Positive Lifestyle changes

I Wonder if some of you are thinking, here we go lifestyle changes! thats it, my life is over ? everything is now going to be boring.

That is what flew through my mind when I, for example, discovered I was suffering from symptoms of Menopause. Knowing that being in Perimenopause can last for many years made me have a light bulb moment and suddenly thought I am actually going to focus on making some lifestyle changes and actually make them enjoyable and not a challenge or chore.

NO ROOM FOR PICTURES IN THIS POST I’M AFRAID. ITS ALL ABOUT THE INFORMATION SORRY THIS IS A LONG ONE SO GRAB 10 MINUTES TO CHILL AND READ ON …..

I have been a Pescatarian for years and lived a fairly plant based diet so changing my food was not really something that I need to do. It was more about adding in extras. My journey with food is great and I love to experiment with different herbs and spices, deffo not hot spice though due to not being able to digest these well anymore, crikey heart burn hell, I also can’t drink cider or White Wine, so again that doesn’t really bother me because who the hell wants to eat and drink. something that you know will hurt.

I have totally cut back on my alcohol intake. If I do drink I drink red wine and really limit this. I don’t drink in the week as I love waking up feeling fresh and feel like I have had a proper night sleep, which is vital at this time. I do have some Red wine on a weekend but I am so mindful of the quantity. I still have a fab time and feel so proud that I can wake up feeling fresh and not clouded by a bad head, gut and guilt of what may have been consumed the previous night.

My other change was to start exercising again. Using the own your goals app I can do exercise as and when I feel like it. Obviously trying to keep a routine. As you may know it can be hard to get the will power but when you do the feeling is the best. Not only can I feel great but when I use the app I can try all different styles of exercise and save them in a playlist on the app. I have done so many different types of exercise in the past. some previous to using the app.

I have done

  • Rowing (loved but couldn’t carry on due to my back, I had a slipped disc operated on and now have another two which touch wood aren’t causing nerve pain)

  • Aerobics ( I still do on the app)

  • Dance ( I still do on the app a mixture of dance also barre. I love dance it was my passion as a child)

  • Weights - Strength Training ( I love my little weights, so vital for keeping your bones, muscle and heart strong)

  • Yoga ( for keeping me chilled and relaxed)

These are just some of the exercises I like to try and mix within the week.

I’m also aware of not only what I put into my body but also what I put on my body, and what I use around the house. I have stopped using the paraffin candles and now will be investing in soya or bees wax candles. I couldn’t believe what I was breathing in on a regular basis when lighting the paraffin candles (that’s another post coming soon) I don’t use spray air fresheners or plug ins I use an essential oil room spray which actually smells like I’m living in a spa and I also clean my house with a similar cleaner too. I will again put all the links into my recommendation page and no I don’t get paid for doing that either, (maybe one day they will LOL)

Breathing in so much shit from chemicals that we clean our house with is actually quite hideous.

Anyway, here is an insight into possible lifestyle changes that could be good for you.

You Get Out What You Put In

What we eat has a direct impact on our health. We are pushed by the media. to eat so much ultra processed and processed food, every advert you see on TV is something thats processed or ultra processed. They’re trying to make money not look after our individual bodies. If you can try to cut out at least Ultra processed your doing great. Just remember to do the below.

  • nutrient-rich foods

  • vitamins

  • minerals

  • the correct proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, salts, etc.

  • good hydration

Getting the balance wrong can leave our systems depleted or working harder than they should. This can make us more prone to fatigue and damage.

Other non-dietary elements, such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs, upset our delicate brain chemistry balances and set off a skewed chain of chemical events that are toxic to our cells. When hormones are fluctuating, looking after our brains is so SO important.

Outside Stressors

Parenting children or caring for others can bring personal rewards, but they can be physically demanding, tiring, and stressful.

Our relationships , love, family, or friends can give us well needed support in managing our daily tasks, as well as contributing to our self-esteem and satisfaction.

But again, disagreements in relationships can be physically damaging and cause mental distress.

Work, too, can be a source of physical harm. It can stretch us mentally beyond our limits.

These aspects of our lives can really take a toll on our bodies. The resulting aches, pains, and emotional drains may result in us not being able to function properly.

The choices we make regarding our social lives and hobbies can also affect our well-being. Taking part in extreme sports or endurance activities, placing ourselves in risky situations, and partying too hard means we are getting our body to work even harder than it already is during hormone fluctuations.

Effects on the Body

Being under or overweight, having poor sleep habits, or suffering from health conditions play havoc with the optimal running of our systems. Prescribed medications and treatments may be essential for our quality of life but may, in turn, have consequences for other aspects of our health.

The environment also exposes us to various materials and chemicals daily. As I mentioned before, these can include others too. Just bee mindful of what you are doing on a day to day basis. Have a detox of products in your home and swap for products that are more friendly to our bodies.

  • sunlight

  • pollutants

  • allergens

  • cleaners

  • toiletries

  • beauty products

Effects on the Mind

There is an optimal level of physical activity and mental agility that keeps our bodies and brains fit. But doing too little or too much can negatively affect our well-being. I

As human beings, we are designed to move and to think, so we need to strike a balance between no stimulation and over-stimulation. It can be challenging to find that balance when human evolution has not caught up with the demands of the modern world. But finding it is crucial to our health and well-being.

ts all about trying to keep the stress away, eating healthly and exercising and most of all having fun. Laughing is also the best medicine. So turn those frowns upside down.

I really hope this has helped you ponder on your lifestyle and how changing something could actually bring you joy and not dread.

Love Claire x

Claire Horn