Hilary Russo

Certified Holistic Practitioner & Coach of Integrative Nutrition, Havening Techniques & Hypnotherapy. Award-winning Health/Wellness Journalist.
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12/21/2025

Join us now for the Millions Meditating Alliance Livestream honoroing World Meditation Day

Link to join live in first comment

12/18/2025

Years ago, I thought meditation meant sitting perfectly still, eyes closed, mind quiet. Yet, every time I tried, I felt like I was failing.

What I didn’t know then is that some nervous systems don’t find safety in stillness. They find it through engagement with an eye-opening approach.

On Episode 202 of the HIListically Speaking Podcast, I’m joined by the wonderful LeeAnn Heltzel who introduces us to ocular meditation and MetaArt, an eyes-open, trauma-informed practice that uses art and beauty to help calm the nervous system.

In this episode, we explore:
👁️ What ocular meditation is
🧘‍♀️ Why it’s a powerful option if traditional meditation feels hard
🧠 How beauty helps soothe the brain and body
🎨 Using art as a compassionate path to healing

🌍 In honor of World Meditation Day, happening December 21, LeeAnn and I are also inviting you to join us for the Millions Meditating Alliance Livestream, a shared moment of connection, presence, and collective care.

There’s no right way to meditate... only the way that meets you where you are.

👉 See first comment to tune into this conversation and find out more about MetaArt and the World Meditation Day event.

12/16/2025

The future of holistic mental health is in your hands. Join me and be kind to your mind. Details in the first comment.

12/11/2025

𝗜𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀…𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗲. 😬⁣
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But the technique that changed everything for me is the same one I now use every day with clients in my trauma-informed holistic mental health practice and on myself.⁣
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🙌 𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻.⁣
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Havening is a soothing, neuroscience-based approach that uses gentle touch and pleasant distractions to help the brain feel safe and calm. 🧠✨⁣
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👉 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? Pop in your AirPods and listen to music, an audiobook, or a guided meditation while continuing to Self-Haven.⁣
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I call it “𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝘆𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗮.” 😌⁣
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Havening was co-developed by dental surgeon (and one of my mentors) 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻, and his brother 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻, a Harvard-trained internist.⁣
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🙋🏻‍♀️ 𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: Before I ever became a Havening Practitioner and Trainer, I was a 15-year-old kid facing major TMJ surgery. Later in adulthood, undiagnosed sleep apnea only made those dental fears louder.⁣
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🦷 So every time I sat in the dental chair, my mind went right back to that scared kid trying to make big decisions.⁣
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Now? I use the same techniques I teach tools to quiet the nervous system, lower anxiety, and be kind to the mind to truly 𝗛𝗨𝗚 𝗶𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝘁® with myself. And you can, too.⁣
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👍 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆?⁣
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Drop the word 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡 in the comments, and I’ll DM you my go-to strategies that help you stay calm, grounded, and (if you see your dentist regularly 😉) maybe even cavity-free.⁣
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If you’re carrying your own dental trauma, you’re in the right place. Havening heals and I can help. ⁣
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🙌 Huge shout-out to Christina and ’s team!⁣
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HUGS and smiles,⁣
Hil 💛⁣
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12/05/2025

Learning never stops…especially when you’re willing to take risks.⁣ 👩🏻‍🎓
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A year ago, I made a promise to myself and to HIListically Speaking®. I decided to think bigger, dream louder, and HUG it Out® with the unknown.⁣
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I applied (and yes, manifested!) my way into the Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative at Rutgers University as part of the EPI17 cohort.
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Nine months. Business strategy.⁣ Marketing + financial deep dives.⁣ Business and financial coaching that stretched me in all the right ways.⁣
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And today… we celebrated.⁣
My cohorts. My hive. My people.⁣
New Jersey entrepreneurs and pioneers who are building empires from passion, purpose, and possibility.⁣
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I’m deeply grateful for everyone who poured themselves into this journey and the love and support from those close to my heart.⁣
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And to myself, for taking the leap.⁣
Because choosing to HUG it Out with yourself is also about taking risks and choosing growth, even when it feels uncomfortable.⁣
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There’s so much more ahead for HIListically Speaking in the media, mental health, and wellbeing space…and the ideas are officially in motion.⁣
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Invest in yourself. Build relationships. Try new things. And when in doubt… HUG it Out. 💛⁣
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➡️ Drop a “🎉” if you’re celebrating your own growth this year and into 2026.⁣
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HUGS and Possibilities! Hil ⁣
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12/02/2025

People with healthy boundaries do the holidays differently.👇⁣
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From hosting to guesting and everything in between. 😬 The holiday table can be a war zone if you aren’t too careful.⁣
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👉 Scroll through for ten tips I shared in my latest article for magazine. We’re creating a stress free holiday season so you keep your sanity and relationships intact. No matter what you practice. 🎄🕎 ☮️⁣
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It’s time to HUG it Out for the holidays and be kind to your mind. ⁣
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👉 What’s your favorite or one you’ll put into action today?⁣
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🤗 Know someone who needs a reminder? Pay it forward or tag them in the comments. ⁣
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HUGS and Peace! Hilary⁣
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👇 PS- If you want the article sent directly to your DMs, drop the word PEACE in the comments and I’ll send you the link to read it! ⁣
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12/01/2025

Holiday stress takes a toll on moms more than any other demographic. You're doing it all. Now it's time to do for yourself. If you're looking for a safe space to learn neuroscience-based tools that can help you self-regulate and self-soothe for self-care, join me for a Moms Beyond the 9-5 event on Dec 10th.

11/30/2025

🛑 Unpopular opinion…you’re not required to buy anything! ⁣
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These days are some of the most stressful holiday weekends globally. And here’s the question: 𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴?⁣

👉Save and/or tag someone that needs the reminder that:
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If it doesn’t bring you joy…⁣
If it feels heavy in your body…⁣
If it causes stress, anxiety, or sleepless nights over a “deal” or “must-have”…⁣
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…it might be time to pause and reflect on your “Buyerarchy of Needs”.⁣
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Choosing agency is a core part of the 𝙃𝙐𝙂 𝙞𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙩® way. It opens the door to exploring alternatives that actually feel good and create space for well-being.⁣
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This isn’t a knock on the gift-givers or shopaholics If buying lights you up, go for it. But if it’s not enjoyable, change the way you give.⁣
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And let me ask: when was the last time you gave to yourself? 💝⁣
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Currency comes in many forms: time, energy, presence, or money. Make your deposits count by honoring what truly works for you.⁣
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That’s how you HUG it Out this holiday season and beyond.⁣
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✨ Do you agree? Where do you fall on the “buyerarchy of needs” this year?⁣ Share below, pay it forward and take back control!
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HUGS to holiday happiness! Hil

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Englewood, NJ

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https://linktr.ee/hilaryrusso, https://www.hilaryrusso.com/, https://hilaryrusso.as.me/hugitout, https://hilaryrusso.as.

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