Breaking Free from the Cycle of Wellness Fatigue
As I reflect on my journey with mental health, I realize that taking charge of my well-being isn’t always a guarantee of success. Despite being diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder in 2018, I dedicated myself to researching and implementing every lifestyle modification recommended by science. I joined the gym, practiced yoga, attended therapy sessions, and meticulously monitored my diet, consuming foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins.
The Illusion of Control
I soon discovered that even with my best efforts, the looming darkness of dissociative sadness still lingered, threatening to engulf me at any moment. The post-workout glow couldn’t keep it at bay indefinitely. I began to wonder if all my hard work was worth the trouble, if the pursuit of self-care could truly yield dividends. It was a classic case of “wellness fatigue,” a phenomenon where the pressure to be “good” about one’s lifestyle, fitness, and health conditions leads to burnout.
A Culture of Obsession
Others have shared similar experiences, including Audrey Stanton and Katie Rosenbrock, who have chronicled their own struggles with wellness fatigue. Vogue UK defines it as “slavery to relentless health trends,” resulting in emotional exhaustion and redundant household clutter. We’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the cult of self-betterment, where radiant, mostly white women tout the benefits of their lifestyle habits, and misinformation swirls online like froth on an oat milk latte.
The False Promise of Quick Fixes
For those with health-related resolutions, the world of wellness may seem full of promise, but it’s essential to recognize that these habits won’t necessarily be our salvation. In fact, they can lead to exhaustion, as I’ve experienced firsthand. Jessica Murnane, an advocate of plant-based eating and founder of Know Your Endo, warns that becoming obsessed with health and wellness trends is easy. She emphasizes the importance of returning to oneself and asking, “What makes me feel good?” rather than relying on “one size fits all” rhetoric.
A Hard Truth to Swallow
Murnane’s own story serves as a powerful reminder that even with diet changes and lifestyle modifications, chronic illnesses can still persist. She developed a 10-centimeter cyst on her ovary despite her best efforts, but instead of despairing, she views it as a “win” for someone with a chronic illness. Her narrative highlights the importance of acknowledging our limitations and celebrating our wins, rather than striving for an unattainable ideal.
Low-Tech, Unsexy Wellness
Dr. Ellen Vora’s video, “The Wellness-Industrial Complex,” offers guidance on navigating the overwhelming cycle of turning to products for deliverance. She emphasizes that true wellness is low-tech, unsexy, and hard to scale – it’s about lifestyle and behavior, not products. Her video concludes with a recommendation of the basics: sleep, food, exercise, stress management, community, fresh air, sunshine, and being outdoors in nature.
Accepting Limitations
Incorporating these basic needs into our lives can be daunting, but it’s essential to accept our limitations and celebrate our wins. As Murnane says, “We might be pretty great as it is.” For me, that means continuing to make my best efforts to eat well, drink water, and move my body, while acknowledging that these habits are a hedge against the undesirable outcomes of bipolar disorder. I do them to live, knowing full well that I am a person forever caught in my neurotransmitter’s ebbs and flows.
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