I do not want to start this year off with a "new year, new you" sermon from my tiny corner of the Internet. Unfortunately, I decided to dedicate this month to building content around health and wellness.

I am, after all, a scientific writer, and a significant amount of my content is dedicated to health and wellness. They say to write for whom you'd like to work for, so I figured it was time to write about health and wellness - not just about copywriting and freelancing.

Which brings me to my big question: how do I do that without giving over-generalized, narrow-minded advice like "go for more walks" and "establish a healthy sleep schedule?"

That's not sexy advice. You don't want to hear it again. So instead, I thought I'd widen the view a bit.

When Did Health and Wellness Become So Popular?

Another way to phrase this would be, when did it become a good idea for scientific writers like yours truly to devote their lives to writing blogs on the myriad of benefits of things that are supposed to better your life?

Premier examples include adaptogens and the Carnivore Diet - neither of which is truly an evidence-backed way to reduce stress(adaptogens) or lose weight(Carnivore Diet) because they need further research to support clinical efficacy.

"Health and wellness" is no longer health and wellness; it's what has emerged from the convergence of pop science and society's desperate need to slow down.

Pop science = the bridge between scientific literature and everyone else.

So, also me and many of my colleagues. The issue with pop science isn't accurate messengers but rather people like Pete Evans, Jordan Peterson, or Gwenyth Paltrow. These are people with influence who have been known to suggest harmful things like not getting vaccinated or not getting chemo when you have cancer.

Science, along with politics and religion, has always been one of society's favorite things to debate. However, it's only in the past 10 years(?) been drawn into an individualistic crusade for self-care. Don't get me wrong; I love a good bubble bath.

However, self-care is now a $450 billion industry. If this reflects anything to me, it's that people want to care for themselves more and better - but they don't know how, exactly.

I think the question worth asking under all of the noise about what yoga class you should go to and how cold plunges will change your life is this:

Are we equipped with the tools to care for ourselves in the ways we need to?

Practicing Sustainable Health and Wellness

By this, I mean - were we taught how to take care of ourselves? Did anyone teach you how to regulate your emotions? How to find joy in a world where war is pervasive? To care for yourself in a way that empowers you to care for others?

I know, friends. This is deep for a blog. Perhaps not what you signed up for. I'll do a nice listicle next week. But I don't really half-ass well-being.

I ask these questions because I wasn't taught to care for myself that way. When I hit the first experience that challenged me enough to demand a deeper level of care - college - I did do therapy and exercise. Briefly.

But being 18 and caught up in the thrill of my new life away from home, I mainly engaged in fluffy self-care. Bubble baths and new journals and buying things to fill a deep craving for peace I simply didn't have the tools to meet yet.

Someone asked me recently what I would title my 2023 if it was made into a movie. I said, "Growing Up." I know how to care for myself now in a way that sustains me and brings me lasting happiness. And I hope you do, too.

Because here are three inescapable truths I've learned about health and wellness:

• When we take care of ourselves better, we're resourced enough to take care of others in an impactful way. Self-care should never be uncoupled from care for the collective.

• Health and wellness are not some separate part of our lives. They affect how we show up to work, how we feel on a day-to-day basis, how we love ourselves and others, and our dedication to this world.

• There are no quick fixes. Being healthy in your mind, soul, and body is a lifelong commitment that is uniquely individual to each of us. (This is why I deeply dislike prescriptive diets and overgeneralizations).

As our society has pushed and commercialized the idea of self-care as something individuals can do to improve their own lives, it's thrown the shortcomings of our healthcare system into sharp relief. Particularly here in the United States.

Want to learn more about how to manage your mental health as a freelancer? Read these 5 key tips.

I would be remiss not to mention that while health and wellness goals are often individual by choice - and we certainly have uniquely individual needs - it's harmful to place the burden of health solely on the shoulders of the individual.

Why? Because many people face daily barriers to accessible care due to the high cost of prescription medications, legislation that restricts bodily autonomy, or simply because of their race or gender.

While we all can take some measure of responsibility for our health, I can't recommend that you focus less on bubble baths and more on your relationship with yourself without touching on 2 things:

• Many Americans and people around the world lack basic safety, security, and comfort needs due to poor healthcare systems

• Many of us were never given the tools to truly care for ourselves. However, it's never too late to start trying

Practical Tips for a Well-Lived Life

I don't want to be prescriptive here, but I do want to share some of the ways that I find deep joy in my life with you. Perhaps in the hope that they'll land with you, too.

As the New Year dawns, I imagine many of us are striving to meet our New Year's Resolutions - and I'd love to hear yours, if you have any! I won't be dishonest with you; I always take the New Year to set intentions for the year and some goals, as well.

However, what I do not do is set goals from a place of dislike or shame for myself. So much of self-care culture now encourages us not to care for ourselves, but to improve ourselves. To become better versions of ourselves with this smoothie or workout routine.

What would the world look like if we actually liked who we were?

Just food for thought.

Here's my list of wellness practices that sustain me:

• Spend time alone. Meditate, cook, make art - but don't distract by being on screens.

• Take lots of walks!

• Spend time in nature

• Journal

• Move my body in a way that feels good

• Don't shame myself for "unhealthy" habits - for example, eating dessert, staying up late, or playing Pokemon for 2 hours

• Regular sleep schedule

• Drink lots of water

• Listen to music

• Have dance parties frequently

• Always try to be fully present

I've found over the last few years that sustained joy and well-being, for me, comes from paying attention to what's happening right now. As someone wise once said, attention is the beginning of gratitude.

I also want to be clear that although I believe wellness and health are more than wine night and daily affirmations, I still indulge myself in things that bring me joy.

We can hold the need to care for ourselves on a deeper level with the need for what brings us joy. I still take bubble baths, for example - it's just not my idea of deep self-care.

I'd love to hear what you would add to this list. What sustains your well-being? What experiences have you had with self-care that have been supportive and what experiences have you had that have not been supportive?

Let me know by commenting or emailing me! It's good to be back for this year. Happy New Year, friends, and may each of you be healthy and well in mind, body, and spirit this year. And if you’d like to stay healthy in business, don’t hesitate to contact me about working together.