Elle Macpherson’s 5 self-care basics for super-charged energy

From healthy travel hacks to ageless advice, supermodel Elle Macpherson has plenty of good-for-you intel to share. Here, the Well+Good Council member divulges her go-to tips for super-healing me-time.

I’ve spent decades building a career as a model and a wellness entrepreneur, and while it’s work that I absolutely love, the pace can be relentless. It’s easy for me—just like it’s easy for any busy woman—to neglect self-care, but I’ve come to realize that it really is non-negotiable if you want to keep succeeding.

Over the years, I’ve learned some broad, simple health lessons (like the power of routine and ritual), as well as some that are a bit more specific to my body and my journey. But hopefully there’s a little wellness wisdom in here for every busy woman, everywhere.

Here are 5 lessons I’ve learned for taking care of myself—and they can work for you, too.

Lesson 1: Meditation is a life changer

I meditate every single day as part of my morning ritual. It can be for as little as 10 minutes, but sometimes I’ll give myself 40—particularly on my busiest days. Paradoxically, the more I have on my plate, the more time I need to center myself. Carving out those extra minutes gives me the mental space I need to take on a big to-do list.

Lesson 2: Gratitude is powerful

I start every day by thinking about five things I’m grateful for. Sometimes I write them down, but often thinking about them is enough. It’s a simple practice that fundamentally changes my outlook for the day, and it’s contagious. If you’re feeling positive, it really does spread.

Lesson 3: A balanced body is a healthy body

A few years ago, I was feeling really run-down despite my best efforts, which is when I met my nutritionist, Simone Laubscher, PhD. She explained that my pH levels of acid to alkaline were off—a common byproduct of a modern diet that is increasingly heavy on sugar, alcohol, red meat, dairy, and coffee (not to mention the effects of pollution and chronic stress). I now try and eat a plant-based diet, sip plenty of water, and use my line’s alkalizing formula. It’s not about giving up everything you love; it’s about finding balance.

Lesson 4: Always, always make time for friends

When people ask me what I do for self-care, I definitely talk about eating well, moving daily, and sleeping enough. But then I immediately tell them about the importance of friendship. I find to connect whenever I can. I’ll work out with friends, take a lazy bike ride together, or even just watch a movie. Making that time to be with the people I love unconditionally helps to slow me down and lift me up at the same time.

Lesson 5: Happiness starts in the gut

If I’m stressed or anxious, I immediately feel it in my gut. I’ll become bloated and start to gain weight in my mid-section. Over the years, I’ve learned how much the gut influences all of our systems, and how stress can throw off the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria in our bellies. The simple (and of course, not-so-simple) key I’ve learned is how to de-stress, which is where meditation, gratitude, friends, and lots and lots of yoga come in!

The perennial “Australian Girl Next Door,” Elle Macpherson has been a prominent figure in business, fashion, film, and television for the past 30 years, winning scores of awards for her ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive. Today, she serves as the co-founder and creative director for WelleCo, a premium wellness brand known for its alkalizing Super Elixir organic supplements. 

What should Elle write about next? Send your questions and suggestions to [email protected].