The Environment
We Live In

The fabrics we wear, the bedding we sleep on, the items we surround ourselves with, and the tone of our home all deeply impact our nervous system. Synthetic fibers are often filled with microplastics and have a low vibrational frequency, disrupting the body’s natural energy. Wearing organic, natural fibers not only grounds us and allows our skin to breathe, they’re also gentler on our nervous system.

Constant bright LED lights and screens can dysregulate us, spiking anxiety and restlessness. Switching to low light such as 100% beeswax candles in the evening creates a calming ambiance, but even more powerful is simply cutting out evening screentime and getting to bed earlier, a free and instant reset.

Sound environment also plays a role. Living in a home with constant background noise can be very over stimulating and frankly annoying. Keeping our nervous system in fight or flight is not what we want in our homes. Home should be a sanctuary, and that goes for noise too. Silence is needed for everyone. However, if you’re like me and still like a little background music, I always turn to lo-fi, or calm instrumentals.

True wellness is not about chasing endless items for niche functions. When you choose to purchase products, consider whether they are things that support you long term and serve multiple purposes.

A cast iron skillet can last for decades and replace many potential toxic bakeware options. A high-quality sheepskin can double as a non-toxic playmat or a temperature-regulating blanket. A reverse osmosis water filter not only provides cleaner drinking water and reduces chemical exposure but also supports healthier hair and clearer skin.

Often, when we invest in high quality products, we reduce the need for constant decision making and repeat purchases. As the mending/repair culture continues to gain traction, people are seeing the benefit in repairing something and giving it life once more, instead of throwing it out. When we choose thoughtfully, we are choosing products that can outlive us and be passed on to future generations.

You don’t need another hot ticket, name brand water bottle, just one easy to clean and made with quality materials, ensuring it lasts.

I have, without a doubt, fallen victim to late-night scrolling–induced wellness traps. When it comes to wellness, do we really need to add more to our plates? Emphasizing consistency, slowness, and intention, rather than consumption, does more good for our bodies than adding another step to our skincare routine ever could. Instead of jumping on whatever the new “it girl” trend is in the wellness industry, focusing on fundamentals sets us up for long-term success: movement, quality sleep and rest, time in nature, nourishing food, and connection. These are free or low-cost, and they should form the baseline of our health.

In cultures around the world, wellness isn’t packaged as a product but is woven into the fabric of daily life. It’s a sense of rhythm and a way of being.

In Scandinavian countries, they use the term Friluftsliv, which means “open-air life.” It’s about daily time outdoors, regardless of weather. There’s no emphasis on top-dollar gear or wellness retreats, just simply living an outdoor lifestyle through walks, shared meals, and stress reduction.

Mediterranean countries put a large focus on communal meals. These aren’t rushed or squeezed between appointments, they are long, lingering affairs filled with loved ones and laughter. Social connection, digestion time, and cup-filling restoration are all built in. There’s no chasing of supplements or miracle diets; instead, the Mediterranean lifestyle embodies a mentality of food + connection = wellness. Post-meal naps or downtime are also encouraged. A custom that many Americans can hardly fathom, does wonders for both body and mind.

In Finland, a country that consistently ranks as one of the happiest in the world, connection to nature and simplicity are key factors. Prioritizing mökkielämä—a slow, peaceful “cottage life” (swoon)—as well as swimming in lakes, hiking, and sauna, are all seen as major contributors to happiness.