Often it can be hard to decipher what’s normal for our bodies and what’s really a red flag crying out to us. Many of us begin to get certain symptoms, but we suffer through them and then start reaching for the pill that will take away the symptoms.
The pill takes away the symptoms but they still return and it all comes at a cost. PPI’s like Nexium decrease our stomach acid, but they also deplete our body of nutrients responsible for many different functions in our body. Soon enough, these symptoms become our “normal” and we think it is ok to have them – things like heartburn, gas, and bloating.
But guess what? It’s not normal. In fact, it’s your body speaking to you. So you have to ask yourself – are you listening to the message?
Here are three “not normal” experiences we tend to overlook:
- Night Sweats or Insomnia in Menopause. This is a big giveaway that our hormones are out of balance. And sure, most women have these symptoms – but there are some who don’t. Wouldn’t it be nice to be on that side of the fence? Stress in our modern culture is a huge factor on our menopausal symptoms. That’s why it’s important to learn a few important stress management tools. Watch for my stress management tips that I will be posting in September!
- Understanding Your Bowel Movements. Some people can go days without a bowel movement. Ideally, at least once per day is preferred. The longer the feces sits in the intestine (sorry for the graphics but we have to learn this stuff, right?), the more possible it becomes to absorb unwanted toxins – things like strong estrogens that have been linked to breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis.
- Depressed or Anxious? Many of us don’t know how to deal with our depression or anxiety and don’t always take the proper steps to help alleviate these feelings. Often, depression and anxiety is caused by a chemical imbalance, but what about trying to fix this chemical imbalance through supplementing nutrients, working on digestion and looking at our genetic makeup? This approach can help you fully understand your body, your triggers, and what works for you.
You don’t have to ignore the red flags. But you also don’t have to be scared or nervous that you can’t heal them. Find a healthcare team that can help you slowly work through it! I’m here to help you – and I have a great team of practitioners that I refer out to as well – including psychologists, life coaches, physios, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and chiropractors!
We have to change our diet, our lifestyle, and our thinking often to achieve changes! And this takes time.
That’s why it’s important to take the very first step which is asking yourself – Am I ready for the change? If so, then all it takes is enlisting honest guidance and support from a healthcare practitioner who is excited to take the journey with you – someone interested in your wellness. Together, you can uncover the root of your symptoms, treat the cause, and create a customized system with small steps that lead to your lasting health.