If you’re among the 1.1 million people following Sjana Elise Earp on Instagram you’ve seen that the bendy, bubbly Australian knows a thing or two about living happily and healthily. The 21-year-old self-described “full-time fun-seeking photojournalist” is as obsessed with inversions and coconut oil as she is with finding the perfect slice of gluten-free pizza.
The blogger, yogi, world traveler, and model earned her massive following with her dreamy Instagram photos and real-talk-style blogging. (She doesn’t shy away from, well, anything. Recent topics have included everything from mental health to pubic hair maintenance.) And she’s all about tackling each day with positivity and a smile—hence her self-coined Smyle lifestyle brand, which stands for “secrets to make your life exceptional.” (Way better than smize, if you ask us.)
We caught up with Sjana (pronounced see-AHH-na) while she was in New York City to find out the seven happy, healthy things she does for herself every day. (Spoiler: To live like this darling from Down Under, you’re going to need a lot of coconut oil.)
1. See the sunrise.
“I try to see it every day. It’s hard when you travel and are jet-lagged, of course, but it’s an important start to my day. Rising with the sun makes me grateful for the day ahead, and it gives me energy. I like to watch it outside on the beach or on a cliff.”
2. Do yoga every. single. day.
“It’s the best thing ever. I’m self-taught, so I like to just practice on my own. After the sun comes up, I’ll do some yoga on the beach.”
3. Enjoy a salt immersion.
“After yoga, I’ll go for a quick swim in the ocean. It’s a lot warmer in Australia, of course, but as long as weather permits, I like to get a bit salty. Yoga is so grounding, but going for a swim is freeing and refreshing. You get rid of all that sand on your body from the yoga. And you just can’t dive under a wave and come up on the other side not smiling.”
4. Make sure that your breakfast is really fresh, healthy, and—most importantly—yummy.
“I like to have a huge bowl of fruit or some toast topped with avocado and tomato. I have celiac disease, so I follow a gluten-free diet.”
5. Use coconut oil for pretty much everything.
“I have a jar in my kitchen, one in my bedroom, and another in my bathroom. I use it as moisturizer as soon as I get out of the shower, and use it for oil pulling, putting on my eyelashes, making a face scrub with raw sugar or sand, cooking, and massages. I also dab a tiny bit on my fingertips after my shower and put it on the tips of my hair so it gets all wavy as it dries. I don’t use a hair dryer or straightener or curling iron—I usually just let my hair air dry out the car window on my way to meetings.”
6. Go au naturel.
“I like to keep my face as bare as possible. I rarely wear makeup. We sometimes feel pressure to put things on our face, but just be you. A smile is the most beautiful thing you can wear.”
7. Take at least 30 seconds, five minutes, or even 15 minutes during the day to be grateful.
“Hug a family member, call a friend, or just sit quietly and think about why you’re happy.”
Not a bad list! And how about one more item: self-love. Here’s how to tap into it even when you’re not feeling it.
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
