Imagine a quiet morning in Los Angeles, where the hum of traffic fades into the background as a small group gathers in a sunlit studio. They’re not here for yoga or a juice cleanse, but for something far older—a practice rooted in traditions that stretch back centuries. This scene reflects a growing fascination with stars ancient wellness rituals, where modern celebrities turn to time-tested methods for balance and vitality. From herbal remedies to celestial alignments, these age-old practices are finding new life in Hollywood’s wellness scene. What draws the rich and famous to these ancient ways? It’s more than just a trend; it’s a search for something enduring in a world of fleeting fads. As stress and burnout loom large in 2025, these rituals offer a grounding force, a way to reconnect with the past while navigating the present. Let’s explore the specific ancient practices that 12 prominent stars swear by, uncovering why these traditions resonate so deeply in their high-pressure lives.
1. Gwyneth Paltrow: Moonlit Meditation
Gwyneth Paltrow, the wellness guru behind Goop, often speaks of her obsession with moonlit meditation, a practice tied to ancient lunar cycles. She claims that meditating under the full moon—something cultures like the ancient Greeks revered for its cleansing energy—helps her release emotional baggage. In a recent interview, she described sitting outside on her patio, letting the cool night air wash over her as she focuses on intention-setting. It’s not just whimsy; research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that lunar phases can subtly influence human behavior and sleep patterns, lending some credence to her ritual. Paltrow’s approach blends old-world mysticism with modern mindfulness, a balance that seems to keep her centered amid a hectic career.
Her dedication isn’t casual. She’s been known to schedule major life decisions around lunar events, a nod to ancient astrologers who believed the moon’s pull guided human fate. For Paltrow, this isn’t just self-care—it’s a deliberate tether to something timeless.
2. Chris Hemsworth: Cold Water Immersion
Chris Hemsworth, the rugged Thor of the Marvel universe, turns to an ancient Nordic practice: cold water immersion. Inspired by Viking traditions of plunging into icy rivers to invigorate the body, Hemsworth regularly dunks himself in freezing baths or ocean waters near his Australian home. He’s said it sharpens his focus before filming intense scenes. Studies, like one from the NIH, show that cold exposure can boost circulation and reduce inflammation, benefits that ancient warriors likely intuited long before science confirmed them.
Picture Hemsworth emerging from the surf at dawn, breath visible in the crisp air, laughing off the shock. It’s a raw, primal ritual that strips away modern comforts, leaving only resilience. For him, it’s a reminder of human endurance, something he channels into both his roles and his life.
3. Beyoncé: Herbal Cleanses
Beyoncé has long credited her radiant energy to herbal cleanses, a practice echoing ancient Egyptian and African healing traditions. Using teas and tinctures made from plants like dandelion and burdock root, she detoxes after grueling tours. These herbs, used for millennia to support liver function, have backing from modern research, including a report by the National Library of Medicine highlighting their antioxidant properties. Beyoncé’s ritual isn’t just about physical health; it’s a cultural reconnection, a way to honor ancestral wisdom.
Her approach feels almost ceremonial—boiling water, steeping leaves, sipping slowly as if each drop carries history. It’s a quiet act of grounding for someone whose life is anything but quiet, a reminder that even global icons seek solace in the past.
4. Ryan Reynolds: Forest Bathing
Ryan Reynolds, known for his quick wit, slows down with shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, an ancient Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature. He’s shared how walking through dense woods near his home clears his mind after long shoots. The concept, rooted in Shinto beliefs about nature’s sacredness, has modern validation—a study from NIH found that forest environments lower stress hormones like cortisol. Reynolds doesn’t just stroll; he disconnects entirely, leaving his phone behind to listen to rustling leaves and distant birds.
For someone always “on,” this ritual is a radical pause. It’s less about exercise and more about absorption—taking in the green, the quiet, the ancient stillness. It’s a practice that humbles even a star like him.
5. Zendaya: Crystal Healing
Zendaya, a rising icon, keeps crystals close, a nod to ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian beliefs in gemstones’ protective powers. She carries amethyst for calm and rose quartz for love, often tucking them into her bag during red-carpet events. While scientific evidence is thin, the placebo effect of such rituals can still ease anxiety, as noted in psychological studies. Zendaya has mentioned feeling a subtle shift when holding them, a personal anchor in a whirlwind career.
Her ritual is tactile—running fingers over smooth stones, placing them on her nightstand. It’s a small, private act, yet it ties her to a lineage of healers who saw the earth itself as medicine. For Zendaya, it’s less about proof and more about peace.
6. Tom Hanks: Ancient Breathwork
Tom Hanks, America’s everyman, practices pranayama, an ancient yogic breathing technique from India, to manage stress. He’s described sitting cross-legged in his study, inhaling deeply for counts of four, holding, then exhaling—a rhythm used for thousands of years to calm the nervous system. It’s a stark contrast to his on-screen intensity, but it works. Research supports this too; controlled breathing can lower blood pressure and improve focus.
Hanks stumbled into this ritual during a particularly grueling film schedule, needing something to steady himself. Now, it’s non-negotiable. Each breath feels like a bridge to something older, wiser—a momentary escape from Hollywood’s glare.
7. Angelina Jolie: Acupuncture
Angelina Jolie turns to acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine dating back over 2,000 years, for pain relief and emotional balance. She’s been spotted leaving sessions in Los Angeles, crediting the tiny needles with easing chronic tension from her humanitarian work. The practice, which targets energy meridians, has growing Western acceptance for managing conditions like migraines. Jolie’s commitment shows how ancient methods can meet modern needs.
Her sessions are a quiet rebellion against quick fixes—lying still as needles map her body, trusting a system older than most nations. It’s a humbling choice for someone so often in control.
8. Leonardo DiCaprio: Sweat Lodges
Leonardo DiCaprio embraces sweat lodges, a Native American purification ritual, to detox and reflect. He’s joined ceremonies led by indigenous guides, sitting in intense heat to release toxins and gain clarity. The practice, while culturally specific, aligns with global traditions of using heat for renewal. DiCaprio has called it transformative, a way to shed more than just sweat.
The experience is visceral—darkness, steam, the smell of cedar. For a star often focused on global crises, this ritual offers a rare inward turn, connecting him to earth and history in equal measure.
9. Rihanna: Aromatherapy Baths
Rihanna unwinds with aromatherapy baths, inspired by ancient Roman and Greek bathing cultures that used essential oils for healing. She blends lavender and eucalyptus into steaming water, a ritual she says resets her after long studio nights. The soothing effects aren’t just folklore; studies link certain scents to reduced anxiety. Rihanna’s baths are less about luxury and more about restoration.
Imagine her sinking into the water, the air heavy with fragrance, letting the day dissolve. It’s a simple act, but one that carries the weight of centuries, a reminder that even pop royalty needs refuge.
10. Brad Pitt: Tai Chi
Brad Pitt practices tai chi, the ancient Chinese martial art of slow, deliberate movement, to stay grounded. He’s often seen flowing through forms in his garden, a habit picked up during film training that stuck. Tai chi’s benefits—improved balance, reduced stress—are well-documented. For Pitt, it’s a moving meditation, a counterpoint to his fast-paced world.
His commitment is quiet but steady. Each gesture, rooted in Taoist philosophy, feels like a dialogue with the past. It’s a subtle way to reclaim calm, one motion at a time.
11. Adele: Sound Healing
Adele, the soulful powerhouse, leans on sound healing, an ancient practice using vibrations from gongs or singing bowls, often tied to Tibetan and Hindu traditions. She’s shared how the resonant tones help her process emotions before recording. The method’s calming effect on the nervous system has some scientific backing. For Adele, it’s a way to tune into herself.
The low hum of a bowl, felt as much as heard, seems to cut through her vocal intensity. It’s a ritual of release, one that echoes across cultures and time, anchoring her before she sings.
12. Matthew McConaughey: Desert Walks
Matthew McConaughey finds solace in desert walks, inspired by ancient nomadic rituals of seeking clarity through solitude in harsh landscapes. He treks through Texas badlands, often barefoot, to “listen to the silence,” as he puts it. Such practices, common among indigenous peoples, foster resilience and introspection. McConaughey’s walks are less about destination and more about presence.
Picture him under a blistering sun, sand rough underfoot, chasing a stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s raw, unpolished—a fitting ritual for a man who seems to live on his own terms, drawing from the earth’s oldest lessons.