I was curious, what’s the one thing that’s actually made a difference in your health? I know what experts would say, but I wanted to hear your real-life wellness tips!
I’m not surprised that the answers were refreshingly simple (and shockingly doable). I know it’s easy to get caught up in “expert advice” or following the latest trend, thinking the next thing will finally make it work. And I don’t say that with judgment. I love experimenting and learning new things, too. But what I really wanted to uncover in this article are the tried-and-tested practices that have made a lasting difference. The ones that have worked in real life.
You might skim the list and think it’s too good to be true. It’s too basic to work. But I’d argue that’s exactly why these made the list. Because they do work. It’s the simple things that have the greatest impact.
It’s easy to overlook the basics, but the basics are what seem to be working.
Of course, none of these are one-size-fits-all solutions. But these real-life wellness tips offer a good place to land the next time you feel overwhelmed by health advice. The basics are always waiting to be lived.
Here are the ten most common responses when I asked, “What’s your best health secret?”
01. Keep it simple (stop complicating health)
I was pleasantly surprised, and honestly shocked, to see this one show up so many times on the list. Some phrased it as “do the little things,” others said “don’t overthink it,” but it all came back to the same idea: keep it simple.
“Restriction is not the answer. Overworking is not the answer. We need to focus on things that nourish our mind, body, and soul to create energy and balance.” -Anonymous
Don’t let the shiny new trend or big-name expert distract you from just showing up and living it. Health doesn’t need to be difficult or all-consuming. Health is meant to be the tool that helps you live your life, not the purpose of it.
Alexa’s Thought: The best way to simplify health is to stop viewing it as a destination and a mountain to climb and start seeing it as a rhythm, a daily practice, a way of life.
02. Be Mindful of Your Mind
“Health is a journey, not a destination, and is unique to the individual. Mindset and consistency are where your journey begins to change for the better.” -Annette
How your body responds to what you do is often more important than what you do. And how your body responds starts with your mind. Your mindset shapes your body’s responses, your choices, and ultimately, your results.
The stories you tell yourself about your health and what you’re capable of (or what your body is capable of) can either keep you stuck or help you live out health. Changing your mind doesn’t mean becoming a whole new person overnight. It’s more like revising the story you’ve been telling. Edit the narrative to achieve a different effect.
Alexa’s Thought: Mindset work doesn’t have to be heavy. Sometimes it’s just catching the moment you say “I can’t” and replacing it with “I’m learning.” A healthy mind builds a healthy body.
03: Live Within Life’s Rhythm
Everything in life has a rhythm, including the earth and your body. Living in alignment with the rhythms of life, nature, and your body’s internal cues is vital to your health. Not to mention, it adds a layer of flexibility and fun, allowing you to evolve as the seasons change.
“It’s hard to narrow it to one. First things that come to mind are rest, whole foods, breathing, joy…if I had to sum them up into one, I would say living in rhythm. Rhythm with the seasons, with the day, and with the phases of life.” -Elie
It’s the simple things like sleeping when it’s dark, eating with the seasons, slowing down when your body needs rest, and moving when your body needs energy. When you flow with the natural patterns of life rather than fight against them, your body has the resources, tools, and space to heal and regulate.
Alexa’s Thought: When I started honoring my natural rhythms instead of forcing a rigid routine, everything shifted. My productivity, energy, and even my digestion shifted for the better. Remember, your body knows what it’s doing. Your job is to listen and provide what your body needs to be supported.
04: Move Daily (And Make it Meaningful)
Not to place any sort of priority on these tips, but movement was the most common answer. But what stood out wasn’t just the aspect of moving. It was why people moved. It was the intention behind it that made it last, and that wasn’t for the calorie burn. People moved for the mental clarity, the connection, and the energy that movement created.
Don’t get lost in what type of movement you should be doing. Find a form you enjoy and that fits your season of life. Walk, stretch, dance, hike, lift, swim. Do whatever lights you up and leaves you wanting more.
“Just start moving. Don’t wait to get the energy, instead, moving will create the energy you need. Do the healthy habits that best work for you, at your pace, while also challenging yourself because health is a journey, not a destination!” -Jeanne
Alexa’s Thought: When I stopped working out to beat my body into submission and started moving to feel energized and clear my mind, it changed everything. One of the simplest ways to move more? Walk. Add 1,000 steps to your day and build from there. Small shifts make a big difference.
05. Be Consistent
The most successful people in health aren’t the most extreme. They’re the most consistent. What I love about this tip you shared is that it is the opposite of perfection, but it is the embodiment of what it means to show up for yourself.
Of course, consistency is easier when you let go of believing health is a fight or a hundred-point checklist. If health is too difficult or complicated to fit into your life, you won’t stick with it. Consistency comes from understanding that health should be simple. Think rhythm, not rules.
Alexa’s thought: The smallest action done consistently always outperforms the grand gesture done once. Don’t underestimate what a five-minute walk, a deep breath, or a moment of gratitude can do — especially when done often.
06: Manage Stress (don’t try to avoid it)
Stress came up a lot, and it wasn’t necessarily about avoiding it, but learning how to use it and move through it. Stress isn’t the problem. The problem is getting stuck in it.
“Focusing on stress and nervous system support is more powerful than the supplements and tests.” -Chelsea
Honestly, I think we give a lot of attention to stress and problems, in some ways dramatizing life to the point where stress is the only way. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Recognize stress as normal, even helpful in small doses. Then, build rhythms that help you regulate it. That could be breathwork, journaling, prayer, movement, or stepping outside. It’s not about eliminating chaos, but finding calm within it.
Alexa’s thoughts: The goal isn’t to live without stress. It’s to build resilience to handle it. Your response is your choice. Stress can either break you or build you. The difference is what you do with it.
07: Have Fun With It
This one wasn’t hit on a ton, but I think it’s one of the most underrated. Now, I understand, it’s rare to lump health and fun into the same category, let alone the same sentence. But fun is critical, even essential. Laughter, play, music, and creativity all release endorphins, lower cortisol, and reconnect you to what makes life worth living.
Alexa’s Thoughts: It’s easy to diminish play as childish, reserving fun for the younger generation. But play isn’t childish, it’s life-giving. Do something that makes you lose track of time. It could be singing, painting, dancing, or laughing. Remember, joy is medicine for your body.
08: Get Outside
Many people mentioned nature, walking, gardening, or simply sitting in the sun as one of the best health tips they have. They’re not wrong. Nature is free therapy for your nervous system and the jolt of vitamins you need to carry you through the week.
“Ever since I started moving outside, even when it’s cold, I feel so much better. Now I try to do as many tasks as possible outside in the sun.” -Laurie
The weather patterns don’t need to be perfect for you to head outside. Norwegian countries practice something called friluftsliv. It’s a philosophy of open-air living, regardless of the weather, believing that daily outdoor time, in any weather, restores vitality.
Alexa’s Thought: I used to dread winter. Now I know that fresh air, even on freezing days, is essential. Don’t wait for perfect weather, dress for the elements, and let nature do its work.
09: Prioritize Rest
Sleep and rest go hand in hand, but rest extends beyond bedtime. It’s not just about how long you sleep at night. It’s also the permission to pause, to unplug, reset, and restore, understanding that health is in the balance.
You can’t heal your body if it never has time to pause and rest. Stop viewing rest as lazy and start to see it as wisdom.
Alexa’s Thought: I had to learn the hard way that rest isn’t earned. It’s required. You don’t get healthy to rest, you get healthy through rest. Balance both the work and the stillness to create the best way of living.
10: Individualize health (make it personal)
“Finding a functional medicine practitioner to individualize what is needed helped me so much.” -Annonymous
This one stood out and not just for those seeking practitioners, but for those embracing their uniqueness. You are not a template. What works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay.
Instead of focusing on the external ideas, focus on your internal needs. Sometimes that may be finding a functional medicine practitioner to help take a deeper dive into what is happening internally, in your hormones, your gut, your genetics, and use that to make a plan that works for you.
Alexa’s Thoughts: Health isn’t one-size-fits-all. The more you tune into your own body’s wisdom, the less you need to chase someone else’s plan. The best-kept secret to health is finding your way of creating it.
The Big Takeaway:
If there’s one takeaway from this list of real-life wellness tips, it’s this: health isn’t about mastering more, it’s about returning to what’s already true. The basics never stopped working. We just stopped trusting them.
When in doubt, go back to simplicity. Move, breathe, rest, laugh, eat real food, and live in rhythm.
The rest has a way of falling into place.
Keep Reading To Get More real-life wellness tips:
Curious about living in rhythm? Check out Time Isn’t the Enemy: 3 Secrets to Mastering Your Day.
Want ideas for seasonal routines? Read 10 Ways To Upgrade Your Wellness Routine For Fall.
Looking for deep-dive thoughts on slowing down? Explore Fast Isn’t Better: The Power of Slow.
