Bella Hadid caused a stir recently by showcasing her intricate morning regimen on TikTok, complete with a variety of pills, tinctures, green juice, sea moss gel, and other "detox" concoctions. Many other famous figures also flaunt their elaborate self-care routines to kick off the day. But should the average person strive to emulate them?
Experts disagree. Instead, they recommend that individuals concentrate on a few manageable steps that work for them - without striving for perfection.
"This morning routine is not practical for the majority of women and is simply unnecessary for good health. If it suits her, that's great, but it's probably not what most people require to start their day. Plus, where's the actual breakfast?" remarked Laura Ligos, a registered dietitian nutritionist, noting that these seemingly flawless celebrity morning routines are frequently unattainable.
Another instance is Jennifer Aniston's morning schedule, which involves rising at 4:30 a.m. on workdays, enjoying a cup of hot water with lemon, skincare, meditation, a smoothie, and a workout, as detailed in an interview with Well+Good.
Gwyneth Paltrow kicks off her morning routine with tongue scraping, oil pulling, 20 minutes of transcendental meditation, a workout, dry brushing, and celery juice.
"Again, this all sounds great. But is this realistic for everyone? No. Is it necessary for everyone? Also no," says Amanda Holtzer, a registered dietician based in New Jersey.
Here are four approachable, expert-recommended steps to try out instead:
1. Skip your cellphone
Ligos says ditching your phone in the morning is a simple way to start your day off on the right foot.
James Clear, the author of "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," previously told CBS News that it can help to stop using your phone as an alarm.
"So you wake up, you turn your alarm off and then rather than getting out of bed, you lay there and just start to scroll. And it's like, well, I don't quite want to get up yet, and then before you know it, 10, 15, 20 minutes have passed," he said. "So I think one solution to that is to charge your phone in another room each day rather than keeping it next to you."
2. Hydrate
Holtzer and Ligos both say to replenish your body with a drink of water when you wake up. Ligos also suggests having a glass before your morning coffee or tea.
3. Take time for you
This can be personalized depending on your goals, Holtzer says.
"I recommend that everyone take a moment to think about what they want out of their morning routine," she says. "Ask yourself: How much time do I have in the morning to dedicate to myself? What responsibilities do I absolutely have to check off my list each morning?"
Focusing on fitness? Schedule in some time for a quick workout. Looking to de-stress? Incorporate meditation, Holtzer suggests. How about a natural boost? Some morning sunshine or a lamp that mimics daylight can help, Ligos says.
Clear says that taking on simple, achievable tasks, like making your bed, can help build momentum for the rest of your day, too. It helps get "positive flow" going, he says, helping you move on to tackle the more challenging tasks ahead.
4. Fuel your body
A healthy, filling and protein-packed breakfast is another important step to fuel yourself for the rest of your day, Ligos and Holtzer say.
"Certainly if you need to take (medications or) some supplements, do that, but you don't take them just because a celebrity or influencer tells you to," Ligos adds.
"Embracing Imperfection"
While it's natural to be intrigued by the daily lives of our beloved celebrities, it's important to approach it with caution.
"What may work for them may not necessarily work for us, and that's perfectly fine!" Ligos emphasizes. "Let's avoid comparing ourselves to celebrities who have access to greater resources and disposable income."
It's also crucial to remember that perfection is not a requirement in our own routines.
"You don't have to adhere to every single aspect of a morning routine to kickstart a healthy and positive day," Holtzer advises. "It's alright to skip a workout or overlook meditation on some days. ... Perfection is an illusion, and striving for a 'perfect' morning routine should not be the ultimate objective."
