If anyone knows a thing or two about wellness, it's Gara Post—co-founder of The NOW, a boutique massage therapy destination that fast became a place of zen and serenity for me. Over the past few years, especially following the stress of the pandemic, I've made self-care a priority, and there's no better place to give yourself that time and space. While I try to visit once every few months, I also found myself curious about why Post chose to create this oasis of calm smack-dab in the middle of Los Angeles. Aside from the obvious reasons (L.A. isn't exactly known for being a peaceful city), Post thought of her own needs and realized that there was a space to create something different.

"Women rarely take the time to recharge, especially when they have a family and additional responsibilities at home," she says. "The reality is that taking a well-deserved mind and body break makes you a better leader, parent, and all-around person. When my husband and I set out to disrupt the massage space in 2015, we saw there was a void in the marketplace for high-quality massage services in a design-driven setting without the time commitment and cost of a traditional spa. At the time, it felt like the only options were massage chains with limited aesthetic, high-end hotel spas, or expensive day spas. We wanted to create an oasis that made massage convenient and easy to incorporate into one's self-care routine."

For all of Post's best wellness tips and self-care items she uses to stay grounded, keep reading. She let me in on a few of her secrets.

Post's Best Wellness Tips

Therapeutic wellness practices have had a place in Post's life for a while now. In fact, her wellness journey started in her early 20s. "After college, I started incorporating massage into my regular routine, which helped me both physically and mentally as I navigated major life milestones like building my first business and starting my family," she shares. "I then began to explore other self-care practices—like Transcendental Meditation, yoga, breath work, journaling, and dry brushing—and began incorporating them into my daily routine. The positive effects these practices have had on my mind, body, and spirit have shown me how important self-care truly is, particularly as a busy entrepreneur and working mother."

Post has a few nonnegotiable practices that she relies on weekly for self-care. She says, "Taking moments of self-care throughout the day helps me to show up as my best self. Every morning, I prioritize exercise, meditation, and self-care practices like dry brushing or contrast therapy. This helps set my day up for success. Midday, I like to shift the energy with an intention deck reading and a palo santo cleanse. In the evening, time with my family and dogs helps to keep me grounded and emotionally balanced. I unwind from the day by journaling, reading, or meditating."

In addition to these practices, she shared a host of items she incorporates into her routine for the ultimate at-home wellness experience when she's not getting a treatment at The Now. Take a peek at her self-care cheat sheet below.

Post's Favorite Wellness Items