Dry brush

On days where I use my sauna, I always do a short session with my dry brush to activate my lymphatic system and get rid of any dead skin that might be blocking my pores from detoxing. It took me a while to find a good brush that didn’t feel super uncomfortable on my skin, but HigherDOSE’s copper dry brush has made dry brushing a much more enjoyable experience.

Sensate

I talked about this in my last post, but I really really love my Sensate device. If this is your first time hearing about it, this is a vagus nerve stimulator that can help with sleep, anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation. The vagus nerve helps keep your body’s automatic functions (the ones we can’t “think” our way into) in control, such as your stress response, heart rate, and breathing.

It works by placing it on your sternum and having it send vibrations throughout your body, while simultaneously playing calming music. It has absolutely transformed my sleep and my Oura ring data confirms it (my Sensate practice lowers my heart rate about 20 bpm prior to sleeping). If you want one of your own, you can use my code “THETHERAPYSTUDIO” for 10% off.*

Oura ring

My Oura ring has changed my life. It has really helped me connect how I feel to what’s going on with my body. More specifically, it gives me data that shows how alcohol affects my body and sleep, which has encouraged me to drastically reduce my alcohol intake (now that I know it destroys the quality of my sleep, as well as my ability to focus the next day). I like that it’s constantly collecting data without being distracting or intrusive like other trackers, and when I follow the “advice” it gives me, I end up having positive results. I have 5 referrals to share, where you can get $40 off your ring right here.

Monthly acupuncture

Once a month I go to see Dr. Melanie Chieng for acupuncture, where we primarily focus on sleep and stress. I have recently been adding support for my tight jaw muscles and arthritis in my wrists. I find that acupuncture really helps me feel more balanced, and appreciate a more Eastern medicine approach to healing.

Open app

Something I have made a point to do this year is to practice breathwork and meditation daily, which is really easy for me to do with the Open app. They pick 4 different practices for you every day (meditation, breathwork, movement, or sound), and you get to choose which one seems most appealing to you. This practice has really allowed me to make time for myself to connect to my body, and has also shown me how different forms of breathwork can either calm you down or give you more energy. You can get your first 30 days for free using my code “THETHERAPYSTUDIO.”*

Eye mask

Ever since I started taking my sleep seriously, I have been sleeping with an eye mask on to help block out any light throughout the night. It has been especially helpful now that it’s summer, since the sun rises at the buttcrack of dawn and I haven’t slept enough yet. I use a bougie silk one from Lunya to protect my hair.

My “hydration power cocktail”

On days when I remember, I make myself a “hydration cocktail” with a packet of LMNT electrolytes (always mango chili flavored…I don’t even bother with the rest of them), a scoop of ARMRA colostrum, and a scoop of creatine. I have ADHD and anemia, which means I get a lot more dehydrated than a normal person, hence me needing electrolytes and lots of water throughout the day. The colostrum helps my immune system and digestive system, and the creatine helps with my brain function and building muscle. I really like being able to drink some of these supplements as taking a bunch of capsules every day makes me a little nauseous, not to mention it’s a little boring.