Sometimes, it can feel like you’re constantly on the go. Between work, family, friends, and hobbies, taking steps to be more mindful in the new year can feel like another action item on your lengthy to-do list. But incorporating mindfulness doesn’t have to be a chore: it can be a single moment of intention in your day. Maybe it’s doing five minutes of breathwork when you wake up or practicing Savasana to calm your mind after dealing with a stressful situation.
To share how easy mindfulness can be, we tapped POPSUGAR editors to share the simple wellness practices that are part of their daily routines. From swapping out social media scrolling for a book before bed to dancing away the morning jitters, read on to discover editor-approved tips that will inspire you to find time for mindfulness every single day.
“We’ve all been told to ‘dance like no one’s watching,’ and for my morning ritual, I literally do. It might sound silly, but my post-shower, pre-breakfast dance sesh helps to shake all my jitters away. I find that on mornings when I need it most (read: when I wake up anxious or in a bad mood), the last thing I want to do is dance. But with the right song, (my personal favorite is ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ by ABBA), my body physically can’t fight the urge to boogie. After about three minutes of shimmying and booty popping, my brain always feels clearer and more relaxed, my body feels more energized, and I’m able to start the day off with a smile — because, come on, who can keep a straight face while dancing?” — Caitlyn Martyn, Assistant Editor
“When I’m looking to work through writer’s block, I love to sit down with a pen and one of my favorite notebooks and get into a bit of intuitive writing. It’s perfect for when I just need to write whatever comes to my mind and break up all my day-to-day thoughts. It’s relaxing and pressure-free, and it really gets the creative juices flowing. Even if it ends up being a bunch of nonsense, there is always something that can be taken away from it, whether for creative purposes (like sparking a new idea) or the subconscious revealing what’s really on my mind behind the noise. It may be my favorite form of therapy.” — Moná Thomas, Living Editor + Content Strategist
“While it can be tough for me and my sweet tooth, I try to avoid excess sugar. A snack that fits right into my routine and lifestyle is Chobani® with Zero Sugar.* Not only do I love how it tastes, but I also love how it has no sugar and zero artificial sweeteners. Sometimes I’ll even swap it for ice cream after dinner.” — Kathleen Harper, Style Editor
*Not a low-calorie food
“After a full morning and afternoon of working at my computer, by the time 4 p.m. rolls around, I start to feel the burnout. I find that the best way to reset and give myself a little love is by putting the screens away and heading outside with my dog. If I’m heading out for a walk, I’ll put my phone in my pocket, turn it on airplane mode, and just spend time soaking in the LA sunshine. If we go to a park for a romp, I’ll leave my phone in the car — this encourages me to really be present and feel the joy that radiates from a bunch of happy doggos living their best lives. Just that hour away from screens, notifications, and social media helps me be more intentional about my day and makes a huge difference in my mood.” — Aviel Kanter, Director
“I don’t like to police my daily routine too harshly, but as of late, I will not go to bed without reading at least 10 pages of any book. I could lie and say those 10 pages are from a memoir or historical text, but they’re not; they’re usually from a rom-com book I recently found on TikTok, and that’s OK. It’s OK because this wellness practice is perhaps my favorite I’ve ever tried because it’s the only way I can truly quiet my mind and realistically reduce my screen time. And, more often than not, those 10 pages turn into a whole chapter, which usually rolls into five chapters, and suddenly I’m nearly halfway done with my book.
“Feeding your inner child sounds corny until you actually try it, so bringing back the concept of a bedtime story in the form of a handful of fiction pages from my book of the week is exactly the kind of ritual that helps me maintain a practical routine before I go to sleep. As someone who’s long suffered from insomnia and anxiety, giving myself the opportunity to escape for an hour through an analog activity — not my phone or TV — is a game changer I’ll recommend to anyone who asks.” — Samantha Sasso, Beauty Editor
Design: Mia Coleman
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