A new book is encouraging women to step back from the endless cycle of wellness trends and focus on the basics. Jordan Lee Dooley, author of Be Good to Your Body, argues that the pursuit of health has become a source of stress for many, rather than a path to feeling better.
Dooley, a bestselling author and podcast host, promotes a more grounded approach to wellness. She suggests that physical, emotional, and spiritual health are connected. Her advice is to prioritize the most important habits before adding anything new or trendy.
The book distinguishes between “timeless” wellness habits and “trendy” ones. Dooley argues that the wellness industry often pushes new products and protocols that distract from the basics that matter most. She recommends focusing on foundational practices first.
These core habits include drinking enough water, eating more whole foods, supporting sleep and natural body rhythms, spending time outside, moving the body daily, building meaningful relationships, and creating a comfortable home environment. None of these habits are expensive or flashy, but they form the base for long-term health.
Another key idea in the book is that women do not need to “earn” their health. Dooley challenges the idea that wellness requires constant self-improvement and discipline. She says that chasing every new health protocol can pull people away from genuine well-being.
Instead of trying to change everything at once, Dooley recommends choosing consistency over intensity. She suggests focusing on habits that make a person feel grounded and energized. She also advises unfollowing wellness content that causes anxiety or feelings of inadequacy. Routines should be allowed to change with different seasons of life.
The book also makes the case that true wellness includes spiritual well-being. Dooley writes that a person cannot be holistically healthy if their pursuit of physical health harms their mental, spiritual, or social health. If a wellness routine causes stress or isolation, it may not be supporting overall well-being.
Dooley encourages a more integrated approach that includes connection and reflection. This could mean taking walks without tracking them, sharing meals with loved ones, spending time outside, creating tech-free moments, or prioritizing spiritual practices. The goal is to let wellness support a person’s life instead of becoming their entire identity.
The book does not dismiss advanced tools, supplements, or biohacking. Dooley says these can be helpful, especially if a person enjoys them. However, they work best when built on top of a strong foundation of basic habits. The message is that focusing on nourishment, connection, and care is what helps people feel whole.
