Lindsay Havlicek Bell, Psy.D., is a trained psychologist with over ten years of patient experience. She is also a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and registered yoga teacher. When not spending time with her family or practicing mindfulness, she might be writing for The Elephant Journal and other wellness publications. Check out how this wellness all-star plans her day:
Location: Lake Placid, NY
Personal Motto: When I follow my heart I can’t go wrong.
Favorite Vegetable: Root veggies
Favorite way to Center: SUP yoga
Favorite Book: “Horton Hatches the Egg” by Dr. Seuss
Favorite YouTube Video: Lately watching DIY videos on building tiny homes.
Tell us about your daily routine:
- 7-9AM ~ Wake up, breakfast, household chores, check email, and get the family ready for the day.
- 9-10AM ~ Yoga practice.
- 10AM-12PM ~ Work time: teach yoga, coach clients, computer work.
- 12-3PM ~ Lunch, errands, outside time with my son and dogs weather permitting.
- 3-7PM ~ Work time: teach yoga, coach clients, computer work
- 7-8PM ~ Dinner.
- 8-11PM ~ Relax with family, read, get ready for bed, lights out.
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
My yoga practice. Even if I only have ten minutes to practice, the time on my mat is sacred. After I practice I feel better, lighter, both physically and mentally. It makes me a better person. If I skip a few days I feel tight and cranky.
What do you think is unique or special about your daily routine?
My entire approach to wellness stems from mental health and happiness. I firmly believe that you can drink green juice, eat organic and raw vegan foods, and do 90 minutes of yoga everyday, but if you’re doing all of this because you somehow feel inadequate or that you’ll only be happy if a, b, and c are checked off than you will never be happy and well. A healthy lifestyle shouldn’t cause stress. It should reduce stress.
Whose “O” would you most love to see?
I would love to see everyone’s “O”.
My personal and professional life revolve around wellness, and I am constantly inspired by each and everyone’s wellness journeys. I loved reading through the Owaves blog, and reading about how other people do wellness. It shows just how attainable a healthy lifestyle is when people prioritize.
What is the best piece of health advice you’ve ever received?
If your healthy lifestyle causes you stress then it’s not healthy. Always strive for balance, and adopt healthy habits from a place of love. Workouts and eating well should never be done out of guilt. It’s important to check in with yourself and look at your intentions.
What is your favorite part about living a healthy lifestyle?
That a healthy lifestyle is a basic formula; however, there’s no one routine that works for everyone. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have strict rules, and is attainable for everyone. It all boils down to loving yourself, reducing stress, eating real foods, and getting active. You don’t have to eat kale, do daily yoga, and jog if that’s not your thing. Everyone can find something that they enjoy and meets their individual needs. People are apprehensive to “get well” because they’re overwhelmed and think that they have to do a bunch of things that they don’t like. It doesn’t need to be that way!
Describe your sleep ritual. What time do you go to bed? Do you do anything special to prepare?
I’m a night owl by nature. I love staying up late and relaxing when the world is quiet. With that said, getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for wellness. I cannot go to bed unless I’ve done my skincare ritual. Washing my face, doing a mask, and putting on moisturizer is very relaxing. After that, I try really hard to not look at my phone. When the phone plugs in to charge for the night, I need to unplug from my phone. I don’t feel my best unless I’ve gotten 8 or 9 hours of sleep. Being a new mom, I really miss my sleep, and try hard to build in extra relaxation time into my day. I think most of us are chronically sleep deprived, and don’t know it. Unfortunately, as a culture we tend to put sleep and relaxation on the bottom of the priority list. It needs to be moved up to the top!
If you could give one piece of health advice what would it be?
It would be to make wellness their priority. Life is better when you’re happy and healthy. No one else will do it for you.
Lindsay Havlicek Bell, Psy.D. is a Life Coach, Psychologist, Yoga Teacher and Writer. For more inspiration from Lindsay, follow her on Facebook and Instagram and check out her web site Happy Whole Life.