E044 | The hidden cost of over complicating wellness (and how to break free)

Are you stuck in a cycle of trying everything but feeling like nothing is working?

You’re not alone. Many women with chronic conditions pour their time and energy into endless routines, supplements, and trends, only to wake up tired, frustrated, and disconnected from their own bodies.

The problem isn’t you—it’s the overwhelm caused by doing too much.

In this episode, I’ll share why simplifying your wellness approach can make all the difference, how chronic stress and survival mode may be blocking your progress, and how to start tuning into your body’s natural wisdom for lasting change.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why your current approach might be sabotaging your progress, even when you’re doing everything “right.”
• The hidden connection between chronic stress and symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and poor digestion.
• How simplifying your wellness routine can create the space your body needs to heal and thrive.

If you’re ready to stop the overwhelm and start seeing results, this episode is for you.

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 43-  The missing piece in your wellness journey: How to build momentum with micro habits
•  Episode 38 -  Burnt out? Gentle goals are the game-changer you didn’t know you needed
• Join our free Facebook group: Embrace Your Healing Journey.
• Learn about the Body Wise Healing Framework
• Learn more about the Healing Roadmap Session and claim your bonus if your sign up during the workshop

For questions or feedback, write to me at anindita@aninditarungta.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Chapters

• 0:09 Overcomplicated strategies aren’t robbing you
• 4:49 When you keep wondering, “What else can I do?"
• 5:49 When wellness feels like a full-time job
• 10:02 Simplify wellness, amplify life
• 10:40 A stressed-out system that needs simplicity, rest, and care
• 13:53 The myth of "If I just work harder, I’ll get there"
• 16:26 Your body isn’t broken, it doesn’t need fixing—it needs understanding
• 19:35 Healing isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things
• 21:34 Your body can’t heal in a constant state of stress
• 24:21 An exclusive bonus, "Prioritize Self-Care to Create an Environment for Healing

Transcript

 What if I told you that the endless quest for the perfect wellness routine might actually be what's holding you back?

Overcomplicated strategies are just costing you time and energy. They're costing you your piece. And in this episode, I'm diving deep into how you can stop the overwhelm, simplify your approach, and finally reclaim the joy in your healing journey. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but still getting it wrong, this episode is for you.

Welcome to Embrace Your Healing Journey, a podcast for women with autoimmune and other chronic conditions to help them navigate their illness without fear of isolation and uncertainty, and find relief from their symptoms. Your body is your guide and ally in healing. If you're ready to embrace this journey with compassion and awareness, then this show is for you. Tune in weekly as I, a Functional medicine Certified health Coach, deliver tips and insights that demystify the healing process, guiding you towards the relief you deserve so that you can feel healthy and happy once more.

I remember talking to a friend who was confused about the fact that despite trying her best, she wasn't able to shed the excess weight or improve her energy levels or improve her mood because earlier, in her 30s and 40s, if she put on weight and early 40s if she put on weight, she would get back to her ideal weight. And, you know, even a couple of nights of partying or late night would, you know, she would just sort of bounce back the next day. Uh, and if she restricted her calorie intake, if she decided a bit more, uh, even any excess weight that she put on, you know, sort of just would go back down. Right? And especially this happens after holidays. But now, even with exercising five days a week, cutting out sugar, eating clean, healthy home cooked foods, she had she was putting on weight and she had been trying out a new exercise routine. At the same time, she was doing more strength training. She even restricted her social outings so that she could avoid eating the wrong foods. And she was using a calorie intake app to ensure and measure, I mean, ensure that she was not having excess calories. Um, and actually, that doesn't really work, but that's a topic for another day. And she also measured the number of steps that she took each day to get, you know, to to make sure that she was getting those 10,000 steps. And again, in spite of all this, her weight refused to budge in the right direction. And she was feeling rejected. So what had really happened? It's not that my friend was doing anything wrong, or she was, uh. You know, uh, not eating healthy. She was not exercising. In fact, she was doing everything that she has been. She had been told that would help, uh, you know, be healthy, lose, be fit, uh, lose the excess belly fat that we all developed during Perimenopausal years, menopause and which I am struggling with right now.

And I'm trying to figure out on that. And in fact, I have been, uh, using, incorporating slowly fasting into my, uh, routine to help with that. That's really effective. And maybe I'll do a separate, uh, episode on that. So what had really happened? Why did her body refuse to shed this excess weight in spite of her putting in all of this effort?

As I explained to her, weight loss goes way beyond calorie counting or exercising or even eating the right diet because many women are stuck in a fight or flight mode, which is the survival mode, and this prevents them from living a life full of energy and vitality. And then you when you add in the Perimenopausal years, which is the, say, a decade or so before menopause, this is a double whammy.

 But this episode actually is not about weight loss. It's not even about menopause or hormonal health. It is. It goes way beyond all these topics because I find that often women are. Conditioned or they are marketed to. And they're led to believe that the newest supplements, superfood or trend or the fad diet will solve all their problems. So latest dry brushing technique, the seed cycling coffee enema, is going to be the missing link that they have been looking for. However, as you will realize by listening to the rest of this episode, much like my friend did after talking to me, that's really the case. This is not why you're struggling.

And let's break this down, because I know how frustrating it is when you're putting in so much effort and still not seeing the results you hoped for. So you may be juggling a million things. As I say, counting calories just like my friend, tracking steps, trying new supplements, keeping up with the latest health trends and still wake up tired. So it's like you're on this hamster wheel and you're constantly running, but you're not really getting anywhere. And you keep wondering, what else can I do? I'm only doing so many things. Or maybe you've noticed that you're always tired. No matter how much you rest, your digestion is all over the place. It's bloating, discomfort, and nothing seems to help. And of course, your weight won't budge even though you're eating right and working out because these aren't signs that you're failing. These are signals that your body is stressed and stuck in survival mode, and it needs something different. And this may also sound familiar to you that you've cut out your entire food group because someone said they were bad for you.

You've bought expensive supplements or gadgets, you followed strict routines, and instead of feeling better, you're left asking, why isn't any of this working? And in fact, what I find when I speak to my family and friends, especially women who are trying all this, are well, it starts to feel like a full time job, and especially if you're already dealing with a chronic condition, they are already dealing with multiple health issues, symptoms, etc. it is a full time job. And then you are, you know, you start avoiding things you love, like family dinners or social outings with friends because you're worried that you may not be able to stick to the plan you are in. You don't have the energy. It's so draining.

You know what is supposed to be making you feel good. You're is actually another source of pressure, right? Because wellness is not supposed to make you feel like this.

So the real problem causing all of this is chronic stress and overwhelm that comes with trying to many different things. And as a coach, this is an area where I really focus on because I find that this is the same area that often goes unaddressed.  And this is why so many women and men are there. They are in stuck in the survival mode, which is the fight or flight mode, because they're trying to do any different things. They're pulling too many different directions and actually further aggravates their stress levels. And this impacts every system in the body. So the very thing that you're trying to achieve is what, you know, is sort of getting stuck. So and that this is the reason that it works like this is because your nervous system becomes overloaded in the sense when your body is constantly in fight or flight mode. And there are two nervous system modes. Actually one is the fight or flight mode, one is the relaxed rest and digest mode. You cannot be on both modes at the same time, you can only be in one or the other.

So when you are constantly in this fight or flight mode, your body is prioritizing survival, not healing. So, uh, hormonal imbalances like increased cortisol, which actually leads to weight issues, sleep issues, mood issues. That's a big part of why it's it's happening. Poor digestion. Your body will not prioritize breaking down food, absorbing it and transporting it to every cell in your body when it thinks you're in danger. And of course, chronic fatigue. Your energy is drained just to keep up with what is going on. So these are all, uh, these are all the things that happens when your body is constantly in that fight or flight mode and doing too much, counting calories, tracking every step, following rigid routines. It sends a signal to your brain again that you are in a stressful, high stakes environment. And this again, actually works to keep your body stuck in that same survival state. And it's not able to heal, it's not able to repair itself.

And also over complicating wellness routines. And this is a big part. You know, we are bombarded with information that is information overload, right? It's a big problem. It leads. It actually leaves us stuck. And it often um, the bigger issue is that it often disconnects us from our body's natural cues. So we ignore signs of rest, we push through exhaustion, or we also follow health advice that doesn't really suit us. It doesn't really align with our unique needs. And the other thing is that from right from childhood, especially for women, we are led to believe a conditioned to believe by society, by the media that all the messages that we get that we need to fix ourselves by doing more, that there's something wrong with us, there's something broken with our bodies. And this mindset creates a constant cycle of stress, self-blame and frustration. So, as you will probably, you know, as you are probably seeing, all this does not allow your body to shed that excess weight because it believes that there is something wrong with the environment that it needs to hold on, because they might be from around the corner, they might be brought, you might not get enough food. So there are many different things. I mean, I'm just sort of, you know, breaking it down for you, making it as simple for you to understand. Why is it that you are, you know, feeling fatigued, you have this stubborn weight issues, you have bloating, and you have your sleep.

Because it is certainly not that because you're not trying hard enough. I don't want you to blame yourself. But I want you to understand that these are signals from your body asking for less stress and more alignment with what it truly needs. As I say with my new tagline, uh, you know, in my new website that is coming up soon, uh, simplify wellness, amplify life. Because when list goes much beyond disease, uh, you know, uh, disease management, symptom reversal, symptom management, it goes much beyond that.

Wellness is about emotional healing, mental healing as well as physical healing. And the reason I say amplify life is because you also want to enjoy. You want to thrive. You want to have fun. You want to have joy in your life. So healing starts when you shift from doing more to tuning in and addressing the root cause, which is in this case a stressed out system that needs simplicity, rest, and care. Because let's be real, you've tried so many things. You're not someone who sits back and waits for things to happen. You have been reading about it, you know. What are the things that needs to be done? Uh, there's so many. Um, that's why you've been doing all of this. You're working on your diet. You're working on your exercise. You're tracking your steps, number of steps.

Here's the thing. Effort in the wrong direction can also leave you stuck. So let's go through some of what you might have tried, and maybe we will also uncover why it hasn't gotten you where you want to be. So you've tried doing more. That means you've doubled down on everything more workouts, more supplements, stricter diets, and maybe you've added strength training. Maybe you've swapped your morning coffee for green juice, or tried that fancy new superfood powder everyone has been raving about. But instead of feeling better, you are even more exhausted. Does this sound familiar to you?

Here's the truth. When your body is already overwhelmed, doing more can actually add to the stress. It's like throwing fuel on a fire. You're trying to put out. So it's the solution is to not do more and more. Or it's also, the other thing that typically happens is that you followed all the advice out there, because the advice is flowing in from all directions every single day, whether it's on Instagram, whether it's on Facebook, whether it's on email newsletters that you've subscribed to. There is information coming at you from all directions, uh, and when especially when you're signing up for programs, read books and follow the influencers who are promising you the ultimate solution. So you know about, uh, trending diets like keto, intermittent fasting, plant based eating. And the problem is, those one size fits all solutions don't fit you. They don't consider your unique body, your stress levels, or where you are in your life right now. So what work for someone else might actually make things worse for you.

This is extremely common. When I start working with a with a client, when I start working with the woman, I find this is something that they have struggled with. When I talk to my friends, when I talk to my relatives, this is extremely common. The reason it's not working for them is because they have not realized that this is not what their body needs at this time. So this is one big reason why people remain stuck. Or you may also have been focusing on fixing the physical part. So which means that you're counting calories, cutting out carbs, or you have even switched to organic, like organic groceries. And these are make no mistake. You know, these are important things, but they are not enough. Uh, you may have even upgraded your workouts to getting more steps, more reps, more intensity.

But here's the thing. Your symptoms like fatigue, stubborn weight, bloating, poor sleep aren't just physical. There are actually signals from your body that something is going on. And until you address that, tweaking your diet or increasing your workouts won't get you the result that you're looking for. And of course, sheer willpower doesn't really work. It's just like any other muscle. Uh, you can use it to a certain extent, but you know, there is only so much that your willpower will get you through. So by following strict routines, saying no to your favorite foods, uh, and you, you know, pushing yourself, telling yourself, if I just work harder, I'll get there. It is draining. It is draining you mentally, physically and emotionally, and it leaves you frustrated and defeated because it makes you feel like you are the problem.

But you are not the problem. And believe me, as a coach who works with clients, you know, with chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, etc., um, change is a big part of it, right? The recommendations will include changes in the diet, changes in the lifestyle and the mindset. But willpower is not going to get my clients anywhere. So willpower is not what we focus on only. Um, but there are many other things that we address. And, and the one thing that I end up doing with my clients is simplifying this whole process. And that's what I'm, uh, you know, talking about today.

One part of that, because everything that you probably tried doing has been more or has been about doing more or fixing yourself. But what if the real issue is not about fixing? What if it's about letting go of what is not working? Simplifying your approach and giving your body space to heal. That's the shift we are talking about today and it could change everything for you. So let's dive into how you can break free from this cycle and finally start feeling better. Just a few ways that you can do that.

So here are five ways. So, um, because the good news is that the way forward is much simpler than you think. You don't need to do more and you need to do less, actually, but with intention.

So number one, pause and simplify. Take a step back and ask yourself, what am I doing right now? That feels like too much. And what can I let go of? So this could be the rigid diet rules, the back to back workouts, endless list of supplements. Pick one thing to let go of, or to sort of sit down and understand what are the things that you can change about it. So you may not be obviously willing to let go of it completely if it's serving you, but maybe there are certain things you want to tweak about it. And again, these are things that you should ideally be doing in conjunction with a functional medicine practitioner or a health coach or somebody who can work with you on this. Right, rather than making random changes.

Number two is shifting from fixing to listening. Your body is NOT broken. This is actually the forms, the crux of my body wise healing framework, which is a three pillar framework of simplify, uh, sustain and connect, uh, that I follow in my coaching program. And I'll be talking about it in the future. Um, that your body this is the this is the crux of it. Your body doesn't need fixing, it needs understanding. So instead of piling on more routines, try asking what is my body telling me? So for example, if you are tired. Rest instead of pushing through if you are bloated. Reflect on whether stress or rushed meals could be the cause. Or maybe you're standing and eating right. I know enough people who actually stand and eat in a very hurried manner. Is it any wonder if the body stressed that it prioritizes eating? And that's when with weak digestion, they feel bloated? So instead of reaching for the next digestive supplement, this is something that you can think of, you know, changing. And if workouts feel draining, maybe consider swapping them for something gentler, maybe for a while.

And the third number three is something that we don't talk on often about. Reconnect with what brings you joy. As I said, my, um, my belief and my, um, mantra is actually simplify wellness. Amplify life. Right. Let's simplify. And that's what I'm doing in this episode. But we also need at the same time, we need to amplify the things that bring that, you know, makes life so much more, uh, in enriching, meaningful, and joyful. So think about the things that light you up. The hobbies, the activities. The social connections that you've been putting on hold in the name of wellness. Reclaiming joy in your life reduces stress and helps shift your body out of survival mode. And you can start small. You can say yes to that lunch with friends, even if the menu isn't perfect. I'm sure if you dig deep into the menu, unless it's a very, very fast food kind of a restaurant. You will find that one salad or one dish that you can easily enjoy. You can dance to your favorite music for five minutes, right? This is something. Music is something that is therapeutic. And we have a certain rhythm in our body, especially women. Men too, for that matter. But in our hips. And if you can just move your hips and sway to the music, that itself will lift your mood. Or you can watch a show that makes you laugh out, like when I'm feeling low. One of the things that I end up doing is watching an episode of friends, right? I'm a big fan of friends. Uh, and, uh, I was very sad when Chandler, uh, when, uh, Matthew Perry passed away. Um, and I didn't watch the friends episodes for a while in between, but now I'm sort of back anyway, I'm. I'm digressing, but I find that just watching the 20 minutes of friends, actually, it's so uplifting. It just shifts my mood, right? So maybe that's something that you can think about.

Number four is focus on what truly matters, because not everything on your wellness list is equally important. So instead of trying to do it all, just prioritize a few high impact actions. So this might include getting consistent, high quality sleep, eating meals slowly and mindfully, taking ten minutes a day to breathe, meditate, or simply sit quietly. It can be as simple, but these are very powerful. These are very small. And I've talked about some of these, uh, habits in earlier episodes, and I'll be sharing the link below. Because these powerful habits can create a ripple effect helping your body heal without overcomplicating things.

And last but not the least, number five. Trust that less is more. This can feel counterintuitive, especially when you are led to used to believing that effort equals results. And this is where I was for a long time. Uh, you know, uh, again, we are sort of we are constantly aiming for that perfect body and the perfect environment, perfect life, which doesn't really exist. And that's when we keep doing more and more and more. But when I realized that I need, you know, I need to create space for my body to rest and recover, and it will respond. That's that's something which is quite counterintuitive, not something that you hear about, but that's what you need to do. So healing is not about doing everything. It's about doing the right things and trusting your body to do the rest.

And over the years of coaching my clients, working on my own health, I have seen that this has been so powerful, such a powerful shift, and it's often missing. And I don't want you to miss out on on the positive impacts of this.

So ask yourself right now, what's the one thing I can let go of today to create more space for healing tomorrow? Start there. One small shift can make a world of difference. This is. This is the power of coaching. This is how I coach my clients. I talk about, you know, I ask these questions and it forces them to think for themselves. It forces them to brainstorm, and it forces them. I mean, it helps them. I should not use the word force. It helps them, and it empowers them to come up with solutions for themselves that will work for them. And this is what I'm doing for you. I'm coaching you through this episode, and I'll be doing that in episodes to come so that you can find the solution for yourself that you have.

 You have the answers because your journey is not about perfection. It's about progress. And it all starts with simplifying. And you know that that we can happen. You know that we can make that happen together. Because when you are simplifying your wellness approach, you're not just lighting your load, you are giving your body exactly what it needs to heal. Because as I mentioned, your body can't heal in a constant state of stress. And when your body is stuck in, when you are stuck in survival mode, your body is dealing too busy dealing with stress to focus on repair and recovery. And that keeps you in a cycle of exhaustion, frustration, and symptoms that won't budge. That's exactly the reason my friend, that I talked about earlier was not seeing any, uh, results with her weight. You know, weight is just one of the, uh, parameters, uh, that, you know, and it's the last thing actually to go in terms of, uh, improvements in the markers that we can talk about. Uh, and because of all these reasons that we need to focus on as well, body cannot be in the survival mode and then also, uh, thrive and shed excess weight and simplify and creates the space your body needs to shift out of this survival mode. And when you do that, you reclaim your energy and peace of mind.

So think about how much time and energy is spent trying to do everything perfectly tracking, planning, second guessing yourself. Now imagine redirecting that same energy to what's the thing that truly matter? Your family, your passions, your hobbies, your joy? Don't forget about these. Right. This is what makes life so enriching. So, so amazing, right? And simplifying frees you from the mental weight of doing it all. And the truth is, no matter and no amount of effort will work if your body is to overwhelm, to respond. So simplifying allows you to focus on the few things that actually move the needle. And when your body feels safe, nourished and supported, you will start seeing the results that happens with every single client. That's happened with me. And it's certainly going to happen with you. And it's not just how you'll feel physically, but your overall sense of balance and well-being. And you will start to trust yourself again. Because overcomplicating wellness leads us to disconnect from our body and its cues. And simplifying brings you back into alignment. So you stop relying only on the latest trends or advice from strangers online, and start building trust in yourself and your inner wisdom. Your body's inner wisdom is here to guide you. So imagine waking up with more energy, enjoying meals without guilt, and finally feeling good in your body with the constant, without the constant overwhelm of trying to do everything right. That's the power of simplifying.

And here's the thing. You don't have to figure this out alone. I'm actually hosting a free life workshop, Wellness Simplified, where we'll dive into how to let go of the overwhelm and focus on what truly works for your unique body. This is your chance to get clarity, feel supported, and take the first step towards lasting results. So if you're ready to start seeing progress, this workshop is where it starts. And for a limited time, I'm also offering an exclusive bonus Prioritize self-care to create an environment for healing: A Practical Guide, which has a video plus workbook to help you create the space to help you take it to the next level. And this bonus is available for anyone who books a Healing Roadmap session during the workshop, and I'll talk about that during the workshop. In that in that session, we'll personalize the exact steps you need to simplify your approach and get lasting results so seats are limited. This is your chance to start 2025 with intention and momentum. Don't miss it. Stay tuned. I'll share how to sign up at the.

And I'll share the link to sign up at the end of this episode. Thank you so much for joining me for today's episode of Embrace Your Healing Journey. Your body knows how to heal. Are you ready to support it?

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE WELLNESS SIMPLIFIED WORKSHOP
https://aninditarungta.myflodesk.com/wellnesssimplified