Mind & Body

Health guru Kimberly Snyder’s AM/PM routine

Wellness expert, nutritionist, and The New York Times bestselling author KIMBERLY SNYDER shares her love of Ayurvedic therapies, hacks for holistic travel, and how to eat your way to good health and glowing skin

Beauty
Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder believes being in nature every day is an essential wellness practice

IN THE MORNING

As soon as I wake up…

…I take care of my baby, play with my five-year-old, and meditate [for] a quiet moment!

I swear by a simple, four-step skin routine…

…using my Solluna Feel Good Cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, Moisturizer and Eye Cream, which I use morning and night. I live in southern California, where we get a lot of sun exposure, and this is my secret weapon to keeping my skin healthy and youthful, along with always wearing sunscreen and a big hat. I also practice tongue scraping – an Ayurvedic practice – and I meditate without fail.

The way we feel is rooted in our gut health…

… so I take digestive enzymes to help metabolize protein, fat and carbs, so I get the maximum nutrients from the foods I eat, and it also helps to reduce bloating and gas. Plus, probiotics are a key part of keeping the immune system strong, as up to 80 percent of the battle for the body’s health via the immune system occurs in the gut. I also take a magnesium oxide supplement that [is said to] improve detoxification and support intestinal health for strengthened immunity, which we could all use right now!

On a ‘bad face’ day…

…I apply extra [Solluna Feel Good] Vitamin C Serum, which has a real brightening effect. I also do a quick inversion, like a simple forward bend, to bring more blood flow to my face, and drink an extra Glowing Green Smoothie so I feel nourished. When I feel good in my body, it makes my face feel better, too.

I have a healthy travel plan…

…where I eat salads before and after flying. Flying creates oxidative damage, but antioxidants repair or prevent that free-radical damage and aging. Glutathione is the master antioxidant in the body and asparagus is a leading source, while broccoli, avocado and spinach contain amino acids that the body converts into glutathione. I always adjust to the time zone I land in and try to push a little on that first day. It can be brutal, but it makes the whole assimilation process go more smoothly. Hemp milk, bananas and sweet potatoes help boost better sleep and, if I’m not sleepy, I avoid TV and computers at all costs, as screens are stimulating. I also try to get as much natural sunlight as possible to reset my circadian rhythms, and I’ll have a cold shower – it’s not the most fun, but it helps boost the circulation so you feel more energized after a flight.

Being in nature every day…

…is one of my essential practices – usually it’s walking, hiking or meditating, anything to get the body in motion and circulating. I love the dirt, the big skies, the greenery, the animals, the simplicity and the stillness – it keeps me grounded. Earth mama is here to help all of us heal, she’s just waiting to connect with us.

Our skin health is closely tied to food…

… and good digestion, nutrition and detoxification are great starting points for building a healthy body from the inside out. Besides focusing on what we put into our bodies when it comes to what I eat or choose not to eat, it’s also important to support detoxification. I limit animal products, alcohol and caffeine, while getting lots of fiber to help sweep out waste and toxins.

For the best advice…

…I follow my yoga guru Paramhansa Yogananda’s [guidance] to “slow down and feel the power of the present moment”. It keeps me in a flow state as I navigate moving between my kids, my hubby, my writing, running my business, hosting the podcast, and so on.

I take a shower to feel like I’m washing away all the stress and everything that happened that day, and it helps to prepare me for sleep. I also meditate – it’s the ultimate way to clear out the day and recenter

IN THE EVENING

When I have time for a pamper…

…I like Epsom-salt baths and clay masks. I also love the infrared sauna blanket by HigherDose. And I’m a big fan of scalp massage with sesame oil to make your hair grow thicker.

A few days before a big event…

…I start cutting out excess salt, and consume a lot more Glowing Green Smoothies and vitamin C-rich fruit on an empty stomach. I also love snacking on coconut yogurt. Coconut is packed with potassium, which helps regulate the fluid levels inside cells and balances puffiness.

I love Ayurvedic therapies…

…like shirodhara and abhyanga treatments from recommended Ayurvedic spas.

My best beauty tip is…

…focus on your digestion – it’s key to having wonderful skin.

If I’m feeling tired but wired…

…I take a shower to feel like I’m washing away all the stress and everything that happened that day, and it helps to prepare me for sleep. I also meditate – it’s the ultimate way to clear out the day and recenter.

On my nightstand I have…

…my salt lamp (which gives a reddish hue and I use in lieu of a regular lamp), To Be Victorious in Life by Paramahansa Yogananda, and [a cup of] herbal tea.