This spring, The Bachelorette star and New York Times best-selling author Hannah Brown is releasing Mistakes We Never Made, a romantic comedy that’s part of a two-book deal. Never one to shy away from candid talk, Brown sat down with us to discuss the process and “protecting her peace.”
Fitness Focus
“Right now, strength training is super important to me. Not only for my physical fitness, but also for my mental health. I do it about three or four times a week. It’s a workout that really makes me do something hard. Also, I’ve worked on my technique, so I know what I’m doing and I feel like I am really accomplishing something. But I’m also not killing myself in the process, which I did in the past doing those really intense HIIT workouts. The strength training and lower-impact cardio has been a really great combination for me.”
Whole Approach
“I finally think I understand that wellness is a whole, and that includes using a cold plunge, sauna and supplementation. I think different supplements—the peptides, the B12—are amazing. Then, of course, sleep. Sleep is so important to me; I’m narcoleptic, so sleep is something that I’m always needing more of.”
Peace Maker
“Trying to protect my peace has been a huge part of my wellness journey during the past few years. I am constantly learning how to do that better. Honestly, there were times in the past where going to the gym did more harm than good; I would physically and mentally wear myself out. I have done a lot of work really trying to understand what my nervous system needs. I am really working hard on getting out of that ‘fight or flight’ mentality.”
Body Work
“Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spa day, but I look at it as more of a treat. What I do incorporate every week is physical therapy—doing a lot of manual work. I am into that ‘hurts so good’ type of manual massage to really get into those places where I find myself being super tense. I had a pretty bad fall when I was young and that led to me having to work with some chronic neck and back pain. I’ve done the chiropractic route, I’ve done acupuncture, I’ve done all those things, and I think they’re all great at certain times, but right now physical therapy has been so great for me. I’ve actually felt the best with my body than I have in a really long time by keeping that maintenance.”
Face Forward
“Of course I love getting a facial every now and then! They are so nice. I’ve had some issues with my skin lately, so I’ve been trying to be really gentle with it and I haven’t been getting too many right now… but a good massage and physical therapy does wonders for my body.”
Prayer Plan
“Prayer and journaling are so important for me. I also do the best self-meditation. It’s like five minutes and I really love to start my day that way. Getting back into prayer and really understanding the power of taking those few moments in the morning to go inward helps me feel grateful and makes it clear to me what I really want to bring into my life, and what I want to give out to others.”
Therapy Calls
“I’m also a huge proponent of therapy. I go once a week. I actually just changed my type of therapy, and it’s drastically helped me. I think therapy is great! There are a lot of nice therapists out there, but I started to get a little bit upset with myself…why I’m not changing, why am I not doing the work? A lot of therapy can be super passive, but I found a really awesome therapist who has helped me so much. I started with her right before the holidays and have been doing stuff with her in the new year. Our sessions have radically changed me very quickly. It’s been awesome.”