Are Wellness Routines Becoming Too Complicated?
I heard something recently that I just can’t stop thinking about.
I was listening to a podcast where a wellness influencer was doing a Q&A with her audience.
Someone asked her: “What’s your routine before going out to dinner with friends?”
I leaned in, genuinely curious.
And what followed was a 19-step, all-day protocol that included weightlifting, a sauna session, celery juice, pre-meal walks, activated charcoal, probiotics, castor oil on the belly button, digestive enzymes, an epsom salt bath, and a long list of additional supplements.
Nineteen steps.
Just to go out to dinner.
The very next day, I saw an Instagram reel where a woman shared her 13-step morning routine: cold plunging, supplements, meditation, face yoga, dry brushing, a PEMF mat, and more.
Now, I’m all for routines that help you feel your best. I have wellness routines that I love and love to share.
But moments like this make me pause.
Because wellness has become such a massive industry that it’s getting harder and harder to know what’s actually helpful…and what’s just noise.
One scroll through social media and it’s easy to start wondering:
Should I be doing all of that too?
And what I see happening over and over again is this:
We’re trying to optimize our health before we’ve even solidified the basics.
And that’s what I want to talk about today.
Why Do Wellness Trends Focus on Optimization Instead of the Basics?
I love finding new ways to support my own health and my family’s. And many of these trending tools do have merit.
Certain supplements, used intentionally, can support specific goals.
Practices like sauna or nutrient tracking can be valuable for the right person at the right time.
But there’s a meaningful difference between making intentional choices to support your health and getting swept into an optimization culture that always has something new to sell you.
One moves you forward and meets you where you’re at.
The other keeps you in a cycle of focusing on the next flashy thing – but not necessarily the thing that moves the needle most.
What concerns me most isn’t the tools themselves. It’s the order of operations.
Most of these strategies are designed to enhance a foundation that’s already solid.
But what most people miss is that they’re the 5%, not the 95%.
When we skip straight to the 5%, it’s a bit like adding a high-performance fuel to a car that hasn’t had an oil change in years.
The foundation has to come first. And most of us (even the most wellness-savvy among us) have far more room to grow in the basics than we do in the advanced strategies.
Why the Most Effective Health Habits Are the Simple Ones
The Basics Are Not Boring. They’re Just Not Profitable.
As a founder, Pilates instructor, and Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, I understand something about this industry that I think is worth saying out loud: at its core, wellness has become a business industry. And like any industry, it grows by creating demand.
Social media has only intensified this. Influencers build entire platforms around their morning routines, supplement stacks, cold plunges, and continuous glucose monitors – leading you to believe that the NEW thing might be the thing that finally moves the needle for you.
Or even leading you to believe the more you do, the better you’ll feel.
Let me share something I’ve observed working with women for over a decade: the ones who feel the best in their bodies are almost never the ones doing the most.
They’re the ones who consistently prioritize the fundamentals.
What Are the Most Important Health Basics for Long-Term Wellness?
- Daily movement
- Adequate hydration
- Nourishing meals built around whole foods
- Quality sleep
- Stress regulation
These are the things that science has proven, again and again, to have the biggest impact on our health and how we feel.
Consider walking alone. Data from nearly 227,000 people across multiple countries found that every 1,000 steps added to your daily total was associated with a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality.Not a supplement. Not a 10-step protocol. Just a simple walk!
Or take hydration. A NIH study that followed more than 11,000 adults for 25 years found that people who were chronically under-hydrated had a significantly higher risk of developing chronic disease and were more likely to experience accelerated aging.
As a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, I know that the sequence in which we support the body matters enormously.
We don’t add targeted supplements and adaptogens before we’ve addressed whether someone is digesting their food well, sleeping enough, eating enough, or drinking enough water.
Starting with the “extras” before building the foundation is like decorating a house before the walls are even up.
The foundations move the needle because before the body is reading for optimization, it needs a solid foundation.
When you improve the foundation, your body responds and has the best possible chance to function optimally on its own.
These basics don’t get much attention because, frankly, they don’t get clicks and they don’t sell.
It’s hard to build a product line around “drink more water and go to bed earlier” and there’s no influencer commission on a 20-minute evening walk.
But I’m here to tell you that there is a profound transformation available to you on the other side of those simple, unsexy habits.
And it’s a big part of what we focus on here at Lindywell.
What Should You Focus on First When Improving Your Health?
If you’re feeling exhausted, inflamed, out of sync with your body, or like nothing you try is working, before you add anything new, I want you to honestly ask yourself how you’re doing with the basics:
- Are you moving your body consistently most days of the week?
- Are you drinking enough water throughout the day?
- Are you eating regular, nourishing meals with enough protein?
- Are you getting 7-8 hours of sleep most nights?
- Are you doing anything to actively regulate your nervous system – even five minutes of deep breathing or a slow walk outside?
If the honest answer to any of those is not really – that’s your work right now.
Why Consistent Health Habits Matter More Than the Latest Wellness Trend
The honest truth:
If you’re not walking daily, hold off on buying the expensive gadget and get outside.
If you’re skipping meals or eating convenience foods, don’t add an expensive supplement until you focus on the food you’re eating first.
I’ve seen so many women spin their wheels chasing optimization or the “next thing” while their foundation is where the real opportunity exists.
Build the foundation first. Then explore what else might support you further.
A Simple Question to Help You Build a Stronger Health Foundation
Here’s what I want you to take away from all of this…
You don’t need a 19-step routine to enjoy dinner with your friends, you don’t need a cabinet full of supplements and you don’t need the latest piece of equipment in order to improve your health.
What most of us need is to focus on the basics with consistency.
The wellness industry will always be selling you the next thing. That’s not going to change. But I encourage you to continue being a thoughtful consumer so you can decide what you actually need.
More often than not, the answer is simpler than you think.
This is exactly why Lindywell exists. To be the voice that tells you the truth, even when the truth is less exciting than a new protocol.
We’re here to help you build the kind of health that actually lasts: through consistent movement, real nourishment, and a kinder relationship with your body.
So this week, I invite you to reflect on one question:
What’s one foundational habit you could focus on right now?
Start there. I promise it will be far more effective than chasing the latest trend.
Note: I genuinely enjoy trying new things when it comes to health and fitness. I focus on my foundations 95% of the time and fun, new things 5% of the time. Partly because I enjoy it and partly because it’s my job to continue learning and testing so I can help you cut through the noise.
Do you have confusion on whether something is an unnecessary trend or want more guidance on how to focus on a specific foundational habit? Comment on this post so I can address it in an upcoming Wellness Wednesday email/blog post. 💛
30 thoughts on “Are You Making Wellness Too Complicated? What Midlife Women Should Focus On First”
I’ve been consistent with my Lindywell workouts in the morning. Now I need to get out and walk in the afternoon. By the time I’m done with work I’m shot. Any suggestions on getting started on a consistent walking routine? Thank you.
We’re celebrating your consistency with your morning Pilates and so glad that you’re wanting to add walks to your daily routine too. One suggestion would be to pair your walk with something that you already do each afternoon. And remember to give yourself grace when you don’t get to it. You’re doing a great job caring for yourself!
Such great grounding wisdom in the midst of A LOT of noise! Thank you Robin!
We’re so glad that this message resonated for you, Billi!
I love this! I need to get back to my walks & now that spring is here, there’s no better time! There is so much noise in the fitness industry centered around the quick fixes. I tell my 18 y.o. daughter and her friends, “you are what you do consistently.” A few cookies or a few lazy days at the beach are perfectly fine. But on a regular basis, nourish your body with good foods and exercise to stay strong and healthy!
Absolutely, Tiffany! Focusing on the basics is beneficial for women of all ages and stages!
One of the “mantras” I live by is “Consistency and Flexibility”. I have been consistently practicing the five items. you listed for two years now and have noticed a huge difference in many areas of my life. However, last week was my Spring Break and there things I didn’t do. I didn’t beat myself up because I had been consistent leading up to that week. This week, I have been less flexible with my routines, and that’s good for me. I look at all information (health or otherwise) from the lense of “could this be helpful for me?”. I think too many women think that if it works for one person it will automatically work for them – that is a fallacy! We are not all the same so we have to find what works for us as individuals.
Yes, so glad that you’re doing what works best for you and we’re celebrating the way that you are caring for yourself!
Thank you so much for a real and honest approach. Its definitely overwhelming hearing all the new trends and supplements to try. Right now I’m working on adding at least 1 walk a day to my Pilates routine. I’ve already noticed I have more energy after 1 week of walking! Thank you again for cutting through all the noise!
Love to hear the difference your walk has made for you, Jessica, and we’re cheering you on!
Thank you for keeping things real and honest, it’s what I love about you and your program the most. It’s easy to give up and feel overwhelmed by all the fitness industry “do this and do that” noise. As a midlife Mom going through perimenopause and still caregiving for special needs children, dealing with a lot of fatigue, inflammation and daily pain, doing these 5 things is enough for now.
We’re so glad that you are caring for yourself in a way that’s best for you, especially during this challenging season. You’ve got this, Kelly, and we’re cheering you on, both on and off your mat!
Thank you for this. Someone recently told me that their apple watch was able to track their dreaming. I thought..seriously?! I don’t need a watch to tell me when I’m dreaming. My old garmin registered that I’d walked even before I put it on. Because of Lindywell, I consistently do at least 5 workouts/week. I also walk my dog daily (altho I do need to walk more); and am making myself drink more water. I usually follow my workouts with a 10 minute meditation too…my reward. Could I eat healthier…that’s a big YEP! At 72, though, I’m doing pretty well and have stayed consistent with my workouts for the past…gee I don’t really know how many years….but it’s a lot!! Thank you for keeping things real, simple, and focusing on what’s most important.
We are celebrating your consistency, Gretchen, and the way that you are caring so well for yourself. You are an inspiration and we’re cheering you on!
Thank you Robin for another great wellness post! I have been working hard to consistently include the 5 basics into my daily routine for the past month. I’ve lost a few pounds, but more importantly, I feel so much better and my general mood and outlook have improved. I’m motivated to keep building a strong foundation, in part because of the resources that Lindywell provides. So thank you!
My question is about colostrum as a daily supplement. I feel like this is a big one being marketed by the wellness industry right now, and I’m wondering if it’s as important/impactful as the different company brands want you to think. Thank you!
We love hearing the difference that your routine has made for you, especially with how you feel! And we love that you are wanting to dig deeper into colostrum supplements. We’ll be sure to share with Robin so she can consider this topic for future Wellness Wednesdays!
How important is it to supplement with collagen and creatine? I’ve heard those both mentioned a lot recently! Thanks for always being a safe voice for us to follow!
This is a great question, Jackie, and we’re sure you’re not alone in wanting to learn more about this. We’ll be sure to share with Robin so she can consider addressing it in a future Wellness Wednesday!
THIS is why I’m a member; this philosophy right here 👏👏👏Agree with every word and thank you for advocating for this type of wellness Robin!
We’re so thankful that you’re a part of the Lindywell community, Helena, and so glad that this resonates for you!
This is a very good read and consistent health habits are beneficial. There is so much trending stuff to intake, it’s expensive and marketed well. That’s why I enjoy the daily Lindywell program and my daily walks. I feel balanced, core strong and aging appropriately (keeping the fingers crossed). When you’re in the 60’s it’s an important time of your life to keep that strength going strong because when you start to loose that strength, it’s a lot harder to get it back.
Thank you Robin for this great Wednesday read 😊
Thank you for sharing what has been beneficial for you, Linda. We’re so glad that you’re a part of the Lindywell community and we are cheering you on, both on and off your mat!
Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed this Wellness Wednesday, Megan, and we hope future Wellness Wednesdays are equally as helpful and informative!
How do we know if we’re drinking enough water? So many opinions about this.
This is a great question, Joanne, and so glad that you’re wanting to dig deeper into this topic. I’ll be sure to share your question with Robin to consider addressing in a future Wellness Wednesday post.
I loved this article. We need more common sense in health and wellness. There’s just so much information and so many products that can totally overwhelm. Keeping routines simple makes goals more attainable and do-able, and in my opinion, we need more simplicity. Thank you so much for your wisdom. I’m here for it!
We’re so glad that you’re here for it, Jody, and that this resonated for you! 🙂
I am so glad you shared this it inspired me. I like walking. I tried every day to walk.
We’re so glad that this has inspired you and we’re celebrating the way that you are caring for yourself, Carla! Keep up the great work!