You've seen it before, maybe you've even done it before - the 10-step morning routine women put themselves through before breakfast. Ripping off the mouth tape, taking our temperature, doing a meditation, peeling off our wrinkle patches, face plunging in ice cold water, tongue scraping, dry brushing, stretching, journaling, gua sha'ing, breathwork, redlight - the list goes on. And even though it looks like an absolute drag there's something that looks kind of fun and ritualistic about it.
The videos we see are women who have had a good day with their routine and executed it perfectly. She looks fresh and relaxed with the skin of a new born baby. We see another video of a similar routine, and another, and another. And we think 'I'd like that'. So we buy all the things. We tell ourselves we start the routine next week. It's next week. And we just got our period. Energy is at an all-time low and we have no patience to start anything new. We feel like we've failed already 'why can't I be like that woman in the video'. And we spiral.
This is just one example of health hack overwhelm. Here's what's happening and what we can do about it.
Information overload
Social media, podcasts, and influencers are constantly pushing new hacks. It's almost guaranteed when you go on your phone you will find someone giving you advice you didn't ask for, including us (Seed Cycle Blend) sometimes - sorry. It can make you feel like you're missing something if you're not doing these things. Not to mention there is so much contradicting advice.
Pressure to be perfect
There is a growing list of 'non-negotiables' that are making our mornings feel like a performance. And instead of health being about feeling good, it's about doing it 'right' which leads to shame and guilt if the routine isn't followed perfectly. Yuck! What happened to slowly waking up with a tea on the balcony? It doesn't help that we are broadcasting our lives on social media and feel this silent pressure to show only the best of life. No one shares the morning that they didn't do their 10-step routine.
The pursuit of health is burning us out
Instead of a nourishing addition to our day, health hacks are becoming another stressful to-do-list. The irony is that the stress we place on a perfect morning routine causes inflammation in the body. Isn't that what we were trying to avoid? Having to choose between a dozen micro-habits drains our mental energy and drowns out the most important thing of all - our intuition and our own body's signals or needs.
Why are men not doing 10-step routines?
Now this is mind blowing. It's not that men aren't taking care of themselves it's that men are socialized to optimize their output, whereas women are socialized to optimize their bodies. What does this mean?
It means the wellness industry disproportionately targets women with content that says: 'You’re not doing enough. Here’s what you’re missing.' Wellness becomes a moral checklist tied to beauty, youth, and worthiness.
Trends like 'that girl mornings,' detoxes, or nervous system regulation protocols often suggest that being good at health is being good at being a woman.
On the other hand men are taught that simplicity equals strength. Think about skincare; women have a gazillion serums and dudes only have one or two. Marketing to men emphasizes efficiency, power, and performance e.g 'Biohack your focus in 3 minutes,' 'Lift heavy, eat steak, sleep.' Men aren't bothered by skipping steps or being perfect - they just want to 'win'.
Health has become a moral responsibility for women and it's hurting us.
Women are taught that their health isn’t just important it’s a reflection of their worth. 'If you’re bloated, anxious, or tired… it’s because you didn’t try hard enough.' So, instead of resting or doing less, we add more hacks, creating an endless to-do list to 'fix' ourselves. But it's just a clever illusion manufactured by advertising companies to get you to buy more. There is no truth in health being a moral responsibility. Period.
Women carry an invisible load
The invisible load refers to all the unseen, unmeasured mental and emotional labor women carry, especially around care, planning, and wellbeing. It's not just about doing the tasks; it’s about remembering, anticipating, and coordinating them. The invisible load has been both manufactured by companies to sell more - but also an inherent part of living in a female body. Either way it drives us to add more 'health hacks' to our lives, and it's exhausting.
In the context of health the invisible load includes:
- Tracking cycles and fertility
- Remembering supplements
- Prepping hormone-friendly meals
- Reading ingredient labels
- Researching new 'healthy' protocols
- Worrying about how stress impacts hormones or weight
- Comparing oneself to 'what she’s doing on Instagram'
Here's what I do instead:
- I pick 3 things a day that feel good for my health (anything else is a bonus)
- Of course I'm going to be biased and say Seed Cycle Blend is one of them ;)
- I try my best to listen to my body over the algorithm
- I focus on consistency not perfection
- I teach my partner to carry some of the invisible load to support me
Health isn't about doing everything its about doing enough that supports your wellbeing at it's baseline. Being a 'good' woman is not measured by how many health hacks we can stack up so we can be eternally beautiful and accepted by society. Being a 'good' woman is not measured. Period. This is not a competition. You are a whole, imperfect human being and that is enough.
Take care,
Rochelle x
