Gabrielle Union in Bathing Suit Feels "Peaceful"

Gabrielle Union has been praised for her looks and beauty throughout her career. And she still looks exactly the same since the beginning of her work, reaching icon status. Union just shared some photos and videos of her family spending time at the beach on Instagram. In it, she wore a yellow two piece swimsuit, her figure on display. Union captioned the post, “I like my days like I like the beach - peaceful.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Meditates

Union likes to practice meditation each day. “From the second I get up, I do my guided meditation in the bathroom because there's a door, and it's a private space that most people respect,” she tells Byrdie. “During the quarantine, Logan Browning started doing guided meditations and putting them on her page, and Logan's voice is so soothing. It is like a little angel. I find a lot of [guided meditations] really aggravating and their voices aggravating. And so, when I find a voice that feels healing and soothing, I run with it.”

2. She Goes To Therapy

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Union also tells Byrdie that she goes to therapy. “It's supposed to be once a week that I do therapy. But a couple of weeks ago, I did four hours of therapy. It was a jacked-up week. I felt like I was losing it. I had to draw a firmer boundary because sometimes I'm going from 8 AM to 6 PM and barely have time to pee or eat. It's overwhelming, and I was cracking, so I canceled a bunch of things. I leaned heavier into my peace, grace, and healing and did four hours of therapy. And I'm unashamed. I need help, and I'm getting it. I can't be of service to anyone until I am of service to myself. It feels counterproductive when you're a mom, a business person, and a wife, where you're everything to everyone, but you've left nothing for yourself. I needed to reclaim my time and I did, and it made a difference.”

3. She Protects Herself

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Union gave some advice to others in her Byrdie interview. She says that she believes in protecting yourself. “Give yourself the grace and the space to protect yourself and your sanity. If there are people around, even if it's your own family, that can cause you stress, it's okay to create boundaries and your own personal safe spaces.”

4. She Takes Care Of Her Skin

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Union has amazing skin. She shared some of her tips in an interview with SELF. “I wash my face with the Glow Scrub Cleanser. Then there's this product called Do Over, which, no lie, it is a game changer. It's nuts. I got introduced to it over this quarantine when I felt like the lower part of my face was sliding off my body. One of my friends was like, ‘Oh, you got to try this Do Over.’ It's a retinol, and it's everything. It doesn't leave me irritated, but I generally use it at night, not in the morning, a few times a week.”

5. She Limits Her Electronics

Union tells SELF that her family has started to reduce their electronics usage. “We started just putting them away. It's been a little different because of the election, where we put all of our phones in a drawer and then I'm sneaking down [to check it], you know, within reason. But just putting our phones away has greatly changed the sleep routine for all of us. And then when you wake up, don't reach right for the phone.”

Gabrielle Union is 49 and in the best shape of her life. The actress is enjoying the summer sun with husband Dwayne Wade, relaxing on a boat in an orange bikini. “It’s begun. 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🛥🛥🛥#WadeWorldTour2022,” she captioned an Instagram post. In another, added the caption: "All Me. All 🖤🖤 #WadeWorldTour2022 🇪🇸🇪🇸." How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 6 ways Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Loves Her “Oily” Skin

Union looks incredibly youthful, and credits not smoking and her “oily” skin with her looks. "I get asked all the time how I look so young,” she tells Women’s Health. “I don't like needles. I'm not going to rule out Botox, but the idea of putting a needle in my face... I'm not there yet. I have pretty oily skin, I drink a lot of water, I don't smoke, and I don't have a hard life. Of course, as I've aged, everything on my body hurts! My hips, back, shoulders—lots of aches and pains. I dye my hair and people say, 'You look young,' but my gray hairs are saying, 'She's old as f—!'"

2. She Works Out For Health

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 03: Gabrielle Union is seen in the Upper East Side on May 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Union understands that exercise is more about health and longevity as it is about looking good. "I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death,” she says. “I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!"

3. She Sets Boundaries

MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 19: Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union attend Prada Spring/Summer 2023 Menswear Fashion Show on June 19, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Prada)

Union keeps stress at bay by setting and maintaining boundaries. "My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no, no, and hell, no,” she says. “We run ourselves ragged saying yes to every freaking thing, whether it's to our family, spouses, or careers. I sleep eight hours a day and don't let myself stress out. A lot of people call it selfish, but I don't have any wrinkles." “Why is it important to have boundaries? It’s important because healthy personal boundaries help maintain a positive self-concept,” says Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. “It’s important because I can take better care of myself and not allow other people to define who I am.”

4. She Loves Pilates

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: (Exclusive Coverage) Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union arrive at The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Union is a big fan of Pilates workouts, especially on the reformer machine. "I'm not a morning person, but I have to work out early because of my schedule,” she says. “The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It's for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I'm also more clear."

5. She Focuses On Her Arms

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: (Exclusive Coverage) Gabrielle Union attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Union doesn’t skip arm workouts, and it shows. "I love my arms because it's where I get fast results. At my age, if I don't work out for two weeks, it's like I've never done anything, ever. But my arms come back quickly. I try to maintain my moneymakers," she says. "A strong upper body is essential for anything from good posture and daily activities like putting the groceries away, to injury prevention and more," says Allen Conrad, DC, CSCS, the owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.

6. She Knows When To Relax

Union works hard but she knows when to relax. “What good is it to be emaciated if your stomach’s always growling?” she says. “That sucks. Have a burger!” Union also keeps her workouts fun. “We have a basketball court at our house, so we have shooting contests and a game of 21. And the boys were into those hoverboard scooter things, so I jog alongside them with the dogs.”

Calling Gabrielle Union gorgeous would be an understatement. She has been praised by fans for seemingly not aging since her role in the 2000 film, Bring It On. Union is not afraid to show off her body on social media, or post a swimsuit picture or two. She just shared a stunning new duo of photos on Instagram. In it, Union sat by the pool in a pink floral bathing suit and headwrap. Naturally, she captioned the post, “Headwraps and bikinis.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She’s Motivated By Her Family

Union broke down her wellness secrets in an interview with Women’s Health. She revealed that her family is a big motivating factor for her to stay in shape. “I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!"

2. She’s Conscious Of Her Genetics

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Health is a genetic thing, and Union is certainly aware of it. She tells Women’s Health that a lot of her family members have health problems, like high blood pressure. Union says that she wants to do things to prevent this. "I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death.”

3. She Does Pilates In The Morning

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Union’s busy schedule means that she doesn’t always have time to workout. She tells Women’s Health that the mornings are one of the only times that she can exercise. However, Union also admits that this can be difficult, so she has to do exercises that are easier on her body. Union cites Pilates as the perfect morning workout for her. “The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It's for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I'm also more clear.”

4. She Spends Time Outside

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One of Union’s favorite ways to workout is by doing things outside. She tells Women’s Health that she makes time to go outside each day. "Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain. I’ll go hike. I’ll get a lawn chair and sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside.”

5. She Practices Meditation

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Union shared her nighttime routine to SELF. She revealed that she likes to practice meditation before she goes to sleep. “Just give yourself that time to center yourself. For me, instead of looking at social media, because obviously I need my phone to get my guided meditation, I just go straight to my guided meditation—in the bathroom—and just have that time. Before you check and see that the murder hornets are making their way to your hometown, give yourself that space.”

Gabrielle Union is known for being one of the most vital actresses in Hollywood. Fans have praised her for seemingly looking the same as she did when she filmed Bring It On or Bad Boys II; her energy and all around vibe are at least as energetic. As if to prove it, Union just posted a new swimsuit photo with some of her friends on her Instagram story, captioning it with the date and a black heart full of all love. (She looks so relaxed, it's hard to believe she plays a harried mom in the new film Cheaper by the Dozen, coming to Disney+ March 18th.) How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 6 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Prioritizes Self-Care

Gabrielle Union/Instagram

Union broke down her nighttime routine in an interview with SELF. She says that the pandemic has allowed her to prioritize self-care more than ever. Union does have one particular form of self-care that she enjoys the most. “I've never taken more baths in my life than I have during this pandemic. One of the things that has just brought me a lot of joy is that Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak. It's a non-negotiable.”

2. She Practices Meditation

Karwai Tang/WireImage

In her SELF interview breaking down her nighttime routine, Union says that she loves to practice meditation each evening. “Just give yourself that time to center yourself. For me, instead of looking at social media, because obviously I need my phone to get my guided meditation, I just go straight to my guided meditation—in the bathroom—and just have that time. Before you check and see that the murder hornets are making their way to your hometown, give yourself that space.”

3. She Does Therapy With Her Family

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Union revealed to SELF that she and her family like to go to therapy, and that it’s helped them out greatly. “Whether that's me, or my husband, or Zaya, or my little sister, or all of us, we carve out time for therapy every week. Don't miss it. In some cases like me, a couple of weeks ago, I did four hours of therapy. I was overwhelmed and I had to just say, Cancel stuff. I don't feel like I can think, my brain is mush, and I feel overwhelmed, and I need to draw a different boundary this week. And I just upped my therapy.”

4. She Takes Care Of Her PTSD

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Union revealed in a video with the Child Mind Institute that she was diagnosed with PTSD. She says that she didn’t let her diagnosis get her down, and is encouraging others to stop the stigma of mental health. "PTSD isn't a death sentence," Union says. "You don't have to be alone or feel isolated. There are so many of us out there who are dealing with exactly what you're dealing with and it doesn't make you weak. It doesn't make you anything but human. And we all have something, and you might even become a successful actress and best-selling author, and, I don't know, be dope, because that's what you deserve."

5. She Wants To Stay Healthy

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One of the most important things you need in a healthy lifestyle is consistency. One way to stay consistent is actually wanting to stick with something. Union says to Women’s Health that she actively wants to stay healthy, and this helps her stick with her lifestyle. "I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death. I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!"

6. She Starts Her Day With Pilates

Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Union says that she does a lot of her workouts in the morning, even though she hates it. In order to stick with it, Union says that she does Pilates early in the morning, since it helps her wake up. She tells Women’s Health, "I'm not a morning person, but I have to work out early because of my schedule. The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It's for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I'm also more clear.”

Actress Gabrielle Union is spending the holidays at the beach with her husband, NBA legend Dwayne Wade, and their kids. Union has been posting several stunning photos of herself at the beach, including her most recent Instagram story. In the photo, Union posed on the shore in a bright pink bathing suit, showing off her body in a V i X PaulaHermanny Brasil swimsuit. Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Plays Basketball With Her Family

Gabrielle Union/Instagram

Turns out, Dwayne Wade isn’t the only baller in the family. Union tells Us Weekly that she loves to play basketball with her family. “We have a basketball court at our house, so we have shooting contests and a game of 21,” she says.

2. She Doesn’t Drink Sugary Drinks

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Union says to Us Weekly that she cut out a lot of beverages in her diet. “Eliminating all sugary drinks,” she revealed. “Sodas, those coffee drinks. Those coffee drinks are pretty much what you're supposed to eat all day in one Frappuccino.”

3. She Drinks A Lot Of Water

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Union tells Us Weekly that she substitutes all those sugar filled drinks with water. “I do a gallon of water a day,” she says. “It keeps things moving, and it’s really, really helpful.”

4. She Believes In Balance

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Union doesn’t like to deprive herself of her favorite foods and believes in a balanced diet. “Just balance,” she says to Us Weekly. “You can’t do it every meal, don’t deprive yourself. If you want the donut, have the donut.”

5. She Eats The Rainbow

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Union tells Us Weekly that she makes sure that her plates are always colorful. “I try to make it like a rainbow,” she says. “Sweet potatoes or yams, or yellow peppers, just to try to make your plate as colorful as possible.”