and twenties, when I first heard the term, I was like, Who has the time for that? It feels excessive and solipsistic and all the things that I don't want to be associated with.” She knows that, in part, her views were tainted by internalized guilt; the pull-yourself-up-by-the bootstraps, work-hard, don’t-complain immigrant culture she was raised in and still subscribes to. 

As in many Asian American immigrant homes, wellness wasn’t a part of Kaling’s childhood. The themes that have come to define her most recent projects, HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls (sexuality, identity) and Netflix’s Never Have I Ever (grief, trauma, therapy, body image) were not only not discussed but off-limits.

“If someone you knew or someone in your family or extended family was seeing a therapist or seeing a psychologist or going on medication or anything like that, it was seen as a real problem, a real sadness [or] tragedy for a family. That's just the way that I was raised—[like] the other Indian people around me…[Families] try to deal with it through closed doors and certainly not by asking someone outside of your family or outside of the community for help with that.” 

When she had kids, Kaling says, it “crystallized” that she wanted to break down those barriers. “I don't want my kids to grow up that way. And I don't want to be that way for myself.”  

Because of that unmistakable Kaling-tone, the actress is often conflated with the characters she plays. It would be safe, then, to assume that by not casting herself thus far on Never Have I Ever, Kaling’s persona would be safely hidden away. Rather, the show is arguably her most intimate work yet: a beautiful, hilarious, heartbreaking glimpse into her soul.

“Losing my mom and then wanting to talk about it in a way that is not as sad as the experience of going through it, but being able to be like, ‘If you went through anything like this, you could watch this and feel seen’—I think that was the goal,” she says of the series’ premise.

Bajaria, the Netflix exec who first worked with Kaling at NBC Universal on The Mindy Project, initially suggested that Kaling turn essays about her awkward childhood into fodder for a show. (The two are also good friends—Kaling’s HBO character Bela Malhotra is named after Bajaria.) Kaling returned with an audacious concept: a comedy about a tempermental Tamilian girl hell-bent on losing her virginity to the swim team star following the untimely death of her doting father and her resulting temporary paralysis. Bajaria never doubted Kaling’s ability to turn it into a “big, entertaining show.”

“Even when she shares a very specific, personal experience, in some ways, she really writes with an honesty that is funny and poignant but also deeply relatable,” Bajara adds. She attributes the global success of the show—according to her, the second season of Never Have I Ever charted in Netflix’s top 10 in 89 countries—to Kaling’s ability to marry “humor and heart.”

In its third season, premiering on August 12, the series, co-created by Lang Fisher, tackles a new phase of grief: What happens after the shock and debilitating sadness has worn off? How do you and can you move on?

“When [Devi] loses her father in the first season,” Kaling says, “the grief doesn't go away. He's always there. It's the same way I feel about my mom. I always am experiencing her loss. But the way I'm experiencing her loss now, the focus changes as it gets further and further away. I can now remember, not as much the times when she was sick and dying, but the lessons I learned from her when she was young and healthy. That's what I like to do in the show with Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and her dad, Mohan (Sendhil Ramamurthy). Seeing her have happy memories of him and him giving her advice, I think was really important to do, instead only focusing on the anguish she felt losing her favorite parent.” 

Those perspectives elevate the story far beyond its high school set-up (not that it doesn’t fully embrace and succeed in the teen genre), creating a universal and generation-panning story about loss, grief, and family dynamics. One that challenges cultural stereotypes: Kaling says that with Mohan’s character she and Fisher wanted to flip the narrative on Indian masculinity. With Nalani (Poorna Jagannathan), who Kaling says is a lot like her own mom, they wanted to present a less “black-and-white portrayal of immigrants,” focusing instead on a mom who could be both super traditional and also have “frank, open conversations with her daughter.”

Ultimately, it’s been an experience, Kaling says, in cathartic storytelling. “It's just a nice way to revisit my childhood a little bit, but through rose-colored lenses. And to be like, ‘Well, it could be like this...’”

Kaling is currently on the hunt for a good dosa tawa. She needs tips on getting the idlis out of the steamer. She’s making a wholehearted effort to cook more South Indian foods but the laborious nature of the recipes—crushing cardamom pods with a mortar-and-pestle; “I have to fucking get fenugreek?!”—is getting to her. Throughout our conversation, she repeatedly segues into all things desi: her hopes of enrolling Katherine in Indian dance; her plans to decamp to India for four months; her welcome-but-aunty-esque questions about my own immigrant experience. It’s a constant reminder of why Kaling has reached icon status in the brown community—not because of the awards and accolades or because she’s shared the screen with Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell (that helps)—but because she was the first chance South Asians had to be seen in Hollywood.

Because, in 2004, “there was nobody.” Kaling is referring to the lack of mentors—female or of color—she had available. There were just “open-minded white men” like Greg Daniels, who hired her at the age of 24 (she’s since referred to herself publicly as the “diversity hire”). The landscape was equally bleak on-screen, where it was rare to see a South Asian in primetime in a non-caricature role. (Kal Penn and Aziz Ansari were among her few contemporaries.)

She was at the forefront of a generation of “pioneers,” Priyanka Chopra tells Marie Claire, “who pushed open the doors and said, ‘Mainstream TV, here we come’…[Now] Hollywood's saying, ‘Okay, they're not just a check in the box or a character that you throw in there so that we can pretend to be diverse.’” Chopra calls Kaling’s work “instrumental” in paving the way for her own crossover career, as well as one of the reasons a cohort of younger South Asian actors have been able to dominate both silver and streaming screens. 

Consider: Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandran and Simone Ashley. (“It's still refreshing and exciting to me to see a dark-skinned Indian woman as the lead of things,” Kaling says, interjecting, “I was like, ‘Finally, someone I could ask for foundation recommendations!’”) Or Iman Vellani from Ms. Marvel (a series Kaling praises for showing that the South Asian community is “not a monolith”). And her own show’s stars: Amrit Kaur on The Sex Lives of College Girls and Megan Suri on Never Have I Ever. When creating the Netflix show, she had to hold an open casting call to find the right talent for the lead. Just a couple of years later, Kaling says casting agents can regularly offer a handful of South Asian names for whatever the role may be.

She refuses to take all the credit for the proliferation of South Asians in western media. But she will delight in it. “I'm like, ‘Oh, great. I didn't have to produce it, write it, and staff it.’ It's just excellent, quality television that's out there that I have nothing to do with.”

That doesn’t mean Kaling won’t continue to make her own projects spotlighting diverse talent and centering women of color. That’s exactly the goal of Kaling International, the tiny but mighty (it employs just four people, including Kaling) production company she launched in 2012. One of its tentpoles is fostering South Asian talent on and off screen, and giving her writers and actors the mentorship she struggled to find in her early years.

Ramakrishnan says Kaling has achieved that in spades, noting that the multi-hyphenate has made the Never Have I Ever set “a safe space” for her to learn as an industry newcomer. “[Mindy] made sure to hire people who are kind and empathetic, creating an environment where I never felt dumb or alone in the process,” the 20-year-old says. “[It’s] a true testament to her leadership and her priorities.” 

In addition to Kaling International’s ongoing projects—Never Have I Ever will conclude after its fourth season, premiering in 2023; The Sex Lives of College Girls’s second season is currently in production—the company is developing Velma, an animated Scooby Doo spinoff in which Kaling will voice the lead; a comedy about a female exec in the LA Lakers’ front office; an HBO Max adaptation of Jennifer Weiner’s Good in Bed; and a rom-com about Indian weddings that Kaling wrote with Dan Goor and will star in alongside Chopra. “The movie,” Kaling says, “is a lot about the value that we put, particularly Indian women, on marriage. And how so much of our value is set on being married.” Kaling is also, separately, still working on the screenplay for Legally Blonde 3.

She’s even eyeing a genre jump into writing and producing dramas. (Bajara hints that a one-hour drama could be on the horizon for Kaling at Netflix.) Or at least a dark comedy, she says, name-checking Bill Hader, Michaela Coel, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as inspirations for how they are interpreting material. “Their projects seem to be healing a wound of theirs. They're incredibly personal, and they're funny, but it feels like each project is making them grow as an artist, but [also] it's something they needed to do, emotionally.” 

When asked what wound, if any, she'd be looking to heal with a similar foray, Kaling searches for an answer. “I'm sure there is. I haven't had time to sit and think about which one it is.” 

She’d also be open to a comedy inspired by her life now: a single mom in her 40s, trying to find love because she hasn’t “ruled out romance.”

“Culture largely says, ‘We don't wanna hear about you. Your entire deal bums everyone out.’ If you're a 42-year-old [single] woman with kids, it makes people sad… I'm like, ‘There is hope for us. There could be great stories about women, like me, finding love, finding happiness…’ I can't imagine anyone besides me would write it, so I have to find the time to do that.”

“I think Mindy's a powerhouse,” Shonda Rhimes—whom Kaling counts as a mentor and friend—tells Marie Claire. “She sort of puts a friendly smile on it, but she is a powerhouse of a person in terms of what she accomplishes, what she sets out to do, and who she is as a person, and how hard she works.”

A few hours after our meal, Kaling is standing atop a sand dune in an ankle-length, kelly green Proenza Schouler dress posing for this photoshoot. Katherine and Spencer, shepherded by their nanny, splash nearby in the tide.

The kids gallop over, invading the frame. She laughs, letting them climb all over her. It sounds almost too good—like the unrealistic set-up to, well, a Kaling-penned rom-com. Like the cameras are about to pull back revealing glittering shots of the coastline, before our plucky heroine delivers her line.

“After being so unhappy in my teenage years and in my 20s…I feel so content now. I am so happy with my career. I love my family. I love my freedom—I have the freedom that comes with being financially stable, and I don't have to run anything by anybody.…I love going to set and watching these actors saying my words and coming up to me and asking my take on things…It’s beyond the wildest dreams that my late-mother could have hoped for me.”

It’s not a set-up, but it is, for all intents and purposes, the role Kaling’s written for herself and waited her whole life to play. One where she’s paid her dues and can call the shots.

Never has she ever been happier, she says. 

Then, right on cue: “Oh, great. Now, like, an anvil's gonna fall on me.”

Mindy wears a Chloe dress and Bulgari accessories to play Pop Quiz.

Photographer: Kanya Iwana | Stylist: Hayley Atkin | Stylist Assistant: Jenna Remy | Hair: Marc Mena at Exclusive Artists | Makeup: Janice Kinjo at The Wall Group | Manicure: Alex Jachno at OPUS Beauty using Chanel Le Vernis | Executive Producer: David Lipford, Dual Phocus

The first thing you notice about Selena Samuela is her presence. She is a force on and off the Peloton screen. Long before thriving in the fitness world, though, she dreamt of becoming a star on the big screen. But in her 20s, she endured an unimaginable tragedy. In this episode of 'She Pivots,' Samuela details her experience of losing a loved one and how she turned healing into a catalyst for strength. 

Samuela immigrated to the United States from Italy when she was 11. Her family settled in New York, where Samuela faced adversity fitting in at school.

“I had to learn how to pivot and adjust at such an early age,” said Samuela. “I was essentially taken away from my home, my friends, my family, everything that I'd known, and plopped in a new world.”

Soon after, Samuela moved to Hawaii. However, even after finding lifelong friends and falling in love with surfing, Samuela could not shake off her desire to pursue acting. 

“And that's when I decided, you know what, I'm going to move [back] to New York. I'm going to study acting, and I'm going to write,” Samuela said. “I wanted to do all the things that were, really, just what I felt I wanted to do.”

While pursuing acting, Samuela fell in love with a man who had all the same passions as her: writing, acting, directing. Things couldn’t have been more perfect. Then, six months into the relationship, it became clear that her partner was struggling with addiction to drugs. 

“In my life, [I] had never experienced anything like that before… I didn't have any understanding of it,” said Samuela. Growing up, her parents didn’t drink much and no one in her family, to her knowledge, had dealt with substance abuse.

“I started either making excuses or coming up with ideas on how I was going to fix it,” said Samuela. “But, you know, in a case like this, it can be detrimental to someone's wellbeing and to my own wellbeing.” Her partner would go through addiction’s heaviest highs and lows, quitting drugs for months only to relapse. 

After four years together and many attempts to rehabilitate, he relapsed one final time and died in 2014.

“I'm not an outlier. This is a prominent issue in our country right now. There are a lot of people who are suffering,” said Samuela. According to the CDC, there were about 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States just last year, up 28.5 percent from 2020.

After a year of withdrawing from family and friends, Samuela reinvented herself to focus on joy. Over the next few years, Samuela explored her own emotional and physical strength, eventually finding herself in the studios of Peloton—a journey that embodies the real and difficult pivots in life. Listen to Samuela’s full story below.

I will always remember the afternoon I got “the call.” I was about to head to the Senate Chamber to vote when I received the news from my doctor that we all fear: I had cancer.

A few weeks earlier, doctors at Mayo Clinic found small white spots called calcifications during a routine mammogram. After this was discovered, I had a biopsy at Piper Breast Center in Minneapolis. And then I got “the call.”

That was eight months ago—the start of a path that would include surgery and radiation, which also coincided with my dad’s illness and death. Of course this has been difficult at times, but today my doctors say that my chances of developing cancer again are no greater than the average person’s.

As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am thinking about the many Americans who may have breast cancer but not know it because they’ve been putting off physicals or routine examinations due to the pandemic, just like I delayed mine.

In fact, more than one in three adults reported delaying or forgoing health care because of coronavirus-related concerns. Every day, doctors are seeing patients who are being treated for more advanced conditions that could have been caught earlier.

So—what can we do about it? We must encourage preventive care.

It’s tough to make time to go in for a mammogram or routine health screening. So many Americans are juggling the competing demands of work, family, and their health, all while teaching their first grader how to use the mute button for Zoom calls.

But routine health checkups, exams, and follow-through are essential. By some estimates, thousands of people who missed their mammogram due to the pandemic may be living with undetected breast cancer.

Simply put, early detection saves lives. I’m grateful to have caught the cancer at an early stage and to not need chemotherapy or other treatments with negative side-effects. Since sharing my story, I’ve heard from people nationwide about their own experiences with cancer and the importance of preventive care, writing to me to say:

“I said then, and continue to say that I felt I was handed a box labeled ‘bad news,’ but when I opened it I found a bunch of smaller boxes, each one labeled ‘good news.’ I'm a poster child for early detection.”

“You have motivated me to go get my mammogram. I, too, avoided doing it due to COVID and found it so easy to skip it later, too. I’m setting it up tomorrow.”

Connecting with those across the country has been heartwarming—I’m humbled that people have felt comfortable opening up about their hardest days, tough treatment choices, and gratitude for life.

If there is one thing I have learned through this experience, it is that every day is a gift. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, cherish that gift by putting your health first and taking advantage of preventive care services. Go schedule a doctor’s appointment—and then call your friends and cheer them on when they do the same. It just might save their lives.

Earlier this week at Marie Claire Industries™, we investigated why your hair looks fire right before a haircut like it's trying to spite you. Now, we bring you more important, scientifically sound research on the subject of caffeine and how its different delivery methods affect your productivity. Isn't science FUN? ::Erlenmeyer flasks explode behind me::

Technically, caffeine from any source behaves similarly once it enters your body—that is to say "as go-go juice for adults"—but from personal experience, you'll know that's not exactly true. Here, we evaluate coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. on the only criteria that actually matters: how quickly they get you through the workday.

Coffee

It'll make you live forever. It'll kill you. But who cares when you need that jagged lightning strike of energy so you can power through a story (HAHA) and go home? If you're immune to coffee's amphetamine effect unlike certain people who swear they can feel their atoms vibrating after a lame half-cup of drip brew, by all means drink it for the stimulants. (And the not-getting-Alzheimer's-or-heart-disease-or-cirrhosis-of-the-liver-ness .)

But back to the immortality thing: The longer you keep yourself from dying, the longer you can keep working for The Man. So there's that if you're thinking about productivity from a big-picture perspective. P.S. This fun-seeming office went from full-fat coffee to decaf and saw a 19 percent drop in output.

Tea

The unnamed caffeine-sensitive person from before has been told that black tea makes her mean, which isn't such a surprise given that some varieties can contain up to 70 milligrams of caffeine per eight-ounce serving. But whereas coffee comes with the possibility of jitters, tea also increases blood pressure, heart rate, alertness, and energy sans shuddering in a corner like a junkie suffering from withdrawal. Not that I've ever done that. 

At this crucial point in the "study," we bring in the most scientific tool of all: Google, to introduce some potential, shall we say, workflow interruptions other worshippers at the altar of caffeine have searched for.

Energy drinks

Not even once, because you will take a sip, gag, then spend the rest of the day nauseated and irrationally fearful of pencil erasers. Or so I've heard. 

The professional side of science hasn't yet proven that a daily Red Bull will raise your heart rate until it ticks like a runaway metronome, but it has raised concerns about prolonged use and the ingredient list, which, for now, passes muster by the FDA's standards. 

Energy drinks

Too roller-coaster-y and unreliable with all the sugar. Not recommended. 

Chocolate

A 2013 Harvard study found that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day for a month was linked to improved blood flow to the brain and better scores on memory and thinking skill tests for elderly people with impaired blood flow. Hell yes. But you know what's even more convincing than a Harvard study? The happiness one experiences in the afternoon when one eats a square of Jacques Torres while watching the panda livestream. And that, in itself, is the greatest upper of all.

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Sure, you know that regular exercise does wonders for your mental and physical health, but who has the time and patience to commit to a regimen and stick to it? Fortunately, the digital age has provided us with a great hack: Workout and exercise apps that you can stream on your phone, your TV, your tablet—wherever is best for you—and use at home or on the go. Turns out, there's a whole freaking market of apps designed to make exercise easier and more fun for you, no matter what kind of workout you feel like—jogging, barre, weight training, stair climbing, you name it—and they track your progress, so you don't have to. Plus, many of them are free, and you can get started instantly.

Obviously, the age of technology that brought us these apps has come with its own issues—but man, do these apps help you de-stress from thinking about them! Ahead we listed some of our favorite workout apps that require minimal equipment, give you actual results, won't blow the bank, and may even be taught by a celebrity or two. Get ready to get your sweat on.

Aaptiv

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If you're someone who loves a spontaneous workout, Aaptiv is for you. The app provides a ton of different kinds of guided audio workouts, from stair climbing and rowing to 5k training, and you can pick from different trainers. Some trainers are listed as "fun and supportive," some are happy to push you to your limit, and others will inspire you to hit a specific goal, whatever yours is.

8Fit

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One Marie Claire editor swears by 8Fit—so much that she cancelled her gym membership after she started using it. The workout and nutrition app helps you customize workouts, create meal plans, and provides a step-by-step nutrition guide to help you meet your fitness goals. Consider it an app dedicated to creating healthy habits.

Couch to 5K

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Couch to 5K's motto is quite literally “from the couch to the 5K finish line,” targeting beginner runners who want to train for their first race. The best part? It only requires sweating for 30 minutes per day, three days a week for nine weeks (that's not as much as it sounds, trust me).

P.volve

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Can't bear those painful, grueling workouts that leave you aching for days? P.volve might be for you. Billed as high-intensity but low-impact, these workouts are designed to strengthen your muscles safely over time.

MyFitnessPal

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Under Armour’s app MyFitnessPal is a three-for-one diet tracker, calorie counter, and exercise motivator. The app personalizes your goals based off of your body type and the food you’re eating. There’s about 5 million foods in their database to choose from so you’re not just typing in “chicken"—which means you can determine how many calories you're actually taking in and burning off.

All Out Studio

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The most respected fitness publications—like Women's Health, Men's Health, Runner's World, and more—brought together the best workouts in one place. Hundreds of exercises are featured on the app, and new ones are continually added, so you're never stuck in the same old routine.

Pure Barre

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The classic low-impact, high-intensity workout has a range of programs—with different times, intensities, and equipment. It's perfect if you love this type of exercise and want to do it while you travel. The instructors give specific insight on how to use a chair or wall for support, and you can do the exercises with water bottles instead of weights, a pillow instead of a ball, or entirely equipment-free.

Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer

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If you're in the offseason of your sport or looking to ease yourself back into a workout routine, this is a great place to start. Choose from over 500 workouts or spice things up by picking one of their 10 to 30-minute randomized full-body workouts to change up your usual sweaty habit.

Daily Butt Workout

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The largest muscle in your body, good ol' gluteus maximus, deserves some major TLC every now and then. Spend just five minutes of your day with one of their many free workouts as a certified trainer takes you step-by-step to help you get results in no time.

MapMyRun

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Created by Under Armour, MapMyRun tracks your run, providing audio progress updates in real-time. It's considered one of the O.G. apps for runners. Don't let the name fool you—this fitness app allows you to log over 600-plus sweat-filled activities from over 400 devices. No workout will ever be missed again!

AllTrails

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Outdoor workouts hit different, especially when you're on a good trail, sidewalk, path that's making your run or walk a breeze. Alltrails is the ideal app for the outside workout person. Choose from 100,000+ hand-curated trail maps from bikers, hikers. You name it. They even have dog-friendly and kid-friendly settings, so uh, score!

Yoga Down Dog

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Doing the same workout day after day can be dull, not only for your mind but also for your body. Down Dog is changing that by offering a brand new yoga practice every time you come to your trusty yoga mat. If you don't want new, feel free to choose from over 60,000 other options offered by the app's six teachers.

Kettle Workouts by Fitify

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You know that kettlebell sitting in your garage, back of your closet, maybe underneath your bed hiding in fear of the fact you don't know what to do with it? Fear no more! This app takes in a count of your skill level with the circular weight and gives you a bunch of quick video exercises to use with said weight. Get ready to feel the burn.

Pear

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Most fitness apps talk a big game of using voice technology to enhance your workout, but what if that voice actually did the exercise with you? Pear, a personal fitness coach app, features a real person working out alongside you. Whether you're running or in a downward dog position, someone is there with you in real-time, giving it the ultimate personal touch.

The Sculpt Society: Megan Roup

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Tons of A-listers flock to celebrity trainer Megan Roup to get their sweat on, so it was only time 'til she created an app. Choose from the app's huge library of workouts ranging from 5 to 50 minutes and see for yourself why fans of Roup consider it one of the most fun dance cardio and sculpting workouts they've ever tried.

Fitbod

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If you're all about the gains, look no further. Fitbod's primary focus is on strength-based workouts. The app plans your workout of the day from what you have nearby while using its training algorithm technology of past exercises you've completed. It's a helpful tool to make sure you never miss a leg day.

7 Minute Workout: Fitness App

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When you don't have the time to go hard at the gym, meet 7 Minute Workout. No equipment is necessary—just pick a video from their massive library of workouts, click play, and get ready to get fast results. There's a free trial period, but once it ends, it'll cost you $2.99/month.

MyZone

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MyZone features a heart rate accuracy of over 99 percent and uses the data they track from your workout to create personalized workouts. Whenever you're ready to move, the outcome will be infinitely better than the last time.

Endomondo

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Enjoy some friendly competition with friends as you each track each other's progress using Endomondo. Track your runs, walks, bike rides, and 60-plus other sports and strive to complete your personal best every week. The detailed data the app keeps track will help plan future workouts.

PIIT Pocket

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Cassey Ho, the creator of the wellness-driven blog Blogilates and one of the top female fitness channel hosts on YouTube, knows how to make sure you blow off some steam. Download PIIT Pocket, and you'll have free access to the Blogilates workout video library featuring over 400 different kinds of exercises.

FitOn

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If you find yourself off and on the fitness train, you'll love this app. All the workouts are free, meaning there's no long-term membership commitment. Browse by workout category, body part, length, and intensity, or choose by the amount of time you have. Have I mentioned there are workouts led by Gabrielle Union and Jonathan Van Ness? We're all in.

Openfit

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Throughout the day and night, live trainers are available on Openfit for 15-, 25-, or 40-minute sessions, guiding you through running, walking, HIIT, or strength routines that you can do without having to leave your apartment. No more excuses about not being able to find a trainer you like, either! There are plenty on here that are bound to be a fit.

Seven

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You may have heard of this concept, which rose to popularity several years ago as "the seven-minute workout." This app is an extension of that. The perfect workout for people who hate exercising/don't have a ton of time, Seven forces you to do tough exercises quickly and with barely any equipment: Think lunges, wall sits (a.k.a. a chair), and so forth. It's easy to take the exercises anywhere, and at the very least can serve as a quick workout between longer sessions.

Studio Tone It Up

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The community of women on Studio Tone It Up will guide you through workouts to get your body strong and toned, including yoga, cardio, barre, boxing, kettlebell, and strength training. New classes every week prevent you from getting sick of the same routine and the app even offers up daily moves to focus on if you don't have time to attend the 20- to 40-minute digital classes.

Yoga Wake Up

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While waking up can be a struggle, Yoga Wake Up might change your mind. Set an alarm for when you'll wake up, and the app will play a track that guides a short yoga sequence or meditation. It's the perfect way to start your day from the comfort of your own home.

Keelo

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Keelo is designed to leave no muscle behind when it comes down to your workout. Every workout is designed with you in mind; the app considers muscles you've worked on before, how long your workouts usually are, and how often you do them. You can do these exercises at home or at the gym. Either way, the app will be there with HD instructional videos along the way.

Ring Fit Adventure

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Maybe it's the endorphins talking, but I'm totally hooked on this one. It's technically a Nintendo Switch "exergame," not an app, but it works. Think of it as a cross between a workout video and a Super Mario game—you'll pick up tokens, power-ups, and health restoratives as you literally jog through different levels, pausing to zap bad guys by completing mini-workouts (think: ten squats in a row). The harder you work, the more rewards you get, and the more progress you make through the adventure. I'm the last person who would use a phrase like "addicted to exercise," but I am addicted to this game. (Also, the app can tell when you're tiring and gently encourages you to put it away for another day, which I appreciate.)

Ladder

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Ladder is great for anyone who would like to seek guidance from someone like a personal trainer, but doesn't have the time to access one in real life. The app will create custom workouts with a personal trainer for you based on what you're seeking.

NeoU

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NeoU is basically a streaming service for fitness. The app has a ton of videos, from HIIT, barre, and yoga to strength training. You can also take this app on the go by downloading episodes for later, if you're worried you'll be working out from a dead zone.

TRX

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By now, you've probably seen the trendy suspension workout, which makes use of your body weight and looks deceptively easy (it is not). TRX allows you to do the work at home, and the trainer is light and compact—it won't even take up much space, in other words. Plus, it syncs with an Apple Watch so that you can get updated, real-time results.

SworkIt

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Only have five minutes for a workout? No problem. SworkIt is designed to make sure your consistent with your workouts and therefore offers over 400 different exercises, so you get a good workout in on your own time.

ConBody

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A military-style fitness bootcamp run by an ex-con (hence the name), ConBody is as intense as it sounds—it's not an app, but it does offer remote workouts. If you love a challenge, this is the workout for you.

Mirror

It took until 2019, but you can finally buy a mirror that can help you work out! When the mirror is off, it's just your regular mirror. When it's on, you'll see yourself, your instructor, and your workout classmates in the reflection. All you need is the space of a yoga mat, and you'll never have to leave the house to workout again.

Obé

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It can get a little pricey—a subscription for the year is $200—but Obé offers a ton of different class types, and has 14 live classes a day. No matter what workout you feel like, you'll find your people and sweat alongside them.

Sweat with Kayla Itsines

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If you don't follow Kayla Itsines on Instagram, you've likely heard of her #BBG program. The Sweat with Kayla app is where the magic happens, allowing you to join a community of people across the world who are transforming their bodies. With an active subscription, you can use the app to follow daily gym-based or targeted workouts based on where you're at in the program, keep track of your progress, and connect with other #BBG members. Consistency is key.

Daily Burn

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If you're someone who's happiest working out in the privacy of their own home, give Daily Burn a shot. There are thousands of different workouts available, and it tailors your programs to your fitness level and goals. You do have to sign up for a paid membership, but there's a 30-day free trial.

Freeletics

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Freeletics is your best bet if you don't have easy access to equipment or a gym. The app offers users bodyweight workouts and more from five to 30 minutes for free, or you can pay $6.25 a month to throw in a training coach to the mix.

Zombies, Run!

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Are you someone who wants to run more often and for longer, but finds it kind of boring? This is the app for you. It's an immersive, long-term "exergame"—you guessed it, an exercise game—that makes you the protagonist of a story in which zombies are chasing you and you're trying to save humanity. This is as compelling as a really good podcast, and you'll forget you're even exercising.

Six Pack in 30 Days

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Strengthen your core with Six Pack in 30 Days, choosing which level of ab workouts you can handle and working your way up. No equipment is necessary, and it's suitable for even total gym newbies—the app demonstrates how to do classic core workouts like Russian twists and reverse crunches.

Butt Workout and Fitness App

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Do it for the booty. Hate doing butt exercises for a gym full of people to see? I feel you. This seven-minute butt workout has you covered with targeted methods for improving your glutes, like squats and donkey kicks.

Runkeeper

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Do you only want to keep track of your regular jogs and ensure you're improving gradually all the time? Try Runkeeper. The app is pared-down and easy to use, and diligently tracks your workouts, your progress over time, and your personal records. Perfect if you're looking to keep it simple.

Freeletics Bodyweight

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If you're still working on nailing the push up once and for all, Freeletics Bodyweight will help you build up muscle and tone your body. Big perk #1: You first undergo a fitness test to customize a weekly workout plan that's tailored to your body type and physical needs. Big perk #2: If you're stuck doing exercises in a cramped apartment, it has a 2x2 mode that provides workouts to fit a 2 meters x 2 meters space (NYC dwellers, this means you).

Strava

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Strava keeps track of running or cycling distance, speed, and endurance—especially useful for those hoping to compete in a marathon or triathlon in the near future (or at least dream about it). Compare your performance over time and share stats with friends on the app to give each other that extra push towards the finish line.

Runtastic

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Created by Adidas, Runtastic (yes, we know, the name is great) tracks your runs—but you'll also get audio feedback as you get those miles in. One of the coolest things about this app is that is tracks how many miles you put on a certain pair of running shoes, so the app will let you know when it's time to get a new pair.

Charity Miles

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Kill two birds with one app. Charity Miles allows you to donate to good causes while you burn calories. Sponsors like Johnson & Johnson, Chobani, and Humani donate a few cents for every mile you move biking, running, or even walking to charities like the ASPCA and Habitat for Humanity—even more incentive to lace up your sneakers and get to stepping.

Daily Ab Workout

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The free app Daily Ab Workout is one of the best ways to tone your core. Prop your phone up and watch fitness videos—it'll feel like the trainer is right in the room next to you counting reps.

Daily Yoga

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For those who want to be a little bit more zen on a daily basis and don't want to worry about falling over in yoga class while doing warrior pose, Daily Yoga offers a personalized coach and plenty of poses to choose from. There are also meditation classes available for people who want to de-stress and feel more focused.

Nike + Training Club

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Nike + Training Club is the ultimate app for fitness enthusiasts who want to experience an intense sweat session with a variety of options for their workout—so you never get bored. Choose from drills and audio guides from a professional Nike trainer, athletes like Serena Williams, or even stars like Ellie Goulding.

Relax Melodies

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So, you've done the cardio, the crunches, the planks, and even the downward-facing dog. What's next? Stretching and a good night's sleep for your body to recover. Relax Melodies allows you to cool down to a range of calming sounds including rain, wind, and white noise (i.e. not the sound of email alerts).

Fit Body

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If you're newly pregnant or well on you're well into your second trimester, this app is perfect for you. Or if you want something high intensity, they've got plenty of options for you, too.

Glo Yoga

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Get your zen on with this top-rated yoga and meditation app. Workout on your own or take a live class with other members in real time.

Gold's AMP Fitness and Training

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You guessed it—this app is brought to you by the people behind your local Gold's Gym. Now you can (literally) bring the gym home with you if you can't make it out of your house.

Peleton

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No bike, no problem! Peleton offers way more than just spin classes on their at-home fitness app. From HIIT classes to meditations, you can find the workout that best fits your lifestyle.

HIIT Workouts and Timer by 7M

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This app is perfect, no matter the level–even if you just want to workout for 15 minutes at a time. HIIT-style workouts break down your routine into four-minute intervals.

Tone it Up

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This app is top-rated when it comes to at-home workouts. It's woman-owned (the founders met at a gym in 2009) and have expanded into a massive woman-first community.

Adidas Training by Runtastic

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This running app syncs to your phone for Apple Watch to customize your running experience. Combine your run with one of their workout plans to meet your specific needs.

Peloton

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Yes, we all know you can use the Peloton app on a non-Peloton brand bike, but did you know that the app also has great strength, running, stretching, and HIIT workouts on it as well? Cyclist or not, the Peloton app boasts hundreds of workouts for every type of exerciser.

EQX

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Get a ~luxury~ gym experience at home with the the Equinox+ app, which features classes from the trendy gym, SoulCycle, Rumble, and more.

Alo Moves

Take your yoga practice to the next level with the help of Alo Moves. For $20 a month, you have unlimited access to new yoga routines, HIIT workouts, mindful mediations, and more.

Wild.Ai

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Wild.Ai is truly designed with women in mind. A personalized AI coach gives each user fitness, nutrition, wellness, and mental health advice based on their menstrual cycle.

This year, the 78-year-old Spanish footwear icon, who's been name-checked in Twilight, Sex and the City, and a Jay-Z song, celebrates 50 years in business and a chic new NYC flagship.

This story appears in the Summer 2021 issue of Marie Claire.

Beauty editors are blessed with access to virtually every new product and gadget that’s about to hit the market—and that includes teeth-whitening kits. And over the years we've tested a bunch, which makes us the unofficial authority on all smile-related things. Science says that the simple act of smiling has the power to positively impact your mood, lower stress levels, boost your immune system, and possibly even prolong your life. If that doesn't make you want the whitest teeth of your life, I don't know what will.

If you don't want to go the professional teeth whitening route, which can get costly, there are at-home alternatives that deliver professional-level results without your having to sacrifice your savings. And no, they don't require excessive amounts of time and effort. Peroxide, the most popular whitening ingredient, is what makes up most in-office treatments in highly-concentrated doses. However, at-home options also contain peroxide with the same whitening powers. Most of these options ask for 10 minutes or less of your time to grant you lifelong improvements. So to help you get your pearliest whites in the shortest time possible, ahead are the best teeth whiteners on the market that actually, truly work.

The jeep pulled up to the Emergency Room at Maui Memorial Medical Center around 4:30 a.m. on January 31, 2018, and Emilee Saldaya steeled herself for battle. She had never been to this hospital and knew that showing up in active labor with no records or relationship with a doctor could create problems if she wasn’t careful.

As Saldaya’s sister drove the car down the mountain, Saldaya and her husband, Jonny, made up a story to tell hospital staff: They had arrived on Maui when Saldaya was 38 weeks pregnant and planned to interview midwives, but labor had started out of nowhere; Saldaya had tried pushing and got nervous that her cervix was swollen, so she came to the hospital to be assessed. The last part was true, but she didn’t mention that she’d already been in labor for three days.

Saldaya declined requests to put on a hospital gown and pee in a cup, as well as offers for an epidural. The doctor performed a vaginal exam and announced that Saldaya was 9.5 centimeters dilated and that there didn’t appear to be any swelling; it was time to deliver the baby. The doctor told Saldaya to pull her knees up and start pushing.

That was all Saldaya needed to hear. “Whatever funk I’d been in is totally gone,” she says, recounting the experience. “I’m clear and totally in power again. I look over at Jonny with a shit-eating grin on my face and say, ‘You want to get out of here?’ He doesn’t skip a beat and says, ‘Hell yeah, I do, let’s roll.’ ”

Saldaya thanked the staff for their help and said she was declining to be admitted. According to Saldaya and Jonny’s memory of the conversation, the ob-gyn said, “But the baby could be born in the parking lot. Where will you go?”

“Home,” Saldaya said.

“Who will deliver you?” asked the doctor.

“Me,” Saldaya responded.

“Do you have any experience?”

“Not exactly.”

“Don’t you understand how dangerous that is?”

“That’s debatable, but I don’t have time for this,” Saldaya recalls saying. “I imagine you want me to sign your AMA [Against Medical Advice] form, so please write it now. I have to go have my baby.”

Saldaya shuffled out of the room to the nurses’ station, growling like a “wild woman.” The doctor handed her the AMA and said, “This is completely against my medical recommendation, but I can’t stop you, so if you need help, come back and we will help you.”

Saldaya and Jonny grabbed hands and made their way out of the labor and delivery ward. Every so often, Saldaya had a contraction and stopped to howl in the hallway. Nurses tried to send her in the opposite direction, assuming she was lost, not leaving. Twenty minutes later, they were home. Saldaya waddled to the bedroom and dropped to the floor. Within an hour, her daughter was born.

Saldaya is the 35-year-old owner and founder of the Free Birth Society (FBS), an educational platform and online community dedicated to unassisted childbirth. That is, birth with no medical help at all: no doctor, no nurse, no licensed midwife present. While some unassisted births are not planned, a “free birth” is an active choice. It’s a deliberate rejection of the health-care system and a commitment to an ideal of childbirth that is autonomous and undisturbed. This is a radical idea that many people, and certainly the medical establishment, view as extreme, reckless, and naive. While home birth with midwives is becoming more widespread, free birth remains a fringe choice.

But the free-birth community is growing. Of the 35,000 births that occur in the home each year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that one in four of those are unattended. The Internet now boasts social-media groups, podcasts, webinars, videos, and books about unassisted childbirth. The Indie Birth Association, a group oriented toward birth outside the medical system, has nearly 100,000 followers on Facebook, and a video of a woman free birthing in a stream has attracted close to 100 million views on YouTube. Saldaya’s FBS has a mailing list of 16,000 people. Her podcast has more than 3 million downloads, and the Instagram account, filled with photos of euphoric, sweaty women hugging newborns, has 60,000 followers. Thousands of people have purchased the group’s course, “The Complete Guide to Freebirth,” which costs $399.

“I didn’t have any idea the free-birth community was as big as it was,” Saldaya says, reflecting on the launch of her podcast and Facebook group four years ago. “Then it took off like wildfire.”

For as long as women have given birth, they have given birth alone or without professional medical support. Unassisted childbirth is not new, but the organized ecosystem around it is. In a country with an advanced health-care system, why would anyone choose to forgo it completely?

One reason is the belief that birth is a physiological process. The body knows what to do, and interventions—like electronic monitoring, vaginal exams, labor induction, episiotomy, and epidurals—impede birth from unfolding as nature intends, a free birther would argue.

“A free birth is nothing special,” Saldaya says. “It’s just staying home and having your baby. But in a very short amount of time, we have convinced ourselves of the need to leave our homes.”

A tenet of free birthing is that doctors, nurses, and midwives don’t have more expertise or authority about what’s needed during birth than a mother, an assertion medical professionals push back on. Physicians go through years of rigorous education and training that enable them to identify issues when (or before) they arise and suggest courses of action. “We as OBs, midwives, trained birth attendants, and registered nurses know what to do in life-threatening scenarios,” says Toni Golen, acting chief of the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. While a patient’s participation and input are essential in deciding when to intervene, she continues, “management of complications requires training and knowledge in order to make sure the mother and baby are safe and unharmed. There are specific maneuvers that take practice to become proficient, and they are not easy.”

As modern medicine advanced over the course of the 20th century, pregnancy and childbirth in the U.S. became a much safer experience, with rates of maternal mortality declining roughly 99 percent from 1918 to 1984. It also became a highly medicalized one. Today, 68 percent of pregnant women get epidurals or other spinal anesthesia, around 30 percent of pregnancies result in induced labor, and 32 percent of births are by C-section, a number the World Health Organization (WHO) and ACOG say is too high, in part because it poses a greater risk of maternal mortality and danger in future pregnancies. For most mothers, giving birth in a hospital, surrounded by trained professionals and modern technology, is what makes them feel safest—and they have positive birth experiences. Since 1987, however, maternal deaths have steadily risen, and the overuse of unnecessary medical interventions may be a contributing factor.

“We have this scientific reality, which is that women are dying in childbirth,” Golen says. “Certainly there are lots of reasons why that may be the case. Among them is that perhaps in the hospital environment, we are not listening to patients as well as we possibly can.”

One WHO report found that one in six women in the U.S. experience mistreatment during childbirth. Another survey of more than 2,000 doulas, childbirth educators, and labor and delivery nurses in the U.S. and Canada found that almost 90 percent had witnessed a health-care provider engaging in procedures “without giving a woman a choice or time to consider,” and nearly 60 percent had observed providers performing procedures “explicitly against the wishes of the woman.” Studies show that women, particularly Black women, are less likely to have their medical concerns taken seriously by doctors.

The fear of being pressured into unwanted and unnecessary interventions is one of the factors leading women to explore home birth. Out-of-hospital births represent under 2 percent of all births in the U.S. Although that’s a small portion, home births have increased by nearly 80 percent since 2004. The rise has accelerated since the outbreak of COVID-19, with midwives seeing surges in interest and demand; Saldaya says she has observed an uptick in interest in FBS since April 2020, with more people buying her course.

The safety of home versus hospital birth has been hotly debated for a century. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend a home birth of any kind, stating, “Hospitals and accredited birth centers remain the safest settings for births in the U.S.” When asked for comment, ACOG said it does not have a committee opinion on unassisted childbirth but warned that among women who make no provisions for professional care, home births are associated with high rates of perinatal and neonatal mortality.

Patchwork state regulations and data-collection methods make it difficult to compare births across settings, and data around free birth does not exist, perhaps because women who participate in it want to remain outside the system. One landmark study of 16,924 planned home births found that for low-risk women, a planned home birth with trained midwives is not associated with “an increase in adverse outcomes.” However, home-birth midwifery is not widely accessible. In 14 states, certified professional midwives (CPM) are at risk of criminal prosecution for practicing. More than two thirds of planned home births are not covered by insurance, putting them out of reach for low-income families. (Hospital birth is also expensive: Women with employer-sponsored insurance pay an average of $4,500 out of pocket for labor, delivery, and postpartum care.)

For some free birthers, giving birth unassisted is the only affordable or accessible way to have a home birth. Others view licensed midwifery as an extension of the same medical model they want to avoid, referring to them as “medwives.” States that license home-birth midwives have rules about which mothers those midwives can serve. If a pregnancy goes past 42 weeks, if a mother is having a breech baby or twins, or if she had a previous C-section, a midwife may not be allowed to take her on as a client. There are also requirements involving if or when a midwife must transfer a patient to a hospital. To regulators, those restrictions are in place to protect both mother and baby; to free birthers, they give the state authority over personal health-care decisions. Some people come to FBS because they don’t think they can retain control over their birth any other way.

“I think women are really waking up, and they are tired of being abused,” says Saldaya. “What I am so obsessed with is watching these women get fierce and be like, ‘Fuck the system. I don’t need this. My intuition can be my guide.’ ”

Jess, 24, who is using her first name only because of privacy concerns, was pregnant with her first child in 2017 and planned on having a home birth with midwives. Although Jess liked her midwives, there were moments when she felt like they were pathologizing her and her pregnancy in a way that made her uncomfortable. She says they were concerned about the shape of her uterus and her history of anemia, factors Jess considered variations of normal. They also brought up statistics about Black women facing higher rates of preterm labor and maternal mortality. Though she appreciated the information, Jess says she wanted to be treated like an individual rather than being foisted into the category of “high-risk.”

“It was this white-savior thing: ‘Oh, we need to save you from this,’ ” Jess said in an episode of the FBS podcast. “But it’s not applicable to me. They assumed it was applicable to me because of the color of my skin, but them focusing on that didn’t serve me.”

Toward the end of Jess’s pregnancy, her baby was in a breech position, and her midwives told her to go to the hospital for an ultrasound. Jess didn’t want to because she knew the norm with breech babies was a C-section. She researched breech vaginal birth and still wanted to give birth at home, but her midwives said they would not or could not assist Jess if she chose not to go to the hospital, citing safety and licensure guidelines. That was the moment Jess felt they “turned” on her. Her options seemed to be a C-section or free birth, with nothing in between. “I was trapped,” Jess says. “I had no idea how to navigate speaking what I felt was right.”

Yolande Norris-Clark is a mother of eight who has free birthed six of her children and is a leader in the free-birth community. She maintains that efforts to codify safety create a narrow definition of normal; it’s not that safety is beside the point but rather that women should be trusted to determine their own parameters of acceptable risk.

“We get caught up in this giant monolith of concern-trolling: ‘How can we keep women and their babies safe?’ ” Norris-Clark, 40, says. “There is no person more invested in the outcomes of a birth than the woman herself. … Medical professionals believe they have a monopoly on what constitutes safety, and that idea is so repugnant to me.”

Golen argues that the role of physicians and nurses is to anticipate when something may be life-threatening and provide the patient with good advice. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 8 percent of all pregnancies involve complications that may harm the mother or baby if left untreated. In the case of infections, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse, or hemorrhage, having a medical professional present can be the difference between life and death.

“A complication can happen so quickly, I worry someone could die before getting the proper attention,” Golen says. “I think for those of us who see a lot of childbirths, it feels like it happens enough that there’s a benefit to being in a place where we can optimize the chances of recovering.”

In theory, women who give birth in hospitals or with licensed midwives can determine which interventions they do or don’t want. A long history of judicial (and ethical) precedent states that all patients, including pregnant women, have the right to refuse treatment. In reality, refusing treatment as a pregnant woman can be a fraught endeavor. There have been multiple instances of courts ordering women to have C-sections or of hospitals threatening to call child protective services to coerce compliance. The risk of legal or state intervention for forgoing prenatal care or refusing medical interventions is borne particularly by poor women and women of color.

That risk was on Jess’s mind when she went to the hospital at 37 weeks for an ultrasound, which confirmed her baby was breech. The ob-gyn said the baby looked too small, estimating he weighed three or four pounds, and recommended a C-section. Jess still wanted to try for a vaginal birth, but she says no one on her care team took that seriously. She worried that if she pushed back, she would be labeled an unfit mother. “If you don’t consent to their ideas for solutions, then [to them] you are a bad mom and don’t care about your baby,” Jess says.

She signed the paperwork and went into surgery. Her baby was born weighing six pounds, not four, and although no one can know the outcome had Jess tried to deliver her breech baby vaginally, she says she ultimately felt manipulated, lied to, and abused. When she got pregnant with her second child, in 2020, she wanted to avoid the painful experience of her first delivery. She had followed Saldaya on Instagram for a few years and felt drawn to the ethos she put forth. That summer, she applied to join the Free Birth Society.

Saldaya is petite, with a free-spirited vibe offset by the intense energy with which she does everything. She spent the first part of her career as a doula and midwife’s assistant in Los Angeles but became disillusioned by what she witnessed. “I attended births in captivity for over 10 years and saw so much violence, abuse … so much oppressive stuff in the wealthiest hospitals and some of the poorest—every race and socioeconomic class across the board,” she says. “The licensed midwives had bullshit reasons for transferring women to hospitals or being abusive themselves. I thought, Oh my God, there is no fucking way I can be part of this system.”

Around this time, Saldaya and Jonny were planning to have a child of their own. Saldaya realized that she did not want to participate in the birth system as a professional or as a mother. She Googled “home birth without midwives” and discovered women, including Laura Kaplan Shanley, Marilyn A. Moran, and Jeannine Parvati Baker, who had been thinking, speaking, and writing about free birth for decades.

“That gave me language for all the stuff in my heart,” Saldaya says. “I thought, Hell yeah, I’m going to free birth. I take responsibility for my life in every other way, and I’m taking responsibility for my birth.”

Saldaya launched FBS in March 2017. Soon, she learned she was expecting. As her pregnancy progressed, so did FBS. But with growth came visibility that led to the public group’s dissolution.

In October 2018, a mother posted in the FBS Facebook group that her attempted free birth had ended in a stillbirth at a hospital. As reported by Emily Shugerman in the Daily Beast that November, there were “sock puppet” accounts in the group who had joined in order to monitor members. They got the story on the radar of a blogger for the faith-centered site Patheos. According to the Daily Beast, nine posts about the incident appeared in a two-week span with headlines like “Mother Decides to Have an Unassisted Childbirth and Kills Her Baby.” Saldaya was berated by hostile messages and death threats and accused of being a “baby-killer.” (The posts have since been removed from the Patheos website.) Saldaya decided to shut down the Facebook group.

At the time, it seemed like that might be the end of the Free Birth Society. But for all the strangers who sent vitriolic messages, Saldaya also received messages from women who said the space and connections it provided meant a lot to them. So on November 6, 2018, she relaunched FBS as a private social network with an admissions process and an annual membership fee of $108. She vets every applicant via video interview. The new group has nearly 600 paying members who span geography, demographics, and experiences. There are women who live in New York City and those who live deep in the woods, women who came to free birth after traumatic hospital experiences, first-time mothers drawn to the group’s ideals, and doulas disillusioned with mainstream medicine.

In interviews with 15 members of FBS, most said they received serious pushback from family, friends, coworkers, medical providers, and/or spouses when describing their plan to give birth unassisted. Because of the tremendous stigma, online communities have been a source of validation, support, and advice. “I went from the person [my colleagues] were so happy to hear was having a home birth to the crazy person. They questioned my rationality,” says Kayla Abeid, a 28-year-old chiropractor from South Carolina who free birthed her first child in May 2019. “I trust these other women [in FBS] to help me through my vulnerable moments and stay strong as a mother.”

After Jess’s first delivery, she was wary of midwives but still made an effort to hire one for her second child. She interviewed five midwives but didn’t find any who were willing to be as hands-off as she wanted. She went through her pregnancy without any prenatal care (referred to as a “wild pregnancy”) and at around 36 weeks resolved to have a free birth. Jess labored at home with her husband, her mom, and a friend present. Four and a half hours later, her daughter was born. “I had a freaking blast giving birth. I loved it so much,” Jess says. “The intensity was so beautiful and so difficult.”

Certainly, not all births go smoothly. There are mothers in FBS who have experienced loss, although they declined to speak for this story. The group doesn’t shy away from the topic, but it’s framed as something inevitable that must be accepted rather than something preventable that must be avoided at all costs. “The Free Birth Society understands that death is a part of life, and all paths contain their own risks,” Saldaya says. “Are babies dying in physiological birth? Yes. Are babies dying in over-medicalized birth? Yes.”

A common criticism of free-birth groups is that they serve as echo chambers where members encourage and reinforce dangerous behavior and emphasize autonomy to the point of harm. In some cohorts, “no assistance talk” is a rule, meaning members are not allowed to “talk about birth-related medical professionals or their opinions” or “suggest a member seek assistance/go in/seek care/get help/visit a midwife … unless they specifically ask for opinions of that nature.”

In February 2020, NBC published an article about free birth that focused on a woman named Judith whose baby was stillborn after she tried to deliver at home at nearly 45 weeks along. (The standard medical recommendation is to induce if pregnancy reaches 41 weeks.) Judith had taken a digital free-birthing course, participated in social-media groups dedicated to unassisted childbirth, and watched free-birth videos, including one denouncing induction as “an eviction from the womb.” As she passed the 43-week mark, she received messages of reassurance from people in those groups telling her to trust her body and listen to her instincts. To reporter Brandy Zadrozny, Judith said, “I think I brainwashed myself with the Internet.”

The free birthers interviewed for this story emphasized that they would go to the hospital in the event of an emergency but that they wanted it to be up to them, not a doctor or midwife, if or when they went. “I would never blindly or neglectfully choose to be outside the system,” Abeid says. “I wasn’t against any kind of outside assistance, but I would only choose that route if necessary.”

Knowing when assistance is necessary may not always be clear, however, particularly to someone in the throes of labor. Messages about the importance of “trusting birth” can insinuate that asking for help signals a lack of intuition, strength, or courage. Even Saldaya says that as she drove to the hospital, she felt like she had failed. Now, though, she appreciates her story because she gave birth on her own terms. Her claim is not that free birth is the right choice for everyone but rather that it is the right choice for some. “Free birth is not a gold standard. All I tried to do was carve out a space.”

But that space is designed to be insular, made up of members who share similar beliefs, a place to discuss what Saldaya calls “edgy topics.” The rejection of the medical system, the emphasis on autonomy and personal responsibility, and the glorification of womanhood tend to be part of a broader worldview. Some members do not vaccinate their children and many homeschool, for instance. The group is involved in efforts to oppose the Equality Act, which would define woman as a matter of gender identity rather than biological sex.

Saldaya is also expanding the group offline, trying to foster in-person connections through courses, workshops, and retreats. In 2020, Saldaya and Norris-Clark launched the Radical Birth Keeper School, a 12-week online training program that at least 150 women have attended. It’s billed as providing information and tools students can use to support one another during births—something that had started happening organically. They aim to scale that dynamic by creating a sort of underground network of “authentic midwives” who operate outside the traditional maternal health-care system.

In creating a system of their own, the women in the Free Birth Society are striving to maintain control over their fates. But the question remains: Are they controlling fate or tempting it?

This story appears in the Summer 2021 issue of Marie Claire.

When you think of "wellness travel," you probably think of those fancy health retreats in faraway places—the kind that are nestled in a grove of swaying coconut trees and offer daily deep tissue massages with a side of ocean breeze. Perhaps there’s an open-air yoga shala on property, with class times written in cursive on a chalkboard outside the entrance, and a cute little organic cafe serving up a plethora of rainbow-colored "detox" juices.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I love places like that. They are soothing and rejuvenating and sound especially appealing after the difficult year we’ve had. But they are also a limited way to define "wellness travel." To me, the concept goes far deeper than spa days and sweaty bootcamp classes under shaded palapa huts. It’s actually about traveling to places that can fundamentally change the way you think about wellness once you’re home; places where well-being is so baked into the culture, you may be inspired to shift your perspective simply by chatting with locals and observing your surroundings.

I’m such a big believer in this idea that I wrote a whole book about it! Out this week, Destination Wellness documents my (pre-pandemic) journey around the world in search of true wellness wisdom. To write it, I traveled to Jamaica, Norway, Hawaii, India, and Brazil to interview locals and experts about the well-being principles that define their lives. I chose these places not because they’re wellness hotspots like Sedona, Arizona, and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, but because they all have a unique cultural approach to health and happiness that I felt could be useful for life at home. And that’s really my main message here: While fancy zen retreats may feel incredible in the moment, "wellness travel" is also about seeking out new ideas for better living long after your trip is over.

On that note, read on for five global wellness spots that aren’t marketed as "wellness retreats" at all. (Though be sure to contact the property directly before booking to get the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 guidelines, as this could definitely impact where you choose to go.) Most are hotels I stayed in on my Destination Wellness reporting trips, while a couple are hotels that are still on my list—but all of them will leave you with accessible wellness lessons you can weave into your life at home.

Strawberry Hill Hotel, Blue Mountains, Jamaica

In my humble opinion, Jamaica’s Blue Mountains are an incredibly underrated wellness destination. Located about an hour north of Kingston, they are fresh and lush and home to some of the best coffee in the world. (I defer to Damian Marley’s song "Hey Girl," where he sings about drinking "Blue Mountain cappuccinos.") But the real reason they ooze well-being is that they’re infused with Ital, the Rastafari philosophy of natural living. Rastafari is both the social and political movement that originated in Jamaica, and the name for the people who follow it—most notably, Bob Marley.

Rastas who live an Ital life avoid all processed foods and animal products, choosing instead to grow most of their own food as a way to both connect to Mother Earth and live on their own terms, away from modern society. Many own farms in the Blue Mountains, which is why Strawberry Hill Hotel is the perfect homebase if you want to learn more about this natural lifestyle yourself.

Owned by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records (the British-Jamaican record label that signed Bob Marley and other reggae greats), the hotel is steeped in Rastafari history. It’s also set on 26 acres of land, where the staff grows their own coffee and lots of tropical fruit and veggies (think: mangoes, avocados, bananas, and soursop, to name a few). And although its restaurant is not Ital itself—it caters to a luxury crowd that likes to indulge—it does have vegan options on the menu. The hotel offers lots of guided hikes through the beautiful Blue Mountains, so you can get a feel for the land that many Rastafarians live off of to this day—and maybe even get inspired to live more naturally at home.

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Bjornfjell Mountain Lodge, Alta, Norway

When I was in Norway, I learned all about the local cultural concept friluftsliv, which, loosely translated, means "the free air life." Friluftsliv refers to the idea that life is best lived outside—no matter the weather. As my Norwegian friend Andrea told me, it’s ultimately about seeking out that natural energy and clarity only fresh air can provide: “We just feel better when we have that rosy glow in our cheeks,” she said. Norwegians have outdoor kindergartens and friluftsliv schools, they spend most Sundays hiking in the woods with their families, and they even leave their babies in strollers outside their houses to get them used to sleeping in the great outdoors!

But perhaps the most quintessential marker of friluftsliv is Norway’s cabin system. Outdoor living is so entrenched in Norwegian society, the government provides outdoor cabins for its citizens to use at their leisure. All they have to do is respect the property and leave money at the door when they leave (it’s an honor system). Bjornfjell Mountain Lodge in Alta wants to give travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in this cabin culture, too. The lodge offers all sorts of outdoor activities, like sledding and snow tubing and ice fishing, but true friluftsliv devotees know that the philosophy is best honored by chilling in nature with nothing but a backpack and a bonfire and the sound of the wind.

One Norwegian I interviewed summed it up best: "Friluftsliv is this feeling that you get when you’re out in nature and you look around and you take a deep breath and it’s just...ahhh. And you can finally relax."

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The Cliffs at Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

One of my favorite Hawaiian wellness lessons is aloha ʻāina, which translates to "love of the land." In Hawaii, saying "aloha" does not only mean hello and goodbye—it also means that you recognize that all living things are connected. Aloha ʻāina, then, speaks to the uniquely Hawaiian idea that we must take care of the land because we are the land. And there is perhaps no better place to immerse yourself in this concept than The Cliffs at Princeville in Kauai.

Located on 22 acres of verdant land on the north shore of Kauai, The Cliffs is a resort comprised of condos, timeshares, and vacation rentals. The hotel itself is known for its regenerative travel practices, like solar-powered suites, which help you take care of Mother Earth on your trip. Staying there also means that you are staying in the heart of nature, away from the touristy parts of Hawaii and right in the middle of its aloha ʻāina essence.

Kauai is nicknamed "the garden island" for its abundance of greenery, and the resort can hook you up with activities to explore it, from tropical waterfall hikes to snorkeling trips to farm-to-table lunches. Or you can just chill on the expansive bluffs and take it all in, reminding yourself that you are the ocean and you are the tree and you are the hibiscus flower. As countless Hawaiians I interviewed told me, the more we realize that we’re all connected, the better we all will be.

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Comuna do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brazil

In the U.S., we tend to think of wellness as a solitary pursuit. But in Brazil, wellness is a community effort—the common belief is that you can't be well if your family is not well. One Brazilian professor I interviewed, who spent five years studying culture in America, said it best: "I found that wellness in America is about yourself: If you're healthy physically and psychologically, if you're financially well, if you're in a good relationship, and if you eat well, you're considered healthy in the public eye. But while Brazilians of course care about those things, too, the biggest factor of all is your family—you cannot be well if your family is not well. Well-being is a group thing, not an individual thing."

Comuna do Ibitipoca, a 13,000-acre farm slash commune slash hotel slash paradise in the farming state of Minas Gerais, perfectly encapsulates this Brazilian sense of communal wellness. I stayed there on my reporting trip to Brazil and loved its warm spirit. While Comuna do Ibitipoca does have all sorts of healthy elements, like daily 9 a.m. yoga classes, lots of hiking and biking, and fresh farm-to-table meals, the owner Renato may be its biggest wellness secret. Originally from Rio, he bought the land back in the 1980s, and soon realized that the best way to keep it sustainable was to build a community around it, so that’s what he did. Now when you stay there, the entire community—from the staff to the locals who live nearby—takes you in with open arms.

"Everyone is local; everyone is family," Renato told me over breakfast one morning. "I started the property, but now everyone who works here is the owner. And that’s what makes me happiest of all."

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The Nattika Beach Ayurveda Resort, Thrissur, Kerala, India

Located in the south of India, Kerala is known as the beating heart of Ayurveda—the ancient Hindu system of medicine and healing that’s focused on creating balance in your body, mind, and spirit. I traveled there to immerse myself in 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic teachings in the hopes of learning how to feel more grounded and whole in everyday life. Though Nattika Beach Ayurveda Resort is technically part spa, it’s much more than just massages. It’s run by certified practitioners and doctors who teach you how to live an Ayurvedic lifestyle by leading you through one for anywhere from seven to 21 days (I did seven).

Ayurveda is centered on the idea that there are three doshas (life forces) in this world, and we all have a dominant one that’s defined our lives since birth. Science then gives us the tools to balance out our doshas when they become uneven, so that we spend the majority of our lives feeling centered. Some of these tools involve redefining the way you eat (for example, people with fiery dispositions should generally avoid spicy foods as they aggravate an already-hot internal fire), adopting a daily routine that revolves around your circadian rhythm, slathering yourself with healing oil, and keeping tabs on your emotions. I came back from Kerala with a much deeper knowledge of these tools than I had when I arrived, and continue to lean on them whenever I feel myself faltering and need to get back to baseline.

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Looking for more wellness destinations? Destination Wellness is available for purchase here.

Kaara Kallen first became anxious about climate change after reading up on the acidification of the ocean and how that meant millions of species would likely go extinct. In the years following, whenever she learned something alarming about the environment, she would find herself growing uneasy. Then she had a baby. “Once Ani was born, it was a whole other level of fear,” says Kallen, a 47-year-old writer and editor who lives in Chicago. She became distressed about not just her own child’s future but the futures of all children and even animals. She found herself overwhelmed with the creatures on her daughter’s pajamas, bedsheets, toys, and books. “I would cry just thinking about how the savannas and forests where elephants and giraffes live are becoming completely drought burdened,” recalls Kallen. “There's no habitat for these animals anymore. They don't have a place to raise their babies.”

The number of Americans who are “very worried” about climate change has doubled in the past five years, and, in 2020, a poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that half of Americans are concerned about climate change’s effect on their mental health. But for some pregnant women and new mothers, grief and anxiety about climate change can come on suddenly and feel daunting. Having a child makes you acutely aware of the future, explains Linda Buzzell, a therapist and co-editor of the book Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind. “We become less focused on our own lifespans and start to wonder what life and the world will be like when our baby is in college or 40 years old or a grandparent,” she says. Combine this with the frequency at which climate change is being discussed by world leaders and featured in the news, a 35 percent increase in natural disasters in the past 20 years, and an intensifying global concern about the future, and it’s not surprising that so many new mothers find themselves suddenly tormented about the state of our planet.

Mollee Sullivan, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mom in Richmond, Virginia, was always aware of climate issues but didn’t become an environmental activist until parenthood. “I didn’t even recycle before I had kids,” she says. “Something just awakened in me when I reproduced.” When Sullivan was eight months pregnant with her second child, Donald Trump was elected. “I thought to myself, This man is going to burn the planet.” Sullivan went to her first environmental activism meeting when her daughter was two months old. “I had just enough time to get [there] and back before she needed to breastfeed.”

Portia Zwicker, a 41-year-old technical writer from Niskayuna, NY, had a similar experience. While she’d been mildly concerned about climate change before getting pregnant, it wasn’t until she became a mother that she started suffering from severe anxiety over it. “It just scares me so much to think about the kind of world my daughter will be living in when she’s my age,” she explains. She sometimes finds herself waking up at night in a panic about climate issues.

For some moms, climate change isn’t a theoretical worry, it’s in their backyards. Claire Breslow’s daughter was only eight weeks old when the Holiday Farm wildfires started burning near her home in Springfield, Oregon. Breslow, 31, who works in education, had already been quarantined with her family for months due to COVID-19, and then they watched helplessly as the skies blackened with smoke. She and her husband sealed the windows of their 100-year old house as tightly as they could, but when their newborn started sneezing, they knew they had to leave. “The fire was just moving closer and closer to us,” Breslow says. “The air was full of ash.” They loaded their kids into the car and started heading to a relative’s house. “The drive itself was apocalyptic. We kept getting calls that the fire was close to the highway and we were going to have to turn around.” The experience of fleeing from the wildfires brought her children’s future into perspective. “[My partner and I] kept talking about how our kids are going to be part of climate wars or might be climate refugees.” While their house survived the fire, and Breslow and her family were able to return home after 10 days, she found herself wondering how her kids will find a place to live that isn’t impacted by climate change: “Is it going to be hurricanes, or tornadoes, or flooding, or is it going to be wildfires?”

For a new mom, a preoccupation with climate change couldn’t come at a worse time: Often you’re stuck at home, isolated from friends and family; your emotional and physical needs are taking a backseat to your child’s; and your only access to the outside world is the newsfeed on your phone. Not only is a woman caring around the clock for a needy infant, but her body is flooded with powerful hormones, and, according to neurologists, her brain undergoes “the most rapid and dramatic neurobiological change” of her life. The part of her brain that controls anxiety, empathy, and social connection completely lights up (so much so that years later, researchers can tell if you’ve had a child just by looking at a brain scan). There is a hormonal surge of protectiveness, and new mothers are more likely than their peers to develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors like repetitive hand washing or frequently checking if their baby is breathing. It’s only logical that anxieties about the environment, which might be manageable at another time, would start to feel overwhelming, even debilitating, in the intense postpartum period.

Sharon Keilthy, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Ireland says it was this combination of having a new baby and being at home that reconnected her to fundamental concerns. “Breastfeeding made me realize, for the first time, that cow's milk is another animal's breast milk,” Keilthy says. While Sharon breastfed her newborn, she started watching documentaries about sustainability and the climate crisis. “Being at home and focused on daily tasks tuned me in to [the issue of] waste. All the plastic going into our trash.”

To make matters more disorienting, the symptoms of eco-anxiety look strikingly similar to postpartum anxiety, leaving new mothers unsure where to turn for help or a diagnosis. Gabrielle Oviatt says that, despite being an environmentally aware person, her level of distress after having a baby was unlike anything she’d felt before. “I can recall two weeks after giving birth just crying for two days straight about the destruction of the earth,” Oviatt says. “I felt like I couldn't turn my brain off to stop thinking about how different the world was going to look for my son.”

Dr. Jenn Conti, an OB-GYN and host of the podcast “The V Word,” says it’s possible that worrying obsessively about climate change is just another form of postpartum anxiety. Symptoms of postpartum anxiety, which affects 15 percent of new mothers, include negative intrusive thoughts and obsessive worrying, and are often accompanied by a reduced ability to eat, sleep, and function. “When we think about postpartum anxiety and depression, it would be wrong to assume it’s only about postpartum or about the baby,” Dr. Conti explains.

For Kallen, the hardest part of her eco-anxiety was that it was legitimate: “It's not like there's any part of it that I'm exaggerating or worrying about needlessly.” According to Conti, there is an inherent difference between stressing about, say, someone kidnapping your child and stressing about the reality of climate change. While it seems obvious that you’d want to reduce concerns around irrational or improbable fears, it’s not so straightforward when your fears are about something that has been scientifically proven. “People would suggest a psychiatrist or medication and I would be like, ‘No, I don’t want to feel better,’ ” says Kallen. “Everyone should be scared of [climate change]. We should all be terrified.”

But seeking help for eco-anxiety can be complicated and sometimes equally distressing. According to Buzzell, many health and wellness providers haven’t yet caught on to the enormity of the issue. “They confuse totally normal and healthy concern about real-world climate and environmental issues with a mental health disorder,” she says. When Zwicker told her healthcare provider that she was having what she thought was climate anxiety, her provider referred her to a therapist. The therapist assumed Zwicker meant Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a form of depression brought on by the winter months. “It's a crushing blow when a supposed expert is not even aware of the type of anxiety you're speaking about,” Zwicker says. “Here I am, desperately worried about the state of the planet and life on it, and someone is completely ignorant about it.”

Part of the problem, according to Merritt Juliano, a therapist and the co-president of the Climate Psychology Alliance North America, is that while eco-distress can have disastrous effects on someone’s mental health, it is not a mental health diagnosis. “Eco-distress is an adaptive response to climate change,” says Juliano. Part of the work Juliano does with the Alliance is making clinicians more aware of eco-distress so they’ll recognize it when they see a patient struggling.

When it comes to managing anxiety around climate change, validation is key. Dr. Laura Venuto, a psychiatrist from New York City, suggests that the focus should be on getting to a place where the anxiety is manageable so that the person can actually do something to help the issue. "If you have a debilitating level of anxiety about the environment, you will essentially be paralyzed," says Venuto. For Sullivan, volunteering was the only thing that gave her hope. “It wasn’t good enough anymore to keep up with the news, I had to get involved, even if I was wearing a baby on my chest.” She volunteers regularly with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Environmental Voter’s Project, and Climate Interactive. “I’ve used volunteering as my therapy.”

Support from like-minded people is also necessary. Many programs now exist to help people grappling with eco-anxiety, such as the Climate Journal Project, which offers writing prompts to help manage climate anxiety, or Good Grief, a 10-step program designed to build resilience in the face of climate change. Buzzard says that for those awake to the climate crisis, there is great danger in trying to deal with that awareness alone. “Hopefully a new mom can find a group that is open to her concerns, or perhaps she will start one and discover that many other new parents share her anxiety.”

Mothers have long been at the forefront of social change. Consider Shannon Watts (gun safety), MADD (drunk driving), and Wall of Moms (police reform, Black Lives Matter). It’s no surprise that, as we face the “greatest threat modern humans have ever faced,” mothers are mobilizing against climate change. For Zwicker, that has meant making climate change activism a primary focus of her life. “It’s the number one thing I devote myself to besides parenting.” Similarly, Keilthy quit her corporate career when her daughter was four and signed up for a course in environmental justice. Since then, she has founded a sustainable toy company, Jiminy.

And Kallen has converted her “postage-stamp-sized” yard in Chicago to a native plant garden, which helps reduce air pollution and promotes biodiversity. She works with her daughter in the yard, showing her how the worms turn compost into soil and how small shoots grow into plants and flowers. “It’s an affirmation of life.”

This story has been updated to reflect Portia Zwicker's correct age and location.

On the morning of New Yea­rs Eve, 2015, I was rummaging through old storage boxes in an attempt to resolution-clean when I came across an unopened tarot card deck a friend had gifted me 10 years earlier. Called The Housewives’ Tarot, it was a cheeky deck for women who approach the world of woo-woo with equal parts amusement and disdain. Its Rockwell-inspired illustrations (a duo of eggs in a frying pan for Two of Pentacles, the card of multitasking and adaptability; a Donna Reed lookalike suspended over feather dusters for Four of Wands, the card of home and celebration) made it the ideal party favor—entertainment for the saucy and unsentimental, to be enjoyed over martinis.

As it happened, I was not this type of woman. My childhood was wrought with things like “psychic surgeons” and “crystal healings.” Both my mother and father were artists living hippie-adjacent lifestyles. While my friends’ parents carted them to the family physician for stomachaches or fevers, I was placed under a bright green floodlight to soak in the healing power of the color. As an adult, I’d vacillated between rejecting those flower child ideologies and experimenting with mysticism. When the psychic surgeon who’d “treated” us as kids appeared on Unsolved Mysteries as a fraud fugitive, it set off a wave of contempt for the metaphysical that was, in the end, short lived. Soon enough, I was again showing up at new moon circles and carrying the black tourmaline crystal a friend gave me to ward off negative energy (couldn’t hurt, I thought). At that point, I’d never approached divination with any real measure of intention, but I wasn’t a cynic either.

Which is why, an hour before I began my New Year’s Eve primping, I sat down with The Housewives Tarot and earnestly followed its instructions for a year-ahead spread, placing each card face down in its designated spot, according to the manual’s diagram. The first card represented the immediate future, the next, what would be gained, and the third, what would be lost. I completed the 10-card spread, my bed obscured under a smattering of omens.

Most of the predictions felt too distant, too nebulous to impact me in a way I could understand at the time. But the card I’d pulled for the immediate future, Knight of Swords, warned me of imminent injury. Sucking on a cigarette, a leather-clad James Dean stand-in smirked up at me from the rectangular frame. Wielding a switchblade atop his shiny motorcycle, the Knight’s message was clear: Trouble was coming.

But as I’d done with actual men countless times before, I disregarded the red flag. A dance floor awaited me that New Years Eve night, as did a low-cut, metallic bodysuit. I was excited, hopeful even. The past year had taken me for a ride. I had seen unprecedented successes in my career, but I was never able to celebrate them. Each victory left me feeling panicked. Mired in imposter syndrome, I was sure I’d make a calamitous misstep, and that fear followed me like a shadow with every professional win. Romantically, things were not much better: one episode involved me sobbing on my bedroom floor when, after four hours, I hadn’t received a text back from the very hot, very dumb gym rat I’d been sleeping with but was honestly not interested in in any serious way. It was so absurd that I mentally scolded myself for having a reaction that appeared, even to me, pretty bonkers. I was exhausted.

I would later learn from my therapist that the disproportionate responses I had to typical life challenges were symptomatic of anxious attachment style. The American Psychological Association defines attachment style as: “The characteristic way people relate to others in the context of intimate relationships, which is heavily influenced by self-worth and interpersonal trust.” Of the four attachment styles (all defined in childhood) anxious attachment is the byproduct of parents who display unpredictable behaviors; one minute they soothe an upset child, the next, they rage, the next, they ignore. As a result, children are confused about what love is and rarely feel safe.

Research suggests that adults with anxious attachment style both deeply fear and deeply long for connection and are almost always codependent and insecure. The most urgent desire of a person with anxious attachment style is to know that they’re emotionally safe. Because they didn’t learn how to establish that trust in childhood, they nearly always look for someone or something outside themselves to provide it in adulthood. Their lives become a reflection of the dichotomous belief that love is extremely dangerous and the only thing that matters. And I, having applied that dogma to almost every aspect of my life, was a textbook example. The way I saw it, my career was a potential minefield, men were snakes in the grass, and God was a fickle, if not sadistic overseer, controlling the whole operation. And yet, I wanted in on everything. Life, for me, was to be lived to the fullest but with the utmost distrust.

It would take years of therapy, though, before I understood that about myself. Sitting at my vanity that night, thinking over the year that had passed, I was only vaguely aware of those haunted philosophies and the near constant melancholy accompanying them.

And, on that New Year's Eve, I was actively working to ignore that sadness by pumping sea salt spray into my hair and bumping ‘90s hip hop when I dropped my 300-degree curling iron onto my naked thigh. I heard the flesh sizzle before registering the searing pain.

That moment was pivotal; its effect would impact me in a way I could never have known at the time. The tarot had predicted a quick, painful experience caused by carelessness—the Knight of Swords—and within the hour I was slathering my hot, sticky skin with handfuls of aloe vera gel as a result of my own negligence. It wasn’t a coincidence, as far as I was concerned, it was the omniscient power of the tarot. When, two weeks later, the cards accurately predicted a huge fight with my mom, I abandoned all skepticism. With the tarot cards, I now had a window into the future, a superpower that would alert me when danger was looming.

Anyone might covet a tool like that, but for a person with anxious attachment style, someone who couldn’t escape her belief that the world she loved was one big wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was a hook. Not only would it save me from the terrors outside my door, it would save me from myself. Over the years, faith in my own judgment had eroded. Now, almost immediately, that codependent desire to be rescued was transferred onto the tarot.

There was no question too trivial, no outcome too consequential for divination. For the next three years, I laid every scenario at the feet of the cards. Should I move? Should I apply to a new job? How does the man I like feel about me? What would happen if I called him? If I didn’t call? What would May bring? July? August? I wouldn’t take any vacations without consulting my deck first; and I had to travel with it, of course, because who knew what unforeseen issues might arise along the way. As far as I was concerned, the tarot deck was the one thing I could trust.

Theoretically, that made sense. Pre-knowledge of life’s booby traps should mean an ability to dodge them, and that should translate to the ultimate safety net. But as my compulsion with the tarot escalated, my anxiety increased in tandem. When I asked the cards about finances and pulled Five of Pentacles—the card of monetary loss—I curled in the fetal position with despair for hours. There was no voice of reason to assure me that yes, I’d be pulling from my savings for the next six months, but it would turn out fine. When I asked about visiting a friend and it gave me The Tower (upheaval, disaster, painful awakenings), I was distraught. What I didn’t know was that the huge argument between us that ensued, once worked through, would be a source of healing in both of our lives.

Even benevolent cards didn’t soothe me. I’d instantly disregard the 10 of Cups (blissful relationships, harmony, alignment) or the Queen of Wands (courage, independence, joy) to worry about other cards in the spread with more daunting messages, asking for clarification on them over and over again until I’d worked myself into a panic. Like many untreated codependents, I'd given all my power to something outside myself hoping it would fix my pain, only to find my pain intensified.

It was around the time my obsession with the tarot was reaching its pinnacle that my therapist introduced me to mindfulness meditations. Mindfulness is the therapeutic practice of focusing on the present moment while calmly observing and accepting the feelings that arise. Tearfully, I would bring her my urgent distress—the possibility of failure, of heartbreak, of financial ruin. “You’re safe,” she would say in a steady voice, “even when life doesn’t look the way you think it should.” It was the first time that idea had ever occurred to me. When I was flooded with anxiety, I would take deep breaths from my belly. If my mind spun out with the future’s endless catastrophic possibilities, I would focus on the details of my environment: a bird singing, the smell of coffee from the kitchen, my body pressed against a couch cushion. And when my fear or loneliness felt unbearable, I would place one hand on my heart and one on my stomach, whispering, “This pain can be here.” The more I was able to sit with my anxiety, the less I needed to use the tarot as a crutch. It wasn’t until months of practicing mindfulness meditation had passed that I realized I’d only consulted my deck a handful of times.

I’d believed the tarot was my only source of security in an unpredictable world. But the truth is that pain is unavoidable, and much of it will take us by surprise. No amount of premonition can change that. And even when the tarot did warn me of upcoming struggles, it only destabilized me with hopelessness because I didn’t have faith in my own resilience. Ultimately, life’s trials weren’t the problem; the problem was that I thought sidestepping those trials was the only way to keep myself safe. Every time I laid a card down, I believed I was laying a bridge that would magically lift me up and over the inevitable human plight. In reality, I was just moving the anxiety around, channeling it into a new outlet that would leave me just as fearful as the others had.

I still read tarot today, though not as often. My early years as a tarot reader hinged on a need to protect myself from the future, from the suffering it might bring. As I learned to be present in my heartache and fear, I came to understand that I don’t have to avoid anything. Life’s hardships can be painful, but they also bear fruit—blessings in disguise, wisdom, growth, self-awareness. If I could breathe through the hardest moments, I could see myself through to the gifts that waited.

As my relationship to my anxiety has evolved, so has my relationship to the tarot. Rather than ask what potential dangers loom, I ask what energy I can bring to create the best possible outcome in any given situation. I focus on myself because, I eventually realized, the bulk of my pain wasn’t coming from the outside world; it was coming from me. When I see The Tower, Five of Cups, or any other challenging cards in my readings today, I still feel that familiar rush of panic. But I keep breathing, I focus on what’s true right now. I carry myself to the other side of that fear—no matter what might be in the cards.

For Nitika Chopra, 40, psoriasis will always be the thing that impacted her life most. Diagnosed with the chronic skin condition at age 10, Chopra spent many years with about 98 percent of her body covered with scaly red patches.

“When I was looking for jobs psoriasis made it very hard to put myself out there,” says Chopra, who lives in New York City and is a content creator and founder of Chronicon, a community platform for people with chronic illnesses. “I would feel depressed, embarrassed, and totally isolated which made it difficult to follow my dreams and believe I was even worthy of the jobs and opportunities I so desperately wanted for myself.”

Chopra isn’t alone. In fact, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis has been shown to impact patients’ career choices, abilities to perform work duties and work relationships and interactions, according to a study published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment.

The fact is, one of the most impactful parts of psoriasis is the psychological strain stemming from how it can impact your job prospects, says Geeta Patel, MD, a dermatologist in Houston, Texas.

“This burden is exacerbated by the fact that psoriasis is visible on the skin and the condition itself is highly misunderstood,” she says. “Many people with the condition are stigmatized because of their skin.”

Ultimately, psoriasis can affect everything from the clothes you choose to wear, to how you interact with colleagues and your overall energy for your job, Dr. Patel adds. “Even if you’re proactive about your treatments, this condition can take a very real toll on your day-to-day life,” she says.

Such was the case for Reena Ruparelia, 40. When she was working in human resources early on in her career, she noticed that people would shy away from shaking her hands due to the scaly patches there (these patches are also visible on her lower legs, feet, and arms).

“The psoriasis on my hands is quite noticeable and I used my hands a lot in conversations and presentations,” says Ruparelia, who lives in Toronto and was diagnosed when she was 14 years old. “This would cause me a lot of anxiety and worry as I didn’t want anyone to see my skin problem or my hands. Other times it made me feel that others were deterred from working with me because they thought I was sick or contagious."

Additionally, Ruparelia, who now works as a mindfulness guide and wellness advocate specializing in supporting other women with psoriasis, was afraid of their judgment. “At times I had to wear plastic gloves to work when I flared really bad,” she says. “This also made being at work really weird for me.”

And then there were the days when she didn’t feel well enough to go to the office at all. “When the anxiety and pain of my psoriasis were too much, I found myself missing work and turning down opportunities because of my skin,” she says. “This really affected my future.”

Ruparelia says that during much of her corporate career, she was really nervous about interacting with people, especially new staff members, vendors, and clients. “I also thought that having a visible condition might get in the way of me being promoted,” she says. “But I never let my skin get in the way of me doing my work. I didn’t want my manager or the higher ups to view me as less capable. Looking back I would tell myself it’s okay to have sick days and be human but, at the time, I was really harsh with myself.”

Steering your career path with psoriasis

The more you connect with your healthcare provider about current or new treatments, the more you may be able to keep psoriasis from becoming a career hindrance, says Dr. Patel. “There are great medical options for psoriasis patients depending on the severity,” she says. “These range from topical medicines to biologic medications.” These are all safe options that can be used even if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant, Patel adds.

That being said, being able to squeeze in regular doctor’s visits when you’re working crazy hours can end up being a big challenge. “Psoriasis is a chronic condition so treatments and doctor’s appointments often need to take place during work hours,” says Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. “These issues can lead to discrimination at work and a feeling of being restricted on the career choices you want to make.”

Given these challenges, it may help to be open about your psoriasis and discuss it with your boss and colleagues if you feel comfortable sharing this information. “This may be helpful for building understanding and dispelling discomfort and bias,” Dr. King says. “It may also make it easier if you have a flexible schedule to accommodate medical appointments without facing repercussions.”

Ultimately, since work-related stress can contribute to psoriasis flares, it’s important to find ways to manage your workload to minimize stress as much as possible, Dr. King says. In the end, if a conventional path with a demanding boss becomes too stressful, it may be time to pivot away from the corporate world, as Chopra did.

“Since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease it also brought with it a lot of exhaustion simply because my skin was so impacted,” she says. “By building my own schedule I don’t have to work on anyone else’s timeline because my psoriasis can be really unpredictable in terms of my energy levels and when I will actually feel good.”

As for Ruparelia, a new attitude about psoriasis—and a new career path—has made all the difference. “I think I once thought that my condition limited what was possible for me and I thought I didn’t deserve to do certain types of work because of how I looked,” she says. “I now see that my body is meant to do work where I can create my own hours.”

In turn, she is no longer letting her skin get in the way of her professional plans which means she won’t ever work at a job that requires long hours or too much travel as that leads her to overdo it and prompts flare-ups.

“I don’t look at psoriasis as a barrier anymore,” she says. “Instead, I look at it as an invitation to be more self-compassionate and choose work that best supports my health and my aspirations.”

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When I was 9, my teacher took my parents aside and suggested that they take me to see a specialist. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something “off” about me. At the time, we couldn’t have known that London, our hometown, was one of the few places in the world that might recognize symptoms like mine (clumsiness, disorganization) in the ’90s. I submitted to a battery of tests—could I copy the shape of a kite onto a fresh piece of paper? throw a ball against the wall and catch it?—and, days later, we had an answer: I have a classic case of dyspraxia, known in the U.S. as developmental coordination disorder, or DCD.

Some things, the specialist told us, would always be harder for me: walking, talking, tying my shoelaces. Finagling my way from point A to point B, both in terms of physical terrain and in my own head. I’d probably struggle with my speech, my handwriting, physical or mental sequences—anything that involved motor skills, a term that refers to the brain-body mechanism that allows you to wave, run, chew, or speak without even thinking about it.

The phrase “motor disability” went right over my 9-year-old head, so the specialist explained: Not all the messages from your brain are seamlessly reaching your body. Every single thing your brain has to plan and carry out, from lifting a mug or swallowing a peanut to copying a dance step or following a map, will always be a little harder, will require a little more focus, will be more likely to go wrong.

I didn’t really understand. Hell, I’m still not sure I understand. But I got lucky. Living near the world’s first-ever Dyspraxia Foundation, parented by people who refused to consider that DCD might hold me back, enrolled in occupational therapy and later regular counseling, and surrounded by teachers who were often familiar with the condition—I mean, I was the luckiest accident-prone kid that ever lived.

Then, in 2012, I moved to the United States for graduate school and for the first time learned what it feels like to live among people who have never heard of DCD. Who wonder, sometimes out loud, if it’s all just in your head.

Roughly 6 percent of people worldwide have DCD. That makes it more common than autism spectrum disorder, which is thought to affect 1 percent of the population, and close to being as common as dyslexia, which affects about one in ten people. You probably have a working knowledge of both. DCD, however, remains the redheaded stepchild of neurodevelopmental disorders, a classification the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders only formally gave it in 2013.

I’ve spent much of my life trying to communicate to people what I know to be true about my brain—that, yes, I am clumsy as hell, but it’s more than that. Well-meaning friends and family ask me to elaborate, and I can’t. I am an editor, a writer, a person whose career and mental health are built on undoing the threads in my head and putting words to them; I can process and articulate the technical aspects of my disorder as much as anybody with a disorder that gets in the way of processing and speaking can—but in 20 years, I have never, not once, gotten close to conveying what it feels like.

It is not just about the effort it takes to do the simplest things. It’s about the way the world has to slow down for me to do them. If I get up from a chair, I have to consider my limb placement with the focus of a tightrope walker or else I trip—on my other foot, on the leg of the chair, on nothing at all. If I don’t chew my food carefully and in silence, I swallow the wrong morsel at the wrong time and choke on it; if I try to speak while I’m eating, I get overwhelmed and begin to quietly breathe faster, faster, trying to push myself to do this perfectly normal thing that is going out for dinner, until the edges of my vision are soft. This would all be fine if everybody else’s worlds were constantly slowing down too, but they aren’t. The people around you operate so easily, so fluidly, without pause, that you have to assume you’re doing it wrong. There’s a word for what they are—neurotypical—but it feels personal: They’re doing it right, and you're all wrong. That’s the rub with DCD: You’ve never known things any other way.

To live with DCD is to feel perpetually out of sync, to quote the title of the popular book by Carol Stock Kranowitz, an expert in motor and sensory issues—out of sync with the sounds you hear, the movements you intend to make, the space around your body, the concepts people describe, the ways you try to say, do, act, and process what surrounds you. Most of all, you are out of sync with the effortless way the people around you seem to exist.

If that sounds isolating, it is. It’s made more so by the fact that DCD rarely presents the same way in different people. Take my dad and my two brothers, for example, who also have DCD. (It’s hypothesized to have a strong genetic component.) My father and I, we’re famously clumsy, all elbows and flailing limbs, but he loves to eat (which I find overwhelming) and he was never able to ride a bike (which I can do). My brothers glide along beside us, taking easily to soccer, basketball, rowing, you name it—but one can’t write by hand to save his life, and the other has a hard time with his speech, the words flooding out all at once and spilling over one another.

“There are so many pieces to DCD,” explains Keith A. Coffman, the director of the Movement Disorders Program at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. “Breaking it down into individual symptoms, or a small group of symptoms, is challenging.”

Nobody knows what causes DCD, and there is no “cure.” Before it was labeled a neurodevelopmental disorder, it had been posited to be a psychiatric disorder, a sensory disorder, a social disorder, a variation of cerebral palsy, and even “minimal brain damage.” DCD “likely has a baffling quality to most people,” says Linda Copeland, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and professor at the University of California San Francisco-Fresno. “Teachers see bright, creative children who are not working to their potential. It becomes too easy to blame the child for being unmotivated or for misbehaving.”

As many as half of people with DCD also have ADHD, and the same proportion of ADHD patients meets the criteria for DCD, so it is sometimes diagnosed as ADHD alone. Many others have it along with autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia. (More often than not, DCD isn’t the only disorder a person has.) Different countries and organizations refer to DCD using different terms, and even experts use a variety of words to describe it; support groups and Commonwealth countries tend to use “dyspraxia,” and North America and the research community lean toward “DCD.”

Unfortunately, DCD isn’t well understood in any country. But in a place like the U.S.—a country considered trigger-happy when it comes to brain diagnoses—the lack of acknowledgment of DCD feels astonishing. Put another way: If modest estimations are correct, more than 19 million people in America have DCD. Without a diagnosis, they’re left, at best, dimly aware that they’re palpably and inexplicably less capable than the people around them. At worst, they feel out of sync with every part of their daily life. Research has shown that children with DCD are far more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression—and those are the kids “lucky” enough to get a diagnosis.

In a piece for The Mighty, librarian Kate Reynolds writes, “Life before I knew I had dyspraxia was full of unknown terrors and humiliations.” But it was more than that, she tells me: “I always knew something was wrong, and I didn’t know what. I felt a great deal of shame. I thought maybe things were this hard to everyone and I was just a failure who never bothered to try hard enough.”

Like me, Warren Fried, now 39, was a clumsy kid who couldn’t zip up a jacket or draw within the lines. Unlike me, Fried grew up in the northeastern U.S., where the kids and teachers around him thought he was slow or lazy or both. Fried couldn’t recall simple instructions, connect with other students, or even process some of the words teachers used. “My childhood in general felt like a hopeless failure,” he says.

It wasn’t until Fried studied abroad in West Sussex, a leafy county in the south of England, that he received a referral, an evaluation, and, finally, a diagnosis from his college’s student services. He was 19. “In the U.S. education system, I was an enigma,” he says. Of getting a diagnosis at all— “I was very fortunate.”

It was then that Fried came across the Dyspraxia Foundation, founded in the late ’80s by Marilyn Owen and Stella White, who had met at a “clumsy children” physiotherapy group and were astonished by the lack of support available for their kids. These days, the foundation publishes an annual research journal, operates more than a dozen local chapters, oversees fundraising events and conferences, and hosts an annual Dyspraxia Awareness Week. Inspired by the success the U.K. has had with its foundation, Fried returned to the U.S. and, in 2006, founded Dyspraxia USA.

Fifteen years later, Fried’s organization remains the only dyspraxia/DCD-specific nonprofit in America. He’s happily married and a stay-at-home dad of 5-year-old twins, but his foundation only stutters along. Relying on donations and membership fees, Dyspraxia USA has just a few thousand “likes” on social media, no partnerships with research organizations or significant programs, and no employees aside from Fried. It brought in less than $35,000 in 2019, while the U.K.-based foundation raised the equivalent of more than $215,000 in 2019. (A disclaimer: I was invited to join the board of Dyspraxia USA in August 2019 and ultimately resigned in November 2020.)

It’s been a different story in the U.K. In part due to the U.K. Dyspraxia Foundation’s work, references to DCD dot British popular culture. The BBC featured a main character with DCD in the new Doctor Who. Cara Delevingne told Vogue in 2015 that she’s suffered from the disorder since she was a child. Daniel Radcliffe went public about his DCD diagnosis in 2008, explaining that he has trouble tying his shoelaces and was “crap at everything” at school. Emma Lewell-Buck, a member of Parliament since 2013, penned a HuffPost essay that proclaimed, “I am proud to be a person with dyspraxia.” And GCHQ, the British NSA, actively recruits people with DCD and dyslexia, citing their “spiky skills”—skill sets that combine poor abilities, like coordination, with abilities that test in the 99th percentile. (The same tests that were used to diagnose me revealed that I read about two and a half times faster than is typical.)

In the United States, there are no depictions of DCD on television or in film. (Believe me, I’ve looked.) Not one genuinely famous American has gone on the record about having the condition. There are some kids’ books about it—My Buddy Bryant: A Story of Friendship and Dyspraxia, for example—but that’s about it for DCD in American culture.

Working on this article, I tried to identify what went wrong for America. Although “clumsy child syndrome,” the original label for DCD, was established in the ’30s, the disorder didn’t make it into the American diagnostic bible, the DSM, for 50 more years. Recommendations from the Council on Children with Disabilities for screening children with motor delays didn’t go out until 2013. Dyspraxia USA was never successful in building a following, and Fried, who has no medical qualifications, remains a main resource for parents who Google their children’s symptoms and land on “dyspraxia.”

Most of the world’s foremost DCD experts live, practice, and publish in different countries, but eventually I tracked down Priscila Tamplain, PhD, a young professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and the U.S. representative for the International Society for Research Into DCD. Tamplain, who is originally from Brazil, is one of the only U.S. researchers who focuses on DCD rather than general motor difficulties (a large category that includes Huntington’s, Tourette’s, and Parkinson’s). I asked her why that is. “There’s a very clear reason for that,” she says, “and it’s funding. It’s very hard to get funding for disorders that you can’t streamline. You can’t find two children with DCD that are the same.”

I thought of my brothers and my dad. It barely feels like we share a disorder; we’re more likely to bond over a pizza topping than a common difficulty. “And it very rarely comes in isolation,” Tamplain adds. “It often comes with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, autism, speech impairments, and so on, which are more prominent and more visible, in a way.”

Confusing things further: Not only does DCD usually go hand in hand with other disorders, its symptoms—challenges with movements big and small—often are features of those disorders. “Motor difficulties tend to be secondary for most of the population. They’re well-known to be associated with other conditions: intellectual deficits, autism, ADHD. But the core of DCD is motor difficulties,” Tamplain explains. “DCD is a disorder of exclusion. To diagnose it, we need to exclude a whole lot of other things.”

The odds are stacked against DCD, thanks to its wide swath of symptoms, its two different names, and its overlap with other, more “visible” disorders. But, Tamplain tells me, in the ’90s you could have said the same of autism, which went by a mishmash of different names and had a low profile. Then came Autism Speaks, a nonprofit that launched in 2005—just one year before Fried founded Dyspraxia USA—with a $25 million cash injection from billionaire Bernie Marcus and a dynamic business model. Now a behemoth of an organization, albeit a controversial one, Autism Speaks has funded half a billion dollars’ worth of research into the disorder, and it raised $94.5 million in 2018 alone.

I ask Tamplain what it’s like to be so fiercely committed to a cause that, for now, keeps running into dead ends. “I’m here, you know, just hitting the waves because I just love these kids,” she says. She’s talking about the children of the Little Mavs Movement Academy, a DCD motor-skill intervention program run by the laboratory she directs. People come from as far as Mexico to have their kids join Little Mavs. But every child with DCD that she works with has different issues, Tamplain says, which makes them difficult to study. “I think it scares the scientific field.”

Because there is no way to “fix” DCD, you can work to reduce the emotional, mental, and physical toll of the disorder, intervening at an early age as Tamplain does, but you cannot make it go away. It’s true that countries with universal health care have put more resources behind that work than the U.S. has; here, the for-profit medical system isn’t designed for long-term, individualized therapies, but that’s probably just one of the many reasons all of this happened. Well—didn’t happen.

I know I’m one of the lucky ones. It doesn’t make it easier. When you don’t have language for how and why your brain is misfiring, you spend your life bending away from the situations that leave you feeling more alone and ashamed and overwhelmed. I almost never try new things, from new restaurants (what if they’re noisy?) to new foods (hard to swallow?) or new hobbies (what if I can’t?). My friends joke that I’m new-experience averse, but I just want to make it through the day without being overwhelmed. When the directions don’t make sense and it’s hard to swallow your water and harder to enunciate, when you’re standing unsteadily and breathing rapidly and the seams on your clothes are scratching your skin—and it looks to everybody else like you’re just walking down the street, but it feels like you’re only just holding on to yourself? I don’t have the words for that. Oh, yes, don’t mind me, I’m just drowning in my own brain?

When you don’t have the language to communicate what you’re going through, for any kind of problem, that sense of confusion, of hopelessness, crystallizes into shame. Every time I watch somebody drive or dance or effortlessly glide across a room, I feel ashamed. It doesn’t make sense, because it’s not my fault, but I’m not thinking about that. I’m only thinking: I can’t do that. Look at them do it.

When I have kids, they’re probably going to have DCD. (I informed my boyfriend at, oh, month two that he’d be our family chauffeur. He has high hopes for the future of self-driving cars.) By then, I hope I’ll have figured out how to describe what feels like crossed wires in parts of my brain and holes elsewhere. I hope it’s better for them, but I don’t know. I hope they get the support I did, and I hope that when they tell people what’s going on with them, someone knows what that means.

For more information about DCD, visit Understood. See if you're eligible to participate in Tamplain’s study, the first in the U.S. to systematically document the struggles of individuals with DCD and their families, click here. Little Mavs is accepting donations.

Editor: Danielle McNally | Research: Henry Robertson | Art: Susanna Hayward