WRIT 340 Writing Project 3
DIY health trends the internet made me try and my thoughts after some time
In the age of Erewhon and monthly pilates memberships that could replace a home mortgage, the rise of luxury wellness is especially evident. Considering their capacity for content to become instantaneously viral, modern platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok only perpetuate these often inaccessible modes of wellness by providing them with an unprecedented platform to reach audiences at an exponential rate. As an avid lover of all things health and wellness, I of course have fallen victim to these latest trends, and often so at the expense of my wallet. Rather than indulging in a $20 smoothie to fix my latest skin concern or fleeting sense of gut health, I am interested in exploring the “hacks” that haven’t garnered as significant of an audience, and also ones that don’t necessarily break the bank.
My main motivation for this conversation surrounding wellness is rooted in the idea of food and lifestyle as a means of preventive healthcare. Since being diagnosed with auto-immune in late 2020, I have been on a mission of sorts to “hack” my health in ways that serve the well-being of my day-to-day as well as overall maintenance and prevention for the severity of my condition. Since my diagnosis, I have touched my toes in nearly a hundred different trends encompassing a wide range of targeted goals and benefits. As expected, many of the products I tried did not fulfill their expected potential or were inefficient for the cost of their services, however there have definitely been a few outliers which have become cornerstones in my lifestyle and daily routines. I share with you the DIY wellness hacks that are most dear to me and the few in my opinion that are worth the skip.
Green Goodness
While I firmly believe that there are no true shortcuts to becoming the healthiest version of yourself, this first trend may come close. During the last couple months, I have incorporated celery juice into my diet and the results have certainly been noticeable. I’m aware, the whole “get your greens in” mentality and belief that you can fix all of your problems with a green juice feels just a little redundant; however, my position with the fad actually relies on a different measurement than what Medical Medium Anthony William suggests. William in conversation with Gwyneth Paltrow’s health and wellness blog Goop, claims celery juice’s benefits encompass the ability to reverse chronic illness as well a range of other concerns including acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Additionally he claims that the tonic is most efficient when consumed immediately after juicing and on an empty stomach. Although I cannot speak for the effects of post-juicing consumption as I do not own a juicer, I am here to claim that you can still enjoy the many benefits of the mighty green vegetable without one. In my experience thus far with Suja’s cold-pressed juice, I have not noticed improvements in my skin nor differences in my auto-immune symptoms as expected, but rather my energy levels, frequency of brain fog, and digestion have significantly improved. Furthermore, these few benefits’s effects seem to be much more effective when I have waited 30 minutes to an hour after drinking the juice before consuming any food, perhaps adding some validity to William’s recommendation to enjoy the juice on an empty stomach. If you’ve been hesitant to take the step towards your inner-green-goddess, don’t fret, celery juice is worth its hype.
Shroooooms
Mushrooms. And no, not the kind you and your bestie take during a yoga retreat in Joshua Tree, I’m talking about the adaptogen kind. Adaptogens are essentially herbs, roots, or plants that have the potential to curb the effects of stress on the body and they must be non-toxic. I was quite excited to give adaptogens a try, as there has been a lot of buzz about them in recent years, and especially as more stress-reducing products continue to make their way into mainstream marketplaces. It was earlier this year when I began to hear about MUDWTR through word of mouth. Soon enough, my co-workers were raving about the product and I even started to see it pop up in restaurants mixed into lattes, smoothies, etc. MUDWTR markets its line of products as coffee alternatives, claiming them to provide “natural energy and focus without the jitters and crash.” Their RISE blend, the one which I have been using for about 3 months now, consists a range of different adaptogens including chaga, cordyceps, reishi, and lion's mane mushrooms. Certainly listed at a higher price point and only available in boutique natural grocery stores, this product presents a barrier for most to access it; I justified my purchase by holding myself to a no-Starbucks-challenge and insisting that MUDWTR replace my daily caffeine. The Cacao blend certainly makes for a tasty treat, however beyond its sophisticated flavor profile I didn’t find myself experiencing the many benefits that the company boasts. If anything, my sense of anxiety was more apparent on a day when drinking the magical elixir. Additionally, I found myself increasingly tired by mid-afternoon, referencing what I perceived to be a typical caffeine-crash. So badly I want to be able to praise MUDWTR the way my colleagues do and insist that I feel more grounded and energized, however that would be a stretch. Save yourself the cash and stick to the Folgers, or maybe matcha if you’re feeling adventurous.
Ashwagandha
On a similar vein of stress-reducing tonics, Ashwagandha is an adaptogen I can proudly vouch for. TikTok put me on this miraculous root back in the summer of 2020 and I have taken it every day since. Foundational in Ayurveda, an alternative medicine based on Indian principles of healing, Ashwagandha has been found to improve sleep, athletic performance, infertility, and anxiety levels. My main attraction to the supplement at the time was in large part due to its viral nature on the short-form platform; it seemed as though the benefits spoke for themselves and that there were really no risks or negative side-effects. Even just a few days after taking the root orally, I found myself more calm with a greater sense of ease in my daily tasks. Suddenly, the crippling thoughts of perfectionism and anxieties about the future subsided and I became more in touch with the present moment and my immediate surroundings. My experience with Ashwagandha has only continued to be positive and I shamelessly have influenced my family and close friends who now also swear by the little tan pill. My only complaint with the product, which some may actually view as a positive, is its ability to mellow me out too much. At times in my relationship with Ashwaganhda, I have almost become too “care-free” in the sense that I lack the ability to see the pressure of something that is not in the immediate future. Paper due in 2 weeks? Not important. Deadline at the end of the month? It can wait. Planning an itinerary for a trip months out? Hardly a concern. Again, while some may see this as a miracle cure for perfectionism, it can be a deficit. Regardless, I my love for the adaptogen remains sound.
Works Cited
Attia, Peter, and Bill Gifford. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale, 2023. https://uosc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USC_INST/273cgt/cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9780593236604. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
Casey, Chris. "With Consumers Focused on Immune Health, Adaptogens Take Center Stage." Food Dive, 2021. ProQuest, https://uosc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USC_INST/273cgt/cdi_proquest_reports_2610667475. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
the Editors of Goop. “The Medical Medium on the Virtues of Celery Juice.” Edited by Anthony William, Goop, Goop, Inc., 25 Oct. 2018, goop.com/wellness/health/hormone-replacement-therapy/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
MUDWTR. “Energy All Day Long.” MUD/WTR, MUDWTR., mudwtr.com/pages/rise?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A15478751959%3A%3A&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=us_rise-boost_performance-max&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkY2qBhBDEiwAoQXK5U2bioGYVeI4XLg1qiBU1IzKvrIekwA5hFA8ujqTMwxXwU9Wbo7EXRoC78EQAvD_BwE. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
Spritzler, Franziska. “9 Proven Health Benefits of Ashwagandha.” Edited by Jared Meacham and Jillian Kubala, Healthline, Healthline Media, 3 Nov. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
UCLAHealth. “What Are Adaptogens and Should You Be Taking Them?” UCLA Health, 16 Feb. 2022, www.uclahealth.org/news/what-are-adaptogens-and-should-you-be-taking-them. Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
Effectively communicating knowledge about wellness in popular culture
I chose to write my review in an informal, blogpost-like style for a variety of reasons, primarily because I find this genre the most engaging and relatable when reading content related to health and wellness. The informality and conversational tone of blog posts help me feel closer to the author and establishes a sense of trust and connection, an aspect crucial when discussing a topic as broad and personal as health and wellness. In an era where specific body and beauty standards are becoming increasingly prevalent in popular culture, discussing health and wellness can be vulnerable, and an informal, earnest approach to writing helps bridge the potential disconnect for both author and audiences.
When engaging with blog posts, I notice them to be generally informal, with a focused lens on a particular topic and a clear stance. They don't necessarily require elevated language or extensive scholarly evidence, yet they manage to position themselves within a broader conversation. For my own writing, I wanted to engage in a discourse about improving one's lifestyle and longevity while shedding light on the challenges that many people face in accessing alternative medicine. My goal was to make my writing accessible to readers like myself who are interested in health and wellness and are easily influenced by online content, all while being mindful of budget constraints.
Blog posts typically follow a chronological format that builds on the reader's prior knowledge or with a brief introduction of the topic at the beginning. I followed these conventions by first presenting an overview of my personal connection to the subject and my reasons for writing. I then listed specific remedies I've tried, sharing my experiences and insights, similar to the way blog posts often present personal stories or experiences.
Blog authors often write for a dual audience: their loyal followers and potential new readers. Additionally, they aim to inform readers within a specific area of interest, such as health and wellness, athletics, college preparation, etc.. I wanted to reach people who share my interests in health and wellness, are easily influenced by online content, and are budget-conscious. I didn't intend for my writing to be a definitive source on the subject but rather a contribution to the ongoing conversation about wellness products.
In the age of the internet with an overwhelming amount of information and conflicting opinions, personal reviews and recommendations hold immense value. Readers often seek out unsponsored reviews to obtain the most authentic opinions about a product. As stated previously, conversations of health and related products in the wellness sphere continue to become increasingly personal with their capacity to dramatically affect lifestyle and physical appearance, thus heightening the demand for accounts of personal, honest experiences to match this unprecedented trend.