Choosing and Maintaining Your Supplement Routine
What are supplements?They’re like mini feel-good boosters. Many people add them to their daily routine to help support their overall wellbeing. Why? Because supplements—products that can contain nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and sometimes botanicals—may help complement a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
But where do you begin? With so many options available, choosing the right one for you can be daunting. Not to mention building a regimen for yourself that you can feel good about. We totally get it.
The good news—we’ve got you covered. No need to fret! Keep reading to get into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right supplement for you, wisely and carefully, and how you can stick to a supplement routine that works for your lifestyle.
Informed Choices Are Always Best: Know Your Stuff
You don’t have to forego quality to keep to your budget. In fact, we strongly advise against that. The best thing to do when choosing a supplement is to do your own research first. This can help you better understand what you’re putting into your body and whether a product is a good fit for your needs. You should also always consult with a trusted healthcare professional for personalised guidance. We love informed decision-making!
For the newbies, start out with a high-quality Multivitamin (especially if you’re still a little ‘iffy’ on the whole dietary supplementation thing). Multivitamins are popular, and for a reason. These daily supplements can be a convenient way to support your nutritional intake alongside a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. [12, 13]
If you don’t want to get on the multivitamin train just yet, you can still try out Probiotics. These are often chosen as part of a daily wellness routine, especially by people looking to support their everyday gut-focused regimen. [1]
Unbreakable Habits Have to Start Somewhere
And they begin with habit stacking. Ever heard of it? Habit stacking is the easiest way to make sure you’re taking your supplements regularly. Just add them to your existing daily routine, and you’ll be good to go!
Here’s how to do it:
- Pick a time of day when you already have a regular routine, such as brushing your teeth, making coffee, or eating breakfast.
- Add your supplements to that routine. For example, you could take your vitamins after you brush your teeth in the morning or take your fish oil supplement after you eat breakfast.
That’s it! You’ve now habit-stacked your supplement regimen.
Need some examples? No problem:
- Morning: After I brush my teeth, I will take my vitamins and probiotics.
- Midday: After I eat lunch, I will take my magnesium supplement.
- Evening: After I make dinner, I will take my fish oil supplement.
- Before bed: Before I go to bed, I will take my evening supplement.
You’ll Need A Secret Weapon For Success: The 3 Cs
Commitment, consistency, and care—the 3 Cs to your supplement success. What do we mean? Take a look:
Commitment: Stay committed to your supplement regimen, no matter what! Building a routine takes time, and sticking with it can help you stay on track.
Consistency: Commitment is one thing, but consistency is another. Take your supplements regularly as directed, and you’ll be on your way to building a routine that fits your goals.
Care: Take care of yourself and your supplements! Store them properly and take them as directed to help maintain quality and freshness.
To maintain your 3 Cs to supplement success, you’ll need a secret weapon. Enter: Subscribe And Save for the win. This helpful option can make it easier to stay stocked up as part of your wellness journey, and we love that for you. Plus, it’ll save you time AND money. Make sure the subscription service you choose has all the goods:
- Free Shipping
- Ability to cancel and rejoin at any time
- A straight-forward, no-games 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: A Big No-No
You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million more times—out of sight, out of mind. While that might have a nice ring to it, it’s not the mentality you’ll want to have in order to stick to a supplement routine. Rather, you should do the opposite—in sight and in your mind. Store your supplements somewhere safe and visible so you don’t forget to take them.
Easy access is your goal. Place your supplements on a counter tray or shelf next to your coffee maker or toothbrush.
Supplement stashes are a thing. For instance, you could keep a bottle of vitamins in your bag or at work so you can keep up with your routine on the go.
Alarms aren’t just for getting to work on time. Set a reminder on your phone to take your supplements at a certain time each day.
Organization is a game-changer. If you have multiple supplements, organise them in a pill organiser so it’s easy to see what you need to take.
What do we mean by “somewhere safe?” Things like humidity and direct sunlight can affect the quality of your supplements, so we recommend avoiding areas like these entirely.
Supplements 101: A Beginner’s Guide
Before starting a new supplement regimen, ask yourself these questions:
- What are my nutritional needs? Am I lacking in certain areas of my diet?
- What are my health and wellness goals?
- How will I stay accountable?
- Is my lifestyle balanced? Do I get enough water, sleep, exercise, and time for myself?
- Have I talked to my doctor or healthcare professional about taking new supplements?
Once you have a good understanding of your needs and goals, you can start researching supplements. Here are a few suggestions for beginners:
- Turmeric Curcumin: Commonly included in everyday wellness routines.
- Collagen Peptides: A popular choice in beauty and lifestyle-focused supplement routines.[2]
- Organic Garlic: Often chosen by people looking to broaden their supplement cupboard.[3,4]
- Ashwagandha: Frequently used in modern wellness routines.
- Maca Root: A popular botanical often included in daily wellness regimens.[6]
- Berberine: Often selected by people exploring broader supplement options.[7]
- Quercetin: A well-known plant compound that features in many supplement formulas.[8,9]
- Vitamin K2 & D3: Often paired together in supplement routines.
- Resveratrol: A popular antioxidant-style ingredient found in many wellness products.[11]
Note that supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Make sure to eat a varied, balanced diet, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep. If you have any concerns about taking supplements, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.
