May J Wellness

In my mid-40s, I went through a health crisis that completely changed the way I look at food. Since then, I’ve become someone who always turns the package around and reads the ingredient label.
That’s one of the reasons I like Chief Nutrition

Their Collagen Protein Bars are made with ingredients I recognize and feel good about eating. The bar I’m enjoying here has cashews as the first ingredient, 14g of protein, and only 3g of sugar. Some varieties are also made without refined sugar, which is a big plus for me as I’m trying to cut back.

But honestly, what I love most is the taste. I’m a huge chocolate lover, so this feels more like a treat than a typical protein bar. It’s satisfying, convenient, and easy to keep in my bag for work, travel, or whenever I need something sweet between meals.

I also tried their beef snacks, and they’re so good. Protein-rich snacks tend to keep me satisfied longer, which is why I like having options like these available throughout the day.

For me, a good snack isn’t only about protein. It’s about finding something that tastes good, keeps me satisfied, and is made with ingredients I can trust.
Paid partnership with Chief Nutrition

Turning 50 felt strangely familiar. The last time I felt this way was when I was 25 and left Japan. Back then, I thought, “If I don’t take a chance now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” Turning 50 gave me that same feeling. I realized the second half of life may not be about collecting more. It may be about letting go.

1. I let go of believing I’m too old or that I can’t. I never thought I could put myself out there on social media, but I tried. One year later, this community grew to over 180,000 people. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to that voice telling me I couldn’t. Thank you for believing in my content. Every comment, message, and follow means the world to me.

2. I let go of overthinking what other people think of me. I can replay one sentence in my head for a week and analyze every word. I’m still working on this, but I’m learning that people are people, and I am me.

3. I let go of trying to make every relationship work. Some people simply aren’t your people. That doesn’t make either person bad.
Sometimes distance is healthier for both sides.

4. I let go of keeping things just because they might be useful someday. I’m a hoarder. I save leftovers and pack my freezer with my precious little collection. One day, I came home and discovered that my husband had thrown everything away. In my 40s, I would have killed him. But instead, I looked at the empty freezer and said, “Thank you.” Gracefully. Honestly, I was so impressed with myself. I thought, wow… look at me. I’m such a mature 50-year-old now.

5. I’m trying to let go of being too comfortable.
My life is good. I live in Los Angeles, my family is healthy, and my business is doing well. But sometimes comfort can quietly become the place where we stop growing. At 25, I took the biggest risk of my life. Now, at 50, I’m wondering if it’s time to be brave again.
Writing this made me realize something. I’m not afraid of getting older. I’m afraid of stopping my own growth.

So whether you’re 20, 35, 50, or 70, ask yourself: What is one thing you need to let go of so you can move forward?
Sometimes growth isn’t about adding more. It’s about making room

Because I believe the little things you do today will show up in your face tomorrow, 30 days from now, and even a year from now. I want to enjoy looking at myself in the mirror one year from now... and ten years from now.

And the reason I made today’s video is because I want you to enjoy looking in the mirror, too.

If your jawline isn’t as defined as it used to be, please don’t assume it’s just because of your age or your weight. A softer jawline isn’t always caused by age or weight alone. The moment you give up is the moment you stop giving yourself the chance to change.
If you’re not ready to give up, keep reading.

For many people, a less defined jawline can also be related to chronic jaw clenching and muscle tension around the jaw. I’ve struggled with teeth grinding (bruxism) and TMJ for many years, and I still receive acupuncture treatments for my jaw.
When I first learned Japanese Shiatsu at 19, this spot didn’t hurt at all.Back then, I wasn’t dealing with chronic stress or jaw clenching. I’ll never forget what my Shiatsu teacher said, “One day, if stress builds up, this area will become tight. Make sure you take care of it before that happens.”
I finally understand exactly what she meant.

I want you to gently press just below your ear, near the angle of your jaw.

Does it feel...
• Tender?
• Tight or firm?
• Different on one side?
If you answered yes to any of these, it may be a sign that your jaw has been holding more tension than you realize. So please release it today with Shiatsu.
Press gently for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat 3 times.

There’s no need to press hard. Breathe slowly and apply only enough pressure to feel comfortable. Shiatsu isn’t about using more force. It’s about combining gentle pressure with slow, deep breathing to help the surrounding muscles relax and leave your face feeling lighter.

If you’d like to learn the other 20 Japanese beauty acupressure points I use every day, along with step-by-step beginner-friendly tutorials, comment “EVERYTHING” below and I’ll send you the details of my Shiatsu Lift Program.

The small habits you practice today become the face you see in the mirror

Because this is one of the key areas I focus on when I want my face to look less puffy and feel more refreshed.👌

I’ve included this gentle release in my own routine for 32 years, and it’s still one of the first things I do when my jaw and face feel heavy.

Gently press just below your ear, near the angle of your jaw.
✔ Tender?
✔ Feels bumpy or tight?
✔ One side feels different than the other?

If you answered yes to any of these, try this 1-minute reset with me.
Tenderness below the ear is often linked to jaw clenching and tension in the muscles around the jaw, face, and neck.
When this area stays tight, your jawline can feel heavy, stiff, or puffy, and one side may feel more restricted than the other.

This gentle one-minute release helps relax the surrounding tension and encourages the area to feel softer, lighter, and less congested.
Because this area is close to lymphatic pathways, deep pressure is not the goal.
Here’s what to do:
✨ Place your index and middle fingers just below your ear.
✨ Instead of pressing hard, gently wiggle the skin with a small, soft motion.
✨ Breathe slowly and continue for 30–60 seconds.

Remember: More pressure isn’t better. A light, gentle touch is all you need.
Many people notice their jaw and face feel lighter afterward, and over time, this simple habit can help you feel less puffy and more relaxed.
My mission is to help women who feel like they’re fading enjoy looking in the mirror again.

I believe beauty isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about reconnecting with the beauty you already have.
So let’s spend just one minute today taking care of ourselves.🙏
Because the woman you’ll see in the mirror three months from now starts with the small habits you build today. 💛

When I was 19, a friend told me her doctor had advised her to drink much more water because she was dehydrated. That conversation inspired me to start drinking water every day.

At the time, I smoked ci******es. A 1.5-liter bottle of Volvic cost about the same as a pack of ci******es in Japan, around ¥250. So I made one simple choice: instead of buying ci******es, I bought water. Looking back, it was probably one of the smartest decisions of my life. That small decision became a habit I’ve kept for over 30 years. I didn’t start for beauty, but I truly believe consistent hydration has supported my skin and overall well-being.

These are my three personal water DON’Ts:
❌ I don’t drink ice-cold water.
✅ I choose room-temperature or warm water, a habit I learned growing up in Japan. Traditional Chinese Medicine also teaches that too many cold drinks may cool the body and interfere with digestion.

❌ I don’t drink water during meals.
✅ I drink it before I eat. Harvard Health has shared that drinking water before meals may help you feel fuller and support portion control. Personally, I’ve always felt better drinking before a meal rather than during or immediately after.

❌ I don’t drink water within three hours of bedtime.
✅ Sleep is my number-one beauty habit. Drinking too much late at night may interrupt my sleep and can make me feel puffier in the morning.
These are not medical rules rather influenced by my culture and just the personal habits that have worked for me. I stay hydrated throughout the day, so I never need to wait until I’m extremely thirsty or drink a large amount all at once.

Do you have any health or wellness habits passed down through your family or culture that you believe have contributed to your healthy skin?
I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments, I’m always excited to learn healthy habits from different cultures around the world. 🤍

“Can you share an exercise for hooded eyes?” I get asked this a lot, so here is one you can try. 👌

Hooded eyes can have many different causes, so I would never claim that one exercise can fix them completely. But puffiness, fluid retention, and tightness around the eyes can absolutely make your eyelids look and feel heavier.

That is why reducing puffiness, releasing tension, and supporting healthy circulation and lymphatic flow are non-negotiable parts of my facial sculpting routine.

Today’s exercise takes only one minute and combines gentle Shiatsu with eye movements. If you have never tried Shiatsu before, I have a free beginner’s guide that shows you exactly how to get started. Comment “STEP” to receive the link.

How to do today’s exercise:
Place your index fingers gently along the bones around your eyes and lightly lift. Slowly look side to side, up and down, then circle your eyes in both directions for about 30 seconds. Keep your forehead completely relaxed. Finish with gentle Shiatsu pressure and light tapping around the eyes.
The eye area is extremely delicate, so I always avoid aggressive massage or pulling the skin. This gentle, intentional approach is exactly what I love about Japanese facial sculpting.

➡️What this exercise is doing:
• Gently mobilizes the eye muscles
• Helps relax tension around the eyes
• Encourages healthy circulation
• Supports lymphatic drainage
• Helps reduce eye fatigue

➡️What you may notice afterward:
• Eyes feel less tired
• Eyes may feel easier to open
• Less puffiness
• A refreshed appearance

✨If you’re new to facial sculpting, I recommend starting with lymphatic drainage. My full routine takes less than 10 minutes, and many people say they feel immediate relief afterward.

I share many short tutorials here, so try one today and make it part of your routine.🙏

For my complete step-by-step program, visit the link in my bio or comment “FIRST” and I’ll send it to you.🥰

I would NEVER aggressively rubbing, pulling, and stretching my face, or copying random face yoga movements without knowing which muscles I’m actually targeting.

Many people believe that the harder they massage, the better the results will be. But when it comes to your face, more pressure does not always mean more benefit.

Depending on your age, skin type, and skin condition, overly aggressive massage can place unnecessary stress on the skin and may even work against the results you are trying to achieve.

The Japanese facial sculpting method I learned at 19 is based on a completely different philosophy.

We do not try to aggressively force the face to change. Instead, we gently refine and bring out the beauty that is already there.

My teacher taught me to treat the face like tofu: delicate, soft, and deserving of careful, intentional touch. I fell in love with that philosophy, and I have carried it with me for the past 32 years. You do not need aggressive pressure to support lymphatic flow. Gentle, light movements are enough.

And when the facial muscles feel tight, you do not need to rub the entire face forcefully. In Japanese Shiatsu, we apply slow, steady pressure to specific beauty points, allowing the muscles to gradually release.

The same principle applies to face yoga.
Moving the wrong muscles or repeatedly folding areas where lines have already formed, can make those lines appear more noticeable. The key is learning how to activate the correct muscles while keeping the rest of the face relaxed.
Your facial skin is delicate. Treat it gently and intentionally every day, and it can become more lifted, youthful, and radiant.

Not sure where to begin? Start by copying my routine.

I share many of my favorite techniques here, but if you want a complete, beginner-friendly, step-by-step tutorial, I’ve created a program where I demonstrate the Japanese facial sculpting techniques I personally practice.

Start with the first step of my method: my Instant Depuff routine.
You can find it through the link in my bio, or comment “FIRST” and I’ll send it to you.🥰

Try it now. You will love this! You may immediately notice how relaxing and refreshing it feels.❤️

Make a peace sign with both hands and place your index and middle fingers on either side of each ear, gently sandwiching the ear between your fingers. Then massage up and down around the ears, moving from top to bottom with light, comfortable pressure.
You can do this for as long as it feels good. I usually practice it for at least 30 seconds and repeat it throughout the day.

Who is this for?
✅ Anyone who tends to wake up with a puffy face
✅ Anyone who feels their jawline has become less defined
✅ Anyone whose face feels tired or heavy
✅ Anyone who spends long hours on a computer or phone
✅ Anyone who tends to hold tension in the jaw
What you may notice
✅ Helps release tension around the ears
✅ Supports a more defined-looking jawline
✅ Helps reduce the feeling of facial puffiness
✅ Leaves your face feeling refreshed
✅ Supports healthy lymphatic flow
✅ May help your face feel lighter afterward
Gently massaging around the ears can help release tension in the surrounding area and leave your entire face feeling lighter and more refreshed.
I share simple Japanese Face Sculpting techniques that require nothing but your own hands. Try this one today, and if it feels good, make it part of your daily routine.

This is only one movement from my complete lymphatic drainage routine. My exact routine takes about five to 8 minutes and is designed to help release facial puffiness and lifting effect. You can find the complete routine through the link in my profile.➡️

Have a beautiful weekend!🥰

“How long does it take to see a lifting effect from Shiatsu?”

I get this question all the time, so here is my answer.

In today’s video, I’m pressing five shiatsu points from the 20 Beauty Shiatsu points I use in my Japanese Face Sculpting routine. Although one point alone will not erase a wrinkle or dramatically lift your entire face, the right technique, pressure, and breathing may create an immediate response, such as a sense of calm, relief from facial tension or congestion, or a refreshed feeling. Everyone responds differently.

Shiatsu points are located near muscles, fascia, and nerve pathways, so I like to think of each point as a gentle switch that helps awaken and relax different areas of the body.

Practicing all 20 points takes only five to ten minutes. After one complete routine, you may notice an immediate difference in how your face feels. Facial tension may soften, your eyes may feel easier to open, and your face may look less puffy and more awake.

Because Shiatsu encourages slower breathing and intentional touch, it may also help your whole body settle into a calmer state. As facial tension relaxes and circulation is gently supported, many people notice a more natural glow.
The results build with consistent practice. After two to four weeks, your face may look brighter, firmer, and more balanced, with softer looking lines and a naturally lifted appearance. Shiatsu does not change who you are. It helps polish what you already have.

➡️Not sure how to begin? I created a beginner friendly guide focused on the eye area. Comment STEP and I’ll send you the link.

➡️To learn all 20 Beauty Shiatsu points I use, including exactly where to press, how much pressure to apply, and which technique works best for each area, my Shiatsu Facelift 3.0 program guides you through the complete routine step by step so you can copy my exact routine at home. Comment “everything” if you want to take a look. 🥰

One thing I’ve been noticing lately is that more and more people outside Japan are discovering Japanese beauty rituals, warming serum between the hands, slowing down, and applying skincare with intention instead of simply putting it on.

Brands may call these “rituals,” but for many Japanese women, this is not a trend. It is simply how we were taught to care for ourselves.

Japanese beauty is not only about which products you use. It is also about how you use them, how you touch your skin, and how you prepare your face before makeup.

For me, that preparation always includes a few minutes of gentle facial sculpting.
Why?

Because preparing your face is just as important as preparing your skin.

Before I apply makeup:
✔️ I release tight facial muscles.
✔️ I tap my entire face to stimulate circulation.
✔️ I massage around my jaw, where many of us hold tension.
✔️ I soften the muscles around my mouth and cheeks.

It only takes a few minutes, but my face feels less puffy, my skin looks more awake, and my makeup applies much more smoothly.

Women inside my Japanese Face Sculpting program often tell me that within about two weeks, they begin noticing smoother makeup application, firmer-looking skin, and a healthier glow.
So, if you have only been focusing on skincare products, do not forget what is underneath.

Beautiful skin is not only about what you put on your face. It is also about how you care for the muscles, circulation, and lymphatic flow beneath it.

You’ll find lots of easy one-minute Face Sculpting tutorials on my profile. Pick one and give it a try today. ✨🙏

If you’d like my complete beginner-friendly Japanese Face Sculpting routine (about 15 minutes), comment FIRST, and I’ll send you the link.🥰