Hudgens slows down, makes the time
In a weekly series, USA TODAY’s The Essentials, celebrities share what fuels their lives. ● Vanessa Hudgens is taking it easy. ● “These days, it’s been pretty chill,” says Hudgens, the most exciting part of her day being rescuing a bird that flew into her house. ● The slower pace is deserved for the star after a whirlwind 2023, during which she got engaged and married to baseball player Cole Tucker and continued adding accolades to her 20-year career in Hollywood with major moments at the Met Gala, red carpets, the CFDA Awards and more. Hudgens also is leaning into entrepreneurship, running drink brand Caliwater, which she founded alongside friend and business partner Oliver Trevena.
“I feel like everybody’s so dedicated to the hustle and the rush, and there’s so much more to life than that,” she says.
Hudgens, 35, breaks down her daily essentials for prioritizing a slower pace (and how she keeps up when things are busy).
Hudgens’ workout routine includes yoga, exercise classes
“I love taking time for myself every day to do something active. I feel like it’s just a great way to like keep your serotonin levels up and stay healthy.”
Hudgens, who says she’s “pretty consistent” in her routine, says there’s nothing better than a “yoga high.”
“I found what I like and works for me and I stick to it, and that’s just a rotation between reformer Pilates, indoor cycling and yoga.
“I’ve practiced yoga since I was 16. … And I feel like I’ve gone through all the different types of yoga like with power flows and Ashtanga and Bikram. I just rotate out what feels good, what I feel like my body needs in that moment. Sometimes it’s a bit more active, and sometimes it’s a bit more passive, but I feel like yoga is just really great for the mind.”
The morning pick-me-up she swears by to stay hydrated
After a workout class, especially hot yoga, Hudgens, of course, reaches for a Caliwater (“It’s the best way to like replenish your hydration afterward,” she says). But a cold can of cactus water also is her go-to for starting her day. everyone’s always talking about balance, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s great. But I’m more of an extremist.’ So it’s kind of all or nothing with me.”
Hudgens uses “all of it” to keep up with her busy life: “It’s Google calendars, shared notes and emails, schedules.”