The Paradox of Wellness Obsession
“In the most health-obsessed society ever, all is not well.” -Gabor Mate’, MD. The Myth of Normal.
We live in an age of wellness obsession. Everywhere you look, there are advertisements for the latest diet trend, supplement or fitness gadget. People are more conscious than ever about what they put into their bodies and how they move them. There are specialty labs and “wellness” tests to assess your level of health. However, despite all this attention and focus on wellness, we continue to get sicker and sicker as a population. So why is this? Could it be that by putting so much attention on “ideal” health, we continue to seek for perfection? Or is it that constantly looking for what is wrong leads to a belief that “something is wrong with me” or “I am not enough,” and illness becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy? Let’s look into these a little bit more.
The Lure of Wellness Tests or Trends
Wellness trends can seem irresistible. We are constantly bombarded with promises of better health, beauty, and general well-being if we just buy the right product or follow the right program. There are also many new lab tests out there offering fancy reports and solutions. The problem is, many of these are not scientifically validated and it is not clear whether they provide you with any valuable information at all. In fact, the ranges they use come from the people who have these labs drawn. Well, who usually has labs drawn? People with symptoms! It is difficult for the average consumer to know how valid a test or solution is. The idea that you can get healthier by investing your time and money into something tangible is incredibly appealing—after all, if it's out there, then it must work! Unfortunately, many wellness trends and tests are just that—trends. These trends and tests offer no real health benefits; instead, they capitalize on our desire to be healthier without actually helping us achieve our goals.
The Power of Thoughts
When it comes to wellness and health, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the power of positive thinking. The thought process goes something like this: if you think positively about your well-being then you will attract positive qualities into your life that will help you stay healthy. Conversely, if you think negatively about your health then you could be inviting further illness into your life. If you think “something is wrong with me,” this could cause unnecessary stress or health concerns! This could explain why so many people are unable to reach their desired level of well-being despite their best efforts—they are focusing too much on what they don’t have rather than what they do have or they are focusing on what is wrong rather than everything that is right.
The Pressure of Perfectionism
Another factor that may contribute to our inability to achieve optimal wellness is the pressure of perfectionism. We live in an age where social media plays such a large role in our lives and it can be hard not to compare ourselves with others who appear to “have it all together” when it comes to their health and well-being. But the truth is that no one has perfect health or perfect wellness—it’s impossible! Trying too hard for perfection can actually be detrimental to our mental health, leading us down a path of feeling inadequate or unworthy if we don't measure up against whatever standards we have set for ourselves or those set by others.
What Can We Do About It?: Finding Balance Through Moderation
Balance is key when it comes to finding true health and well-being. Obsessing over wellness can lead to an unhealthy cycle where you’re always striving for perfection but never reaching it; this can result in feelings of frustration or inadequacy which may lead to further unhealthy behaviors such as crash dieting or overexercising in an attempt to “fix” yourself quickly. Instead, try embracing moderation—find ways to enjoy healthy activities without feeling like you have to do them perfectly all the time. Taking a balanced approach will help you reach your goals without sacrificing your mental health in the process.
The Power of Intentional Living
It’s easy to get sucked into believing that buying things will make us healthier. But true health comes from intentional living—not from a supplement, a pill, or a new diet trend. It comes from making deliberate choices about what we eat and how we move our bodies every single day. This kind of lifestyle change requires commitment; it means being mindful about what you’re putting into your body and living in harmony with nature rather than relying on quick fixes or gimmicks to get healthy. It might not be as flashy as following a shiny new trend, but intentional living leads to sustainable results over time.
Taking Control Back
It can be difficult but the key is learning how to take back control in order to achieve true wellness. To start, try changing how you view yourself and your body—practicing self-love instead of self-loathing could make all the difference in terms of achieving balance within yourself as well as within your environment. Secondly, focus on small steps rather than huge leaps when trying to meet your goals—this helps break larger goals down into manageable chunks which can reduce stress levels significantly while also making success feel achievable! Finally, remember that there will be bad days but these should never define who you are or stop you from striving for better days ahead!
In summary, we are constantly bombarded with messages about how important it is to stay healthy and pursue optimal levels of well-being. While these messages certainly have their place and purpose, they can also lead us down a path where feeling inadequate or unworthy becomes commonplace if we do not measure up against whatever standards have been set by ourselves or others around us. By taking control back with self-love, small steps forward towards goals, and keeping an eye out for better days, you will have greater success in achieving sustainable results over time without sacrificing your mental health in the process! Lasting health comes from focusing on intentional living and finding balance through moderation rather than obsessing over quick fixes or gimmicks that promise unrealistic results overnight.
