Somewhere along the way, wellness became a lot of work.

We count our steps. Track our sleep. Hit our protein goals. Drink enough water. Lift heavy things. Get outside. Take our supplements. Meditate. Stretch. And yes—we believe in so many of these things. Taking care of ourselves matters.

But in all that effort to be healthier, we wonder if we've lost sight of something equally important: actually enjoying our lives.

We'd like to make a little more room for pleasure.

Not everything we do for our health needs to be measured, tracked or optimized. Sometimes feeling good looks like lingering over coffee in the morning instead of rushing into the day. Walking with a friend instead of squeezing in another workout. Sitting in the sunshine. Cooking something simply because it tastes incredible. Ordering dessert. Opening the good bottle of wine on a Tuesday.

There is something wonderfully freeing about doing something simply because it brings you joy.

Pleasure Belongs at the Table

The same goes for food. We can care about protein and fiber, eat lots of colorful plants and pay attention to ingredients—and still want our food to be absolutely delicious.

In fact, we think the two should go together.

We want the crispy edges. The creamy dressing. The warm bread. The perfectly ripe peach. The really good chocolate. The meal you keep thinking about the next day.

Food is nourishment, but it is also comfort, culture, celebration and connection. It's one of the ways we care for ourselves and one another. Some of our strongest memories are tied to what was cooking, who was sitting around the table and how we felt while we were there.

Healthy eating shouldn't require us to remove all the pleasure from the experience. There is room for both nourishment and indulgence, intention and spontaneity, the big beautiful salad and the piece of cake.

The Little Things Count

And pleasure doesn't have to be extravagant.

Often, it's hiding in the ordinary parts of the day: fresh sheets, flowers on the table for no reason, music playing in the kitchen, a great book, a long lunch, a walk without tracking it, laughing with someone you love, getting into bed early or staying at the table a little longer because the conversation is too good to leave.

These things may not show up on a wellness tracker, but perhaps that's exactly the point.

We spend so much time thinking about what we should do more of—and what we should do less of. More protein. Less sugar. More exercise. Less screen time. More sleep. Less stress.

All worthwhile goals. But a healthy life isn't built entirely from rules.

It is also built from the moments that make us happy to be in it.

So yes, eat your vegetables. Move your body. Get some sleep. Drink your water. Take good care of yourself.

But save room for the things that are simply wonderful.

A little more deliciousness. A little more connection. A little more fun. And definitely, a little more pleasure, please.

Chocolate-Dipped Almond Butter Dates with Flaky Sea Salt

And in the spirit of adding a little more pleasure to the everyday, make these.

Chocolate, almond butter, dates and flaky sea salt. Enough said.

Sweet, salty, creamy and chocolatey, these little bites are incredibly simple to make and very hard to resist. Keep them in the fridge for an afternoon treat or that little something sweet after dinner.

Ingredients

• 12 Medjool dates
• 1/3 cup creamy almond butter
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• Flaky sea salt
• Chopped toasted almonds, optional

To Make

Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit. Fill the center with a generous spoonful of almond butter, then gently press the date back together.

Melt the dark chocolate with the coconut oil until smooth.

Dip each stuffed date halfway into the melted chocolate—or cover the whole thing if you're feeling it.

Place on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chopped toasted almonds, if using.

Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.

Store in the refrigerator and enjoy chilled, or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes for an extra soft and gooey bite.

TUESDAY TIP: Make a double batch and keep some in the freezer. They're especially delicious frozen—and you'll always have a little something wonderful waiting for you.