Hello, 2026! As I bid farewell to the Year of the Snake (good riddance), I’m reflecting on the highlights of my 2025 wellness favorites.
2025 was a whirlwind of navigating uncertain times, which forced me to lean heavily into self-care to balance the chaos. I learned how to enjoy life even when things felt like a lot. On those extra-hard days, I doubled down on intentional practices from luxurious skincare, high-quality supplements, and flexible morning routines (before the kids wakeup). Most importantly, carving out time for some seriously page-turning fiction.
Here are the things that truly upleveled my life this year—the products I repurchased, the brands that impressed me, the books that helped me unplug, and the habits I’m carrying into 2026. There were so many great things, but here is what really stuck out.
Holistic Wellness & Supplements for Better Sleep
In 2025, I focused on calming my nervous system (hello, parenting 2 toddlers), and seriously prioritizing rest at the beginning and end of the day. These three items were my go-to’s:
8 Sheep Organics Magnesium Lotion: Year after year, I rely on this magnesium lotion for sleep. I started using it during pregnancy, and now it’s my go-to when I’m feeling a little wired before bed. It helps me fall asleep faster and get a deeper sleep overall. I’ve gone through countless jars of this stuff.
Medical Medium Lemon Balm: I’ve been very into testing herbs this year. Following some of Medical Medium’s recommendations, I started taking lemon balm at night. It’s another helpful supplement in my sleep toolkit, and it tastes delicious, too.
Vimergy Chaga Mushroom Lattes: Fall had me craving all of the holiday coffees from my previous life. I love the taste of coffee but caffeine doesn’t love me. So instead, I turned to this caffeine-free mushroom latte using this Vimergy mushroom powder and my simple homemade almond milk. It made for an elevated afternoon pick-me-up without all the jitters.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Making the Plastic-Free Swap
This year, I made a few simple swaps to reduce my exposure to daily microplastics.
Mate the Label: I’ve been wanting to try these for so long! During Black Friday, I splurged on their plastic-free sports bras and a jogger set. The sports bras are incredibly supportive and comfortable, and I wear the jogger set on a weekly basis.
Bamboo Cutting Boards: I finally ditched my old plastic cutting boards for bamboo alternatives to help keep microplastics out of my kitchen.
Teapigs: I discovered Teapigs biodegradable tea’s at Whole Foods and I haven’t looked back. No more worrying about sipping on microplastics with every brew.
A Dishwasher Cleaner That Actually Worked
I’ve been struggling with my dishwasher for a while. It’s also only two years old. No matter what I did, it constantly had an odor. I cleaned the filter, ran long cycles with vinegar. Nothing worked!
Truly Free gifted me a few products to try, and I was genuinely impressed. Their Dishwasher Cleaner removed the odor with just one use. Plus, the inside of my dishwasher was sparkling.
Seriously, I haven’t had to use another packet since.
Simple Healthy Habits That Actually Stuck
Wellness isn’t always about buying another supplement, it’s also about simple habits that support balance. These three habits helped me add more balance to my life:
The 7 PM Phone Boundary: I started putting my phone in another room every night at 7 PM. It’s my favorite wind down ritual.
Morning Self-Care: I began prioritizing my health while taking care of the kids in the morning. I needed to break the habit of constantly putting myself last. Plus, I started getting up earlier to have a little time to myself before the morning rush.
Doing Less: Instead of trying to do everything, I focused on the 20% of tasks that actually make an impact. Applying this mindset to everything from work to exercise has been life-changing.
Gardening: I successfully planted cherry tomatoes last year and I’m excited to do it again! It was a relaxing activity that my kids enjoyed too.
Non-Toxic Skincare & Makeup Favorites of 2025
This year was about intentional non-toxic beauty. I pared down my routine to include only high-impact, indulgent products that make my morning and evening routines feel like a spa experience.
Results by Nature Quench Oil: After interviewing founders Samantha Marut and Kelly Tracy-Holly, I fell in love with their Quench Oil. It’s incredibly hydrating and a hormone-safe skincare staple.
Froya Organics Balm: Their Instant Rosacea, Acne, and Redness Stopper is a must-have for blemish-prone skin. I’ve been using it for months with great results. It’s a non-toxic skincare staple for sensitive skin that’s both affordable and deeply soothing.
Soshe Tinted Lip Balm: My go-to for a hydrating, everyday non-toxic lip color.
Ere Perez Foundation: So, I finally found a non-toxic tinted moisturizer that I like after months of searching. Meet, Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation. I’ve tried SO many including Ilia, RMS, Merit, Ogee, etc. Ere Perez in Malt for the win! It’s hydrating, provides medium coverage and doesn’t include sunscreen. I prefer to choose my skin protection.
Good Reads: Rediscovering the Joy of Fiction
For years, I only read wellness or business books. In 2025, I made a decision to have fun again. Escaping into a story became a vital part of my Sunday Reset.
My 2025 Book Recommendations:
- The God of the Woods
- The Lost Bookshop
- Broken Country
- All That Life Can Afford
- Educated by Tara Westover (a very late-to-the-party memoir I couldn’t put down)
Simple, Delicious Food
I was in such a food rut with easy meals that lacked real flavor. This year, I focused on recipes that were satisfying but required minimal stress. My 2025 rotation included:
- Smoked Salmon Toast on GF sourdough bread
- Korean-inspired rice bowls with beef, veggies, kimchi, and spicy sauce
- Turkey-stuffed sweet potatoes with tahini sauce
- Savory congee—made a big batch and snacked on throughout the week.
- Coconut yogurt topped with berries, walnuts, and maple syrup
Final Thoughts: Into 2026
That’s a wrap on my 2025 wellness favorites. This year was a wild ride. It taught me to allow things to unfold, choose quality over quantity, and make time for fun.
I’m continuously exploring how to do all the things I want to do but in sustainable ways. I’m notorious for pushing myself to the max, so… less of that.
Eating more whole foods while also not feeling guilty when I don’t. Making healthier choices without driving myself insane scrutinizing every single label. Because stress can be just as toxic.
I’m carrying all of my 2025 wellness favorites, and a few important mindset shifts, into the New Year. Let’s go, Year of the Horse!
