{"id":854393,"date":"2026-08-14T01:02:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T01:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/854393\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T01:02:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T01:02:17","slug":"boring-health-trends-that-are-making-a-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/854393\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Boring\u2019 health trends that are making a comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to health trends<\/a>, there are simply too many. We can\u2019t possibly do them all, regardless of how motivated we feel, not to mention how swiftly health advice can change and how costly and time-consuming these practices can be.<\/p>\n

But one trend we\u2019re relieved to see is a return to \u2018boring\u2019 health advice \u2013 those tried and tested basics doctors, dietitians<\/a>, psychologists and personal trainers<\/a> can all agree on.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

When it comes to good health, it\u2019s often a matter of getting back to basics.\u00a0iStock<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve likely heard some of this advice before, many times, and there\u2019s a reason for that. We spoke with cardiologist Dr Eddie Barin, dietician Susie Burrell, psychologist Zahra Ciard, and personal trainer Sam Wood, who all agree: good health is actually quite simple.<\/p>\n

Cardiologist Dr Eddie Barin: \u2018That boring stuff is actually quite important\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Eddie Barin is a cardiologist who developed The 4M\u2019s approach for Heart Research Australia<\/a>. It focuses on four daily lifestyle habits: Movement, Meals, Measurement, Mental Approach. <\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Dr Eddie Barin developed The 4M\u2019s approach for Heart Research Australia.\u00a0Macquarie University<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to move, which is not just exercise. You\u2019ve got to maintain mobility, you\u2019ve got to maintain strength,\u201d Dr Barin told nine.com.au, explaining the four habits.<\/p>\n

Next is Meals, which he explained is \u201cnot just about cholesterol and fat\u201d but about avoiding processed foods as much as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can just adopt a simple Mediterranean-type diet, or you can just eat simply like [the] Japanese.\u201d<\/p>\n

Measurement is simply checking in with your doctor regularly to ensure you are headed in the right direction, including such things as a blood test and blood pressure check.<\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s Mental Approach, which is \u201cjust as powerful as the other three\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about getting fun in your life? How about getting a positive mindset? How about having a social circle that supports you?\u201d Dr Barin said.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Movement and socialising are both crucial to good health.\u00a0iStockphoto<\/p>\n

And yes, you have to start drinking more water: \u201cIt\u2019s good for the kidneys, good for circulation, good for blood pressure as well. The problem with water is people depend on thirst. The thirst mechanism doesn\u2019t work as you get older.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Barin\u2019s most recent work is on dementia prevention, with the condition being the leading cause of death in Australia. Dementia, put simply, is when brain cells slowly get damaged or die off.<\/p>\n

This is where Dr Barin\u2019s The 3B\u2019s approach comes in: Balance, Brain, Bugs.<\/p>\n

Balance overlaps with Dr Barin\u2019s previous advice to move and maintain muscle, to prevent falls, while Brain focuses on using all parts of the Brain \u2013 and no, Sudoku and cross word puzzles don\u2019t suffice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to do everything. Learn, speak, socialise, you\u2019ve got to be happy,\u201d Dr Barin said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe brain has 16 departments. There\u2019s no point stimulating one department. And that\u2019s been shown to prevent this decline, because once you get dementia, you can\u2019t reverse it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

And he said you can\u2019t go past a Mediterranean diet, or even Japanese.\u00a0iStock<\/p>\n

Last on the list is Bugs \u2013 more specifically, avoiding them as much as possible. <\/p>\n

\u201cHave your shots, wash your hands, if you fly on a plane wear a mask. And teeth! The teeth are a huge source of bugs as you get older,\u201d Dr Barin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople get gum disease, they get abscesses, they don\u2019t pay attention, and it\u2019s all inflammation and germs and bugs. It\u2019s been long known that bad teeth equal bad heart health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dietitian Susie Burrell: \u2018Ultimately, basic health advice is simple\u2019\"susie<\/p>\n

Susie Burrell is one of Australia’s leading dietitians and nutritionists.\u00a0Supplied<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, basic health advice is simple, and also boring,\u201d dietitian Susie Burrell told nine.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cEat more vegetables, move more, eat less processed food, you need more fibre, good quality protein, and these recommendations come full circle for a number of reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Burrell, who has partnered with Australian Eggs<\/a>, stressed that \u201ceggs are good for you, and no they do not increase cholesterol\u201d.<\/p>\n

Speaking of the constant stream of new health trends, Burrell added, \u201cAudiences, especially younger audiences on social media, have been trained to constantly seek out what is new and exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the old days, nutrition came via magazines, the newspaper and was one or two messages, and foods were limited. <\/p>\n

\u201cNowadays, there is a constant stream of content that needs to be new and exciting to get any traction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even the most basic of health concepts are being given a makeover to make them seem more exciting, Burrell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome basic concepts, like drinking more water, fibre, vegetables are then given a brand makeover to try and gauge interest in a never-ending\u00a0cycle. Ultimately\u00a0most of the messages remain the same, it is just the spin that changes,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Some basic health advice has been given a \u201cbrand makeover\u201d in 2026.\u00a0iStockphoto<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we all know these things are good for us, we are interested in the basics when a different\u00a0spin is put on them. It\u2019s not \u2018drink more water\u2019, its \u2018hydration\u2019. It\u2019s not \u2018eat more veggies\u2019, it\u2019s \u2018fibre maxxing\u2019 \u2013 basically, sexing up the message to compete.<\/p>\n

\u201cStick with the basics, and you will be on the right track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Psychologist Zahra Ciardi: \u2018Complexity has become monetised\u2019<\/p>\n

Zahra Ciardi\u2019s advice is equally simple, and repeats the advice of our previous experts: sleep, movement and social connection.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Psychologist Zahra Ciardi\u2019s advice is equally simple and doable.\u00a0Supplied<\/p>\n

The psychologist said these habits \u201cdo more for our mental health than almost anything else, and none of them cost money\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting seven to nine hours of consistent sleep helps regulate the nervous system and directly affects mood, focus and emotional resilience,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

I think complexity has become a status symbol … it feels more aspirational than simply going to bed at 10pm.<\/p>\n

Zahra Ciardi, psychologist<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, 20 to 30 minutes of daily movement, even just walking, lowers cortisol and can boost the same neurochemicals targeted by antidepressant medication in mild to moderate cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegular contact with people who know you, even a 10-minute phone call, also protects against the isolation that underlies much of our mental health decline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only are all these steps affordable, they don\u2019t require expensive supplements, retreats or gadgets.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe [wellness] industry is worth billions, and has a financial incentive to make us believe the basics aren\u2019t enough. Complexity has become monetised,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

\u2018Getting seven to nine hours of consistent sleep helps regulate the nervous system.\u2019\u00a0iStock<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople will invest in an expensive stack of supplements before fixing their sleep schedule, because the supplements feel like they\u2019re doing something, while improving their sleep can seem boring. <\/p>\n

\u201cNew protocols and complex gadgets engage the brain\u2019s dopamine reward system differently from familiar habits, such as walking or practising good sleep hygiene. The brain finds novelty engaging and often sees routine as dull.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also think complexity has become a status symbol. I overhear conversations in Bali gyms revolving around high-end peptide stacks and biohacking protocols. It\u2019s everywhere, and it signals status. It feels more aspirational than simply going to bed at 10pm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cComplexity can also become a form of avoidance. It\u2019s easier to research the perfect protocol than to sit with the basics, which are often less exciting but far more effective. <\/p>\n

\u201cObsessing over finding the right protocol can keep someone busy and make them feel proactive without requiring them to do the hard, and sometimes mundane, work of managing their health through foundational tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ciardi suggests embracing some basic daily habits that \u201call have solid evidence behind them and don\u2019t require you to purchase anything\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting sunlight within the first hour of waking helps regulate your circadian rhythm and costs nothing, journaling for five minutes a day, going for a walk without your phone, and eating regular meals rather than skipping them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Personal trainer Sam Wood: \u2018It\u2019s a bit of a broken record\u2019\"sam<\/p>\n

Sam Wood swears by strength training and getting your steps in.\u00a0Supplied<\/p>\n

Wood\u2019s go-to advice may also sound familiar.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrength training three times a week, get your steps in every day, eat real food with lots of protein, drink three litres of water, and limit your alcohol. It\u2019s all a bit of a broken record, isn\u2019t it?\u201d the personal trainer told nine.com.au.<\/p>\n

Although, he admits the much-lauded \u201910,000 steps a day\u2019 advice may be \u201ca bit of a nebulous number\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a magic number, but it\u2019s not a bad target to aim for. I think it\u2019s quite powerful to have a number you\u2019re shooting for,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cTen thousand is as good as any because it\u2019s relatively realistic for most. It\u2019s pretty good from a simple calorie-burn perspective \u2013 15,000 is better than 10,000, but all of a sudden you start to be shooting at a pretty high number that puts people off. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, aim for a delicate balance between what\u2019s best what won\u2019t be a psychological barrier for people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wood said his wife Snezana doesn\u2019t work out as such. <\/p>\n

\"Sam<\/p>\n

Wood says his wife Snezana gets plenty of steps in by pottering around the house.\u00a0Instagram @samjameswood<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not really a runner, but she got one of those Oura rings about a year ago, which gives her a pretty good step count, when even when she doesn\u2019t have her phone with her,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe does so many steps pottering around the house. It\u2019s unbelievable. She\u2019ll average 12,000 and hasn\u2019t left the house much in the day, sometimes. It\u2019s quite amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wood also advised adding some strength or resistance training to your routine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat can be bodyweight [exercises], that can be dumbbells, that can be in the gym, that can be bands … there\u2019s a myriad of different ways that you can achieve that.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there, mix it up and keep aiming higher, with more repetitions and heavier weights.<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

And he said to mix it up and to keep aiming higher, more repetitions, and heavier weights.\u00a0iStock<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great place to start, but as you get stronger, it\u2019s important to keep upping the ante and forcing your body to adapt,\u201d Wood said.<\/p>\n

While it doesn\u2019t matter what time of the day you do your exercise, the celebrity trainer said getting it out of the way in the morning doesn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really good from an energy, mood, productivity perspective if you\u2019ve done something challenging early on in your day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, he said to do it whenever you have time for it, and don\u2019t discount how regular exercise can improve sleep: \u201cYou exhaust your body, your body sleeps better. It\u2019s a beautiful cycle … the better you sleep, the better your tomorrow will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not sure where to start? Go for a walk, Wood said, adding that \u201cwalking is massively underrated\u201d from a \u201ccalorie-burning, vitamin D, fresh air, mental health [perspective]\u201c.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven just little hacks like a 10-minute walk after mealtime, walking meetings on your phone rather than sitting at your desk, all of these things add up to make a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider \u2013 such as a GP, mental health professional, registered dietitian, or certified exercise specialist \u2013 for advice tailored to your individual needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When it comes to health trends, there are simply too many. We can\u2019t possibly do them all, regardless…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":854394,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[64,63,137],"class_list":["post-854393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/854393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=854393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/854393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/854394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=854393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=854393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=854393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}