My favorite health things from 2024

We're keeping them.

I try to stop myself from starting every issue with TRYING TIMES because even though I send this email quite sporadically, there is always a crisis. Everyone knows my politics, so I’m not loving the vibes in DC/ the world right now, but more urgently things in California have been so, so terrible. I spent ten years in LA, and will always feel connected to California (and, probably, have PTSD).

You’ve seen a million links to help in California. Altadena is a historically black neighborhood, and this list has many people whose GoFundMe’s are woefully underfunded. Altadena Girls Fire Recovery is a very hopeful place on the internet if you want to see some joy around it!

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I try a lot of health and wellness things, some free, some costly. I try things so you don’t have to could be my tagline, but isn’t (yet). As I look back over 2024, these are some of the discoveries or things I doubled down on that made the biggest difference to my health.

Winding down at night & my new alarm clock

When my Philips sunrise alarm clock stopped working, I tried and failed to fix it myself and reach customer service. Admittedly I could have tried harder, but who is trying to be on with customer service for an old alarm clock during the work day! I realized it could be really nice to have an alarm clock that I could operate via my phone that still had sunrise features, and I did a deep dive on the most aesthetic/trendy options- Loftie and Hatch. Loftie looks cooler, but Hatch’s reviews were a lot better. Being very mature, I got the Hatch and I LOVE it.

Maybe I was in the dark ages, but I find it so helpful to be able to set different alarms for different days on my phone, but then leave my phone out of my damn bedroom. Also, the wake up is a gentle sunrise one and you can choose from delightful sounds. One of my favorite features is the wind down, I have it set to red light and calming music, and it really helps before bed. A true bonus is if I also put my legs against the wall and use my red light mask at the same time.

Peppermint tea

This is so simple! However, I was at a nail salon that served this tea and now I’m devoted. It’s relaxing and helps with digestion and is my new favorite decaffeinated tea.

Flower remedies

I’m nearly positive that I’ve mentioned Alexis Smart Flower Remedies before, but a little background.

Bach’s flower remedies are the original flower remedies and the most famous. The idea behind them is that emotions and physical illnesses are linked and specific flower essences correspond to specific issues. It is related to homeopathy and the concept that the body wants to heal itself. More here.

I have been taking Alexis Smart’s remedies off and on for years. I’ve noticed real effects with some, and less with others. However, for the past several months I’ve experienced pretty incredible results. This fall I was taking Soul Purpose which has the below description.

Within about a month of taking this remedy, I’d found a new job and apartment in DC and scheduled my move. I mean! Listen, I had been looking for a job for several months so I’d certainly laid the groundwork, but the timing was interesting.

More recently I’ve been taking In Love for less than two months, and my dating experiences have been better than ever. (I’ll leave it at that for now!)

Correlation isn’t causation and all of that, but it’s an awfully big coincidence two times in a row. I’ve started giving them as gifts because I believe they are so powerful. If you decide to take a remedy and it’s working for you, she recommends that you continue with 1-2 more bottles. Her Instagram stories are a great way to get insight into the remedies.

A special meditation app

In the past I’ve mentioned the Manjit meditation app, and I am still a fan. However, my new favorite is MODE. I am hesitant to recommend it for two reasons— the price and the pictures she uses. There are occasionally deals, but full price it is $50/month. That is a lot for a membership! I got it when it was $40/month. This is a manifestation/EFT/meditation app, and I do find that others in this category (normally To Be Magnetic) are about the same price. Still, a lot.

I don’t love that a lot of her pictures are her vaguely half naked to show that she reached her ideal body through her meditations. However, I really like the offerings! She has a morning meditation that I try to do religiously, it works with gratitude and want you want to manifest that day. She has meditations that incorporate gua sha and use affirmations to feel beautiful, meditations to reduce anxiety before social situations, and so much more. I’ve only dipped my toes into EFT or tapping, which helps release blocked emotions, but I think it’s a valuable tool.

Working with a naturopath

So far I’ve had two sessions with Dr. Lauren Geyman, ND and really enjoyed our work together. This kind of work isn’t inexpensive, but I find it worth it and a naturopath is usually less expensive than a functional medicine doctor.

Sometimes we/I can start buying random supplements I’ve seen on Instagram and keep gathering things from different doctors and sources to heal issues, but it can be useful to find someone who is overseeing everything and cares about you more holistically. I see her to help balance my hormones, continue healing my gut, and help with anxiety. You can also subscribe to her newsletter for a taste of her wisdom. As a bonus for you all, she introduced me to my new favorite gut motility supplement, ColonRX (non-habit forming, not a laxative, gets things moving).

Honorable mentions / things that don’t cost (too) much money

Mouth tape, Armra colostrum, long walks, morning sunshine, getting outside even when it’s cold, lypospheric vitamin c, warm lemon water in the morning, castor oil packs, epsom salt baths

Things to look forward to in 2025:

Exploring IFS therapy, a review of my new infrared sauna blanket, more dry eye treatments, the nut milk you’ve never heard of…

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all my love to california and everyone. let me know if you did anything great for your health this year!

x alex