A roadmap to healing…
I first stepped into the world of holistic healing in 2011 shortly after I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I wanted to find a way to heal outside of what was offered to me in the doctor’s offices.
But when I first stepped into the world of alternative holistic healing, I felt overwhelmed. There was so much information out there.
Where to begin?
I wish that I had a roadmap to healing when I first started, to help me through the trial and error that came as I paved my own way.
After seven years on the holistic healing journey, a year of study at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), and four years coaching other endo sisters, I have a much better idea now of what works and what doesn’t.
I’m here to help make your journey a little easier.
There’s no quick fix.
As a society we are conditioned to look for a quick fix to a problem. In conventional medicine this usually comes in some sort of prescription medication that helps mask the symptom(s).
When you follow the holistic way, however, there’s no quick fix.
It requires patience, and is made up of an accumulation of changes over time.
You may not see results right away. It’s good to know that before we go any further.
There’s another way…
As I got into the world of holistic healing, I was drawn to Eastern philosophies and influenced by teachings in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I like how these Eastern methodologies incorporate whole healing of body, mind and spirit.
The issue with conventional Westernized medicine is that everything’s so compartmentalized. You can go see a specialist for nearly every organ in your body.
It’s rare to find a specialist that pieces systemwide conditions together, because they’re so focused on their individual piece.
Endometriosis tends to fall under the reproductive category, but the symptoms are much more widespread than that.
Endo impacts your body, mind and spirit. All three must be addressed.
Strengthen up your immune system
My overall strategy in managing endo in a holistic way comes with strengthening up your immune system. If you can do this then your body has a better chance at healing itself.
And you feel better overall.
Many of us with endo have other autoimmune conditions. When you strengthen your immune system, you improve other symptoms too.
The primary teaching I took from Ayurveda is the importance of a strong digestive system, where nearly 80% of your immune system is.
Longer lasting results
While it takes longer to strengthen your immune system, and heal your body from the inside out, the results are longer lasting.
As a result of following the holistic healing path I feel better than I ever have:
- I have few, if any endo symptoms.
- My periods have gone from excruciating to mild.
- My digestion is stronger than ever.
- I have more energy.
- My hormones are more balanced with limited symptoms before my period.
I’ve been witness to similar success with my clients. When you commit to the holistic way, good things follow, but again, it takes patience.
How do you want to feel?
Before you step into the world of holistic healing, the first question to ask yourself is: How do you want to feel?
Write down your answer to this question and put it where you can see it everyday. Use it as a reminder and a guidepost for the choices you make everyday.
Feelings are energy. They connect back to the intuitive part of you that will help guide you along the holistic way.
Everyone’s different. Your experience with endo is unique to you. What works for you may not work for someone else and vice versa.
It’s all about figuring out what works for you. That comes from learning to listen to your body and it’s natural signs and signals.
When you tune into how you want to feel and how you actually feel, it becomes easier to set goals for yourself and to stay on track.
Components of the Healing Journey…
That being said, let’s get into the seven different components of the holistic healing journey.
#1. Food
We’ve all heard that saying, “You are what you eat,” and it’s so true!
What you eat has a big impact on how you feel and your body’s ability to heal. Add in the foods that serve you, and eliminate those that don’t.
Focus on eating whole, nutritious foods and avoid inflammatory foods that are processed, full of sugar or chemicals.
#2. Digestion
As I mentioned above, nearly 80% of your immune system’s in your digestive tract, so it’s important to strengthen up this system.
Food plays a role in this. When you eliminate foods that are hard to digest, then you give your system a break and lower overall inflammation.
The biggest trigger foods for endometriosis are dairy, wheat, soy, corn and eggs. These are common food allergies and hard to digest.
If you’re eating these foods all the time and your digestion is sluggish, then stuff gets stuck in your gut and causes digestive distress.
When you strengthen up your digestion you improve your immune system and feel better overall.
#3. Calm
.I’m sure you’ve noticed the impacts of stress. It can cause flare ups of pain, because of the close tie between endo and your nervous system.
While you can’t control all the stress in your life, you can control your response to it.
The best way to calm your body’s natural stress response is with focused breathing.
Pause and take a few long, deep breaths now and come back to reading this when you’re done.
Don’t you feel better?
The next time pain hits or you feel out of control, remember the power of your breath.
#4 Sleep
Sleep is the time when your body regenerates itself and heals, so it’s a big deal on the holistic journey.
I know it can be hard to get your best sleep when you have a chronic illness, but there are some steps you can take to help improve it, such as setting up your sleeping environment to sleep better.
Make sure your sleeping environment is cool, without light (my blackout curtains have been one of my best investments!), and remove any electronics or WiFi signals. Turn your phone to airplane mode.
#5 Detoxify
To help release toxins from your body that trigger pain, support your body’s natural detoxification systems.
Your liver is a big deal. One of it’s main roles is to deal with toxins and bad estrogens that feed endo.
Your bowel health comes into play here too. This is the drop off point for these toxins and waste to leave your system. Make sure you’re getting the fiber you need from fruits & veggies.
Your lymphatic system is another component that needs some love. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and fitting movement into your day. Exercise is a great way to clear your lymph. Sauna time helps as well.
In addition to supporting your body’s detoxification channels, be aware of what you put on your skin and the toxins that you come into contact with. Update to more natural options.
I’m a fan of 100% Pure. Check them out here.
#6. Self-Care
Self-care is so important when it comes to healing. Make time for you!
How do you express yourself creatively? This is a huge part of self-care for me. Creativity is truly healing.
What brings you joy? What makes you laugh? What makes you smile? Are you intentionally creating a life where you pay attention to this? What do you do for fun?
Self-care incorporates rest and relaxation without the guilt. Make space for that.
#7. Peace
The final factor on the holistic healing journey and really the goal of it all is peace. This is my big why with Peace with Endo, to help you get there.
With peace comes surrender, release and forgiveness. It comes with knowing that regardless of what’s going on in your body, or around you in your life, you can still find a steady place of calm and peace inside.
Peace comes when you connect back to your higher self, the true you that encompasses your soul energy.
This is aided with awareness: mindful living, meditation and visualization.
Peace comes when you connect with that part of the true you that’s already whole and healed.
What’s the next step?
While I’ve shared with you the seven different components on the roadmap to healing, I get that this may feel overwhelming still.
As the old saying goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
You have to take action and make change. That starts with your everyday choices and habits that you form.
But where should you start?
Introducing Peace with Endo Connect
I’ve put together a new monthly membership program, called Peace with Endo Connect.
It will provide you with clear action steps to naturally managing endometriosis with live support and accountability along the way, so that you can feel better with less pain, more energy and peace with endo.
Peace with Endo Connect will make it easier for you to find success. I’ve been down the rabbit hole of the holistic way and after trying so many things, I’ve found what works.
I know from my own journey and from coaching other endo sisters where the pain points are. I know all about self sabotage.
I also know the power of having support and accountability along the way to help keep you on track.
On the Positive Side?
As a founding member to Peace with Endo Connect you’re getting in at a low introductory rate, because the program isn’t fully built yet.
While I’ve laid out the plan, you’ll be part of it’s development. There may be some bumps along the way, but we’ll be in it together.
And… you’ll be grandfathered in at that super affordable rate as long as you remain a member in the program.
Ready to take the next step?
Much LOVE,
