February Favorites + Q&A
Plus, the question of the hour: Are women inherently drawn to elaborate wellness routines?
Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well. I surveyed my paid subscribers this week, and my mom said she wanted to see more of my own writing. So I’m excited to formally launch a monthly favorites + Q&A column (read last month’s here).
Yesterday, I spoke to a reporter about the root cause of women’s obsession with optimizing their health and wellness (her words, not mine), and what it’s all for. This morning, I’m typing this from my new vibration plate, which I have conveniently set up in my bathroom next to my red light, while using my micro-current device and listening to Gregorian chants all at the same time. (I know, this is a lot...paging laura reilly!)
And, to be honest, I’m not consciously thinking about what it’s for, only that I’m feeling good doing it.
🔍 Quick Explainer: Vibration Plates & Red Light Therapy
Vibration plates and red light therapy are having a moment online, with many users calling it “Shake ‘n Bake.” But what do they actually do?
Vibration Plate: Your Full-Body “Tune-Up”
The rapid muscle contractions act like a little internal pump, moving blood and lymphatic fluid, boosting circulation and lymphatic drainage, and reflexively activating muscles. Think of it as a full‑body “tune‑up” that wakes up your body while helping flush out fluid and toxins. I love doing it after a warm bath or shower, as my body is already in a parasympathetic state and the vibration is less jarring. (The warmth of the bath/shower also “primes” your lymphatic system and circulation.)
Red Light Therapy: The Skin Savior!
Red light therapy has a growing body of clinical evidence behind it — especially when you stay consistent with your sessions. Research shows it can support skin health and anti‑aging, promote hair growth, reduce inflammation and pain, and improve sleep quality when timed appropriately.1 I have been bullish on it for years, and am often told I look like I’m in my early 20s (I’m 28)…take from that what you will. I use my red light device daily, and am also in the process of testing Current Body’s Red Light Mask (10% off with code HEALTHGOSSIP)…more on that soon.
💡 Pro tip: Try to do red light in the morning, as earlier exposure is less likely to interfere with melatonin signaling later in the evening. It also pairs nicely with copper peptides, which I apply after doing the micro-current.
In a way, women have always been like this — primed for ritual. Cleopatra famously maintained a detailed beauty routine, regularly bathing in rose petals, honey, and donkey milk (she owned 700 donkeys just for this purpose). Others, like Empress Joséphine and Catherine de’ Medici, were big on oil massage and herbal infusions.
To say we’re only doing these things to meet external expectations strips women of their agency entirely.
And frankly, in an era of uninspiring architecture and relentless tech-bro optimization, prioritizing beauty in all areas is certainly not a narcissistic pursuit. The “War on Beauty” is real!
I also think we need to live a bit alternatively to be “healthy” in our current moment. Beyond just looking better, these practices help counteract screen time, environmental stress, and the wear-and-tear of modern life. (Personally, I’m focused on optimizing my fertility.)
Anyway, rant over — onto the favorites + subscriber questions…
Below: everything I’ve been enjoying this month, plus answering your questions on Peating, entering the wellness industry, the finitude of personal change, and more.