My TMI wellness essentials: the slightly weird things I do to look/feel better

Sharing some of my favorite TMI wellness essentials. Affiliate links are included below. Thank you so so much for shopping through my links!

Ok friends, we’re getting a little TMI today.

These are some of the slightly weird, decidedly unglamorous things I regularly do in the name of feeling good, looking a little more alive (I hope??), and taking care of myself. Some are wellness staples I’ve used for years, some are beauty things that make me look absolutely ridiculous while I’m doing them, and all are staples that I’ve use regularly and love.

As always, this is just what I personally use and love, not medical advice. You definitely don’t need to do all of these things. Pick what makes sense for you and your life and leave the rest.

My TMI wellness essentials

1. Castor oil packs

Yes, I regularly strap this oil-soaked situation to my stomach while I watch TV. I usually reach for my castor oil pack when my digestion feels sluggish, I’m feeling puffy, or I just want a cozy little self-care moment. It’s one of those rituals that sounds extremely weird until it becomes part of your routine.

My favorite castor oil pack

2. HigherDOSE Body Sculptor

This combines microcurrent, red light, and a vigorous little massage, and I use it on my stomach, thighs, and booty. It feels amazing and I love using it when I’m feeling puffy or want a little extra body-care moment. Gravity is persistent, but so am I

HigherDOSE Body Sculptor (use FITNESSISTA15)

3. Forehead tape

I use two things on my forehead at night and it’s made a HUGE difference. I alternate between Frownies and this forehead patch that has a tiiiny but of Ghk-Cu. I tend to aggressively furrow my brow while I sleep and this helps remind those muscles to CHILL. It looks ridiculous and it works.

4. Facial suction cups + stainless steel gua sha

When my face is looking extra puffy, these are two of my favorite tools. I gently use the tiny facial cups and follow with my stainless steel gua sha.

Facial suction cups
Stainless steel gua sha

5. Nontoxic self-tanner

I love the Arizona sunshine more than my dermatologist would probably appreciate, so self-tanner lets me have some color without turning every pool day into a full-body rotisserie situation. I love that this one is nontoxic, doesn’t smell bad, and gives a natual color – no Oompa Loompa.

My favorite self-tanner

6. Posture exercises on my walking pad

This one is completely free and honestly makes such a difference. While I’m walking and working, I’ll add shoulder rolls, angels, side presses, and upper-back exercises. So many of us spend the day hunched over computers and phones, and standing taller might be the fastest free glow-up no one talks about.

My favorite walking pad

Worth mentioning that I bought the cheapest walking pad I could find on Amazon and here we are three years later.

7. Dry brushing

Before I shower, I’ll dry brush my arms, legs, and stomach using gentle strokes. I mainly love it because it exfoliates my skin, feels amazing, and gives me a little energy boost before I hop in the shower. It’s quick, inexpensive, and has been part of my routine forever.

My dry brush 

(use FITNESSISTA15)

8. Red light

Face, scalp, headache, cramps, soreness… the red light gets passed around our house like a family heirloom. It’s one of the few wellness/beauty devices I’ve owned for years and still use constantly, which says a lot because I have tried quite a few wellness gadgets.

My favorite red light device

(use FITNESSISTA for a huge discount)

9. Magnesium + the bathroom situation

We’re all adults here: feeling good is a lot harder when you haven’t gone to the bathroom in three business days. I focus on the basics first: hydration, plenty of fiber, walking, magnesium when appropriate, and the lovely Squatty Potty.

The magnesium I use
Squatty Potty

10. The full mermaid hair production

I’m a complete weirdo about my hair because I waited approximately 40 years for my long mermaid-hair era and I am protecting it at all costs. I use a HigherDOSE red light cap and scalp serum, rotate different oils and masks, massage my scalp, minimize damage, and treat my ends like fragile historical artifacts.

My hair used to refuse to grow much past my shoulders without breaking, and now at 41 it’s the longest and healthiest it’s ever been. I put my entire routine in one place if you want all of the details.

My full hair growth routine
HigherDOSE red light cap (use FITNESSISTA15)

11. Peptide skincare

I love peptide skincare and tend to rotate products depending on what my skin needs. OneSkin is a longtime favorite (use FITNESSISTA15) and I also use a GHK-Cu serum in my routine. Living in Arizona means my skin is permanently thirsty, so hydration is always a major priority too.

OneSkin (use FITNESSISTA15)
GHK-Cu serum

I also have used injectable peptides and share more about my journey on Substack. I need to post an update there, too!

A little reminder

You absolutely do not need a bathroom cabinet full of gadgets and potions to be healthy. The boring basics still matter the most: sleep, strength training, walking, nourishing food, hydration, stress management, and taking care of your health. The classics are classic for a reason.

These are just the extras I genuinely enjoy and have kept in my routine because they make me feel good, help me take a little extra care of myself, or are just for fun.

And if you’ve got a slightly unhinged wellness or beauty ritual you swear by, please tell me. I’m definitely your target audience

xo

Gina

Biohacking things that I think are overrated

Friendly reminder: This post shares my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. It isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about what’s appropriate for you, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a health condition.