I spent half a year in the English countryside—these routines had a greater impact on my body than any diet.

I spent half a year in the English countryside—these routines had a greater impact on my body than any diet.

      There is an increasing fascination with the aesthetic of the English countryside. Perhaps it's due to the influence of farmhouse-core or the comeback of Harry Styles, but many influencers in my feeds are sporting wellies and including the Yorkshire Dales in their travel itineraries. Typically, my feeds feature more Francophile or romantic Italian themes (think: The French Sunday or Italian Girl aesthetic), so it’s quite surprising to see an influx of English content, especially since I was raised there.

      My upbringing in Northern England was far from glamorous. Life there was as provincial as anywhere else—walking to school and taking the bus to the city center on weekends—though it included a sprinkle of medieval abbeys and a lot more rain. After my family relocated to New York City during my teenage years, I quickly embraced city life. Now residing in LA, I've similarly adjusted to the LA girl lifestyle (think full Erewhon-core). So, when I returned to England last year, I felt akin to the Californian Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap.

      Adapting to countryside living posed the biggest challenge of maintaining my wellness routines without the easy access to the wellness facilities I had become accustomed to. Yet, surprisingly, embracing the English-girl wellness approach allowed me to reconnect with the foundational reasons behind my routines. I came to understand that while I enjoy the convenience and aesthetics of LA’s wellness culture, wellness doesn’t need to be costly to have significance. In fact, by eliminating the hyper-consumerist elements of my routine, I developed 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'm bringing them back to LA with me.

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

      1. Keep It Simple

      Despite their reputation for being posh and somewhat stiff, the British are surprisingly unpretentious. They have a disdain for anything fussy and wholeheartedly embrace tradition. I learned to appreciate English simplicity—even within my wellness practices. There were no Erewhon or chain health stores to stockpile my favorite snacks and drinks. Living in a town with twice the national average of protected buildings (their mindset even impacts architecture, as historic structures cannot be altered to modernize amenities), I couldn’t rely on nearby fitness studios, saunas, or cold plunges.

      Eventually, I recognized that simplifying my routine was an opportunity to evaluate which habits I genuinely valued versus those that merely looked good on Pinterest. I streamlined my skincare routine (cutting it down from ten steps to three or four), reduced my supplement intake (sticking only to a multivitamin or probiotic, if even that), and modified my food choices (more on that later). By keeping my routine straightforward, I was able to be more consistent with what remained in my regimen. Research indicates that small, simple successes contribute to establishing more sustainable, long-lasting healthy habits.

      2. Eat a Savory Protein-Rich Breakfast

      In the US, we often enjoy a stack of pancakes, a yogurt bowl, or a fruit smoothie, but you wouldn't typically find these sweet options for breakfast in the UK. A traditional English breakfast, however, isn't what I would label as “healthy”: a fry-up typically includes bacon, sausages, fried eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, possibly fried bread, and—the crown jewel—an ample serving of baked beans. However, when you look at its foundation, it comprises a lot of protein and vegetables, plus the beans add extra fiber—all components that are often lacking in the Standard American Diet (especially at breakfast).

      Research indicates that consuming a high-protein and high-fiber breakfast can stabilize glucose levels throughout the day, yielding sustained energy and diminished cravings. Initiating your day with protein and fiber has also been linked to enhanced concentration, cognitive function, and gut health. While I didn’t indulge in a complete English breakfast daily (I saved baked beans for the weekends, as they’re typically a Sunday morning treat), I appreciated the protein-and-vegetable-centric approach to the morning meal. Even now that I'm back home, I continue to favor a high-protein savory breakfast over the pastries, cereals, or smoothies I was used to in the States. If you're already accustomed to eggs and toast for breakfast, consider incorporating veggies and perhaps even beans for added fiber and phytonutrients.

      READ: 15 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for Healthy Hormones, Metabolism, and Energy

      3. Opt for Tea Over Coffee

      The jokes and memes about tea in England hold truth. Whenever I visited someone’s home, attended an event, or sought shelter from the rain, someone would invariably offer me a cup of tea. While Americans are known for having a “Don’t talk to me before my coffee” attitude, the British are less reliant on coffee or caffeine overall. Don’t misunderstand me; there are plenty of coffee shops and enthusiasts, but tea is the

I spent half a year in the English countryside—these routines had a greater impact on my body than any diet.

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I spent half a year in the English countryside—these routines had a greater impact on my body than any diet.

They're so great, I'm taking them back to LA.