Many people set out with the best intentions to improve their health, but often find themselves stuck in a loop of broken resolutions and stalled progress. According to Mona Vand—Doctor of Pharmacy and natural wellness expert—the reasons behind these setbacks often stem from subtle but powerful internal roadblocks.
Speaking on a recent episode of Clean Beauty School, Vand outlined the three most common challenges that prevent individuals from establishing long-term wellness habits. With a unique blend of pharmaceutical knowledge and holistic wellness insight, she offers a practical perspective on how to build habits that truly last.
1. Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Among the biggest threats to lasting wellness is the tendency to aim too high too quickly. Whether it’s committing to an extreme diet, daily gym sessions, or overhauling a beauty regimen overnight, overly ambitious goals often lead to frustration and eventual burnout.
Vand emphasizes the importance of starting with manageable, sustainable steps. “Focus on small, consistent changes that can be maintained over time,” she advises. Building momentum gradually helps foster long-term adherence without the mental fatigue that comes from dramatic lifestyle overhauls.
2. Neglecting Mindfulness in Daily Routines
In the race to achieve results, many people lose sight of being present. Vand identifies a lack of mindfulness as another significant barrier to forming healthy habits. Modern lifestyles often prioritize productivity and performance over personal awareness, making it easy to ignore emotional and physical signals from the body.
Practices like meditation, journaling, and gratitude exercises are more than just trendy—they are essential tools. “Mindfulness not only helps us stay aligned with our goals but also helps us enjoy the journey,” Vand explains. Becoming conscious of behaviors, triggers, and thoughts allows for more deliberate and healthy decision-making.
3. Being Influenced by Unrealistic Beauty Standards
The modern wellness journey is often influenced—if not distorted—by unattainable beauty ideals. These external pressures can derail personal motivation and create feelings of inadequacy. Vand points out that when people strive for perfection based on social or media-driven standards, they’re more likely to give up when results don’t come quickly or visibly.
Her solution? Prioritize inner wellness and personal care over superficial benchmarks. “When we shift our focus from appearance to how we feel, our health choices become more empowering and authentic,” she notes. By cultivating self-acceptance and redefining beauty from within, sustainable habits become easier to maintain.
Mona Vand’s approach to wellness serves as a reminder that lasting health transformations come not just from what we do, but how we think. By identifying and addressing these hidden obstacles, individuals can build a more resilient, realistic path to sustainable wellness.