How a Marathon Runner and Digital Strategist Spent $1,000 on Self-Care

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What if you had $1,000 to spend on your health?

Welcome to Wellness Diaries. In this series, we send readers $1,000 to splurge on any product, service, or experience—as long as it’s something that can enhance health. (Any leftover cash is donated to a charity of the diarist’s choice.)

In this diary, we have an NYC digital media professional and marathoner (and community-selected winner!), Elaheh Nozari. She spent her money on a Theraface PRO, a Goop dry bush, and Vital Proteins collagen powder.

Headshot: Wellness Diaries winner, Elaheh Nozari

Meet Elaheh

Elaheh Nozari lives in New York City, where she’s worked in digital media for the last 10 years, specializing in commerce and content strategy. She currently works in business operations; before that, she was a writer and editor in food and lifestyle.

Outside of work, she writes Run the Shoes, “a newsletter about running and life,” where she talks about the physical and mental ups and downs of training for marathons and other long-distance running events.

“My favorite wellness ritual is probably my entire Sunday morning: I wake up, have coffee and eat something very carb-y, then go on a long run. Afterwards, I shower and take a long nap. Simple, but great!”

Her charity of choice: Leftover funds were donated to Girls on the Run.

Elaheh’s Wellness Diary

$498 Facial Microcurrent Device

Product Image: TheraFace PRO (The ultimate device for facial health). Taken from Therabody website.

TheraFace PRO

I’m a bit of a Therabody junkie—I have both the Theragun and the RecoveryAir boots—and I was so excited when the TheraFace PRO came out. I think having a step-by-step skincare routine is the ultimate in self-care since it forces you to stop what you’re doing and just focus on yourself. I had been eyeing the NuFACE microcurrent device for a while, but this has even more functionalities, including three different percussive treatments for tension relief. I’m also really excited to try the cold ring add-on since I love the feeling of cold water on my face when I’m feeling stressed.”

$22 White Noise

Product Image: HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine | Portable Sleep Therapy for Home, Office, Baby & Travel | 6 Relaxing & Soothing Nature Sounds, Battery or Adapter Charging Options, Auto-Off Timer Sound Spa. Taken from Amazon website.

HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine

I’ve noticed that white noise helps me not only fall asleep, but also concentrate during the work day. I’ve never actually owned such a device, but I think it’s time! This HoMedics one has eight different sounds to choose from and an automatic timer setting.”

$37 Vegan Cheese Puffs

Product Image: Hippeas organic chickpea puffs in vegan white cheddar. Taken from Amazon website.

Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar

“These Hippeas are my favorite salty snacks du jour. They have the taste and texture of cheese puffs and a redeeming quality: They’re made of chickpeas and have a tiny bit of protein.”

$49.50 Foam Roller

Product Image: RumbleRoller 12" Compact Original Textured Foam Roller. Taken from RumbleRoller website.

RumbleRoller 12″ Compact Original Textured Foam Roller

“The RumbleRoller is the most coveted foam roller at my gym. I sometimes stop by for ten minutes just to use it. I had a lot of unnecessary setbacks in my Boston Marathon training this year because of tight muscles, so I’m really trying to make foam rolling a priority. This one gets really deep into the muscle.”

$25 Dry Brush

Product Image: Goop G. Tox Ultimate Dry Brush. Taken from credo website.

Goop G. Tox Ultimate Dry Brush

“I totally fell for dry brushing after reading a Goop article on how to dry brush. I’m a little dubious of its claims (can it really get rid of cellulite?) but I’m intrigued by its exfoliating benefits. It’s also supposed to increase circulation, and I find that getting the blood flowing around my quad and calf muscles keeps my legs feeling fresh during high mileage running weeks.”

$47 Collagen Powder

Product Image: Vital Proteins Original COLLAGEN PEPTIDES with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C. 20oz. Taken from Vital Proteins website.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

“Another thing I’m curious about is collagen, both for keeping my skin looking (and feeling) youthful and my joints healthy. I’ve gotten back into a morning smoothie routine of late, so I’ll add a scoop of this Vital Protein’s collagen peptides to my smoothie.

$120 Topical Supplement

Product Image: OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement, 50 mL. Taken from One Skin website.

One Skin OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement

“I wear sunscreen every day, but especially when I’m training for a marathon and spending a lot of time outside running. My face gets more color than I’d like. I recently found out about the OS-01 FACE Topical supplement from One Skin. It’s a moisturizer that aims to prevent the premature aging of facial skin and other sensitive areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, like your neck and hands.”

Total: $798.50

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Andi's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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

Amrit's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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Candace's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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David's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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Kirsty's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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Valerie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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Mélanie's Favorite Healthy Merchants

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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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This article was rigorously researched and fact checked. We use peer-reviewed journals and reputable medical sources (think: CDC, WHO, NIH, and the like) to back up every claim we make, and also reach out to experts in the field to ensure we’re covering things the right way. We apply these principles to everything we cover—including brands we partner with—and we’ll always disclose sponsorships, ads, and any kind of financial relationship with anything featured on The Nessie. You deserve the best, most straightforward information on health and wellness, and we think this is the right way to do it. You can read more about our testing and review process here.

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