The Practical Art of Living Well

Well-being isn’t something you stumble into by accident. It takes attention, choices, and a little patience. But that doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything or chase some ideal version of productivity. Sometimes it’s about doing a few things a little differently and letting the effects build. You make a shift, you feel a change. And over time, that change sticks.

Learn how to breathe again

Carving out 10 minutes to breathe and observe without judgment can reduce stress and sharpen focus in surprising ways. When you practice mindfulness, you’re giving your nervous system a break from the constant background thrum of to-do lists and text alerts. It slows down the way you move through the world. Suddenly, you’re not snapping at your partner or forgetting why you walked into a room. You’re just here, paying attention.

Move your body like you mean it

You probably already know you should exercise. But forget the guilt. Think about what it gives you, instead. A brisk walk before your first meeting or a 20-minute bike ride after work can pave the way for focus and clarity. You’re not training for the Olympics. You’re training for a better Tuesday. Movement isn’t a vanity project. It’s fuel.

Find comfort from the ground up

The shoes you wear don’t just carry you—they shape your day. When your feet hurt, everything else follows. That’s why choosing footwear that blends comfort with function isn’t just a style choice, it’s a wellness one. Now available in all 40 Von Maur stores, the DANIELLE sneakers from Zee Alexis give you the support to keep moving without compromise. Whether you're chasing errands or clearing your head on a walk, you want something that works as hard as you do.

Sleep like your sanity depends on it

Most people treat sleep like it’s optional, something you earn after grinding through the day. But skipping rest doesn’t make you driven, it makes you foggy and short-tempered. Sleep is when your brain does its real work—sorting emotions, cleaning out stress hormones, filing memories into place. Sleep fuels your well-being, not just your energy levels but your emotional baseline.

Go back to school, on your terms

Returning to school doesn’t just upgrade your career, it can also restore a sense of control over your future. Learning new skills or chasing a degree can break the monotony and help you imagine a different trajectory. Plus, online options make it easier to manage your time and responsibilities without imploding. You don’t have to quit your job to grow. Whether you're aiming for tech, nursing, or an MBA program, the flexibility is out there to support your momentum and your mental health in tandem.

Rewire how you connect at work

You don’t have to be best friends with your coworkers, but you do have to connect with them. Work relationships that feel safe and mutual give you emotional armor against chaos. It’s not just about collaboration or team-building exercises. Research backs up why strong workplace relationships matter for both well-being and performance. And it makes showing up each morning a whole lot easier. Start with a real conversation.

Put time in its place

Here’s the ugly truth: Multitasking is a lie. You’re not getting more done, you’re just doing more things badly. Productivity begins when you start each day with a plan, not a flood of emails. Boundaries around your schedule don’t make you rigid. They make you sane. Blocking off real breaks and logging off when work is done isn’t laziness—it’s strategy. Without structure, your calendar owns you.

Eat like your mind depends on it

You wouldn’t run a car on orange soda. So why run your brain on vending machine sludge and skipped meals? Nutrient-dense foods don’t just help your body, they boost mental energy in a way no sugar crash ever could. You don’t need a nutritionist to tell you spinach beats chips, but it’s helpful to know that what you eat changes how you feel and work. Good food isn’t a reward. It’s a prerequisite.

There’s no singular path to a better life. No 12-step program or planner that will do the work for you. But with a few intentional shifts—more sleep, more movement, more real connection—you can rewire your days in a way that feels less frantic and more free. And that’s the goal, isn’t it? Not just to optimize, but to live better. Whatever that looks like for you.