I used to roll my eyes at a lot of things.
Putting oils on your feet? Tapping your face to feel better? Standing barefoot in the yard to “absorb the Earth’s energy”? Yeah, okay. I was polite about it, but internally? I was side-eyeing hard.
But somewhere between real-life stress, adulting, and trying to feel better without living at the doctor’s office, I got curious enough to try a few of those “woo-woo” wellness things. And to my surprise... a bunch of them actually helped.
Like, really helped.
And not in some mystical, new-age way - just different from what I grew up learning about "modern medicine."
So here’s my very honest list of wellness stuff I once thought was weird, but now I swear by. Maybe a few will click for you too.
“Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s repair. Give your body the tools it needs to do the job.”
1. Essential Oils on My Feet (…and My Bellybutton. Yep.)
I thought this was one of those Pinterest-era gimmicks. But turns out, your feet and navel are pretty great absorption spots—and I’ve found that certain oils applied there before bed make a big difference in how I sleep, how I feel when I wake up, and sometimes even how I handle stress during the day.
I totally bought into the oils on the bottoms of the feet thing when I saw how quickly my grandson's cough stopped afterwards. And peppermint along the spine or the crook of your elbows - a.k.a. the cubital fossa, for those who like random trivia - soooo cooling and refreshing!
🟢 Mix 'n match sleep hacks:
"You don’t have to believe it’s going to work. You just have to try."
2. Tapping (a.k.a. EFT)
The first time I watched someone tap their forehead, chin, and collarbone while repeating affirmations, I was both fascinated and deeply skeptical. But one afternoon I was overwhelmed and decided to try it just to see—and wow. It actually helped me calm down even though I had no clue if I was doing it exactly right. Now I use it when I need to hit reset emotionally - and I know that it's not a precise "science" so I don't stress out over technique.
3. Grounding (a.k.a. Barefoot in the Yard Like a Hippie)
Since I've always enjoyed walking around my yard barefoot, I didn't exactly resist this one... I was just skeptical that there was anything more to it than comfort and a touch of nostalgia. But once I was more mindful about how I was feeling while walking barefoot as opposed even to wearing flip-flops, I began noticing that I felt more centered and a lot less tense. Now it’s one of my favorite quick resets. Bonus points if I combine it with some deep breathing or a quick oil roll-on.
🟢 Because I refuse to allow bugs to interfere with my outdoor time:
"If it makes you feel better, it’s worth your time."
4. Dry Brushing
It sounded fussy. But after trying it for a few days in a row, I was hooked. It wakes up my skin, gets my circulation going, and makes me feel more energized—especially when I follow it with a quick shower and a peppermint-infused lotion or massage oil.
My biggest tip for this one is about consistency: make sure to keep your brush out where it's visible and handy so that you actually remember to use it before you shower.
🟢 My current fave massage oil:
"Taking care of your body is a form of self-respect."
5. Magnesium: The Chill Pill Your Body’s Probably Begging For
Like the good skeptic I am, I hesitated to believe that any one mineral could be the answer to all of the things magnesium claims to support. But after doing some digging, I've learned that magnesium really is one of those behind-the-scenes minerals doing all the things—helping muscles relax, calming your nervous system, supporting sleep, digestion, hormone balance, and even blood sugar. And yet, most of us are running low and don’t even realize it.
If you’re feeling anxious, sore, constipated, waking up at 3am for no reason, or craving chocolate like your life depends on it… your body might be whispering (or screaming) for magnesium.
There are lots of ways to get more magnesium in your life—from Epsom salt baths to leafy greens to supplements. I personally use Super Magnesium from Young Living, and it's made a noticeable difference in how I feel—especially when I’m juggling stress or just trying to sleep like a human.
🟢 My go-to magnesium:
"Where your focus goes, your energy flows."
"Wellness isn’t woo—it’s wisdom with a little experimentation."
6. Breathing Like I Mean It
Yes, I’ve always been breathing. But conscious breathing—like 4-7-8 breathwork or box breathing—was new to me. I’ve learned that stopping to breathe with intention can totally shift my mood and bring me out of a spiral fast.
🟢 A recent blog I wrote about a couple breathing tricks to try:
"Nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished." — Lao Tzu
7. Energy Work (Stay With Me Here…)
Reiki, the frequency of specific oils, energy clearing sprays, crystals, sound baths—I wasn’t convinced. But I gave Reiki a shot during a particularly draining season, and whether it was science or just me responding to intention, it helped.
This is one of the stories from around the time just before Eric passed away that I'll always keep private rather than sharing here, but just know that the insight into myself and my feelings that I received that day absolutely made a difference in how well I coped over the next several days and weeks.
Now I always feel lighter after a quick energy reset and I totally notice a difference when I use oils and blends that have a higher frequency.
🟢 Read what I wrote in a blog about frequency and essential oils:
"You can't always control what goes on outside. But you can control what goes on inside." — Wayne Dyer
8. Visualization
This one used to feel like daydreaming with a purpose—and I didn’t exactly see the point. But visualizing what I want (instead of worrying about what I don’t) has actually helped me stay calmer and more focused.
Focusing on what we DON'T want is very counterproductive because we're training our brains to pick up on and respond to more of whatever our focus is. It's much more helpful to focus on what we do want—how we want to feel, the kinds of experiences we want more of, and the direction we’d like to move in.
Our brains are wired to filter information based on what we tell them matters, so when we visualize positive outcomes or peaceful moments, we're actually teaching our minds to recognize and create more of that in real life. It's not fluff—it's focus with intention.
Instead of thinking, “I don’t want to feel so overwhelmed all the time,” I’ve started visualizing myself moving through the day feeling steady and in control—checking things off calmly, taking deep breaths, and ending the day with energy left in the tank. It’s a small shift, but it really changes how I show up.
🟢 Try a guided visualization exercise:
"Emotions are information, not instructions. You get to choose how to respond."
9. Oils for Emotions
I used to think oils were just for nice smells. But now I have a whole emotional toolkit of blends I reach for when I’m feeling anxious, unmotivated, or scattered. They don’t fix everything, but they sure help me feel more grounded and supported.
🟢 Read what I wrote about how essential oils work with our limbic system to regulate our emotions:
"How you start your day is how you live your life." — Louise Hay
10. Making My Mornings Spiritual
I’m not talking about meditating on a mountaintop. Just creating a little pocket of time each morning to center myself with oils, intention, and a few quiet minutes before the noise of the day begins. It sets the tone in a way that caffeine alone can’t.
🟢 Make your mornings better:
"Small daily habits are the roots of long-term transformation."
The Takeaway
Some of this stuff still sounds woo-woo to me. But I’ve learned that if something helps me feel better, sleep deeper, or respond to life with a little more grace, then I’m not going to overthink it. I’ll take the weird if it works.
So if something in this list sparked a little curiosity, gave you goosebumps, or made you think “huh… maybe that’s exactly what I need”—trust that nudge. That’s your intuition talking.
Pick one thing, play with it, and see how your energy shifts. Sometimes the smallest, most unexpected rituals end up being the most powerful. You never know what kind of magic might unfold when you start following what feels right and ignoring any preconceptions about woo-woo-ness. ✨
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
Want in?
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.
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