The Bare-Minimum Wellness Routine That Keeps Me Sane-ish

Wellness culture keeps telling us that the secret to a good life is sunrise yoga, aten-step skincare routine, and a Himalayan salt lamp that somehow costs more than next month’s rent. But on most days, I’m just trying to get through traffic without losing hope, manage work without burning out, show up for the people I love, and make space for the occasional identity crisis. In that reality, wellness has to look different. It has to be simple. Gentle. Human. And low-effort enough that it doesn’t collapse the moment Monday shows up.

Advertisment

So this is the bare-minimum wellness routine I’ve come to trust. Nothing fancy. Just small, doable habits that fit into real life, and keep you steady without needing a spa day budget or monk-level discipline.

1. The Morning Reset

Before your brain starts loading stress like background apps, give yourself a two-minute signal that a new day has begun.

• Splash cold water on your face
• Drink a glass of water (yes, before coffee)
• Stand by a window or balcony and breathe for 10 seconds

Advertisment

You’re not aiming for enlightenment. Just orientation.

2. The Two-Minute Move Rule

No gym. No mat. No pressure. Your new philosophy is to move for two minutes a day, in any way your body won’t protest.

• A big, stretchy morning yawn + shoulder rolls
• 10 squats while you make coffee
• A walk across your room repeated 5 times
• One song’s worth of light stretching

It’s not about fitness, it’s about circulation and shaking off that foggy, half-asleep energy.

3. The Three-Product Beauty Non-Negotiable

Indian weather can be… unpredictable. Scorching sun, pollution, dryness, humidity, all in one week. So pick threeproducts you’ll use daily, no matter how hectic life gets. That step becomes your anchor.

• A hydrating moisturiser, I prefer the Formularx Hydraveil Hydrating Gel Moisturizer With Ectoin & Ceramide, whichworks wonders for sensitive skin.
• A sunscreen that protects, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE400 , is superlight and leaves no white cast.
• A lip balm that makes you feel put together, the Kylie Cosmeticstinted Butter Balm smells delicious and keeps your lips hydrated for hours.

4. Your Daily Phone-Free Pocket

Not a full digital detox. Just ten minutes when your phone isn’t invited.

Choose one:

• First 10 minutes of your morning
• Last 10 minutes before bed
• While having a meal
• In the shower

This tiny boundary works wonders for your attention span and anxiety levels.

5. The Nightly Brain Unload

No perfect journaling. Just a quick, messy list of everything buzzing around your mind. Tasks. Thoughts. Worries. Things you need to remember tomorrow. All of it.

Emptying your mind before bed feels like clearing hundreds of browser tabs, liberating.

6. The 5% Rule

Ask yourself once a day:

“What would make the next hour feel 5% better?”

Tiny things count:

• A cold beverage
• Washing your face mid-day
• Playing soft music
• Sitting down for 5 minutes
• Changing into comfy clothes after work

Not perfection, just tiny upgrades.

This is wellness without the pressure. Beauty without the overwhelm. And self-care without the guilt. A routine so simple you can maintain it even on days when everything feels like too much. Because when life gets busy, the bare minimum isn’t laziness, it’s survival. And sometimes, it’s exactly what keeps you sane.

Also Read:

2025 In Beauty And Wellness: What Worked, What Didn’t, What We’d Repeat

Seven Surprisingly Sneaky Habits Messing With Your Blood Sugar