Thursday, March 27, 2014

Trust Yourself

Sorry for the false start, folks. I may not be writing weekly posts for awhile as I am still adjusting to motherhood, but I will do my best to write at least monthly.

I have been asked by one of my readers to offer an update on my health. Back in 2010 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have discussed my path of healing on this blog. Please check it out if you haven't already. The short version is that I have healed the Hashimoto's through natural means: gluten-free diet, supplements, staying away from inflammatory foods, people, and lifestyle, managing stress (as a new-ish mom this is the hardest one by far), managing hormonal imbalance (another tricky one), engaging in regular exercise and yoga to mention just a few examples. I have never been prescribed medication but my naturopath was perfectly willing to do so if it seemed like I needed it. I just didn't need it. (Notice I said "healed". I don't even know if doctors would approve of me using this term for this particular condition, but I happen to believe you can heal Hashimoto's).

My latest lab results show completely normal thyroid levels. I am thrilled! It is so cool to have validation for the natural healing path I've taken. Hurray! While my thyroid is looking good these days, my adrenals are still imbalanced so stress management and proper nourishment are very important for my overall well-being.

My latest challenge has been addressing monthly hormonal changes that affect my mood, my sleep and my energy levels. I recently went on Zoloft (an anti-depressant) in order to better manage the low moods, insomnia, and fatigue I was experiencing. I also use a plant-based, bio-identical progesterone cream regularly to offset the rollercoaster ride my hormones take each month.

I was very resistant to them at first because I so whole-heartedly believed (and still do) in the power of a natural approach to healing, but the meds have helped a great deal. They offer me more of a buffer for dealing with life's challenges and stresses, especially as a married, working mother raising a two-year-old son. Balancing the needs of my relationship, my work load, my child, not to mention my own health and well-being is a constant dance. Sometimes I do it very gracefully and other times I'm tripping over my own feet. But I have a lot of tools for managing the day-to-day stressors; the meds being a powerful one.

For me though, the most powerful tools for healing are my spiritual practice and exercise. My yoga practice used to include two, three, sometimes four or five restorative classes a week, daily meditation, and journaling. I just don't have the time for a regular spiritual practice these days--or regular exercise for that matter, but I do the best I can. Lately, I've realized that acceptance of where I'm at right now is a powerful healer. Resistance only causes stress which causes inflammation which wrecks my health.

For now, the anti-depressants, hormone cream and other lifestyle practices (listed above) will have to do. Some day in the near future I hope to be able to engage in a more regular spiritual practice, shift the negative thinking patterns that I've learned over the years, and get off the meds altogether, never to return. But for now, this is what I need in order to have quality of life.

I think that is the message I want to hit home with this post: you have to find what works for you. There are wonderful books you can read, doctors with whom you can work, diets and yoga practices and medications to try...but ultimately you have to make the call as to what will work best for you to feel a sense of well-being and gratitude and grace in your life.

Trust yourself. Take the time to listen to yourself and your heart. They will guide you. They really will.