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 specialists. I nonetheless pinch myself that this has turn out to be such a shared journey. It’s humbling, somewhat surreal, and deeply significant to replicate on the whole lot I’ve discovered, modified, and nonetheless consider in any case 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 stated that for the primary time in two centuries, our youngsters’s technology would have a shorter life expectancy than their dad and mom.
That one sentence hit me like a tidal wave. I didn’t understand how, however I knew I needed to assist change that quantity. What began as a mom’s analysis mission grew right into a mission, and finally a podcast, a enterprise, and a group 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 understand how a lot I don’t know.
Over all of the years of interviews, analysis, and first hand classes, just a few truths have emerged.
The Most Widespread 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 will be enjoyable and dietary supplements are useful. Nevertheless, the recommendation that comes up time and again from the brightest minds in well being will be summed up in just a few fantastically easy concepts.
Prioritize Sleep
Not a single professional has ever stated that sleep doesn’t matter. High quality sleep is foundational to the whole lot else. It impacts our hormones, blood sugar, temper, and even how effectively 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 sensible and forgiving with regards to us dad and mom in sure seasons. We had been designed for resilience, and the physique appears to have protecting mechanisms throughout occasions like these. I’ve written lots about sleep and learn how to have higher sleep through the years, and you’ll discover all of that right here.
Gentle is Drugs
This is among the most underrated items of wellness knowledge I’ve discovered. Gentle 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. Gentle, like sleep, is free, highly effective, and unimaginable to promote, which is likely to be why it’s usually missed.
Minerals Matter
Through the years, I’ve come to see minerals because the unsung heroes of wellness. They’re the “spark plugs” that hold 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 an entire new appreciation for a way minerals assist the whole lot 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 way of each private expertise and professional knowledge is that child steps win each time. Consistency builds momentum.
Tiny, sustainable adjustments are way more highly effective (and peaceable) than all-or-nothing overhauls. And the factor about all-or-nothing is that it will possibly shortly turn out to be 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 think about motion as one thing a lot larger. Strolling barefoot outdoors, dancing with my children, or taking part in frisbee within the yard all depend. Motion nourishes the physique in refined methods. It helps fascia, lymph circulation, and even our mobile battery cost. As one visitor fantastically stated, “Movement is lotion.” It’s not about punishing exercises however joyful motion that retains us fluid, sturdy, and related.
The Blue Zones all over the world are well-known for having the longest residing, healthiest folks. So what’s their widespread denominator? It’s not simply what they eat, their location, or what number of dietary supplements they take. Longevity isn’t nearly weight-reduction plan or health, it’s deeply tied to belonging and connection.
Folks in Blue Zones have sturdy communities and connections with others. We thrive once we really feel seen, supported, and beloved. This reality has formed my priorities a lot that I even opened a neighborhood wellness heart. Not only for the saunas and chilly plunges, however for the group these instruments create.
The Therapeutic Energy of Nature
The time period “nature deficit dysfunction” refers back to the silent epidemic of recent life. We had been meant to reside near the earth, barefoot on the bottom, and within the sunshine. Pure mild, contemporary air, and time outdoors regulate our hormones, soothe our nervous system, and actually recharge us at {an electrical} degree. Even a couple of minutes of daylight or grounding every day makes a distinction.
The extra disconnected we turn out to be 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 Major Healthcare Supplier
In any case these years, I’ve turn out to be extra satisfied than ever that nobody is aware of your physique higher than you. Skilled steering is invaluable, however essentially the most highly effective knowledge comes from your personal physique’s suggestions. Your power, temper, sleep, and instinct. Each professional I’ve spoken with, in their very own method, factors again to that reality. I say it so many occasions, 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 in the event you’ve learn the weblog for any period of time. Listed here are a number of the greatest methods I’ve discovered and grown through the years.
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. Every one served its goal 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, however it additionally created a refined worry round meals. Now, I see nourishment by way 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 residence when attainable, and take note of how I really feel after meals as an alternative of following strict guidelines. I’ve discovered that true wellness isn’t about perfection or restriction, it’s about resilience. The healthiest folks I do know are those who can journey, share a meal with pals, and luxuriate in meals with gratitude as an alternative of guilt. My present philosophy: meals ought to gasoline, heal, and produce pleasure, not worry.
Dietary supplements
At one level, I had a whole 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 occasions, I ultimately realized I used to be leaning too closely on exterior inputs and lacking the larger image. I used to be attempting to out-supplement life-style habits that couldn’t get replaced, like deep relaxation, mineral steadiness, and nervous system regulation.
At the moment, I take a way more minimalist and intentional strategy. My focus has shifted to supporting my physique’s innate intelligence slightly than attempting to micromanage it. As a substitute of dozens of tablets, I depend on high-quality minerals, magnesium, and occasional focused dietary supplements primarily based on lab work or life stage.
I take advantage of 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 onerous with lengthy runs, intense HIIT exercises, and heavy coaching. It was about chasing a sure aesthetic (that by no means got here) slightly than listening to how my physique felt. Finally, that strategy led to burnout and hormonal imbalances. I noticed I used to be lacking the true goal of motion which is to construct capability, power, and pleasure.
Now, I transfer to really feel alive, to not punish myself. I nonetheless power prepare a number of occasions 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 children, fascia launch, sauna periods, and time barefoot outdoors.
Motion ought to be numerous and intuitive, a mixture of power, mobility, play, and relaxation. I consider it now as motion diet. A wide range of inputs that hold the physique versatile, sturdy, and balanced for a deal with connection.
Parenting and Presence
When my children had been little I had a really completely different strategy. I believed good parenting meant doing the whole lot “proper” from wholesome meals to completely managed feelings. However actual life shortly confirmed me that youngsters don’t thrive on perfection, they thrive on presence. Making an attempt to regulate the whole lot created pointless stress for each them and me.
Through the years, I’ve discovered to let go of the concept I can (or ought to) shield my children from each battle. As a substitute, I deal with connection and modeling emotional regulation. My objective now is to lift youngsters who belief themselves, perceive their feelings, and know they’re beloved 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 residence, and actually, 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 seen signs as issues to repair and spent years attempting to regulate each attainable variable. Wanting again, I understand I used to be working from worry. Concern of sickness, worry of growing older, worry of doing it improper.
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 an alternative of worry adjustments the whole lot.
- Nature is medication. The solar, the soil, the ocean…they provide what no capsule can replicate.
- Group adjustments 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 consequence, one complement, one new protocol at a time. However after years of analysis, experimentation, and hundreds 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 always shifting towards steadiness. One of the best factor we are able to do is to assist create the circumstances the place it will possibly naturally unfold. Which means much less doing and extra listening. Much less worry, extra belief. Much less rigidity, extra rhythm.
Nowadays, my wellness routines are an entire 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 an alternative of attempting so onerous to regulate it.
The Journey Forward
When 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 mission right into a shared exploration of what it means to reside effectively. When 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 following technology. We will increase youngsters who belief their our bodies, perceive nature, and know that actual well being is woven by way of connection, pleasure, and goal. Well being doesn’t should be sophisticated and it’s usually the best issues in life which can be essentially 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!