Mindset pillars for hormone healing and long-term health
If you've been following my journey on social media, you're likely aware of my struggles with irregular menstrual cycles and acne. These challenges led me to delve deep into understanding my health, and after completing my dietetic internship in 2024, I immersed myself in research, books, podcasts and trainings with experts in functional medicine and hormone health, including Robyn Johnson, Amanda Montavo, Dan Kalish, and Donna Sigmond. It’s become evident to me that there’s a better approach to understanding our bodies than what is offered through our conventional medical, “treat the symptoms” approach. Unfortunately working 1:1 with a functional medicine provider can be inaccessible to many people because of the large out of pocket expense for labs and supplements. I am passionate about bridging these gaps and continuing to spread the information of experts to those who need it. I have learned that our mind can be extremely powerful in healing physical symptoms along with the right nutritional approach.
Today, I want to share three mindset pillars that have been instrumental in my healing journey and have become the cornerstone of my content and coaching programs.
Habits as Spiritual Practices: I believe in viewing habits as spiritual practices that help us see things differently. Building and maintaining habits may be challenging, but they serve as the foundation for our overall well-being. Habits evolve with different life seasons, much like our schedules change over time. I see spirituality as a continuous process of pushing oneself closer to personal challenges, accompanied by the release of fears and worries that drain our energy at a cellular level.
Connection to Physical Health: Spirituality plays a crucial role in influencing hormonal regulatory systems. Dysregulation in the communication between the brain, thyroid, adrenal glands, and sex glands can lead to issues like weight gain. By embracing spirituality, we cultivate a greater sense of peace and calm, influencing the brain's stress signals, which, in turn, impact the thyroid and sex glands. This interconnectedness emphasizes the importance of stress resilience in supporting overall health.
Reaffirming Self-Love Daily: Self-love is a powerful tool in promoting holistic well-being. When we give ourselves love, we attract more positivity into our lives. Beyond clichés like "love yourself first," practicing self-love becomes crucial in navigating challenges such as changing our diet. By incorporating self-love, we can address triggers and wounds that often lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Sometimes self love can look like cooking a balanced meal, setting boundaries and surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals who contribute to our growth.
Impact on Hormonal Health: Self-love positively impacts hormonal conditions by mitigating fight-or-flight responses triggered by fears of abandonment or self-criticism. Balancing protein, fat, and fiber in our diets can also support the nervous system, but we need to get to the root of the triggers for a long term healthier hormonal profile.
Connecting to the Body Through Pleasure: Pleasure, whether derived from sexual intimacy, massage, yoga or enjoyable hobbies, has a profound impact on our physiological well-being. Sexual pleasure, for instance, triggers the release of oxytocin, reducing anxiety and stress hormones. However, pleasure extends beyond intimacy and includes activities such as music, art, reading, or whatever brings you joy.
The mind plays a significant role in conditions related to weight loss, digestion, insulin resistance, endometriosis, thyroid issues, autoimmunity, and micronutrient deficiencies. While nutrition provides the body with essential raw materials, the mind's influence through pleasure and positive experiences contributes significantly to the healing process.
In summary, these three mindset pillars—treating habits as spiritual practices, reaffirming self-love daily, and connecting to the body through pleasure—create a foundation for transformative changes in hormonal health and overall well-being. The mind-body connection is a powerful ally in achieving long-term health and healing.
Rooting for you
xoxo,
Kelli
