Getting into a healthy routine is honestly one of the most difficult things I do, but over time finding those life hacks that work for you, once you find them, is pure gold. Here is my golden ticket and I hope this information helps give you ideas on how to find yours. ~ J. Forsyth
🌅 Morning Kick‑Start
Shower + Dress: I dive straight into a quick shower and get dressed. It’s like flipping the “on” switch for my brain, and it gives me the energy to tidy up my home so it’s a cozy nest for winding down later. Because of my severe dry skin, particularly in winter, I coat my face and body in Active Skin Repair Serum (link). It works so well for me and is easily absorbable so I don’t feel like a greasy mess in the morning (a pet peeve of mine) and the excess in my hands work well to set my hair – BONUS!
Coffee Ritual: I brew a cup of Mount Hagen organic instant coffee. “Instant?” you ask—yes! It’s surprisingly delicious, and all I have to do is heat the water. While I wait for the kettle to sing, I raid the fridge for my cold health shots and take any other liquid medications I have:
- Dose & BrocShot, DHEA and Prostate Health – my daily liquid meds.
- Frog Fuel – a protein boost that steadies my blood sugar and fires up my energy.
📰 News‑Free Zone (Sort Of)
Now I sit with my cup of coffee: Scrolling endless feeds makes my mood tank from political fatigue (link to learn more). Instead, I carve out 20 minutes each morning for curated newsletters that land right in my inbox.
- Letters from an American (Presidential Historian Heather Cox‑Richardson) gives today’s headlines a historic spin.
- 1440 delivers pure, unbiased reporting—no editorial fluff.
- West Virginia Watch keeps me plugged into state‑level happenings.
When I crave real‑time updates, I pull up the Ground News app. It bundles multiple sources and flags bias, so I stay informed without drowning in noise. I’ve even hidden the app on my phone—opening it takes a deliberate tap, which reminds me to stay intentional.
📚 Reset with a Little Zen
Even the lightest news can feel heavy, so after my briefing I switch to “7 Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra from my Libro App (link) – it’s like Audible, but proceeds go to a local bookstore of my choice. I start each Sunday with the longest lesson, then drip‑feed a new lesson each week (around 10-15 min.) It’s my mental palate cleanser before the start of the day and sets me in a spirit of positivity. (Pro tip: Find a daily devotional that vibes with you—it’s a game‑changer.)
🚶♀️ Walk‑to‑Work Perk
Living just a stone’s throw from the clinic means I walk to work—a luxury I’ve enjoyed for seven years and wouldn’t trade for anything. Coming from the grind of work commuting traffic of Dallas and Atlanta is something I never wish to return to.
💪 Break‑Room Power‑Session
I’m not a fan of public gyms, but I love a private workout. My go‑to app is the free version of the Caliber (link), which builds a custom plan based on the gear I have, the time I can spare, and how many days I want to train. As 50 approaches (months away), three strength‑training days a week keep me feeling strong. Each day focuses on a different strength training area of the body.
All I need:
- Smartphone (for the Caliber app)
- Yoga mat
- Comfy clothes
- Resistance bands (Amazon find link)
A typical 30‑minute circuit looks like this:
- Exercise – reps followed by a short ‘rest’.
- Micro‑break – I prepare my Nanomeal (link) and hydration drinks for the day (apple cider vinegar or other hydration drops like justaddbuoy).
- Mini‑tasks – during ‘rests’ between reps I might start a load of work laundry, get the office opened up etc.
- Frog Fuel – I have a second one of my day to help with recovery from my workout.
Those little pockets of “rest‑time” let me squeeze a solid workout while also performing mundane things around the office without sacrificing sleep that waking up early and going to a gym would require. If I were exercising at-home I would use these ‘rest’ periods around the house straightening things up.
Using my apple watch to track my daily activity / workouts with Activity, Standing and Exercise Goals that fit my age, weight and height keep me on a track and alert me when I’m slipping. If I find holiday or family-time eating adds some weight I’m uncomfortable with, I will toggle to Dr. Skip’s ‘Lose Weight & Stay Full Diet (link)’.
🧘♂️ 7‑Minute Chi Flow (Tai-Chi made easy)
After the workout, I slip back into work clothes and fire up the free Master Li app (link) for a quick 7‑minute Chi session. Those guided breaths reboot my nervous system and leave me buzzing with energy for the day ahead. This is my time for prayer or just emptying my mind if I’m feeling overwhelmed.
💊 Supplement Station
On my desk sits a Sun‑Sat morning/evening pill organizer (Amazon find). My weekly printed checklist with daily tasks—voicemails, patient messages etc., with “take morning supplements”—keeps me on track. A phone reminder would likely do if I didn’t have a printed checklist. How I prepare my supplements are provided in this article in the quick marker tip section (link).
- Morning: Another Frog Fuel for gut comfort, plus my Nanomeal‑powered supplement combo. Morning Supplements taken — check!
- Throughout the day: I sip the Nanomeal and stay hydrated with my chosen drink. For a hot hydrating beverage, I drink herbal teas all day.
🍜 Lunch‑Lite Logistics
Time for a culinary masterpiece? Not really. If I’m feeling organized, I’ll pack a mason‑jar salad. Otherwise, I keep Mike’s organic ramen noodles (just add hot water) and protein bars handy. Beef sticks from Chomps are my go‑to snack when hunger strikes. I get all of my healthy snacks for work delivered right to the office door from Thrive Market (link).
🌙 Evening Wind‑Down
Before I close up with clinic, I tick the “take evening supplements” box on my checklist. My liquid boosters sit in the break‑room fridge, so I take them before heading home. I’ve found that taking my evening supplements before dinner—instead of perhaps tucking them on a nightstand—helps me sleep better. The Nanomeal I sip all day doubles as a cue: finish it if I haven’t already, then reach for the evening‑time supplements (or a final sip of my hydration drink). With a daily routine like this I can have a guilt free dinner (within reason).
🎉 Bottom Line
By turning everyday chores into intentional rituals—showering, coffee, curated news, micro‑workouts, and scheduled supplements—I’ve built a sustainable rhythm that keeps me grounded, energized, and ready for whatever the day throws at me. Give it a try, sprinkle in your own favorite hacks, and watch the chaos turn into a well‑choreographed dance!