Wearables. Apps and data tracking. Fad workouts, super foods, and supplements.
Health and wellness seems to have gotten really complicated.
You can track your steps, see your sleep patterns, and monitor a ton of different numbers that correlate to virtually every aspect of your health. There’s a shot, a pill, or a supplement that promises to bring health and wellness in an easy-to-ingest package.
As much as I love energy and enthusiasm around health and wellness, I worry it’s gone too far.
I’m skeptical all these devices and dashboards are bringing clarity and actionable information. I’m worried all the numbers and jargon are only delivering data overload. And I’m deeply concerned the weight loss medication craze is the shiniest object of all, distracting people from true solutions to improve health and wellness.
The true path to health starts in the kitchen
It really feels like we’ve overcomplicated something simple.
Simple health and wellness
That’s right, health and wellness is quite simple. Easy, no. Simple, yes.
Last year, I took a “common sense” approach to many of my articles about health and wellness. I saw an opportunity to remind everyone, especially those looking for workout hacks or wellness shortcuts or secrets to health, that they need none of that. Just use common sense. Do the simple things you know in your head and your heart that you should do.
This year, I’m going even bolder than simple common sense. I dare you to…be boring.
Boring health and wellness
For real, dial down your approach to health and wellness by going back to the basics, the obvious, the small, daily, consistent habits i.e. the boring.
There’s no need to buy the latest wearables, then track and attempt to make sense of every bit of data. Pass on going all-in on the latest workout craze. Don’t force-feed yourself kale or smoothies or whatever super food is having its moment…unless, I suppose you really like kale? I can’t imagine anyone does.
But for real, get boring about your habits, your choices, and your every day.
I’ve said it before and will say it forever: walking is THE most underrated exercise
Take a brisk walk.
Drink lots of water and little (or zero) soda, alcohol, juice, and sports drinks.
Be grateful and kind.
Cook real foods like vegetables and quinoa, fish and eggs.
Go to bed around the same time every night and get up around the same time every morning.
Use free weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight.
Eat fiber and protein, fruit and flax seeds.
Don’t scroll so much, especially first thing in the morning and before bedtime.
Quit buying so much stuff.
Oh, and for the ultimate boring cherry on the top: do these things all the time. Most, if not all, days. Then repeat the next day and the one after that, these same, boring activities.
That’s something no amount of hacks, shortcuts, or secrets will replace. To find success and calm in the chaos and overwhelm of wellness, dare to be boring. Because being well, living a healthy lifestyle…most of it boils down to basics, consistency, discipline – the boring stuff. And, at least to me, there’s something wonderfully energizing and fantastic and comforting about that.
Keep it real, keep it boring
Health and wellness doesn’t need to be sexy and shiny, it doesn’t require an arsenal of apps or have to cost a fortune every month in prescriptions and subscriptions.
This year, keep it un-complicated. Keep it simple. Keep it boring.
And, as always with me, keep it real.
That’s enough for now. Until next time,
Lindsay