Jhené Aiko, the Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, is known not only for her soulful music but also for her dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Her approach encompasses physical fitness, a plant-based diet, and a focus on mental and spiritual well-being. Aiko emphasizes that healing your spirit and mind are just as important as healing your body. She has been vocal about her battles with depression and points to the ocean as her main source of healing.
Finding Inner Peace and Balance
Aiko's philosophy centers around finding inner peace and balance. She believes in the power of mindfulness and embracing the "freedom to just be." This involves connecting with nature, practicing deep breathing, and prioritizing self-care.
Connecting with Nature
"I feel at peace when I'm by a body of water," Aiko said. "We're mainly water, as human beings. I feel super connected to it." She also enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and biking with her daughter.
The Power of Breath
Aiko incorporates conscious deep breathing into her daily routine. "When you're at a red light, just take that time to breathe," she suggests. "I've found that there are so many opportunities throughout the day to meditate. It's really just as simple as taking a moment to breathe in and out and focusing on your breath to the point where you're not thinking about anything else-you're just breathing. Breathing deeply can change everything."
Crystals and Energy
Aiko is a believer in the power of crystals to change energy. "I find them everywhere. If I see a random crystal shop, I have to stop in." She also emphasizes the importance of keeping your root chakra balanced.
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Seeking Guidance
Aiko once took a trip to Big Sur and met with a shaman who advised her to protect her energy. "He said that he can sense that I'm always giving. I let people take. It was deep. Anyways, he gave me very specific advice. He said that a lot of the time when we're talking to people sincerely, we're speaking from our gut. Any time you feel that you're giving too much or someone is taking too much from you, block your solar plexus."
Jhené Aiko's Workout Routine
Aiko understands the importance of physical activity for overall well-being. She incorporates regular exercise into her routine, even when she's traveling.
Structured Workouts
"When I'm home, I meet with a trainer. I do like an hour, three days a week," she said. She also enjoys biking and hiking, often with her daughter.
On-the-Go Fitness
As a musician, Aiko often travels for work. To stay active on the road, she brings her workouts with her. "I just try to do at least some squats when I'm traveling," she said. She also carries resistance bands and ankle weights.
Sample Workout Routine
While Aiko's specific workout routine isn't detailed, a sample routine incorporating her preferences could include:
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- Weight training: 2-3 days per week, focusing on compound exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups.
- Resistance band training: 1-2 days per week, using bands for exercises like lateral walks, band squats, and rows.
- Bodyweight exercises: Daily, including squats, push-ups, planks, and lunges.
- Cardio: Biking, hiking, swimming, or other activities she enjoys.
Jhené Aiko's Vegan Diet
Aiko follows a vegan diet, which means she avoids all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. She also avoids processed and junk food.
The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
Aiko has shared that going vegan made her feel like she had so much more energy. A plant-based diet can offer numerous health benefits, including:
- Increased energy levels
- Improved digestion
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases
- Weight management
Sample Vegan Meal Plan
While Aiko hasn't shared a specific meal plan, a sample vegan plan could include:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries and nuts, or a tofu scramble with vegetables.
- Lunch: Salad with beans, lentils, or tofu, or a vegetable wrap with hummus.
- Dinner: Stir-fry with tofu and vegetables, lentil soup with whole-grain bread, or carrot and potato tacos (one of Aiko's favorites).
- Snacks: Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, or vegan yogurt.
Vegan Inspiration from Other Celebrities
Aiko is not alone in her choice to follow a vegan lifestyle. Many other celebrities have embraced veganism for its health and ethical benefits, including:
- Meghan Markle: A "part-time vegan" who tries to eat vegan during the week.
- Kat Von D: The tattoo artist and cosmetics company owner who says veganism "changed" her.
- Miley Cyrus: A committed vegan with a vegan symbol tattooed on her body.
- Jenna Dewan: Hasn't eaten meat since she was 11 and encourages veganism for health, environmental, and ethical reasons.
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z: Famously do a "vegan challenge" before big events.
- Jessica Chastain: Started eating vegan after noticing she had low energy and cholesterol problems.
- Maggie Q: Believes the environmental aspect of veganism is just as important as the health impacts.
- Madelaine Petsch: Has been "plant-based" her whole life.
- Lea Michele: Keeps her home completely vegan.
- Venus Williams: Has been vegan since being diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome.
- Ariana Grande: Her love of animals inspired her to go vegan.
- Carrie Underwood: Never eats meat and tries to eat totally vegan.
- Alicia Silverstone: Has been vegan since three years after filming Clueless.
- Pamela Anderson: Argues that veganism is about saving animals, ourselves, our societies, and our planet.
- Danielle Brooks: Went vegan to learn "how to eat properly, how food is fuel."
- Emily Deschanel: Has been vegan since her teen years and is raising her son as a vegan.
- Ellen Degeneres: Has been vegan since 2008.
- Portia de Rossi: Stopped eating meat after moving to a farm with Ellen Degeneres.
Skincare and Self-Care
Aiko emphasizes the importance of skincare and self-care as part of a holistic approach to wellness.
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Skincare Routine
Aiko pays special attention to her skin, using a consistent routine whether she's at home or on tour. She packs serums, moisturizers, and toners. She also uses specific ingredients like lavender (to calm), calendula (to hydrate), and ming oil (to quell irritation). When her skin is especially dry, she bathes in oatmeal.
DIY Skincare
Aiko loves to make her own concoctions with natural ingredients like neem oil, diluted lavender oil, calendula oil, and chamomile oil.
Sound Therapy
Aiko is studying sound healing and has a collection of crystal bowls made of precious gems. She uses them to heal on a cellular level and alleviate headaches. She also uses color therapy light bulbs and aromatherapy.
Mirror Meditations
Aiko practices mirror meditations where she looks at herself directly in the eyes and focuses on accepting herself.
Dealing with Insecurities
Aiko is open about her struggles with insecurities and offers advice to other women: "Get off of social media and stop comparing yourself. That’s the one thing that definitely affects everyone. We’re always comparing ourselves and being told that one type of beauty is the best type of beauty. Comparison is the thief of joy, and this is where a lot of insecurities come from. What makes you beautiful is your uniqueness. Take a break from the media and sit with yourself."