I Spent Half a Year in the English Countryside—These Practices Transformed My Body More Effectively Than Any Diet.

      There's an increasing fascination with the aesthetic of the English countryside. Perhaps it's influenced by farmhouse-core trends or the revival of Harry Styles, but many young women in my social feeds are sporting wellies and adding the Yorkshire Dales to their travel lists. While I typically encounter content about Francophile or romantic Italian themes (think: The French Sunday or Italian Girl aesthetic), it’s quite unusual to see a surge of England-related content, especially considering I grew up there.

      My upbringing in Northern England was certainly not glamorous. Life there was as provincial as anywhere else—walking to school and taking the bus to the city center on weekends—though there were a few more medieval abbeys sprinkled throughout and a considerable amount of rain. When my family relocated to New York City during my early teenage years, I swiftly transitioned into a city girl. Now residing in LA, I've adapted to the LA girl lifestyle (think full Erewhon-core). So, when I returned to England last year, I felt akin to Californian Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap.

      In the countryside, the main challenge was maintaining my wellness routines without the easy access to wellness amenities I had come to rely on. However, embracing the English-girl approach to wellness helped me return to basics, reconnecting with the reasons behind my habits. I discovered that although I enjoy the convenience and aesthetic of LA wellness culture, wellness doesn’t have to be costly to be significant. In fact, by eliminating the hyper-consumerist segments of my routine, I nurtured more intuitive and sustainable habits. Here are seven wellness practices I adopted while living in the English countryside that not only improved my health but are so beneficial that I plan to bring them back with me to LA.

      “By eliminating the hyper-consumerist aspects of my routine, I cultivated more intuitive and sustainable habits.”

      1. Keep It Simple

      Despite their image of being posh and a bit stuffy, the Brits are surprisingly unpretentious. They appreciate things that are straightforward and stand firmly on tradition. I learned to embrace English simplicity—even in my wellness practices. Without Erewhon or health food chains to stock my favorite snacks and drinks, and with my city having double the national average of protected buildings (where historic structures can’t be altered to modernize amenities), I couldn't rely on fitness studios or saunas opening up around me.

      Eventually, I recognized that streamlining my routine was an opportunity to evaluate what I truly valued. I assessed which habits were meaningful and which ones were merely visually appealing on Pinterest. I ended up condensing my skincare routine (from ten steps to three or four), my supplement regimen (I realized I only needed a multivitamin or perhaps a probiotic), and even my meals (which I'll discuss later). By keeping my routine uncomplicated, I could be more consistent with what I maintained. After all, research indicates that small, simple victories help establish more sustainable, lasting healthy habits.

      2. Eat a Savory Protein-Rich Breakfast

      In the U.S., we lean towards pancake stacks, yogurt bowls, or fruit smoothies, but you wouldn't typically find those sweet options for breakfast in the UK. A traditional English breakfast, though not typically classified as "healthy," generally includes bacon, sausages, fried eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, possibly fried bread, and—most notably—a generous serving of baked beans. Yet, at its core, it’s rich in protein and vegetables, along with beans providing additional fiber—all of which are often lacking in the Standard American Diet, especially for breakfast.

      Research shows that a high-protein and high-fiber breakfast can help stabilize glucose levels throughout the day, resulting in sustained energy and fewer cravings. Starting your day with protein and fiber is also linked to improved concentration and cognitive function, as well as benefiting gut health. While I didn’t have a full English breakfast daily (I reserved baked beans for the weekend, as it’s mostly a Sunday treat), I appreciated the protein-and-vegetable-centric approach to my first meal of the day. Even back home, I’ve retained a savory, protein-rich breakfast instead of reverting to the pastries, cereals, or smoothies I had grown accustomed to in the States. Even if you're already enjoying eggs and toast, try adding in some veggies or beans for extra fiber and phytonutrients.

      3. Opt for Tea Over Coffee

      The jokes and memes about tea in England are accurate: it’s a serious affair. Whenever I'd visit someone’s home or find refuge from the rain, someone would invariably offer me a cup. While Americans often have a “Don’t talk to me before my coffee” attitude, the Brits are not as reliant on coffee or caffeine in general. Don’t misunderstand; coffee shops and enthusiasts abound, but tea remains the predominant choice, and it’s treated as a valued daily ritual.

      Though I enjoy my matcha lattes from LA, switching to various teas throughout the day brought unexpected advantages. Rather than indulging in creamy lattes, I