How Celebs Stay Healthy

Daily Affirmations

Our experts share the one surprising thing they do each day to relieve stress, stay fit and eat healthfully.

Mark Cuban

“The one thing that I do every day to reduce stress is play with my kids,” says the billionaire businessman, investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks. “Whatever pressures I find myself under [while] managing my 70-plus companies goes away the minute I’m with my three kids, hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles.”

Arianna Huffington

“It begins the night before, with a good night’s sleep — which, for me, means seven to eight hours,” says the founder of the online news site Huffington Post and author of 14 books, including her newest, Thrive. “When I wake up, I don’t start the day by looking at my smartphone. Instead, I take a minute to breathe deeply, be grateful and set my intention for the day.”

Phil Jackson

“When things are going wrong, take a breath and reset yourself,” says the legendary basketball coach. “You do that through mindfulness — you just come right back in and collect yourself.” (As told to Oprah Winfrey in a recent interview)

Michael Pollan

“Forget the processed instant oatmeal packets. I soak my oatmeal overnight with water and a little yogurt so it begins to ferment,” says the author of Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. “This makes it not only cook fast in the morning, but also more nutritious and easier to digest.”

Mollie Katzen

“I’m not an anti-meat vegetarian. I occasionally eat small amounts of sustainably raised meat to make sure my diet is high enough in protein,” says the author of The Heart of the Plate: Vegetarian Recipes for a New Generation and The Moosewood Cookbook.

Mark Bittman

“Ninety-nine percent of Americans could stand to eat more vegetables. I even eat them at breakfast,” says the New York Times columnist and author of VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00. “Just this morning I had leftover broccoli rabe with garlic and chilies on whole grain toast.”

Jane Fonda

“I skip dinner whenever possible. I eat a really big, wholesome breakfast, a good lunch around 3 or 4, and no dinner,” says the Oscar-winning actress and fitness icon. “This works only if I’m not going out and am going to bed early.”

Scott Hamilton

“The one thing that works for me like nothing else is plyometrics [jumping on and off boxes],” says the 1984 Olympic figure-skating gold medalist. “Now, if I could just find a way to backflip off the box!”

Denise Austin

“I practice great posture all day. I pull in my tummy and tighten my abs for five seconds. That’s equal to one sit-up!” says the fitness guru.

Dorothy Hamill

“I learned from skating how important it is to keep your core muscles strong, so now core exercises are my favorite,” says the 1976 Olympic figure-skating gold medalist. “I’ll do planks and use the stability ball. My upper body is weak, so strengthening it is something I really try to do.” 

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