Alexandra Chando in Workout Gear "Feels Gratitude For all That I Do Have"

Alexandra Chando is an actress and director known for her soap opera role in As the World Turns and her part in The Lying Game. This year on her birthday, she took to Instagram to say “I wasn’t exactly pumped for this year’s birthday. Turning a year older, assessing where I feel like I should be versus where I am…I found that the anecdote for that very familiar spiral is gratitude. Gratitude for all that I do have and all that I have accomplished, but more importantly gratitude for the people in my life, near and far. And I thank God every day for this chosen family I have here in Austin. They made this birthday so very special and I know will make this next year all the more memorable.” Gratitude is so important for your mental health, but what else does Chando do to take care of her mental and physical health? Here’s how she prioritizes wellness in her busy schedule.

1. Give into indulgences on occasion

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Giving into the occasional treat can actually be good in a way. “The meal I'm obsessed with is chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing. Anything chocolate, really,” she told Glamour. Turns out, a little chocolate can do you good. According to Northwestern Medicine, “after eating a larger meal than usual, your body increases leptin production by as much as 30 percent for up to 24 hours. For those on a highly restrictive, low-calorie diet, psychologists and nutritionists often believe that cheat meals allow individuals to eat better throughout the week.”

2. She’s done wellness retreats in the past

Dedicating some time to really deep dive into wellness can be beneficial as far as getting you into the right mindset. “I spent the last 3 days at a wellness, longevity and bio hacking retreat. I turned my phone off, tried new modalities, met like minded people and made new friends. Thank you to @emiliarun and @coachjoedi for leading us and including me in @rungalife,” she said on Instagram. The retreat put her in a great mindset and introduced her to treatments like cold plunges and more!

3. Spending time outdoors and at the beach

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There are beautiful beaches all around the world, but you don’t always have to hop on a flight to Bora Bora or the Maldives to find a good one. She told Glamour that the vacation spot she’s obsessed with is “New England beaches in the summer.” A New England summer is such a vibe. Grab a healthy, freshly boiled lobster and make your way to the beach to swim, surf, and walk along the shore in search of shells.

4. Walking and hiking

In a post captioned “morning view(s)” of her looking out into a stunning landscape show’s that she enjoys a scenic hike…and letting the ladies breathe. Other posts on her page, as well, mention completing a long “7 mile hike. 1600+ft elevation climb. for anyone who knows us well, knows this is a monumental feat.” Hiking alone is an incredible workout, but challenging yourself by adding a climb and elevation makes it even more of a fitness challenge.

5. She keeps things interesting

She finds hobbies that encourage time outdoors and activity like horseback riding, shown in this Instagram photo captioned, “new hobbies.” According to heart.org, horseback riding is great for improving core strength, muscle strength, and burning calories. “A 45-minute ride at a walk, trot and canter can burn up to 200 calories.”