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A Mindfulness Expert Shares the Healthy Habits That Keep Her Grounded
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By Emma Stessman
At last year’s Nutritious Life Studio Masterclass, Barb Schmidt shared her tips for fostering happiness and clarity in daily life. Everyone in the room was instantly inspired by the meditation and mindfulness expert’s creative energy and joyful spirit—and they were not alone.
Schmidt’s non-profit, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, has a combined social following of over six million people. Through the organization, she and her daughter (the company’s creative director, Michelle Maros) help to fund teachers, programming, and workshops that educate on mindfulness and wellness practices. Along with leading weekly meditations, Schmidt brings the three-part stress-management and happiness program, outlined in her 2014 book The Practice, to children, high school students, and young adults living with autism.
RELATED: Yes, It’s Possible to Teach Kids to Meditate; Here’s Why You Should
Her methods are easy to employ and uber effective. Take this clarity exercise she shared with our Masterclass participants. When faced with a big decision, she suggests you “write a letter to yourself from your deepest truth, from clarity, from courageous honesty.” By doing this in a completely non-judgmental way, you can reveal the truths you didn’t even know you had in you. (For example, yes you totally can be your own boss.)
Of course, that’s not the only super helpful practice that Schmidt keeps in her wellness toolkit. From long baths to 5:00 a.m. meditations, she has plenty of healthy habits that keep her grounded day to day. Here, she’s sharing a handful, so you can take a page out of the mindfulness master’s handbook.
How Does Barb Schmidt Live a Nutritious Life?
If you had to name your healthy diet, what would you call it? Simple Veggie Options for Energy and Confidence.
RELATED: One Surprisingly Simple Hack for More Energy
What’s your go-to breakfast? Ever since I read Ageless Body Timeless Mind in the ‘90s, I’ve started my day with hot lemon water. After my morning meditation, I usually eat some form of eggs and fruit.
Your go-to workday lunch? I love spinach and kale salads. I add lots of nuts to my salads and usually have a side of hummus.
What’s the one food you always have in your fridge? Lemons! I put lemon juice in water and on my veggies.
The one food you’d never buy? I never buy sugar. I’m more of a savory food person, and if I need a sweetener for coffee I use organic stevia.
RELATED: This is What Too Much Sugar Does to Your Body
The snack you always have with you when traveling? Raw almonds!
Your favorite food indulgence? Cheese! I’ve been having a lot of cauliflower pizzas lately.
Other than water, what do you sip regularly? Coffee! Or lattes, espresso, flat whites, etc. My all-time favorite is Erewhon’s coconut latte.
How often do you exercise, and what’s your workout of choice? I go to yoga, pilates, and barre classes three to six days a week depending on my travel schedule. I walk my dog Ellie every day.
RELATED: Why Having a Furry Friend May Be Good for Your Health
How do you stay active outside of the gym? I love hiking and walking. My last hiking trip was in England’s Lake District and I hope to walk the El Camino this year.
What’s your go-to tool for managing stress? I usually wake up before 5:00 am without an alarm, and I meditate before starting my day. For me, this is key for starting the day off right.
How do you pamper yourself when you need it? I love taking long baths and napping. Growing up I only took showers because they were faster, but I’ve learned to slow down and give myself time just to be with me. Finding time to cultivate a relationship with yourself is the most important part of self-care.
How do you express and spread love? I create mantra art cards to send to friends and family. I use specific mantras in meditation to send out healing to individual people (and the world).
What does it mean to you to “live consciously”? Living consciously means being in alignment with the deepest desires that I have for my life. It means pressing pause before I make a choice or take an action to make sure that it is something I really want to do.
What’s your weirdest healthy habit? I love being barefoot. I don’t like to wear shoes in the house. I also love being out in nature. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been known for falling asleep reading under trees.
Lightning Round
Meditation or massage? Meditation
A hot shower or a soothing bath? Soothing bath.
Almond butter or peanut butter? Almond butter.
Coffee or tea? Coffee.
A long run outside or a dark spin class? Neither one actually! I prefer walking and Pilates.
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
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