After 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 develop into such a shared journey. It’s humbling, a bit surreal, and deeply significant to mirror on the whole lot I’ve realized, modified, and nonetheless imagine 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 era would have a shorter life expectancy than their mother and father.
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 venture 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 start out Wellness Mama, is already an grownup. I’ve healed from Hashimoto’s, realized 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, a number of 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 could be enjoyable and dietary supplements are useful. Nonetheless, the recommendation that comes up time and again from the brightest minds in well being could be summed up in a number of superbly easy concepts.
Prioritize Sleep
Not a single skilled has ever mentioned 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 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 sensible and forgiving in relation to us mother and father in sure seasons. We have 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 over time, and you may discover all of that right here.
Mild is Medication
This is among the most underrated items of wellness knowledge I’ve realized. 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 gentle 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 is perhaps why it’s usually ignored.
Minerals Matter
Over time, 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 discuss so much about electrolytes and hydration. Nonetheless, understanding the physique’s electrical nature has given me an entire new appreciation for the way minerals assist the whole lot from nervous system stability 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 realized via each private expertise and skilled 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 shortly develop into overwhelming. So we find yourself doing nothing or getting burnt out!
Motion is Extra Than Train
Train is a necessity, however I’ve realized to consider motion as one thing a lot greater. Strolling barefoot outdoors, dancing with my youngsters, or enjoying frisbee within the yard all depend. Motion nourishes the physique in delicate methods. It helps fascia, lymph stream, and even our mobile battery cost. As one visitor superbly mentioned, “Movement is lotion.” It’s not about punishing exercises however joyful motion that retains us fluid, sturdy, and linked.
The Blue Zones all over the world are well-known for having the longest residing, healthiest folks. 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 food plan or health, it’s deeply tied to belonging and connection.
Individuals 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 neighborhood these instruments create.
The Therapeutic Energy of Nature
The time period “nature deficit dysfunction” refers back to the silent epidemic of recent life. We have been meant to reside near the earth, barefoot on the bottom, and within the sunshine. Pure gentle, 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 develop into from nature, the extra disconnected we’re from our personal our bodies. And the excellent news is that the treatment is as simple as stepping outdoors!
Your Major Healthcare Supplier
In spite of everything these years, I’ve develop into extra satisfied than ever that nobody is aware of your physique higher than you. Skilled steerage is invaluable, however probably the most highly effective knowledge comes from your individual physique’s suggestions. Your power, temper, sleep, and instinct. Each skilled I’ve spoken with, in their very own manner, 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 could have observed this in case you’ve learn the weblog for any period of time. Listed here are among the greatest methods I’ve realized 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 technique to eat. After I was deep within the technique of reversing Hashimoto’s, I relied closely on strict elimination diets. Each served its objective for a season and taught me so much about how meals impacts issues like irritation and power.
However I additionally observed that the extra I restricted, the extra disconnected I felt from my physique’s pure cues. These diets helped me heal bodily at first, but it surely additionally created a delicate concern round meals. Now, I see nourishment via a a lot softer and extra intuitive lens.
I nonetheless imagine in actual, entire meals, however I additionally imagine in flexibility. I eat seasonally, select meals grown near residence when potential, and take note of how I really feel after meals as an alternative of following strict guidelines. I’ve realized 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 mates, and luxuriate in meals with gratitude as an alternative of guilt. My present philosophy: meals ought to gasoline, heal, and convey pleasure, not concern.
Dietary supplements
At one level, I had a whole cupboard (and spreadsheet!) filled with dietary supplements. I believed I may optimize my well being by filling each potential dietary hole. Whereas a few of these instruments have 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 way of life habits that couldn’t get replaced, like deep relaxation, mineral stability, and nervous system regulation.
Right now, I take a way more minimalist and intentional method. My focus has shifted to supporting my physique’s innate intelligence moderately than attempting to micromanage it. As a substitute of dozens of tablets, 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 laborious with lengthy runs, intense HIIT exercises, and heavy coaching. It was about chasing a sure aesthetic (that by no means got here) moderately than listening to how my physique felt. Finally, that method led to burnout and hormonal imbalances. I noticed I used to be lacking the actual objective 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.” Nonetheless, I’ve additionally added issues that nourish my nervous system, like day by day walks, dancing with my youngsters, fascia launch, sauna periods, and time barefoot outdoors.
Motion needs to be numerous and intuitive, a mixture of power, mobility, play, and relaxation. I consider it now as motion diet. Quite a lot of inputs that maintain the physique versatile, sturdy, and balanced for a give attention to connection.
Parenting and Presence
When my youngsters have been little I had a really totally different method. 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 manage the whole lot created pointless stress for each them and me.
Over time, I’ve realized to let go of the concept I can (or ought to) shield my youngsters from each battle. As a substitute, I give attention to connection and modeling emotional regulation. My aim now is to boost kids who belief themselves, perceive their feelings, and know they’re beloved unconditionally.
Meaning 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 method has introduced a lot extra peace into our residence, 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 prognosis. I seen signs as issues to repair and spent years attempting to manage each potential variable. Wanting again, I understand I used to be working from concern. Concern of sickness, concern of getting old, concern of doing it flawed.
However the extra I realized the extra I noticed how deeply our techniques are designed for stability 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 pay attention. Calm and confidence are among the finest therapeutic instruments at our physique’s disposal.
What I Nonetheless Consider (Now Extra Than Ever)
Some beliefs have solely deepened with time:
- The physique is sensible. It’s not your enemy; it’s your ally. Each symptom is communication, not betrayal.
- The fundamentals matter most. Sleep, gentle, actual meals, motion, minerals, and connection are the true “biohacks.”
- Curiosity heals. Approaching well being with surprise as an alternative of concern modifications the whole lot.
- 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
At first, I chased wellness like a puzzle to resolve. One lab outcome, 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 continually transferring towards stability. One of the best factor we are able to do is to assist create the circumstances the place it will probably naturally unfold. Meaning much less doing and extra listening. Much less concern, extra belief. Much less rigidity, extra rhythm.
As of late, my wellness routines are an entire lot extra intuitive than they as soon as have been. My day by day non-negotiables embody issues like consuming 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 laborious to manage it.
The Journey Forward
If you happen to’ve been on this journey with me from the beginning, thanks. You’ve watched Wellness Mama develop from a mother’s late-night analysis venture right into a shared exploration of what it means to reside nicely. If you happen to’re new right here, welcome to this kitchen desk of curiosity. We’re all studying collectively.
I nonetheless imagine, as I did holding that tiny child all these years in the past, that we are able to change the story for the following era. We will elevate kids who belief their our bodies, perceive nature, and know that actual well being is woven via connection, pleasure, and objective. Well being doesn’t must be sophisticated and it’s usually 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 beneath!
