"As a health coach and wellness editor, I test out rituals, supplements, diets, and routines like it’s my job—because it is. The wellness industry makes feeling well seem overwhelming (and even scary), so I make sure to bust myths and weed out what is and isn’t worth your hard-earned money or limited time and energy. There are many things I try that don’t work, many things I try that do work, and then there are the things that I try that work in a totally different way than I expected. I’m sharing five surprising things that actually made a big difference in my health that I stumbled on by accident.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
But this is the moment I remind you that every body is different—a fact that I aim to remind you of in every article and episode. Just because a supplement, food, or ritual worked for me does not mean it will work the same for you. No, you do not need to spend money on supplements or change up your diet and fitness routine to be well. My purpose of the below tips is to offer honest insight on what has made a difference for me and remind you that sometimes wellness is not always the latest TikTok trend; most often it’s the little non-trendy things we do unintentionally and consistently that make a major impact in how we feel in our bodies.
“Wellness is not always the latest TikTok trend; most often it’s the little non-trendy things we do unintentionally and consistently that make a major impact…”
1. Eating More Fruit Improved My Energy
I know we’re in this place as a culture where we’re obsessed with protein. And not for nothing—getting in enough protein is essential for hormonal health, muscular growth, metabolic health, and more. But with a beneficial focus on protein often comes a negative focus on carbohydrates, especially carbohydrates like fruit that contain (naturally occurring) sugar, complete with scary graphs that show your glucose levels after eating a banana. At the very least, fruit often gets left behind or forgotten about. A couple of years ago, I realized I had forgotten about fruit. I was so focused on getting in my protein that I hadn’t eaten an apple, mango, or tub of blueberries in weeks. But fruit is an amazing source of fiber and phytonutrients that also happens to be enjoyable. And experts say the key to optimal gut health is plant diversity, so when we’re not eating fruit, we’re missing out on a lot of potential benefits.
So in addition to my regular veggies and protein sources in my grocery hauls, I got more fruit in a variety of colors (to get a variety of phytonutrients and therefore benefits). I ate blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries with breakfast, and apples, papaya, pears, plums, etc. as a snack. Immediately I noticed a difference in my digestion (likely due to the fiber or microbiome variety), and I had fewer cravings throughout the day—but most surprisingly, I had noticeably more energy. There is that old adage that an apple gives you more energy than coffee. Now a variety of fruit is a daily staple for me, and my energy levels have never been better.
2. Decreasing Intense Exercise Improved My Fitness Levels
This may seem like a typo, but yes, you did read that right: Working out less improved my fitness. Throughout my 20s, I did daily exercise classes and felt like a workout did not “count” if I was not sweating, sore, and exhausted afterward. I never felt strong and was focused on the weight I wanted to lose or burning off calories from food I consumed. But in 2020, gyms and studios closed—the pandemic brought me limited motivation and a lot of anxiety. I started moving just to improve my mood and energy (which meant short bodyweight workouts, walks, or restorative yoga). Around this time, I also worked to heal my hormonal health, so even after gyms opened back up, I opted for exercise that would lower cortisol levels instead of spike it—particularly the week leading up to my menstrual phase. I started to understand fitness not as pushing your body as much and as hard as possible, but as the equal balance between rest and movement.
I made these changes for my hormonal health and to improve my overall joy, but I noticed something funny: I started to feel stronger and more “fit” than ever. Maybe it’s because I’m prioritizing consistency over length or even quality; maybe it’s because I’m actually listening to what my body needs; or maybe it’s because I’m not depleting my body so it can exercise effectively. But, TBH, I think the fitness industry lied to us guys. You don’t have to pay half your paycheck in exercise programs, and you don’t have to kill your body every day to be optimally healthy. In fact, you may be more “fit” if you don’t.
3. I Never Get a Breakout When I Drink Chlorophyll in Water
I don’t remember the first time I tried chlorophyll (for sure over five years ago) and have been adding the liquid to a glass of water a day on and off ever since. The time I’m “off” is because that $33 could be put to a different use ATM. And over my five-plus-year on-and-off relationship with chlorophyll, I have gathered enough data to confidently say adding chlorophyll drops to water improves my skin.
Chlorophyll (the accurate name is chlorophyllin) is a natural compound found in plants (it’s what gives plants their green color). It can help protect your cells from damage and support the body’s detoxification by binding with toxins. I was not aware of any supposed benefits for the skin when I first tried liquid chlorophyll, but over time, I noticed my skin was glowier and clearer when I was consistent, and noticeably less so if I stopped taking it. At this point, if I run out or choose to take a break from repurchasing (read: money problems), I expect my skin to be a little duller and I may get a breakout or two. There is limited research on chlorophyll (especially related to the skin), but from what I could find, it may be due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
It bears repeating that every body is entirely different. When it comes to acne (or any symptom, for that matter), the root causes vary from person to person. Hormonal changes, gut imbalances, stress, or an irritant in skincare products are all common causes of the same symptom (acne), which obviously requires different treatment modalities. So, no, I do not guarantee that drinking chlorophyll water will magically make your breakouts go away just because it improves my skin. But I do want to share what has worked for me, in case it may be helpful to you.
“I think the fitness industry lied to us guys…”
4. Reading Helped Lower My Anxiety Levels
One may argue (me, I’m the one) that anxiety has been the longest, most consistent relationship in my life. And while I love my regular therapy sessions, affirmations, meditations, mood-boosting workouts, and all the things we do to quiet the mind, I noticed a shift in my anxiety when I got a library card and started to read more. It’s not like I’m reading books on how to have less anxiety; I’m reading some self-help books, but it’s mostly celebrity memoirs or non-fiction about Old Hollywood (I have niche tastes).
Reading in itself can be a calming activity (particularly compared to activities like binging TV that may stimulate you), but I think there’s something to be said about getting outside of yourself. Reading allows us to tap into other stories, worlds, cultures, and opinions, meaning we get to be out of our minds and into our imagination. For me, reading seems to (even subconsciously) help me forget about anxieties and put my worries into context. While mental health requires a large toolbox where therapy, nutrition, and reframing thoughts are key tools, I have found reading (anything) is another tool that helps to reduce my anxiety.
5. I Haven’t Gotten Sick Since I Started Taking Colostrum
I started taking Colostrum over a year ago to see if it was worth covering (spoiler alert: it was, and our team wrote this article, which you should absolutely read if you are new to Colostrum). I was intrigued by the impressive research and the gut-friendly benefits it promises (explained Dr. Sarah Rahal, MD, a board-certified neurologist and the CEO and founder of ARMRA: “Colostrum naturally fortifies your entire gut wall system… which blocks irritants that can trigger symptoms like bloating and constipation”). And while I did notice slight changes in my gut health, I did not expect a big difference in my immunity.
I usually get a cold or seasonal sickness at least a few times a year, and typically a couple of times every season. Since I started taking Colostrum, I have not gotten sick once (but like *knock on wood 100 times*). Clinical studies have found bovine colostrum to have incredibly impressive immune health benefits (a surprising 2007 study found colostrum to be “at least three times more effective than vaccination to prevent the flu”). Of course, it is hard to pinpoint if my newly found iron-clad immune system was specifically due to colostrum or if I had unintentional changes in diet, sleep, or environment that also added to it. But based on the research, I’m assuming it’s more than coincidence.
Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
Josie has been an editor and writer for The Everygirl since 2017 and became a certified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. As the Senior Wellness Editor, she oversees, writes, and edits wellness content, as well as reports on wellness trends and interviews the industry’s leading experts. Listen to Josie on The Everygirl Podcast.
