So I’ll be real with you. If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be writing about women’s wellness habits that work, I would’ve laughed and ordered another iced coffee. Wellness sounded like one of those Instagram words, you know? Pastel quotes, overpriced adaptogen powders, women in matching sets doing sunrise yoga on a beach in Bali. Meanwhile, me? Queens girl, mismatched socks, subway delays, accidentally eating dollar-slice pizza at 11 pm.
But somewhere between my third “why am I so tired?” Google search and my jeans mysteriously shrinking (spoiler: they didn’t shrink), I realized maybe I should figure out some habits that actually made me feel human. Not the fancy Pinterest kind. The practical, “I’ve got two kids, a job, and zero chill” kind.
So yeah. This is not a guru list. This is my trial-and-error, weird-but-works, sometimes-messy collection of habits that have genuinely helped me.
Why Women’s Wellness Habits Even Matter (Without the Eye Rolls)
Okay, before you scroll past, hear me out. Wellness habits aren’t about becoming this perfect person who wakes up at 5 am to meditate and journal under a Himalayan salt lamp (no shade if that’s you — actually, teach me your ways). For me, it’s been more like tiny tweaks that stop me from feeling like I’m running on fumes 24/7.
Like drinking enough water so I don’t get those tension headaches at 3 pm. Or stretching for five minutes so my back doesn’t feel like it belongs to an 80-year-old. Boring? Sure. But boring sometimes works.
1. The “Not Fancy” Morning Reset
Confession: I used to scroll Instagram before even brushing my teeth. I’d wake up, grab my phone, and immediately fill my brain with random people’s highlight reels. Shockingly (not), this didn’t make me feel great.
Now? I try to do one small thing for myself before opening my phone. Sometimes it’s as tiny as making tea and sitting by the window for two minutes. Sometimes it’s stretching. Sometimes it’s literally staring at my cat.
It’s not aesthetic. It’s not photogenic. But it changes my whole vibe for the day.
2. Move Your Body (But Make It Non-Miserable)
Look, I’ve tried the boot camps. The “lose 10 pounds in 30 days” apps. The only thing I lost was my will to live.
What actually worked? Finding movement that doesn’t make me dread my life. Sometimes it’s yoga. Sometimes it’s walking around Flushing Meadows Park with my friend while gossiping. Sometimes it’s dancing in my living room to old Beyoncé tracks.
Wellness isn’t about punishing your body. It’s about remembering it’s yours.
3. The “Drink Water or Else” Habit
Yes, it’s cliché. Yes, you’ve heard it before. But you know what? Half my headaches disappeared when I actually started drinking water.
I keep a big ridiculous water bottle on my desk. It’s pink and covered in stickers (my daughter put them there). It makes me smile. I fill it twice a day. Boom.
Also, side note: if plain water bores you, throw in lemon, mint, cucumber, whatever. Make it a vibe.
4. Actual Lunch. Not Just Coffee.
I used to skip lunch because “I was too busy” (aka scrolling emails). By 4 pm I’d be shaking and craving every carb in a five-mile radius.
Now I eat an actual lunch. Even if it’s leftovers or a sandwich. My energy’s better, my mood’s less murder-y, and my kids don’t have to tiptoe around me at dinnertime.
Sometimes wellness = eating food like a normal human. Revolutionary, I know.
5. “Vitamin D or Bust” (aka Get Outside)
It’s wild how much better I feel when I get sun on my face for 10 minutes. Even in Queens where the “view” might be a bus stop.
If I can’t go for a walk, I just open a window and stand there like a lizard for a few minutes. My neighbors probably think I’m weird. Whatever.
6. The 5-Minute Stretch Rule
I’m not doing hour-long yoga flows every day. But five minutes of stretching? I can handle that.
Sometimes I do it while waiting for water to boil. Sometimes during Netflix. My back thanks me. My mood thanks me.
Also, my son once walked in on me doing a forward fold and asked if I was “broken.” So, you know, there’s comedy in it too.
7. No Shame Therapy & Mental Health Stuff
This one took me a while. In my family, therapy wasn’t really talked about. But after my second kid, I was feeling anxious all the time. Like a low-level hum of panic.
Finding a therapist was awkward and kind of scary but also the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Now I’m a full-on therapy evangelist.
If therapy’s not an option, even journaling or talking to a friend helps. But mental wellness habits matter as much as physical ones.
8. Weekly Friend Dates (Even If It’s Just a Walk)
You know how you plan to see your friends and then six months pass? Yeah. Me too.
I’ve started scheduling “friend dates” like appointments. Sometimes it’s coffee. Sometimes it’s a grocery run together. Doesn’t matter. It keeps me sane.
9. The “Do Something Small for Joy” Habit
This sounds corny but hear me out. Every day I try to do one tiny thing that’s just for me. Paint my nails. Read five pages of a book. Sit in silence.
It’s like telling yourself, “Hey, I matter too.” And when you’re juggling kids, work, and the MTA, you kinda need that reminder.
Things I Tried in Women’s Wellness Habits That Work
Because not everything’s a win:
- Waking up at 4 am to “win the day.” LOL no.
- Cutting out all carbs. My mood went full dragon.
- Buying a $200 wellness gadget I used twice.
So yeah. Don’t do what Instagram says just because it’s trending. Try stuff. Keep what sticks.
Tiny Habits > Big Overhauls: Women’s Wellness Habits That Work
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: small habits add up. I used to think I needed a total life makeover. But honestly? Drinking water, stretching, going outside, eating actual meals, seeing friends, therapy. Those little things have done more for me than any “30-day reset” ever did.
And the best part is, none of it has to be perfect. Some days I skip. Some days I nail it. It’s fine. Wellness isn’t a report card.
Outbound Links Suggestions:
- A relatable blog post like Cup of Jo’s “Women on Wellness” series
- A funny article on “Wellness Trends That Need to Die” (Buzzfeed-style humor)
