Wellness Information Overwhelm & The Concept Of Bio-Individuality
Wellness trends seem to pop up and fade away in the blink of an eye, with each year bringing a new set of fads that dominate social media. For me, 2024 was the year of the "clean girl aesthetic," biohacking, meat plates, "fauxzempic" pills, and raw milk – at least that's what filled my feeds. But if there's one thing I've learned through my holistic nutrition training and my own health journey, it's that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to wellness. This concept is what we in the health coaching world call "bio-individuality." It simply means that we are all unique, and what works for one person—whether it's a specific diet, workout, sleep routine, or mindfulness practice—may not necessarily work for someone else.
Even if we all ate the same foods, moved our bodies in the same way, slept the same amount, and meditated for 20 minutes each day, we'd still look and feel completely different. And that’s the beauty of it! How dull would life be if we were all exactly alike? This is exactly why I encourage everyone to take the time to get to know themselves—body, mind, and soul. To truly tune in, listen, and pay attention without judgment. This has been a focus of mine over the past 2-3 years, and honestly, it’s been life-changing. When I was deep in my eating disorder, I was so disconnected from my body. I was depriving it of the nutrients and energy it needed, pushing it through grueling, high-intensity workouts without proper fuel, constantly battling anxiety, and feeling restless. I was utterly uncomfortable in my own skin and had no appreciation for the incredible things my body was doing for me every single day. Reconnecting with myself—really listening to what my body was telling me—has been one of the most transformative shifts in my life.
If your body thrives on savory breakfasts and long runs, then embrace that! If you feel best with a warm bowl of oatmeal or a refreshing smoothie followed by a Pilates or yoga session, then go for it! I encourage everyone to take a step back and really tune in. Grab a pen and paper, and take note of how you feel. Write down what you ate and how it made you feel, what kind of movement you did that day and how your body responded afterward, how much sleep you got, and how energized—or fatigued—you felt. Do this for a couple of weeks, and let your body’s responses guide you. If you ate something that didn’t "love you back," as Dr. Will Cole puts it, don’t stress. Just use it as data for making better choices next time. If a particular breakfast left you feeling energized and led to a great workout, repeat it! We’ve overcomplicated wellness to the point where we’ve lost sight of what it really means to feel well. The truth is, you are the most powerful expert on your own body. You know better than anyone else what it needs to function at its best. If you’ve become disconnected from those cues, I promise it’s easier to get back in tune than you might think. All it takes is the willingness to listen and experiment.
So, remember: wellness isn’t about following the latest trend or copying someone else’s routine. It’s about discovering what truly works for you—and giving yourself the grace to make adjustments along the way. Trust your body, listen closely, and embrace the journey of finding your own balance. After all, you’re the expert on your own body.
Lots of love,
Rach
