Weird Habits to Support Your Health

Jan 20, 2025 | Emotional Health, Personal Development

As I sit here with my feet on my grounding mat and my blue light blocking glasses on, I find myself reflecting on the unusual little habits I’ve picked up over the years to support my long-term health. These are small, often effortless “hacks” that have quietly become a normal part of my life.

If you’re one of my one-to-one clients, many of these habits will sound familiar as they’ve likely come up in our coaching sessions. I thought it might be worth sharing these more widely—who knows, you might find something here that resonates with you!

A quick disclaimer: I haven’t conducted my own scientific research on these practices; they’re simply things that feel beneficial to me. If you’re someone who enjoys diving into the science, I encourage you to explore that curiosity!

My Health Habits

 1. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Blue light from devices and artificial lighting after sunset and before sunrise can disrupt our circadian rhythms. A friend introduced me to these glasses when I was noticing how harsh our winter lighting felt. Ideally, I’d wear them from sunset to sunrise, but I usually put them on after my daughter goes to bed or when using my laptop after dark. They might look a little quirky, but they’ve even won over my mum, who now has her own pair!  (I also have a blue light free night light from the same company, that I use for teeth brushing and bedtime reading now – it provides a much calmer, gentler light for this time of day)

2. Unplugging Everything at Bedtime

This is my newest addition. For years, I’ve put my phone on airplane mode and kept it as far from my bed as possible (while still within reach for the alarm). However, I used to charge it overnight, alongside other devices. Recently, I learned that electrical wires can emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) even when the devices aren’t actively in use. Now, I unplug everything before bed, and I’ve noticed deeper sleep in just a few days!

3. Shakti Mat

My Shakti mat might look like a torture device, but it’s based on acupuncture principles and has become a bedtime favourite. Lying on it for 20 minutes relaxes both my body and mind, especially when I’m dealing with back or neck tension or racing thoughts.

4. Lemon Water

Every morning, I drink a glass of water with half a lemon squeezed in. The idea is that it rounds off the liver’s detoxifying efforts which happen overnight. I drink it immediately upon waking and wait 15 minutes before consuming anything else. Pro tip: don’t keep this glass on your bedside table—I’ve learned the hard way that spilled lemon water at night is no fun!

5. Grounding Mat

This mat connects to the earth wiring in your home’s electrics and helps discharge electrical charges our bodies accumulate throughout the day. I keep it under my desk, so my feet stay grounded while I work. Since using it, I’ve rarely experienced static shocks. Standing barefoot on the earth is a great alternative—though I skip this in colder months!

6. Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy uses NASA-approved technology to improve cellular function. A few minutes daily can be beneficial, so I incorporate it into my post-shower routine for five minutes.

7. Osmio Cleaner

To reduce exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals, I use an Osmio cleaner. It creates a non-toxic, multi-purpose cleaning solution via electrolysis, which also removes pesticides from produce and reduces plastic waste.

8. No Perfume

I don’t wear perfume and haven’t done for severals years.  I didn’t want to breathe it in anymore and after having my daughter, I definitely didn’t want my baby breathing it in.  If I want to wear a scent, then I have some essential oils and I will dot a little onto the outfit I am wearing.  

Mindset Habits

 9. Noticing When I’m Reactive

Occasionally, I feel the urge to lose my cool over something I’m finding tricky. Years of personal development have taught me that this is my system’s way of signalling the need to regulate my nervous system – rather than that the tricky thing is the problem. It’s a cue for me to pause, engage in self-care, or take a walk in nature. 

10. Meditation When I Feel “Off”

When I experience self-doubt or feel unsettled, I take 5–10 minutes to meditate. It helps me process emotions or connect with my inner wisdom, often bringing clarity or peace.

11. Touching Trees

When walking in the woods, I make a point of touching trees. I find their presence grounding and humbling, as well as offering a calming, restorative energy.

Supporting My Health

These little habits are things I’ve picked up along the way. While I can’t guarantee they’re all making a measurable impact, they empower me to take small, proactive steps towards better health.  

I’d love to hear from you! Do you have any alternative health hacks or unusual practices that support your well-being? A big thank you to my friend and colleague Ali Scott for introducing me to a couple of these ideas!