At 54, Kristin Chenoweth Is Happier Than She's Ever Been — Here's How She Got There

Few people radiate more sunshine than Kristin Chenoweth. Lighting up the stage and screen in projects like Wicked, The West Wing, and Schmigadoon, Kristin’s professional and personal garden is always blooming and busy — until Easter arrives. “I always try to slow down to celebrate the meaning of the season: the resurrection of Jesus,” she shares with FIRST for Women. “It’s a time I like to be in church with people and music, celebrating what’s most important in life!”

Here, she shares four stress-busting tips for making every day a joyful celebration and filling each moment with love, peace, and grace that lasts throughout the year.

To Beat the Blues: Back-to-Basics Strategies

“In the past, I have not been so kind to my body because of what society has told me, but I’m 54 now and I want to be healthy more than I want to look perfect,” Kristin reveals. “I am a work in progress there, but one thing I have learned in my life is to have a little grace with myself and to make time for me. I’m a perfectionist, type-A person, but these days, whether I succeed or I fail, I tell myself that I deserve grace, I deserve to eat and rest properly, and I am worthy and valuable regardless of what I achieve.”

To Feed the Soul: Faith Breaks

“When it comes to ‘me time,’ I love the Jesus Calling app,” Kristin says. “It’s on my phone, and no matter where I am, it always brings me back to who I am if I do it for 10 minutes. I’m also really starting to like meditation. I used to look at that and go, ‘I don’t do meditation — I pray.’ But I’ve found meditation and even sound bathing with those bowls are great stress relief. This is stuff I used to make fun of, but it works.”

To Curb Cravings: Protein-Rich Foods

“I love the Smartfood Delight White Cheddar popcorn for a quick, satisfying snack,” Kristin says. “But my go-to for feeling full and fantastic is protein — it is the best way we can help ourselves stay healthy and satisfied, and my doctors keep telling me how important it is as we age. I love cashews — everybody knows that nuts are a good protein. I also love egg white bites, which are full of protein and so yummy, or a turkey and cheese wrap.”

To Instantly Relieve Pain: Tiger Balm

After an accident on the set of the TV show The Good Wife left Kristin in chronic agony, she says pain relief is a top priority. “Nothing works better than this over-the-counter ointment, Tiger Balm,” she notes. “I use it before I go to bed and put it on my neck. It’s better than any other products for muscle pain, and they also have patches that you can put on — they’re amazing!” How it works? Key ingredients like camphor and menthol help boost blood flow to painful areas, which soothes aches in no time.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.