Wellness In The Age Of Overconsumption

It seems every week there is a new discovery or theory, or product, to help you look, feel-and be-your best. And if you don’t purchase into it, you’re somehow withholding yourself from achieving your full potential whilst limiting your growth. Basically, all your problems are the cause of not having this ONE new thing (or trend, or idea) AND THAT is why you are not a bio-hacking supermodel. No other reason.

The guilt that compounds from this belief is debilitating because you’re wondering whether you’re the catalyst in your own success. Do you just not care as much as others? Are you really so flippant with your health and wellbeing? Or has the overconsumption of today’s age run us dry?

Just a few short years ago, it seemed that a new wellness trend had at least a good 6 months of lifespan in it before we moved on to the next newer, shinier, more expensive trend- but those 6 months really gave you the length and legs to see if this was something you could incorporate into your daily routine for the long haul. Nowadays, you’re lucky if you have even two weeks to test out a new fad before the internet, and all its technologically advanced iterations, are shoving a far superior discovery down your throat. Listen, I’m not reminiscing over the days where a cigarette and coffee counted as breakfast, and a cigarette and Diet Coke were dinner, but there needs to be some leeway.

Personally, I’ve subscribed to a brand of wellness I like to call: convenient vitality. I, too, want to be the best version of myself that utilizes my 6-9 as much as she slaves away in her 9-5, but I fear I am of the variety that prefers to restore during a blissful slumber and make it to work just in the knick of time; this is-the sleeping hours-where I preserve my vitality. Or so I tell my boss when I’m a few minutes (hours) late for work and on a deadline. I am under no illusion that I function best on little sleep, rigorous, early morning exercise, and a list of supplements as long as my arm. I choose to find a time in my day when I know I’ll have energy and that small, sliver of hope to do some light cardio, and some vitamins that I have been told via a holistic doctor that I am in deep need of replenishing. My vanity can only suffer so much laziness and indignity! Otherwise, I would say I’m a healthy mix of fretting over not doing enough and straining myself overzealously.

I find the best course of action in these ever trying times (and this incredibly trying economy) is to see an actual functional doctor, get proper blood panels and other such necessary tests, and supplement yourself based on necessity rather than trending forecasts. Overloading yourself on a routine touted by a longevity “expert” will do more harm down the line; I promise you, a few missed doses of creatine without knowing the how- or why- won’t be the cause of your untimely end.

In recent years, I’ve devoted myself to studying different wellness practices that have been prevalent and proven since the ancient times: Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine. My path to discovering these remedies came by chance, and sadly by necessity, as I was dealing with a diagnosis I did not believe modern medicine could help me with. The practices, and their teachings, transformed how I approach my health and wellness journey in ways that no modern advice has been able to mimic.

Ancient texts and proof, though limited and stemming more from a mind-over-matter approach, have done me wonders. So, I implore you to do your own research, take the time you need, and build out a health and wellness journey that follows a protocol you’ve built to cater to YOU and not one that was catered and manufactured for you in a marketing office convinced of a one-size-fits-all approach. Your greatest investment is your health, and your greatest ally is you.

Mantra of the Week:

“Your health isn’t a trend to keep up with. It’s a relationship to keep tending.”

Song of the Week:

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

♈️ Aries 🔥

This week, you’re being asked to practice patience. Unfortunately, you have none. Try not to start a fight just because someone took 45 minutes to text back.

♉️ Taurus 💸

You deserve a little treat. The problem is you’ve been saying that every day for three weeks. Your bank account would like to be removed from this narrative.

♊️ Gemini 🎭

You’ve told four different people four slightly different versions of the same story. Not because you’re lying. Because each audience deserved its own edit.

♋️ Cancer 🔍

Someone’s energy feels “off” and you will be dedicating approximately 70% of your mental bandwidth to figuring out why. They’re probably just tired. You will not be accepting that explanation.

♌️ Leo ✨

You’re entering a period of increased confidence, magnetism, and checking who viewed your story. Post the picture. You already know you look good.

♍️ Virgo 📋

You’ve made a detailed plan for something that absolutely does not require a detailed plan. Unfortunately, nobody else is following it correctly. Stay strong.

♎️ Libra ⚖️

A decision needs to be made this week. Naturally, you’ll ask six people what they think, ignore all of them, and choose the thing you wanted in the first place.

♏️ Scorpio 🕵️‍♀️

Your intuition is trying to tell you something. And by “intuition,” we mean the FBI-level investigation you completed at 1:14 AM. The evidence is unfortunately compelling.

♐️ Sagittarius 🎉

A terrible idea is going to sound extremely fun this week. We both know you’re going to do it, so at least charge your phone first.

♑️ Capricorn 🧘‍♀️

You’re dangerously close to turning something that was supposed to be relaxing into another task to excel at. You do not need to be the best at having a weekend.

♒️ Aquarius 👽

You’ve emotionally detached from a situation so successfully that you’re starting to wonder if you ever cared at all. Growth? Avoidance? Who’s to say.

♓️ Pisces 🎬

One mildly meaningful interaction is about to become an entire cinematic universe in your head. There’s already a soundtrack. Please remember you have spoken twice.