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You are here: Home / Wellness / The Lie at the Heart of Wellness Culture

The Lie at the Heart of Wellness Culture

May 29, 2025 · In: alternative medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, health, Lifestyle, Wellness

The Lie at the Heart of Wellness Culture

Why Green Juice, Cold Plunges, and Clean Eating Might Be Missing the Point—And What Actually Works

We are drowning in wellness advice.
Biohacking. Cold plunges. Adaptogenic lattes. Eight-step sleep rituals. Thousands of supplements and wearables promise to optimize our bodies, brains, and souls.

But what if the entire culture of modern wellness is distracting us from what truly matters?

I’m a radiation oncologist. I spend my days with patients navigating the most terrifying moment of their lives: a cancer diagnosis. And what I’ve learned, over thousands of hours in the clinic, is this:

The healthiest people aren’t always the most optimized.

They’re the ones who find joy, build community, and know how to let go.

In my latest essay on Medium, I explore the painful paradox of our current wellness obsession:

We’re doing more than ever to be healthy—and yet many of us feel worse.

This piece delves deeply into the “wellness mirage”—the seductive yet superficial health routines that dominate social media—and offers a counterpoint grounded in science, clinical experience, and lived human wisdom.

In the post “The Lie at the Heart of Wellness Culture,” you’ll discover:

  • The 5 most popular wellness habits that may be doing more harm than good
  • The overlooked lifestyle factors that actually move the needle for mental and physical health
  • A patient-centered perspective on what really helps people thrive—even in the face of illness
  • The growing danger of “wellness perfectionism” and orthorexia
  • How to simplify your routine without sacrificing your well-being

Whether you’re burned out by wellness culture or just want to feel better without obsessing over powders and plunge tubs, this piece offers something different:

Clarity. Sanity. And science-backed simplicity.

🟢 Read the full story here: https://medium.com/beingwell/the-lie-at-the-heart-of-wellness-culture-a6901a825b86?sk=c7d2604b7eb423bd3b06963a32695702


👉 The Lie at the Heart of Wellness Culture

Coffee and Your Health

By: Dr. Michael Hunter · In: alternative medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, health, Lifestyle, Wellness · Tagged: health, lifestyle, wellness

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Meet Dr. Hunter

Your go-to source for all things wellness. I am Michael Hunter. I practice radiation oncology in the Seattle area and have a particular interest in health. I am delighted that you have joined me here. Thank you.

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