The Secret to "Hacking" Your Health

In my 10+ years as a massage therapist, many wellness fads that have come and gone. Every season brings a new "life-changing" secret to health, beauty, weight loss, or youth. Each promises a simple fix. Eat this super fruit, try this fitness class, eliminate this one substance- and all your problems are solved!

Out of the hundreds of life hacks that have come along, there is only one "secret" I can confidently say is true. 

The secret the wellness is.... that there isn't one!

Don't be disappointed- this is a good thing! Once we can accept that health requires work, discipline, and some tough self-love, we can begin to move forward in our wellness journeys. We can stop wasting time (and money!) on things that don't work for us. 

Many of these "hacks" do work to a certain extent. For example; CBD oil has shown itself to have anti-inflammatory effects. But when a product is advertised as curing everything from headaches to cancer, such as how CBD has been marketed to us, it may be too good to be true. Every fad diet, every new fitness craze, they all promise simple solutions to complex problems. And even if work for some people, they may not be right for your body's unique needs. 

Health and wellness require that we take a hard look at ourselves, our lifestyles, and take care of our bodies physically, emotionally, and mentally. That means eating well, getting the proper exercise, engaging in activities that stimulate our brains, seeking out mental health counseling when needed, establishing a healthcare routine that puts the focus on you, finding healthy ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. 

This can seem daunting because it requires effort on our part. Think of your body as a investment, and the effort you put into keeping it healthy will pay off in the end.