The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider with any questions or concerns regarding your health.
Common mistakes people make when they are genuinely trying to do all the right things
The beginning of your health journey can often feel overwhelming. You may find yourself overthinking ingredients, toxins, supplements, and your environment, and suddenly, life becomes an overcomplicated world of second-guessing, while all you really want is to understand what truly supports your body. I have been there. When I first started on my own, I tried nearly every diet, supplement, and routine I could find. Some of them helped for a season (like removing gluten and dairy temporarily to support my gut) but many left me feeling drained, confused, and still searching for answers.
Now, as a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, I see this same pattern in many of my clients. They are doing so many “healthy” things, yet still feel tired, bloated, anxious, or burned out. The truth is that not all healthy habits are healthy for everyone. What nourishes one person can stress another.
Here are some of the most common wellness mistakes I see and how to shift toward habits that truly support your body:
1. Following Restrictive Diets Without a Clear Reason or Plan
Food is foundational. It supplies the raw materials for your energy, hormones, digestion, and overall vitality. Removing certain foods temporarily can absolutely be helpful in specific situations, such as supporting gut repair or lowering inflammation. But cutting out entire food groups indefinitely without a clear plan often leads to nutrient deficiencies and metabolic imbalance. Overly restrictive diets can lower intake of key vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that your body relies on to function optimally. Instead of focusing on what to remove, try focusing on what to add in. Build your meals around nutrient-dense whole foods like quality proteins, colorful fruits, fermented or steamed vegetables, healthy fats, and slow-digesting carbohydrates. If there is one category worth minimizing long term, it is ultra-processed foods. These are consistently linked with inflammation, poor gut health, and higher rates of chronic disease. Aim for variety, nutrient density, and real, properly prepared foods. Your diet should make you feel nourished, not deprived. And don’t underestimate the importance of joy and connection around food. The pleasure and community of eating are just as nourishing as the nutrients themselves.
2. Trying Every Biohack Before Building the Basics
Cold plunges, red light therapy, intermittent fasting, and saunas can all have potential benefits. But they are not the foundation of good health. When people jump into these “biohacks” before addressing their basic needs (like eating real food, sleeping well, and managing stress) they often end up adding stress to a body that is already struggling. Fasting, for example, can influence hormones, thyroid function, and cortisol rhythms. While it can be therapeutic for some, it is not right for everyone (especially women under chronic stress or those with blood sugar issues). Similarly, cold water immersion can improve circulation and mood for some people, but it can also increase blood pressure and stress hormones in others.
Before adding more, pause and ask:
- Am I eating enough nutrient-rich food throughout the day?
- Am I sleeping deeply and waking rested?
- Am I moving my body consistently?
- Am I supporting my digestion and stress response?
The truth is that consistency in these basic areas will always outperform any fancy tool or quick fix. Once your foundation is strong, you can experiment with new habits from a place of balance rather than desperation.
3. Taking Too Many Supplements Without Clarity or Guidance
Supplements can absolutely play an important role in restoring nutrient status and supporting health, but more is not always better. I often meet people taking 6 or more supplements daily, many of which overlap or may not even be appropriate for their needs. For example, vitamin D requires magnesium and vitamin K2 to function properly. Without those cofactors, it may not provide the intended benefit. Similarly, taking isolated nutrients without understanding absorption, conversion, or synergy can create imbalance. The supplement industry is not tightly regulated, so quality and transparency matter. Always look for brands that use third-party testing, disclose ingredient sourcing, and avoid unnecessary fillers.
A few guiding questions to ask yourself:
- Do I understand why I am taking this supplement?
- Was it recommended based on lab data or guesswork?
- Have I checked for interactions with other supplements or medications?
- Is this a brand I trust for quality and purity?
Simplify where you can. Supplements should complement a well-rounded lifestyle, not replace it.
4. Ignoring the Simple Habits That Truly Move the Needle
It is easy to overlook the power of the free, simple habits that make the biggest impact. Movement, stress management, sunlight, and time in nature may not always sound exciting, but they profoundly affect your hormones, energy, and mood. Regular movement enhances mitochondrial function, improves circulation, supports lymphatic flow, and boosts neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Sunlight exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm, supports vitamin D production, and keeps cortisol patterns balanced. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve immune function. These habits cost nothing, but they create real, measurable shifts in how your body feels and functions.
Try these simple resets:
- Get outside within an hour of waking
- Walk after meals to support digestion and blood sugar
- Stretch or move every day in a way that feels enjoyable
- Protect your sleep routine and prioritize rest
These habits are sustainable, low-stress, and powerfully supportive of long-term wellness.
Why I Recommend Simply Pure Living
This is one of the many reasons I recommend Simply Pure Living to every client I work with. Their mission began from a simple yet powerful realization - it shouldn’t be difficult to live a toxin-free life. The founder saw how flooded the market was with products that claimed to be clean but weren’t. So she created a space where you can find truly safe, high-quality products from makers who care about both people and the planet.
Every product carried by Simply Pure Living is vetted for purity, integrity, and transparency, with a strong emphasis on supporting small businesses that craft their goods with care. Each purchase supports not only your health but also families, local farms, and small-scale artisans who believe in creating products that do good in the world. It is rare to find a shop that offers this combination of quality, intention, and community. It is why Simply Pure Living is always my first recommendation when clients ask where to begin.
Foundational Favorites to Support Everyday Health
Once you have your basics in place (real food, movement, sleep, and stress support) these foundational products from Simply Pure Living can help strengthen your digestion, nourishment, and relaxation routines. They are simple, effective additions that many people find worth incorporating into daily life.
Digestion
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Digestive Bitters – Plant Healing Woman Digestive Bitters
Bitters are exactly what they sound like: herbal blends that taste bitter and naturally stimulate digestion. Taking a few drops 15–20 minutes before a meal helps “wake up” your digestive system by signaling the stomach and liver to release enzymes and bile. The Plant Healing Woman Digestive Bitters blend includes herbs like dandelion root, fennel, and chamomile. Together, they support healthy bile flow, help ease gas and bloating, and promote calm digestion by encouraging your nervous system into a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state. These are perfect for anyone who feels heavy or sluggish after meals or struggles with occasional reflux or bloating. -
Rest & Digest Trio Glycerite – Plant Healing Woman
If you tend to live in “go mode” or feel stuck in fight-or-flight, this gentle glycerite can be a game changer. It combines lemon balm, catnip, and chamomile, three herbs that calm the nervous system and soothe the gut. Unlike alcohol tinctures, glycerites are alcohol-free, making them safe even for children. A few drops before bed or after a stressful day help relax the body, ease digestive tension, and promote restorative sleep. It’s one of my favorite nervous-system allies. -
Digestive Enzymes – Smidge Digestive Enzymes
If you often feel like food “just sits there,” or you experience bloating and irregularity, digestive enzymes can help ensure your body breaks down and absorbs nutrients efficiently, Smidge Digestive Enzymes are clean, allergen-free, and thoughtfully formulated with enzymes that help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They even include support for casein and gluten breakdown, making them ideal for those transitioning to a more nutrient-dense diet. Start with one capsule before meals, increase gradually, and notice how your digestion and energy improve.
Nourishing Daily Drinks
Replacing your daily cup of coffee or afternoon pick-me-up with a nutrient-dense drink is one of the simplest ways to boost everyday nourishment. Each of these blends provides nourishment and focus while being gentle on the adrenals - a beautiful swap for those wanting to reduce caffeine while still enjoying a comforting daily ritual.
- SubLuna Shroom Brew – A low-acid mushroom coffee made with 10 medicinal mushrooms, pasture-raised egg yolk, ghee, and pearl powder. It provides calm, sustained energy without the crash and supports focus, hormone balance, and radiant skin.
- SubLuna Fortress Chai – A spiced, adaptogenic blend for strength, vitality, and hormone support. Ingredients like cordyceps, deer antler velvet, and ginseng family herbs promote endurance and long-term energy.
- Perfect Supplements Perfect Matchinga – A vibrant matcha + moringa powder that offers gentle energy, antioxidants, and amino acids for focus without jitters.
- Cool Girl Matcha – Ceremonial matcha infused with tremella mushroom and rose petals for glowing skin, balanced mood, and antioxidant support.
Sleep & Relaxation Support
Quality sleep is one of the most overlooked pillars of wellness. A few favorites to help promote restful nights include:
- Bush Berry Knock Me Out Tea – A rich, earthy herbal blend with valerian root, lemon balm, and lavender that calms the mind and prepares the body for deep sleep. Perfect for winding down in the evening.
- Heartsong Herbs Sleep Easy Tincture – A blend of passionflower, hops, skullcap, and California poppy that helps you fall asleep naturally and wake refreshed. Just a dropper in water before bed can make all the difference.
- LifeBlud MAG+ Magnesium – Combines magnesium taurate and glycinate with calming amino acids for relaxation, stress relief, and muscle recovery. Magnesium supports over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those that regulate sleep and energy production.
Simplify and Support the Body You Already Have
Your body is not broken. It is constantly adapting and communicating with you. When you give it nourishment, rhythm, and rest instead of extremes and overcorrection, it responds beautifully. Start small and stay consistent. Eat real food. Move every day. Get outside. Use supplements with intention. Protect your sleep. Manage your stress. When you focus on doing the fundamentals well, everything else becomes easier. True health is not about chasing perfection - it is about supporting your body’s natural design and allowing it to thrive.
About the Author: Rachel Taylor, FDN-P
Rachel Taylor is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, wife, and mama of two. She helps clients uncover what is really going on inside their bodies through functional lab testing, personalized nutrition, and realistic lifestyle strategies so they can take action and feel better. Her clients often come to her struggling with digestive issues, hormone imbalances, fatigue, and unexplained symptoms that have not improved with conventional approaches. Rachel uses lab-guided insights to create step-by-step plans that restore energy, improve digestion, and bring clarity to the healing process. She knows firsthand how confusing the wellness world can feel after years of trying countless diets and supplements herself. Now, she is passionate about helping her clients simplify health, understand their bodies, and feel vibrant and nourished again.
You can connect with Rachel at www.racheltaylorhealth.com or on Instagram @racheltaylorhealth