The Inner Wisdom

Our Capacity to Heal

One of the most amazing abilities of the human body is our capability to restore and heal. It is estimated that we have about 37 trillion cells within our body. These intelligent cells are constantly communicating, taking in nutrients, converting nutrients to energy and carrying out various specialized functions. This is all with the goal of helping us to heal, thrive and keep us within our natural balance. If we consistently injure our bodies or become ill, cells can be damaged or destroyed. It can be difficult for our cells to perform their tasks and keep their integrity to support our health. Thankfully, cells do have the ability to heal or be replaced by new cells to keep us functioning at optimal levels. Our livers regenerate, intestinal lining can renew, bones patch and repair, our skin heals over, and lungs can heal after damage. We are resilient, but our cell’s abilities to do this can be attributed to so many influences.

Everything from our perceptions, emotions, stress, quality of food, water, air and breathing, sleep, sun light exposure, movement and more can play a role. It would be impossible, and unhealthy to stress about, trying to fully control all of these aspects. Through moderation and gradual mindful lifestyle changes, we can further support our bodies at a foundational level to experience profound wellness changes. How empowering and crazy amazing is that?!

Are You Listening?

Our lives are all so bustling with busyness. We have so many important things to do! While we go about our lives we might experience various pains and discomforts, frequent infections, upset stomach, constipation, bloating, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, headaches, brain fog and chronic fatigue. These messages are our body’s way of letting us know something has gone off balance. Have you ever had a sudden headache and instead of solely reaching for an ibuprofen, you also think, “What do I truly need right now? Quality hydration? Nutrients? Stress relief? Reflect on pent-up emotions? Rest? Fresh air? Warm tea? A vacation to a remote cabin in the woods?!”

For many of us, it can even become the norm as we get used to feeling these ways. If we decided to seek medical care to find out why we are experiencing these recurring symptoms, we may not always be given a clear answer.  It might be that we are offered medication in attempt to help, but this does not always address why it is happening in the first place. Some medications may suppress “the messages” and give us a sense of relief for a period of time. It can be a frustrating journey to navigate symptoms without answers. If we continue to push forward  in our busy lives, the imbalance can worsen if not explored.

Environmental pollution, inflammatory and highly processed foods, a continuous stream of stress, decreased ability to digest and assimilate nutrients, lack of exercise, lack of regular natural light exposure, decreased quality sleep and relaxation in this busy and modern world can upset our balance.  Exploring these aspects can help us to support and nourish our bodies through small and consistent habits. We can begin to better understand our body’s “messages” and lovingly acknowledge the parts of us that are squealing to be listened to.

Tuning In

As a human, you are part of Creation. In Mother Nature, everything is provided to carry out flourishing life so as long as it stays within the natural rhythm of ebbs and flows. It’s an intelligent, interconnected system that has the very goal of thriving. That same sort of ecosystem is the same within our bodies as well. If we listen, there are instincts that are deep within us that help us to navigate what can inhibit our ability to thrive. We can get thrown out of balance if we consistently pollute our minds and bodies without paying mind to consistent symptoms trying to alarm us.

Just as each aspect in a forest is an important part of the balanced ecosystem, our body is a whole and integrated system that cannot be broken down into organs or compartments if the goal is restoration and balance. It’s all connected and intertwined. When we slow down and tune into our body’s wisdom, we can improve our sense of what is best for us.

Women have the additional gauge of inner balance through our menstrual cycles. The length of our cycles, ovulation, symptoms during our cycles, and bleeding characteristics provide the extra gift of getting really attuned to our body’s cycles. Women are not biologically designed to strenuously push ourselves day in and day out. When we get increasingly acclimated to paying attention to these inner ebbs and flows, it can be deeply empowering and a gift on our wellness journey.

Brief respites from the daily busyness of life to enjoy a bit of deep restorative breaths (go ahead and take a few!), nutritive and nourishing foods, awareness around what is bringing us unnecessary stress or turmoil, creating something, being mindful of present moments, admiring and learning about the miraculous Creations outdoors, honing into our passions, finding joy and gratitude in “the small things”, improving meaningful relationships, having a calming sleep routine can be ways of exploration in honoring ourselves in increasingly loving ways.

Individuality

There are no shortage of strenuous fad diets and gurus who talk about the secret magic pills to health. All of the conflicting information in books and videos is enough to make your head spin and maybe feel defeated and confused. At any given time we can have subtly different biochemistry based on our current experiences, environment and genetics. Our needs change based on so many variables! Distinctive things that make you, you!  Although there are definitely general rules of thumb on what mainly consists of a nutritive meal, quality sleep, and healthy movement, the one-size-fits all advice rarely works. The amount of activity you have, the state of your digestive system, social variables, your stress levels and even what climate you’re in and what season it is can affect your wellness needs. We are definitely miraculous and unique!

Attuning to your inner guidance system and “messages” (and no, this doesn’t mean, “I want large frappes and cake everyday” type of message) can really be the key to wellness as you define it! This type of inner message can help guide you into daily increased energy, more restful sleep, improved relationships, feeling nourished and energized after meals instead of feeling depleted and bloated. This continuous awareness can bring individualized clarity and balance in so many ways. You certainly deserve that, don’t you think?

Womb Wellness

I was shocked to learn in a 2020 study that “In the United States, more than half a million women have undergone hysterectomy and it is estimated that by the age of about 65, one-third of women will have their uterus removed through hysterectomy.” Women are experiencing high rates of debilitating menstrual cycles, cysts, fibroids and more that is affecting their fertility and quality of life. This is the “nest” where all humans first physically develop so the balance and health of the womb is vitally important. Because our bodies are not made of isolated compartments, the foundation of imbalances start due to an accumulation of imbalances in other parts of our bodies. It’s all connected.

Although our eggs were present in our ovaries when we were in our mother’s womb, our ovaries begin to further mature an egg 3 months prior to that egg being released for ovulation. With this perspective, what’s happening even before conception can play a role in egg quality and in the womb environment where our children first develop. Exploring preconception health from a holistic standpoint is fascinating to further understanding how we can improve pregnancy and child health outcomes. I believe womb wellness is an important part of wellness for all of us.

I’m looking forward to writing about women’s lifestyle wellness, fertility, pregnancy and motherhood as I continue on my wellness journey and to be a loving support for other women through Women’s Holistic Wellness Coaching.

With Love and Wellness Wishes

Nicole