When Healthy Habits Stop Working: An Ayurvedic Perspective - 460
Release Date: 09/03/2026
Elements of Ayurveda Podcast
Have you ever noticed that when you're not feeling your best, your instinct is to do more? Another supplement, another diet, another wellness routine or maybe another expert to follow. But what if your body doesn't need more from you right now? What if it needs less? In this episode, Colette explores the Ayurvedic wisdom of simplicity and why creating space can sometimes be more supportive than continually adding more. Ayurveda reminds us that the body is constantly processing; not only food, but also information, experiences, emotions, stimulation and the demands of everyday life. When there...
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You eat well, exercise regularly, meditate, manage your stress and genuinely try to take care of yourself, so why don't you feel better? Sometimes, the answer isn't that you need to try harder or add another healthy habit. Through the Ayurvedic lens, there may be another question worth asking: Does your body currently have the capacity to digest, process and assimilate everything you're giving it? In this episode, Colette explores why healthy habits can sometimes stop feeling helpful and how factors such as stress, sensory input, lifestyle, seasonal changes, accumulation and digestive capacity...
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Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m fine,” even though you know you’re exhausted? Maybe you’ve been living with bloating, poor sleep, low energy, headaches or digestive discomfort for so long that it has simply become your normal. You know something feels different, but life is busy, there are people depending on you, and there’s always something else that seems more important. In Episode 458, we explored how Ayurveda views symptoms as messages from the body rather than problems to simply suppress. In this episode, we take the conversation a step further and explore why we so...
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Have you ever wished a symptom would simply disappear? Whether it's bloating, fatigue, headaches, restless sleep or digestive discomfort, our first instinct is often to silence the discomfort and get on with our busy lives. But what if those symptoms aren't the problem? What if they're messages? Colette explores one of Ayurveda's most profound teachings: that symptoms are not random inconveniences to suppress but meaningful signals that the body is communicating an imbalance. Rather than fighting our symptoms, Ayurveda invites us to become curious and ask, "What is my body trying to...
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As the Elements of Ayurveda Podcast celebrates its ninth anniversary, Colette reflects on the journey of sharing Ayurveda with listeners around the world and explores why, in an age of artificial intelligence and unlimited information, human connection has never been more valuable. With health advice now available at the click of a button, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting opinions and disconnected from our own inner wisdom. In this thoughtful episode, Colette shares why Ayurveda offers something that technology cannot replace, a personalised, compassionate approach that honours...
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Have you ever found yourself ignoring your body's signals, overriding your intuition, or constantly looking outside yourself for the "right" answer? In our modern world, we're surrounded by advice on what to eat, how to exercise, and the perfect wellness routine to follow. While information can be incredibly valuable, it can also disconnect us from the most important source of wisdom we have, ourselves. In this episode, Colette explores why self-trust lies at the heart of healing and how Ayurveda gently guides us back to our own inner wisdom. Rather than encouraging dependence on practitioners...
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Do you ever feel too exhausted, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself to even think about doing the things that you know would support your wellbeing? In this episode, Colette discusses the hidden energy leaks that quietly drain our vitality every day. These aren't always the obvious things like missing a night's sleep or skipping a meal. They're the subtle habits, thought patterns, and daily demands that slowly drain your vitality without you even noticing. They often go unnoticed because they've become part of our normal way of living. Through the Ayurvedic lens of Prana, the life force...
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Do you find it easy to follow your Ayurvedic routines when life is calm, only to watch them disappear when things get busy? Perhaps you're travelling, caring for family, juggling work responsibilities, navigating a major life transition, or simply trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life. Suddenly, the morning routine feels impossible, meals become irregular, and self-care is pushed to the bottom of the list. In this episode, Colette explores one of the biggest misconceptions about Ayurveda: the belief that we need to practice it perfectly for it to be effective. She shares why...
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If you've been studying Ayurveda for a while, chances are you already know a lot. Yet knowing what supports your wellbeing and consistently living it are often two very different things. In this episode, Colette explores the gap between knowing and living Ayurveda. She discusses why information alone doesn't create transformation, how the nervous system influences our ability to change, why we often resist the very habits that would support us, and how self-compassion and consistency can help us bridge the gap between understanding Ayurveda and truly embodying it in everyday life. In This...
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The word authenticity can sometimes feel overused, misunderstood, or even a little cliché. Yet beneath the buzzword lies a profound question: Who are you underneath all the layers of conditioning, expectations, habits, and beliefs you've accumulated throughout your life? In this episode, Colette explores how Ayurveda offers a unique framework for uncovering your authentic self. Rather than becoming someone new, Ayurveda encourages us to peel back the layers that obscure our true nature and reconnect with who we've always been. She discusses the importance of understanding your unique...
info_outlineYou eat well, exercise regularly, meditate, manage your stress and genuinely try to take care of yourself, so why don't you feel better?
Sometimes, the answer isn't that you need to try harder or add another healthy habit. Through the Ayurvedic lens, there may be another question worth asking: Does your body currently have the capacity to digest, process and assimilate everything you're giving it?
In this episode, Colette explores why healthy habits can sometimes stop feeling helpful and how factors such as stress, sensory input, lifestyle, seasonal changes, accumulation and digestive capacity can influence how we experience our health and wellbeing. You'll learn more about the Ayurvedic concepts of Agni and Ama, why digestion involves more than just the food we eat, and why sometimes creating space, simplifying our routines and reducing unnecessary inputs can be more supportive than continually adding more.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why doing "all the right things" doesn't always mean you'll feel your best
- The Ayurvedic concept of Agni and our capacity to digest, metabolise and process
- What Ama means within the Ayurvedic understanding of incomplete digestion and metabolism
- How accumulation can occur when we're continually taking in more than we have the capacity to process
- Why stress and nervous system load can change the way we experience digestion
- Why how you eat can be just as important as what you eat
- How your digestive capacity can change with your stress, sleep, activity, age, lifestyle and the seasons
- Why sometimes the body needs less stimulation, less input and more space
- How simplifying your routine can support digestion, elimination and restoration
Join the Autumn Digestive Reset Cleanse
If you’re ready to support your body through this seasonal transition, my Discounted Group Digestive Reset Cleanse begins October 9th.
This Ayurvedic cleanse is designed to gently remove accumulation, strengthen digestion, and help you re-establish daily rhythm while learning about your unique constitution and patterns.
You’ll also receive guidance, structure, and support throughout the process so that the experience becomes both healing and educational.
Here are the 2 options for the Digestive Reset Cleanse:
- Group Digestive Reset Cleanse - starting October 9th
- Private Digestive Reset Cleanse - choose your own dates
Join the Elements of Ayurveda Podcast Community
The Elements of Ayurveda Podcast Community was created for those who wish to go deeper into Ayurveda, together. Inside, you’ll find:
- Early access to podcast episodes
- Monthly live Zoom meetups
- Member forums for discussion and Q&A
- Mindfulness and self-care practices
- Seasonal group challenges and reflections
Join the new Elements of Ayurveda Podcast Community here: https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/community
Check out Colette's online services:
- Online Consultations - https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/consultations
- At-home Digestive Reset Cleanse - https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/digestive-reset-cleanse
- Online Daily Habits for Holistic Health Program - https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/daily-habits
- Reset-Restore-Renew Program - https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/reset-restore-renew
Have questions on Colette's online services? Book a FREE 15 min Services Enquiry Call here. https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/consultations
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Thank you for listening!