Once I first began Wellness Mama I couldn’t have imagined the place this journey would take me. All the analysis, connecting with you, and interviewing dozens of well being consultants. I nonetheless pinch myself that this has change into such a shared journey. It’s humbling, a little bit surreal, and deeply significant to replicate on every thing I’ve discovered, modified, and nonetheless consider in spite of everything these years.
The Begin of Wellness Mama
At its coronary heart, Wellness Mama was born from a single second. I used to be holding my very first new child on the physician’s workplace once I learn a line in {a magazine} that modified the course of my life. It mentioned that for the primary time in two centuries, our kids’s technology would have a shorter life expectancy than their mother and father.
That one sentence hit me like a tidal wave. I didn’t know the way, however I knew I needed to assist change that quantity. What began as a mom’s analysis challenge grew right into a mission, and ultimately a podcast, a enterprise, and a neighborhood I’m endlessly grateful for.
Over time, I’ve developed proper alongside Wellness Mama. My infants aren’t so little anymore and my oldest, the one who impressed me to begin Wellness Mama, is already an grownup. I’ve healed from Hashimoto’s, discovered extra about how the physique really works, and found that the extra I study, the extra I notice how a lot I don’t know.
Over all of the years of interviews, analysis, and first hand classes, a number of truths have emerged.
The Most Frequent Skilled Recommendation (and Why It Nonetheless Issues)
Throughout a thousand interviews, one of many greatest takeaways is that the straightforward issues matter most. Sure, biohacks could be enjoyable and dietary supplements are useful. Nevertheless, the recommendation that comes up time and again from the brightest minds in well being could be summed up in a number of fantastically easy concepts.
Prioritize Sleep
Not a single knowledgeable has ever mentioned that sleep doesn’t matter. High quality sleep is foundational to every thing else. It impacts our hormones, blood sugar, temper, and even how nicely we detox. Only one or two nights of disrupted sleep can throw off hormones like cortisol and insulin.
As a mother of 6 I’m no stranger to sleepless nights and disrupted sleep. The excellent news although is that our our bodies are clever and forgiving on the subject of us mother and father in sure seasons. We had been designed for resilience, and the physique appears to have protecting mechanisms throughout instances like these. I’ve written a lot about sleep and easy methods to have higher sleep over time, and you may discover all of that right here.
Mild is Drugs
This is among the most underrated items of wellness knowledge I’ve discovered. Mild publicity impacts each system within the physique, from our circadian rhythm to our hormones and psychological well being. Getting daylight all through the day, avoiding blue mild at evening, and watching the dawn are easy shifts that may profoundly change sleep, power, and even temper. Mild, like sleep, is free, highly effective, and not possible to promote, which may be why it’s typically neglected.
Minerals Matter
Through the years, I’ve come to see minerals because the unsung heroes of wellness. They’re the “spark plugs” that maintain our cells speaking and our our bodies conducting power effectively. We speak so much about electrolytes and hydration. Nevertheless, understanding the physique’s electrical nature has given me a complete new appreciation for a way minerals assist every thing from nervous system steadiness to power manufacturing.
Small Constant Steps
Early in my wellness journey, I chased perfection. From strict diets and elaborate complement protocols to inflexible routines. What I’ve discovered by means of each private expertise and knowledgeable knowledge is that child steps win each time. Consistency builds momentum.
Tiny, sustainable modifications are way more highly effective (and peaceable) than all-or-nothing overhauls. And the factor about all-or-nothing is that it will probably rapidly change into overwhelming. So we find yourself doing nothing or getting burnt out!
Motion is Extra Than Train
Train is a necessity, however I’ve discovered to consider motion as one thing a lot greater. Strolling barefoot outdoors, dancing with my youngsters, or taking part in frisbee within the yard all rely. Motion nourishes the physique in delicate methods. It helps fascia, lymph move, and even our mobile battery cost. As one visitor fantastically mentioned, “Movement is lotion.” It’s not about punishing exercises however joyful motion that retains us fluid, robust, and related.
The Blue Zones all over the world are well-known for having the longest dwelling, healthiest individuals. So what’s their frequent denominator? It’s not simply what they eat, their location, or what number of dietary supplements they take. Longevity isn’t nearly weight loss program or health, it’s deeply tied to belonging and connection.
Folks in Blue Zones have robust communities and connections with others. We thrive after we really feel seen, supported, and cherished. This fact has formed my priorities a lot that I even opened an area wellness middle. Not only for the saunas and chilly plunges, however for the neighborhood these instruments create.
The Therapeutic Energy of Nature
The time period “nature deficit dysfunction” refers back to the silent epidemic of contemporary life. We had been meant to stay near the earth, barefoot on the bottom, and within the sunshine. Pure mild, recent air, and time outdoors regulate our hormones, soothe our nervous system, and actually recharge us at {an electrical} stage. Even a couple of minutes of daylight or grounding every day makes a distinction.
The extra disconnected we change into from nature, the extra disconnected we’re from our personal our bodies. And the excellent news is that the treatment is as straightforward as stepping outdoors!
Your Main Healthcare Supplier
In spite of everything these years, I’ve change into extra satisfied than ever that nobody is aware of your physique higher than you. Skilled steering is invaluable, however probably the most highly effective knowledge comes from your individual physique’s suggestions. Your power, temper, sleep, and instinct. Each knowledgeable I’ve spoken with, in their very own approach, factors again to that fact. I say it so many instances, however we’re every our personal main healthcare supplier.
What I’ve Modified My Thoughts About
Issues have actually modified so much since I began Wellness Mama again in 2006! And I’ve modified so much too. You will have seen this when you’ve learn the weblog for any period of time. Listed here are a number of the greatest methods I’ve discovered and grown over time.
Meals Dogmas
Within the early years of my therapeutic journey, I approached meals with the mindset that there was one proper method to eat. Once I was deep within the technique of reversing Hashimoto’s, I relied closely on strict elimination diets. Each served its function for a season and taught me so much about how meals impacts issues like irritation and power.
However I additionally seen that the extra I restricted, the extra disconnected I felt from my physique’s pure cues. These diets helped me heal bodily at first, nevertheless it additionally created a delicate concern round meals. Now, I see nourishment by means of a a lot softer and extra intuitive lens.
I nonetheless consider in actual, complete meals, however I additionally consider in flexibility. I eat seasonally, select meals grown near house when attainable, and take note of how I really feel after meals as a substitute of following strict guidelines. I’ve discovered that true wellness isn’t about perfection or restriction, it’s about resilience. The healthiest individuals I do know are those who can journey, share a meal with associates, and revel in meals with gratitude as a substitute of guilt. My present philosophy: meals ought to gas, heal, and convey pleasure, not concern.
Dietary supplements
At one level, I had a complete cupboard (and spreadsheet!) stuffed with dietary supplements. I believed I might optimize my well being by filling each attainable dietary hole. Whereas a few of these instruments had been extremely useful at instances, I finally realized I used to be leaning too closely on exterior inputs and lacking the larger image. I used to be attempting to out-supplement way of life habits that couldn’t get replaced, like deep relaxation, mineral steadiness, and nervous system regulation.
Immediately, I take a way more minimalist and intentional strategy. My focus has shifted to supporting my physique’s innate intelligence relatively than attempting to micromanage it. As a substitute of dozens of capsules, I depend on high-quality minerals, magnesium, and occasional focused dietary supplements based mostly on lab work or life stage.
I exploit natural treatments and tinctures when wanted and prioritize meals first. I’ve discovered that dietary supplements ought to assist, not attempt to compensate for being undernourished or overstressed.
Train as Punishment
In my twenties, train was one thing I did to “earn” meals or to vary my physique. I pushed exhausting with lengthy runs, intense HIIT exercises, and heavy coaching. It was about chasing a sure aesthetic (that by no means got here) relatively than listening to how my physique felt. Ultimately, that strategy led to burnout and hormonal imbalances. I spotted I used to be lacking the true function of motion which is to construct capability, energy, and pleasure.
Now, I transfer to really feel alive, to not punish myself. I nonetheless energy practice a number of instances every week as a result of muscle actually is the “organ of longevity.” Nevertheless, I’ve additionally added issues that nourish my nervous system, like every day walks, dancing with my youngsters, fascia launch, sauna classes, and time barefoot outdoors.
Motion must be numerous and intuitive, a mixture of energy, mobility, play, and relaxation. I consider it now as motion diet. A wide range of inputs that maintain the physique versatile, robust, and balanced for a give attention to connection.
Parenting and Presence
When my youngsters had been little I had a really completely different strategy. I believed good parenting meant doing every thing “proper” from wholesome meals to completely managed feelings. However actual life rapidly confirmed me that youngsters don’t thrive on perfection, they thrive on presence. Attempting to regulate every thing created pointless stress for each them and me.
Through the years, I’ve discovered to let go of the concept that I can (or ought to) shield my youngsters from each battle. As a substitute, I give attention to connection and modeling emotional regulation. My purpose now is to boost youngsters who belief themselves, perceive their feelings, and know they’re cherished unconditionally.
Which means fewer lectures and extra listening, fewer guidelines and extra rhythm. I nonetheless set boundaries, however I attempt to do it with empathy and curiosity. This strategy has introduced a lot extra peace into our house, and truthfully, extra pleasure into motherhood.
Concern vs. Belief
For a very long time, I noticed my physique as one thing fragile and even damaged, particularly after my Hashimoto’s analysis. I considered signs as issues to repair and spent years attempting to regulate each attainable variable. Trying again, I notice I used to be working from concern. Concern of sickness, concern of getting older, concern of doing it fallacious.
However the extra I discovered the extra I noticed how deeply our techniques are designed for steadiness and therapeutic. My physique wasn’t betraying me, it was speaking with me. Now I see my physique as attempting to work for my profit and signs are stunning messages. As a substitute of attempting to micromanage my well being when one thing feels off, I get curious and attempt to hear. Calm and confidence are a number of the greatest therapeutic instruments at our physique’s disposal.
What I Nonetheless Imagine (Now Extra Than Ever)
Some beliefs have solely deepened with time:
- The physique is smart. It’s not your enemy; it’s your ally. Each symptom is communication, not betrayal.
- The fundamentals matter most. Sleep, mild, actual meals, motion, minerals, and connection are the true “biohacks.”
- Curiosity heals. Approaching well being with marvel as a substitute of concern modifications every thing.
- Nature is medication. The solar, the soil, the ocean…they provide what no tablet can replicate.
- Group modifications lives. The truest therapeutic doesn’t occur in isolation. We want one another.
- Progress beats perfection. At all times.
Life Classes and Understanding
To start with, I chased wellness like a puzzle to unravel. One lab end result, one complement, one new protocol at a time. However after years of analysis, experimentation, and 1000’s of conversations, I’ve realized that wellness isn’t one thing we obtain. As a substitute, it’s one thing we align with.
Our our bodies are continuously shifting towards steadiness. One of the best factor we are able to do is to assist create the circumstances the place it will probably naturally unfold. Which means much less doing and extra listening. Much less concern, extra belief. Much less rigidity, extra rhythm.
Nowadays, my wellness routines are a complete lot extra intuitive than they as soon as had been. My every day non-negotiables embody issues like ingesting mineral-rich water, getting morning daylight, and pursuing peace. I’m aiming for connection, with myself and with others, and dealing with my physique as a substitute of attempting so exhausting to regulate it.
The Journey Forward
Should you’ve been on this journey with me from the beginning, thanks. You’ve watched Wellness Mama develop from a mother’s late-night analysis challenge right into a shared exploration of what it means to stay nicely. Should you’re new right here, welcome to this kitchen desk of curiosity. We’re all studying collectively.
I nonetheless consider, as I did holding that tiny child all these years in the past, that we are able to change the story for the subsequent technology. We will elevate youngsters who belief their our bodies, perceive nature, and know that actual well being is woven by means of connection, pleasure, and function. Well being doesn’t need to be difficult and it’s typically the only issues in life which might be probably the most impactful.
What are some methods you’ve modified and grown in your well being journey? I’d love to listen to about it within the feedback under!
