In a world of diet culture, anti-diet culture, biohacking, health fear mongering, a supplement for every ailment, and elaborate morning routines, it’s safe to say your health journey might be an overwhelming, muddy road. Let’s call it like it is — there’s a lot of noise and sometimes over-correction from health issues created from modern times. If you feel lost, you’re certainly not alone. 

Many people would do anything to truly feel like they’re in the driver’s seat, grounded, and at peace with their health. As a dietitian that values integrity, it’s been my life’s work to help people work towards that much sought after balance and sense of empowerment.

At some point, we all recognize that it’s an individual journey, and there’s so much power in being self sourced. Will Cole, leading functional medicine expert, IFMCP, DNM, DC, and author of Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum, NYT-bestseller Intuitive Fasting, and Gut Feelings, expands on this when asked for his tip for a grounded approach to long term well-being:

“It can be easier said than done at the beginning, but it’s so important to not compare yourself to others,” states Cole. “Everyone’s purpose is different and everyone’s biochemistry is different, so your life and your health journey isn’t going to be the same as someone else’s. There’s no wrong way to heal and there’s no one way that your life should look. Once you start practicing this, you’ll begin to internalize it and it will overflow into every choice you make. Your intuition will become stronger of what you need physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

While your path will be unique, there are common themes that are beneficial to most for long-term health. Let’s take a look:

Create a life where “wellness” is in the background

Black and white thinking can trickle into just about every part of our life, and that especially holds true for our health. To many, it seems that there are two camps: one where wellness is all you think about, talk about and care about, and another where we completely neglect our health. True integration and embodiment can help you find a sustainable, common ground. Health supportive habits must simply be a part of your life vs. an uphill battle or obsession to actually stick. 

This sometimes takes more upfront work to redesign your life and live out your vision, but it’s worth it. Examples of true integration could be where walking, meals at home, or time in nature are simple, functional components of your everyday life. 

Tap into your intuition 

While I’m a huge advocate for science, learning about your body, and all things logic, it reaches a point where strictly focusing on these aspects gets in the way of our humanness. The counterbalance to these left-brained tendencies? Connecting to how we feel.

We have the power to instinctively know what’s best for us mentally, physically, and emotionally, and once we realize this we can strengthen that muscle. True balance is necessary for long term well-being, and it involves both rationality and intuition. 

Cultivate the ability to zoom in AND zoom out

Lab testing, supplementation, and spending more time and mental space in one aspect of your well-being are generally important stepping stones. We usually begin with one of our physical, mental, or emotional health buckets a little more full then the others for reasons based on genetics, environment, upbringing and more, and there are many tools to help course-correct.

That said, no matter what, keep the big picture in mind. I don’t know about you, but it’s certainly not my end goal to be on a laundry list of supplements for the rest of my life. If you’re working with a practitioner, keep open communication about your “zoomed out” end goal and how all areas of your life fit together.

Foundations first, always

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “don’t major in the minors.” Well, that especially holds true for your health. The foundations are foundations for a reason, and focusing on them first will give you the cellular energy to make some of the more specific changes down the road. Don’t turn your blinders on to consistent sleep and meals and go straight to the elaborate protocols. 

Wrapping it up

As a practitioner who’s been in multiple settings and the wide world of social media, I’ve witnessed a lot of wellness extremes firsthand. I think it’s important to not take everything at face value, keep learning, and see how new research can be helpful to you while still never forgetting the basics. If you do this, you’ll naturally gravitate towards the right habits, practitioners, books, and communities to walk with you along your journey towards optimal health.