1 She Starts the Day With a Walk
“[7.30am is] time for a walk with my dog, Dexter,” she says. “I got really lucky that he and I have the same sleep schedule. If I need to catch a couple extra hours of sleep he’s right there with me, but on days when I’m up bright and early, he’s ready for his morning walk. Our walks are the perfect way to get my mind right for the day ahead. I usually grab a bottle of Evian — gotta stay hydrated — and his leash and we head out for a stroll around the neighborhood. While walking, I make a mental list of my intentions for the day.” “Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season,” says Harvard Health. “A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.”
2 She Loves Group Classes
Lipa loves working out with her friends. “Whether it’s on Zoom, doing a workout with my friend Ella in LA who leads a kickass workout class called Sculpt With Ella, or with my best friend Bunny who comes over to train me on days when I’m feeling super lazy and need someone to get me motivated, getting physical really starts my day off right.” “Working out with a crowd carries a plethora of intertwined benefits that include enhancing consistency, duration, motivation, conversation and inspiration,” says Dian Griesel, PhD. “Workouts with others improve consistency because they involve a commitment. ‘No shows’ and cancellations get noticed by others and positive peer pressure can help curtail the urges to skip a workout … or quit.”
3 She Enjoys Yoga and Pilates
“I also love to do yoga, Pilates, or strength training,” Lipa says. “People who practice yoga and are mindful eaters are more in tune with their bodies,” says Harvard Health. “They may be more sensitive to hunger cues and feelings of fullness. Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood. People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga. Researchers attributed this to mindfulness. Mindful eating can lead to a more positive relationship with food and eating.”
4 She Dances For Cardio
Lipa is constantly performing dance routines on stage, and considers that to be her cardio workout. “I like to leave my cardio workout to dancing,” she says. “The physical benefits of dance cardio are an improved cardiovascular system, flexibility, strength, increased energy, memorization, and weight loss,” says Zumba instructor Alethia Tukes.
5 She Loves To Cook
“I love cooking and being surrounded by my favorite people, though I also love ordering from the fantastic restaurants in my area — especially as there’s no indoor seating at the moment due to the pandemic,” Lipa said back in May 2021. “With all the running around I do for work, it’s nice to come home, slow down, and connect with the food that nourishes my body and life.” Lipa is on to something: There are many benefits to cooking at home. “When we cook at home, we are in control,” says dietitian Ben Atkinson. “McDonald’s fries have 19 ingredients. We can make them at home with far less — and they will taste just as good. A favorite at my house is potatoes cut into wedges, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Put these in a Ziploc bag to mix together. Then place in the oven on a pan for about 30 minutes at 400 F. It’s only five ingredients, and tastes fabulous.”
6 She Is “Religious” About Skincare
No matter how tired or busy she is, Lipa never goes to bed without washing her face. “I am religious about washing my face and doing my nighttime skincare routine every evening,” she says. “Even when it’s a rehearsal day and I’m not wearing makeup, it is so important to wash the day off. I also use this time to check in with myself and practice gratitude.”
7 She Reads Before Bedtime
Lipa likes to wind down at night with a good book and some meditation. “Tonight I’m reading Three Women by Lisa Taddeo to wind down a bit before I try to sleep,” she says. “I’ve been rehearsing like crazy so my mind is always racing at the end of the day. It’s really comforting to grab a book and get transported to another world. I also like to take 30 minutes to meditate before bed for that added wind-down.” “I enjoy a book at bedtime and generally recommend that people read fiction at night rather than nonfiction,” says sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus. “With fiction you are not being introspective or using a lot of brainpower, so it can be more relaxing. With nonfiction, the experience can feel more reflective and alerting.”