7 new-wave habits to adopt for a happy and healthier 2021

You keep them around, you gift them, you might even charge them under a full moon, but did you know crystals work wonders in facials, too? Dr. Elizabeth Trattner uses them in her signature rejuvenation gemstone facial, a beauty-enhancing treatment she patented nearly 20 years ago. Visits to Dr. Trattner are intense—she’ll start with an in-depth skin evaluation (which includes a lifestyle consultation) before moving onto the 90-minute session that includes acupuncture, facial rolling, cupping, microcurrent and other modalities you’ve probably never experienced, let alone in a single session. Expect your skin to look plump and rejuvenated with fewer fine lines and wrinkles after just one visit. After three, you might start aging backward.

We’re sure you’ve been told to trust your gut and follow your intuition, but there’s more to reaching into one’s unconscious reasoning. Miami-based mentor Nikki Novo has developed a six-part course to help folks get deeper and tap into their spiritual sides, whether that means channeling energy, clearing chakras or connecting with other realms. Get as witchy as you want following along with guided meditations, cleaning rituals and more via the on-demand program.

Miracle Touch is perhaps the least relaxing but the most effective massage you can get in Miami. It’s a specific type of lymphatic drainage that rids the body of toxins, improves skin elasticity and enhances muscle definition in a single, 45-minute session. Sounds like a miracle, huh? Well, it kind of is. Body Project Movement’s Alexander Erickson is the licensed therapist who brought the sought-after Brazilian technique to Miami and he’s witnessed the transformation first-hand. “Through moving around certain types of fascia in the body, I can create a very dramatic silhouette effect,” says Erickson, whose clients have left his masseuse table inches smaller. Beyond the aesthetic benefits, Miracle Touch is great for bloating and general discomfort in the midsection, improved circulation and anxiety and depression. You’ll feel instantly lighter and happier once you’re no longer carrying around lymph nodes full of toxins. 

It’s a known fact that the personal care industry in the U.S. is minimally regulated, which has led to an abundance of products riddled with carcinogens, toxins and other harmful chemicals. While the FDA currently bans 11 cosmetic ingredients, the E.U. has banned more than 1,300 substances. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially for folks who are used to buying skin-care products without pouring over labels. Despite the prevalence of conventional beauty, Miami blogger Annie Vazquez tells us ditching the bad stuff is easier than one thinks. “Sticking to products clearly labeled vegan and cruelty-free is the easiest way to go clean,” she says. The longtime fashion-blogger-turned-clean-beauty-advocate also swears by the Think Dirty app, which you can use to scan personal care and household items you have at home in order to determine toxicity. Vazquez has seen the health benefits since going clean and shifting her blog’s focus to educate followers on the practice, including clearer skin. “I no longer get dizzy or feel nauseous from using certain products and I feel much more energized,” she adds.

Regular checkups are a good thing but sometimes you need to take things one step further. The doctors at the Biostation offer comprehensive panels that test for things like hormone levels and vitamin deficiencies, which could be the reason you’re tired all the time or have lowered immunity (hello, 2020!). It’s not just that most general practitioners don’t test for that kind of thing, but it’s also that prescriptions often take precedence over prevention. Comprehensive wellness institutes such as the Biostation take measures to get to the root of the problem and fix it with things like vitamin IVs (great for hangover relief, too) and vitamin shots. Whether you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up or looking to engage in an in-depth body analysis, or just want some last-minute botox, the Biostation handles it all in a cool, inviting space.

Forget hobbies. Make your well-being the pastime you lean into in 2021. Miami dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd has developed a digital program to help people with important lifestyle changes to lead healthier and longer lives. The Wellness Master Course is a self-study program made up of seven modules that take from two to four weeks to complete. Dr. Heather used lifestyle medicine to create sessions that address ways to boost immunity, get better sleep, relieve stress and exercise your brain for optimum productivity—among other things. If you’re the kind of person who subscribes to a dozen blogs and follows too many lifestyle gurus, you’ll benefit from a program that distills important information into accessible, digestible bits.

Foam rolling is like flossing, you know you should do it but you hardly get around to it. South Beach’s Body Roll Studio takes the analogy one step further, providing all the benefits your gums would receive from a visit to the dentist only it’s your muscles reaping all the rewards—and it’s relatively pain-free. Via mechanical pressure and infrared heated rollers, the machines tackle pressure points, release tension, reduce fat tissue, improve circulation and help eliminate waste. All you have to do is sit, wear a mask and let the magic happen.