Jenna Bush Hager Finds Her Joy in Family, Faith — and Her Favorite Household Chore
Morning TV star Jenna Bush Hager is super-busy these days as a wife, mother of three, host of the fourth hour of Today, podcaster, book club creator and bestselling children's book author, but she always finds time for joy — and the surprising chore that helps her find it.
Here in her own words are how she balances her life … and how you can do the same!
'We're never going to hear anybody's voice as loudly as our own and we've all had moments when we say cruel things to ourselves about the way we look. We need to change the way we speak to ourselves. If you find yourself talking negatively, just say, 'That's not true.' It's also important to focus more on how we feel than how we look. Saying kind things to ourselves truly changes how we feel.'
'My biggest stress buster is so bizarre — I love to vacuum. I inherited that from my mother. My husband's like, 'You do not need to vacuum. There's barely a crumb.' And I'm like, 'This is my joy!' It totally relaxes me. I've also learned so much from Hoda Kotb, who always chooses joy, optimism and kindness, even when things are hard.'
'My family and I love the simple joy of being outside in the summer. I enjoy taking the kids to the park or painting outside with them. Summertime is about pausing the busyness, being together and enjoying nature. During 'me' time, I especially like recharging by reading books or walking outside and listening to music — I could do that for hours!'
'I get my strength from my faith and my family, knowing that at the end of every day, no matter what, I still get to be a mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend makes me so grateful.'
'Every day, I make a 'tea' with hot water, lemon, honey and ginger. I drink this in the morning — even in the summer because it's freezing in the A/C — and find it's the easiest way to drink a lot of water before I even start my day. I'm also really into putting a sprinkle of salt or an electrolyte packet into my water. I'm obsessed. It makes me feel more hydrated and energetic instantly.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Hoda Kotb Opens Up About What She Misses Most After Leaving 'Today '(Exclusive)
Hoda Kotb opens up about what her life is really like after walking away from the Today show The former co-host is keeping busy and still making regular trips to Rockefeller Center Today anchor Savannah Guthrie shares with PEOPLE what she misses most about having Kotb as a colleagueIt's been five months since Hoda Kotb walked away from one of the most coveted spots in broadcasting, as co-anchor of the Today show. In that time she's been settling into a new life, relishing the amount of time she has for her daughters Haley, 8, and Hope, 6. She's also making plans for the future, with a new wellness company, Joy 101, complete with an app, live events and a subscription newsletter that will all center around themes of joy, mindfulness, meditation and wellness. 'When someone erases your schedule and says, 'Okay, here you go. Have fun,' you're sitting there going, 'Oh my gosh, what am I supposed to be doing right now?'' Kotb, 60, tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. 'On the very first day, I was scribbling in my journal and feeling a little off. There was a big, huge, full moon and it was so bright in my office, it was like a light was on. I still remember looking up and Haley scampered down the stairs and jumped in my lap. She looked and me and she goes, 'You really are here.' It was really, really beautiful.' But she admits she does miss her old life. "I do. I just had coffee with Savannah [Guthrie] a little more than a week ago and we sat across from each other and, in that one hour, we laughed, we cried, we held hands. She shared all this personal stuff and I did too. And she asked me, 'Tell me what it's like on the other side,'' Kotb recalls. 'And I said, 'I'll tell you what I miss: I miss this.' I miss walking in a room and having an instant daily connection that you don't have to put on a calendar." She adds, "I saw Savannah and Jenna [Bush Hager] every day, without fail, and we shared our lives. It's so funny. It's not the work part of it, but I miss that a lot. It's like an empty space for me.' That feeling is mutual. 'I've missed her giggle so much,' says Guthrie. 'She could really walk in a room, giggle, and everything in the world just fades away.' To read more about Hoda Kotb's life after , pick up the newest issue of PEOPLE on stands now. Kotb's been into the city and back at her old Rockefeller Center stomping ground a few times since leaving Today, as she hosts her podcast Making Space from the Today offices. On May 28, she went on Today to promote her new company — and stuck around as Bush Hager's surprise guest host for the 10 o'clock hour as well. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Every time I walk in, I feel warm and fuzzy,' says Kotb. 'It's not like when you break up with someone you're like, 'Oh God, there he is!' I don't feel that. I want to see everybody. And look, the pictures are now Craig [Melvin] and Savannah. I like looking at them. I'm not like, 'Well that was quick!'" Read the original article on People
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
World's oldest practicing doctor, 102, reveals ‘enemy of longevity'
Most people slow down with age, trading suits and deadlines for slippers and daytime TV. Not Dr. Howard Tucker. The Cleveland-born neurologist treated patients for nearly eight decades, earning the Guinness World Record title for oldest practicing doctor just before his 99th birthday. Now 102, Tucker may have hung up his white coat, but he hasn't hit the brakes. He spends his days lecturing future doctors at Case Western Reserve University and consulting on medical-legal cases — thanks to the law degree he picked up at the age of 67. 5 Dr. Howard Tucker treated patients from 1947 until 2022. drhowardtucker/Instagram Oh, and he's gone viral on TikTok while promoting What's Next, a documentary about his life, produced by his grandson. Tucker recently peeled back the curtain on his remarkable run — and how he's stayed sharp, driven and active well into his second century. 'Retirement, I think, is the enemy of longevity,' Tucker recently told TODAY's Al Roker. 'You have to have some purpose in life and get up in the morning and know what you're about,' he added. Tucker continued practicing medicine until age 100, only stopping when the hospital where he worked shuttered its doors in 2022. 5 Tucker will turn 103 years old in July. whatsnextmovie/Instagram If it wasn't for the closure, Tucker told PEOPLE, he'd 'absolutely' still be seeing patients. He's even 'putting out feelers' for another gig — though he admits, 'nobody wants me at my age.' 'But I'll keep trying,' he said. Tucker has no intention of stepping away from his current workload. But for anyone thinking about throwing in the towel, he's got a word of advice. 'If they retire from their work, they should at least do something as a hobby, whether it be communal work or self-hobbies,' he told TODAY. 'You need a stimulus for the brain daily.' Science backs him up. Studies show that having a sense of purpose, continually learning new things and engaging in activities that require problem-solving, creativity and attention are key for staying mentally sharp into old age. 5 Tucker is one of the oldest people to receive a law degree. drhowardtucker/Instagram The average American lifespan was 77.5 years in 2022 — and Tucker blew past that long ago. His parents lived to 84 and 96, but he said good genes are only part of the equation. 'Heredity and family history of longevity is a healthy start. However, it must be supported by moderation of nutrition, alcohol, and happiness,' Tucker wrote in his Guinness submission. For Tucker, happiness comes from work, his wife of over 70 years, their four kids, 10 grandchildren — and a lifelong love for Cleveland sports. Research shows that people with strong social connections and a positive outlook tend to outlive those who are isolated or depressed. 5 Tucker has been married to his wife for more than 70 years. drhowardtucker/Instagram Tucker has also made staying active a lifelong priority. Writing for CNBC, Tucker said he's always avoided letting himself get out of shape. He gave up skiing after a fall in his late 80s left him with a broken neck, but he continues to snowshoe and hits the treadmill for at least three miles a day in his home gym. Tucker noted that even small habits make a difference, with studies suggesting just 15 minutes of walking a day can cut the risk of early death by nearly 25%. 5 The documentary about Tucker's life, What's Next, was the People's Voice Winner at the 2025 Webby Awards. Getty Images for The Webby Awards His diet is simple. On the mindbodygreen podcast, Tucker said he starts his day with seasonal fruit and sometimes cereal, washed down with 2% milk and a cup of tea instead of coffee. He usually skips lunch to stay sharp, and dinner is typically fish and vegetables — especially broccoli — with the occasional serving of meat. He and his wife end the day with something sweet, sometimes fruit, sometimes ice cream. Trucker rarely drinks but makes an exception for his favorite cocktail. 'I love my martinis,' he told Medical Economics. He's never touched a cigarette. With his 103rd birthday around the corner in July, Tucker isn't wasting time worrying about the end. 'I never think of death,' he told TODAY. 'To be alive is to know that you're going to die because life is a fatal disease. And so I live it.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Lester Holt Anchors Final Nightly News: ‘I'll Miss Our Evenings Together'
Lester Holt signed off from the NBC Nightly News on Friday. The NBC News veteran took a moment at the end of the newscast to reflect on his decade in the anchor's chair. 'After 10 years, this is my last Nightly News broadcast,' Holt said. 'As anchor, it has been an honor to lead this program.' Holt also thanked the extended Nightly News team, who joined him on-camera for his final moments as anchor. 'I'll miss our evenings together, and I'll miss the team that brings us all together,' he remarked. Holt announced his departure in February, calling his time at the Nightly News 'the honor of a lifetime.' But he's staying in the NBC News family, moving over into a full-time role at Dateline NBC, where he's been a principal anchor since 2011. He made his first public remarks about his post-Nightly News career during appearances at two awards ceremonies in April, the University of Kansas' William Allen White National Citation Award and Long Island University's George Polk Awards. 'What I know is that journalism is still a noble profession,' he remarked at the University of Kansas event. 'But one of tremendous responsibility. There is no room for arrogance if we are to succeed in our mission. There is however room for compassion.' Holt echoed the tenor of those comments in his closing Nightly News remarks, saying: 'Around here, facts matter… journalism matters, and you matter.' Tom Llamas will step into the Nightly News anchor's chair on June 2. In a sign of the times, Llamas will continue to host his streaming show, Top Story with Tom Llamas, in addition to his broadcast duties. Holt wished his successor well in his closing remarks, and a promo for the Llamas-anchored Nightly News ran during the newscast. Prior to his farewell, Holt appeared on the Today show and spoke with co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin about his Nightly News tenure. 'The timing just seemed right,' he remarked. 'I never wanted to be one of those people that was totally associated with just one thing. I always think you have to have something else in your life.' Speaking of his new Dateline role, Holt said that 'long-form [journalism] is something I really wanted to get my teeth into, it's a different set of news muscles.' Holt's departure from the Nightly News leaves ABC News' World News Tonight anchor David Muir as the longest-tenured network evening news anchor. Norah O'Donnell left the CBS Evening News in January for a broader senior correspondent role at the embattled network.
