The 23 Best Health & Wellness Newsletters of 2023

the most influential people in wellness

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Most of the time, one’s email inbox is not a wellness space. (Quite the opposite, actually.) But the right email can serve as a temporary oasis among the spam, sale notices, and work missives.

To achieve this oasis, you could ask a cherished friend to send you a long, detailed email every day. Or, you could sign up for a great health and wellness newsletter (or several) that will come to feel like one from a friend. We’ve rounded up the very best in the space—from Wondermind to Well To Do to our very own Nessie Sightings—for you. This way, you can give your inbox the wellness glow-up it deserves.

1. She’s A Beast — Casey Johnston

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The hold She’s A Beast has on us… powerful. Casey Johnston, a former Vice editor and Ask A Swole Woman columnist, is on a mission to give practical advice on getting strong. This means working out, staying clear of messy diet culture, and appreciating your body from the lens of its capabilities rather than conventional standards of physique. We should all aspire to exist in our bodies the way Casey encourages readers to—with confidence and without bowing to trending restrictions.

Cost: Free for Friday newsletters; paid for Sunday advice column 

Frequency: Weekly (free) or 2x/week (paid)

2. Salt + Yams — Julia Craven

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Julia Craven, a health, science, and wellness journalist, recently shifted her newsletter from general wellness to focus on Black health histories. Salt + Yams (formerly Make It Make Sense) aims to explore the inequities that have existed and still exist in Black health, while also surfacing cool, underreported stories and educating readers on public misunderstandings. 

Cost: Free for public posts; paid for extra content and recommendations

Frequency: 1-2 issues per month

3. VoxCare — Dylan Scott

There’s a lot to love about Dylan Scott’s VoxCare newsletter. What we love most is that he chooses one topic of importance within the healthcare system and goes deep, using research and reports to answer questions too thorny or confusing to pursue on your own time. Think prescription drug shortages or maternity care deserts. A deep dive on a question that feels simple but is actually quite intricate? We love it. Can’t get enough.  

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

4. The Unpublishable — Jessica DeFino

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If you’ve ever felt skeptical about the agenda of the beauty industry and its influencers, The Unpublishable will confirm your suspicions. In the best way. Jessica DeFino is a former beauty writer who turned beauty critical, and with this background—plus her biting, sharp-witted, meticulously backed up analysis—Jessica’s got the takes you didn’t know you needed. Topics include buccal fat removal, bleached brows, injectables, and Kim Kardashian’s skincare line. 

Cost: Free for public articles; paid for extra content and subscriber chats

Frequency: Weekly-ish; more frequently for paid subscribers

5. Emily’s Life Plan for the Week — Emily Mariko

When the end-of-weekend scaries hit, we turn to Emily Mariko’s Life Plan for the Week. The impeccably organized TikTok star, who’s best known for that viral leftover salmon bowl recipe, sends it out promptly on Sunday mornings. Every issue recaps the healthy meals she posted throughout the week with more detailed instructions than what you’ll see on TikTok and Instagram. Perfect Sunday Reset material.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

6. Nessie Sightings — Melanie Ehrenkranz

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Maybe (definitely) we’re biased. But Nessie Sightings is something special. Each biweekly issue opens with a letter from editor Melanie Ehrenkranz, a writer with bylines in Mic, Gizmodo, National Geographic, and more. Then, there’s a list of healthy product deals (some exclusive to Sightings readers) for window shopping or shopping-shopping, followed by a roundup of links to procrastination-worthy health and wellness articles. It’s a peek into wellness culture and everything that surrounds it, packaged with love, wit, and serious research chops.

Cost: Free

Frequency: 2x/week

7. Fitt Insider — Anthony Vennare

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If you’re in the fitness and wellness business—or just extremely into the space (hi, hello, it’s us)—Fitt Insider is your home base. Anthony Vennare’s weekly newsletter curates the must-know trends, partnerships, funding, and forecasts shaping the future. Think everything from psychedelics in sports to the gender healthcare gap.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

8. Well To Do — Rina Raphael

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Journalist Rina Raphael is one of our favorite voices scoping out scams and dark truths within the wellness industry right now. Her book The Gospel of Wellness is recommended reading for anyone looking to better understand its exploitative underbelly. Her newsletter, Well To Do, is a lighter extension of that, packed with analysis and relevant links. 

Cost: Free

Frequency: Monthly-ish

9. The Overview — Willow Defebaugh

The Overview is a weekly meditation on life on Earth from the editors at climate and culture mag Atmos. While this may feel disjointed from the health and wellness space, we argue that the wellbeing of our planet is deeply entwined with our own wellbeing. It’s a nice step back from the daily minutiae, instead focusing on our holistic connection to the natural world. 

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

10. Holisticism — Michelle Pellizzon

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Holisticism, an outlet for more accessible wellness, coins itself as “well-being for complex creatures” and tackles the philosophical to the consumerist, all centered around just feeling a little better. The newsletter, written by founder, CEO and Head Witch in Charge Michelle Pellizzon, is a gateway to the brand’s latest podcast episodes and teases some health and wellness tech the team is testing. 

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

11. Girls’ Night In — Aliza Abarbanel & Alisha Ramos

best health and wellness newsletters of 2023 | girls' night in alisha ramos and Aliza Abarbanel

This newsletter is the inbox-ification of a fuzzy mitten wrapped around a cup of hot cocoa in the nook of your couch with a new book splayed open on the weighted blanket. Founded by creative strategist Alisha Ramos and now helmed by executive editor Aliza Abarbanel, it’s filled with restful recommendations. It’s also sent out on Friday mornings, which means you can use it as a built-in source for weekend plans. (Or an excuse to bail on weekend plans.) Best of all, with 140,000+ readers, Girls’ Night In fans are everywhere, and you’ll always feel connected to its cozy collective. 

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

12. Neural Network Lab — Andrew Huberman

Neuroscientist, Stanford Med professor, and all-around influential person in wellness Andrew Huberman, Ph.D.’s findings can be found in top science journals. His Neural Network newsletter breaks things down for us regular folk. And this monthly drop drops knowledge. Can’t sleep? Feeling stiff? One installment details uber-straightforward advice on how to optimize shuteye, while another lets you download three different stretching routines for maximum flexibility. There’s never been a better way to improve your quality of (everyday) life.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Monthly

13. Wondermind — Marilyn La Jeunesse

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Wondermind is an entire mental health media ecosystem, but before there was a website, there was the newsletter. Curated by author and journalist Marilyn La Jeunesse, it’s all about creating a judgment-free space to learn about mental fitness through advice and interviews. And they get some pretty big names. (That Selena Gomez is one of the brand’s co-founders probably helps.)

Cost: Free

Frequency: 3x/week

14. 3-2-1 — James Clear

best health and wellness newsletters | james clear 3-2-1 newsletter

James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter is sent to over 2 million people for good reason: It aims to pack the most punch (read: wisdom) of any publication on the internet. Each installment includes three ideas from Clear himself (author of #1 New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits), two quotes, and one question. The result is a healthy dose of inspiration that may just kick those new year goals into high gear.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

15. jojotalks — Joanna Townsend

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Joanna Townsend is a licensed psychotherapist with a monthly newsletter. Our favorite thing about it is its approachability. Each issue includes a thoughtful note from Joanna, some reflections, and guided prompts. She’s discussed setting boundaries, self-compassion, and slowing down, among other topics. It’s a soothing yet actionable pause in your inbox.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Monthly

16. The New Fatherhood — Kevin Maguire

best health and wellness newsletters | the new fatherhood kevin maguire

The New Fatherhood, started by dad-of-two Kevin Maguire, is an exercise in defining what it means to be a modern dad—sleep regression, postpartum depression, and all. Maguire waxes eloquent in equal parts real talk and deep talk, with the ever-present promise of at least one tidbit a week that will make you smile.

Cost: Free; $6/month for access to the private community and exclusive posts and essays

Frequency: Weekly

17. The Small Bow — A.J. Daulerio & Edith Zimmerman

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The Small Bow is a multi-person show: A.J. Daulerio writes and edits, Edith Zimmerman illustrates, and a rotating crew of talented writers contribute. The team uses its platform to cultivate community around long-term recovery. (In addition to the weekly newsletter, A.J. hosts five Zoom recovery meetings per week—open to all!) The Small Bow’s vulnerable admissions and gritty illustrations all seem to embrace imperfection while aspiring towards healing.

Cost: Free; $5/month for more

Frequency: Weekly + the last Friday of every month

18. How To Cure A Ghost — Fariha Róisín

Fariha Róisín’s book Who Is Wellness For? answers the titled question through an exploration of cultural appropriation and exclusivity in the wellness space. And it goes a step further to offer guidance toward self-care for anyone reading. Róisín’s newsletter is a more intimate snapshot on her own journey toward understanding what wellness looks like for her, filled with personal recommendations on what she finds healing.

Cost: Free for occasional posts; paid for all posts and community

Frequency: Weekly-ish

19. How Not To F*ck Up Your Face — Valerie Monroe

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Valerie Monroe, former beauty director at O, The Oprah Magazine, wants to help you shift your mindset in the beauty space from “self-criticism to self-compassion.” Or, as she puts it in her newsletter title, how to not “f*ck up your face.” The newsletter covers all aspects of self-care while getting older, from whether facials are worth it to what it actually means to reject the “anti-aging” label.

Cost: Free for full archive; $5/month or $50/year for community access

Frequency: Weekly

20.  Coach Bennett’s Substack — Chris Bennett

Chris Bennett, Global Head Coach of Nike Running, writes about running (and about not running). You’ll find his signature witty and relatable prose in Coach Bennett’s Substack, a weekly-ish newsletter that makes you want to get out there and hit the pavement. Each installment even has a handy voiceover so you can listen to Coach Bennett while you do just that.

Cost: Free; optional donations

Frequency: Weekly-ish

21. XO, MU — Melissa Urban

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Whole30 Co-Founder and CEO Melissa Urban covers it all in her newsletter, XO, MU. It’s “trauma, addiction and recovery, therapy, divorce, motherhood, entrepreneurship, spirituality, health, fitness, and that one time I got chlamydia.” With a subscription, you can expect to stay in the know about Melissa’s releases (books, podcast episodes, blog posts), get some product recs, and learn about mental- and nutrition-based wellness. 

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

22. The Letter — Adriene Mishler

If you want a smooth-talking yogi in your inbox every Sunday, sign up for Adriene Mishler’s The Letter. It’s all “self-love” and “community” and “humanity” in her feel-good messages. Receive a free yoga or meditation practice along with some food for thought each week. She’ll also keep you in the loop about her very popular (over 11 million subscribers on Youtube!) “Yoga With Adriene” and “Find What Feels Good” programs.

Cost: Free

Frequency: Weekly

23. FoundMyFitness — Rhonda Patrick

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Touted as “a newsletter that respects you,” FoundMyFitness delivers scientifically backed information on enhancing lifespan, cognition, and physical performance. Rhonda Patrick and her team turn health research into digestible emails, podcast episodes, and videos—all of which can be sent straight to your inbox sans fuss. If you’re curious about topics like fasting, depression, fitness, and longevity, it’s worth a read.

Cost: Free; $15/month for premium membership

Frequency: Weekly-ish

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“This card is such an exciting addition to my wallet and it’s perfect for someone who values health and wellness but hasn’t found a credit card that rewards me for that. I love getting rewarded for wellness practices like sleeping, meditating, and moving my body—plus extra points on purchases at my favorite places like Whole Foods, ClassPass and sweetgreen. The app is easy to use and the card is designed for your definition of health and wellness, which I love. It’s flexible!”

Kira's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“It’s no secret that wellness is such an important part of my everyday life. I spend a lot of money to help fuel my love of running, recovery, nutrition and mindfulness, so the fact that I can now earn rewards for every dollar I spend with the Ness Card is amazing. My health always comes first, and the Ness Card makes that easy to do. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

Andi's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“As a new mum, wellness and self-care is a priority for me—so I can, in turn, be able to take care of my baby. I love the incentives that Ness offers for making healthier choices. And to be rewarded along the way for those purchases is such a plus!

Oh, and getting 5x point rewards on my Erewhon $20+ smoothie makes it a little more justifiable.”

Amrit's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I made a promise to myself to find my joy again in 2023. For the past few years, I haven’t been taking care of myself mentally and physically because I’ve just been on the go and focusing on the future instead of being present. I realized that part of the reason I wasn’t happy was because I wasn’t taking care of myself. So, now with the Ness Card—which literally rewards you for staying on top of your wellness journey—I’ve easily been able to focus on my mental and physical journey. Using the card is now a part of my weekly routine, whether I’m buying groceries, going to therapy, spending a day at the spa, or treating myself to a delicious yummy meal.”

Candace's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I love life with the Ness Card! The team behind the scenes work really hard to make it valuable and to create a sense of community, which you feel in every newsletter and hand-crafted partnership. The card itself encourages me to be even more curious about where I’m spending my money. It definitely incentivizes me to spend ‘healthier’, which is really unique. On top of that, getting points for taking more steps? There is seriously nothing like it.

David's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“My favorite thing about the Ness Card is that it rewards you for your healthy habits, and not all of them require spending. Yes, you can earn 5x points when you spend at any of their approved health and wellness merchants (think Erewhon and many of your other favorites) but you also earn points for being active daily! So now your sanity walks are literally paying off :) As someone who not only works in wellness but lives and breathes it, essentially most of my expenses live in that realm and with the Ness Card I can now be rewarded nicely for those purchases.”

Kirsty's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“I love that I have rewards to look forward to when I focus on my health and wellness. As a mom of two and full time photographer/creator, it’s hard to find time to prioritize my health and—as my body ages—I want to make sure that I’m treating it to all the TLC it needs (and deserves)! The Ness Card reminds me to take care of my mental, physical, and emotional health on the daily.”

Valerie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“It’s refreshing to have a card app that is so easy to use. I can track my spending and rewards at the click of a button. I love getting a notification when I get extra points for getting a full night sleep or getting my steps in, though of course those are optional. I work a lot, and I feel like I get extra rewarded for taking the time to take care of myself – whether it’s therapy or simply cooking at home instead of dining out. The points accumulate really quickly, and I’ve already gotten a $1,000 credit at Erewhon in my first four months. I also go visit family in Europe a lot, and no one takes my card there, so it’s so convenient to be able to use my Ness Card without ever paying a fee.”

Mélanie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“As someone who spends the majority of her money on wellness, the Ness Card is perfect for me! I love earning 5x points on purchases at healthy businesses that I was already making, anyways. The Ness Card also motivates me to get enough sleep, practice mindfulness and other healthy habits. The app is really user-friendly and I love watching my points add up. I am excited to redeem them for wellness-related items!”

Lauren's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“The Ness Card motivates me to keep up my healthy habits, and has helped me discover new brands and products that are in alignment with my goals. I’m not spending any more with my Ness Card, but the money I am spending on health and wellness is actually earning me rewards, benefits, and even cash back. And because Ness’s definition of a ‘healthy merchant’ is so generous, I’m able to recognize all of the small ways I practice self-care throughout the week. From buying fresh veggies to going to therapy to taking my supplements, the Ness Card is there to cheer me on: ‘Keep being healthy, girl. You deserve 5x points for that.'”

Melissa's Favorite Healthy Merchants

“The Ness Card rewards me when I spend money on health and wellness. Especially because so much of my wellness routine is spent being active, gardening, making food with my husband, getting a massage, or having some me time, it is nice to be rewarded for that with points that are with brands I shop at all the time anyway. It allows my wellness choices to work harder which I love.”

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