Hannah Wallace - Freelance Writer/Editor - SevenFIfty Daily, Food & Wine Magazine (USA)

Years In Industry:

20 years - including 12 in a freelance capacity. 

My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:  

For most of my 8 years as an editor at Travel + Leisure magazine, I sat at a conventional desk. When I was diagnosed with two herniated disks, I told my doctor that I couldn't figure it out--I hadn't carried anything heavy lately. He told me it was likely due to sitting for too many hours a day. How depressing!  I immediately requested a stand-up desk and have had one every since—at the office and at home.  Now I do most of my phone interviews and short computer tasks (responding to e-mails, paying bills, etc.) while standing and then I do most of my writing sitting at the kitchen table.  Standing for several hours a day not only puts less pressure on my lower back, it keeps me more active. 

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:  

Yoga! One of the best things about being freelance is I can practice yoga anytime—and I do. I usually have my mat out all day and I'll do a quick vinyasa in the middle of the day if my brain is fried or I just need to stretch out my arms, neck, and back. 

I also go running in a nearby park—heavenly Laurelhurst Park—several times a week. I've been trying to go without my phone so I can really connect with nature and daydream a bit--but I've got a bit of a podcast addiction.  So lately I'll listen to an episode of the Daily (or Trumpcast or Katherine Cole's the FourTop) and then I'll turn it off 10 minutes before the end of my run so I can commune with the trees and flowers. ;-)  

Connect with Hannah at www.hannahwallace.com on Instagram @Hannahmw23  or Twitter @Hannahmw23