After earning her doctorate in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University, Kavita Desai embarked on a diverse career, working as a clinical coordinator in the pharmacy department of a large teaching hospital, founding a cardiovascular risk-factor prevention clinic, and owning a medical clinic with a pharmacy specializing in pain care. It wasn’t until her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s that she began to think of her own long-term brain health as well as her children’s. Motivated to find solutions focused on disease prevention, she launched Revivele, a female-focused brand dedicated to helping women prioritize their wellbeing through education and products that work to prevent long-term disease risk. Here, she shares how she prioritizes her own wellbeing and is finding new joyful ways to maintain brain health.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness for me entails focusing on all aspects of my health: mind, body, and soul. This means taking action and making lifestyle changes that not only improve my health in the present but also well into the future.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
Hydration, supplementation, meditation, movement, prioritizing sleep quality, and surrounding myself with the people and activities that I love.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
Weight training and long walks with our two goldendoodles. I try to take our dogs, Teddy and Jaxx, for a walk each morning, not only because it is a great form of exercise that is easily accessible but also because we know that early morning exposure to sunlight and nature is incredibly beneficial for mental health. In addition to walking daily, I incorporate weight training into my routine three times weekly. Strength training helps build muscle, keeps my body strong, and is crucial for maintaining bone strength and integrity.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
Cruciferous vegetables! I love broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. My favorite way of preparing all three is to lightly roast them with a small amount of avocado or olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. These vegetables make a great side dish for most meals and are a great way to add fiber and a plethora of vitamins to my day.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I drink a green smoothie every day. It’s a quick and easy way to get several servings of green vegetables and fruit into my day. My hack is to purchase low-glycemic, organic fruits (usually berries), organic greens (I try to pick at least two, such as spinach, kale, mixed greens, broccoli sprouts), cucumber, and celery, chop all the ingredients and freeze them for whenever I’m ready to blend a handful of each and drink.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
My mom was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s several years ago and passed away in 2020. It was incredibly sad for me, but it was also frightening in that this might impact my long- term brain health and that of my children. As a result, I founded Revivele to start educating women on their risk factors for chronic disease, such as Alzheimer’s, and developed a comprehensive supplement system, Essentials, that addresses so many of the symptoms and risk factors women develop as they enter their perimenopausal years that can negatively impact their brain health.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
I honestly believe the word “wellness” itself is highly overused and misinterpreted. We use this word when referring to anything from exercise and diet to the latest fads in wearable technology. My belief is that we should be focusing on our disease prevention as holistically as possible, not just doing trendy activities or using the latest diets to chase what we are calling “wellness.”
What is your favorite self-care routine?
I always take a small part of each day just for me. My family is surprisingly very supportive of this and understands that for me to function at my best and be the best mother and wife to them, time to myself is crucial and imperative.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Meditation or deep breathing always helps me calm down on particularly busy and stressful days. If that is not possible, even a quick walk helps clear my mind and put things into perspective.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Stressing about things I cannot control. I know many women struggle with this, and it is something I am constantly working very hard to reduce. I know I cannot control other people’s behavior or many situations, so I have been actively teaching myself to not worry about these things because it almost always works itself out. Although the outcome isn’t always what I wanted or hoped for, more often than not, it never seems as dire as it did in the moment. So, I constantly remind myself of these lessons I have learned over the years and try to take each moment, and each day one step at a time.
What brings you joy?
My family brings me so much joy. I am blessed to have a wonderfully supportive husband and three lovely children who make everything I do even more meaningful. But in life, I do feel we need to find outlets and hobbies that can help us decompress and bring us joy. For me, that is painting and singing. I began doing both shortly after my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as a way to maintain my brain health but also to bring me happiness. I was shocked at how meditative I found both activities. I can get lost in the music or the canvas and find both so cathartic. And what a treat to discover new skills I didn’t realize I had. I have now done a gallery showing of my artwork and am in the middle of writing and recording an album. It’s amazing where the road to self-discovery and happiness can often bring you!
