Katie Couric is one of America's most treasured journalists, but even with her hectic schedule, she still has to take care of herself like the rest of us. The TV news veteran has been refreshingly candid and open about preventative health care over the years. (Remember when she got a colonoscopy on TODAY back in 2000?) So it's no surprise that she's chock-full of tips for living a healthier lifestyle on a day-to-day basis.
Couric's production company, Katie Couric Media, is committed to creating content that raises awareness of important social issues, like health care. They have partnered with Rally Health, a digital health company that aims to make it easier for people to take charge of their wellness by educating them on their health benefits. Seems like a perfect fit! We caught up with Couric at a Rally Health pop-up event in New York City and asked for her best self-care advice. Here's the good news: Her tips are totally doable, and pretty darn fun, too.
Get your blood pumping.
"I try to stretch every morning," Couric says. "I always do a backbend over my bed, on the side of my bed, to get my blood going and to help my lower back." A big believer in staying active, Couric also tries to fit in more strenuous exercise three to four times per week. "As you age, you lose muscle mass," she says. "So weight-bearing exercises are really important." Remember to stay hydrated!Soothe your skin.
Couric says she has dry and sensitive skin, so taking care of it is very important to her. She loves the soothing powers of fresh skincare products, especially the Original Brown Sugar Body Polish. But when it comes to moisturizing, she turns to a simple mix of baby oil and Eucerin to prevent her skin from getting super dry. Most of her beauty products are surprisingly affordable, but she does splurge on SK-II masks.
Unplug for a bit.
"I’m on a digital detox this week," Couric explains. "So I’m trying not to go on social media or use my phone as much, because I find it’s such a time suck. The time I spend on my phone, I could be talking to a friend, going for a walk, reading a book, even binging a show — it just takes a lot of time away from the day."Bask in lavender.
"I love lavender, so I love lavender oil," Couric says. She isn't too picky about which lavender oils she uses and enjoys just about any product that happens to have lavender in it — especially bath products. "I used to hate the smell of lavender," she says. "I used to think it smelled like soap, but now I just really love the way it smells. It’s supposed to be really relaxing."Go outside.
As the seasons shift from summer to fall, Couric thinks it's a good time to take advantage of the great outdoors. "Cooler mornings are great to take long walks," she says. "It just gets you up and going when the weather turns. I’m a big believer in spending a lot of time with nature." Oh, and be sure you pick comfy footwear when you go out. Couric admits, "I try to avoid high heels at all costs these days."Stay present.
When things get overwhelming, Couric likes to do some deep breathing. "I just try to take a moment," she explains. "I take a break for five minutes and just close my eyes and breathe." She also meditates whenever she can. "And I try to be around people I really love," she says. "I laugh a lot." Finally, she thinks it's important to stay engaged in the world around her — as she always has. "To stay curious and stay interested is really important," she says. "You learn something every day."
