The Bare Minimum Wellness Plan for When Life is Busy (Perfection is not the Goal)

And a few of my favorite bare minimum health strategies

I’ve always been a big believer that “perfect is the enemy of the good” (which is also why you’ll often catch a typo or two in this newsletter!)

In a recent email, Mark Sisson talked about the importance of making consistent progress toward your wellness goals rather than getting stuck in the pursuit of perfection.

That message definitely hits home. All too often, I see people get stuck in the cycle of being “on and off the wagon,” or just abandon their health goals entirely because they can’t do them perfectly.

But what if the key to long-term success wasn’t about doing everything perfectly, and rather just doing something?

The Smallest Possible First Step

Photo by Trent Bradley on Unsplash

A few weeks ago, I shared an article from the New York Times, 35 Simple Health Tips Experts Swear By. If you missed it, it’s definitely worth a read—there are some real gems in there. But the one piece of advice that’s stuck with me the most is this:

“If something feels too hard to do, it just means that the first step isn’t small enough.”

This advice originally came from psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy’s second-grade teacher, Ms. Edson. Here’s the full quote:

“My second-grade teacher, Ms. Edson, told us: If something feels too hard to do, it just means that the first step isn’t small enough. So often when we’re struggling, we tell ourselves that it’s a sign that we’re broken or that something is our fault, and then we freeze. But when something is too hard in the moment, tell yourself Ms. Edson’s advice.”— Becky Kennedy, Clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and founder of Good Inside

Such a simple yet profound truth. And lately, I’ve found myself repeating it to my patients (and myself) pretty often.

The Bare Minimum Wellness Plan

If you’re in a season of life where stress is high, schedules are packed, and you feel like you should be doing more for your health—but can’t seem to make it happen—here’s a gentle reminder: you don’t need to overhaul everything. You just need the smallest possible first step.

So, what does a “bare minimum” wellness plan actually look like?

Well, it’s definitely NOT about trying to optimize everything—it’s about keeping things moving with simple, doable actions that meet you where you are today.

Here are a few of my favorite bare minimum health strategies:

• Nutrition: No time for meal prep? Aim to get one extra serving of protein and fiber daily, whether that’s throwing chia seeds in your yogurt or stashing some almonds in your bag for an afternoon snack.

• Movement: Not feeling motivated to workout? Just go for a 5-minute walk in the morning or take a few minutes to do a few gentle yoga poses before bed. Let the momentum build from there.

• Stress Management: Feeling overwhelmed? Try a 1-minute breath work break (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6, and repeat).

• Sleep: Can’t get a full 8 hours? Prioritize getting some morning sunlight and minimizing screens before bed to help regulate your your circadian rhythms.

• Hydration: Can’t remember to drink water? Pair it with a habit you already do—like drinking a glass before your morning coffee. Or try adding some electrolytes that you like the flavor of so you actually look forward to drinking it (i’ve been liking this one).

The point is, something is always better than nothing. And when life feels overwhelming, your first step should be small enough that it feels almost too easy.

Effort Over Perfection

A healthy lifestyle really isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about creating sustainable habits that fit into your actual life. And sometimes, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to lower the bar and just get started.

What’s one bare minimum habit that helps you stay on track when life is busy? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear!

Xx

Ashley 

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