“It’s really important to me that we think of wellness in service to our lives, and not think about wellness as a goal unto itself,” Vanessa Cornell founder of the NUSHU, a community of women on spiritual journeys to find deeper connections and meaning, tells Sage + Sound. “We can get so caught up in perfecting our wellness, measuring our wellness, and pursuing our wellness that we forget that the point is to live our lives! To me, wellness is creating the conditions for us to experience the full potential of human experience.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. To that point, there’s no “one thing” that Vanessa does or doesn’t do. “I don’t have a wellness routine or ritual. I am not strict, nor am I disciplined. People are often surprised when I say this,”she says.”
Instead, she asks herself, “How do I feel? What do I need? What do I want? To me, the only thing that you need to do every day is build awareness within yourself of what feeds you, what you as a unique individual need to thrive, and what brings you joy, ease, and peace.”
Here, she shares her AM/PM.
AM
I make my favorite drink in the morning which is a mixture of coffee, cacao, Anima Mundi happiness adaptogenic blend, a touch of Kroma Spicy Passion Latte and this amazing freeze-dried coconut milk from Milli Mylk.
I pour about ¼ of a cup of coffee. I add all the dry ingredients (pro tip - premix the dry ingredients and store in a violet glass jar) and blend with a hand frother. Add hot water and enjoy!!
I have a signature fragrance that I created from some of the most exquisite botanical essences I’ve ever come across (the scent is a passion and I am an amateur perfumer). I dab it on my wrists first thing in the morning. The fragrance is so powerful - it feels like it runs through my whole being, body, and soul, and it sets me on the right path for the day. I’ll use it throughout the day to bring me back to center.
I don’t wear much makeup, but I love the Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer from Chantecaille. It gives just enough coverage and is also a sunscreen for the day.
PM
My husband and I have a shared passion for great wine, so much so that we decided to buy land, plant a vineyard, and make it. Enjoying a glass of wine at dinner with him is one of my favorite parts of the evening.
I’m a super fan of Peekay’s Herbs, which I know Sage and Sound also loves. I personally use the Clean as a Whistle all the time because of some recurring sinus issues and I reach for On The Edge whenever I feel under the weather or a cold coming on.
As I’ve gotten older, I find I’m not sleeping as well as before. I personally don’t love Melatonin but have found that ARTAH’s Sleep Tonic gives me just the right amount of support to drop off to sleep.
A friend of mine gave me a set of linen pajamas from Deiji Studios and I’ve been obsessed ever since. They are the definition for me of better fewer things. My definition of luxury has definitely changed, and this brand really fits the bill for me.
I’ve been really leaning into Guasha for my face and scalp to ease tension. Lanshin makes beautiful products and has a lot of great online tutorials and education about Chinese medicine and holistic health.
Barbara Sturm’s Skin Tea is phenomenal. I make a large pot of it at night, drink a cup hot, and then leave the rest of the pot to steep overnight. In the morning, I use the room temperature tea to fill my water bottle. I find it much easier to sip tea all day than water.
