How to Not Feel Like Crud in 2014
For you women who are fighting the ugly monster within, this is for you.
I am sharing this out of a thankful heart because this year I found relief. It did not come like I thought, but I finally feel like myself, and that is worth celebrating.
After bringing our daughter home from Ethiopia, a two year emotional roller coaster had taken a toll on my body. (That is a novel length blog post of its own.) Jet lag was followed by terrible allergies, ringworm, and athlete's foot. I was a wreck. I was also forty. I fought horrible PMS while homeschooling six children, and dealing with attachment issues, grief, and meltdowns.
I did everything I knew to take care of myself. I drank plenty of water, worked out, took probiotics and essential fatty acids. My husband made sure I had times to be alone or have coffee with friends.
My allergies became unbearable, and I had developed asthma. The PMS was worse. My cycle was every 21 days, and I had terrible acne. I really felt it was all connected. I googled and researched how our hormones can reek havoc on our bodies. The sinus doctor wanted to do surgery, and I said no way.
Finally I went to a doctor who did hormone testing. A friend had told me that it saved her life and marriage. Withing 72 hours she felt like a new person. Hope in the form of biodentical hormone therapy. Once I got my hormones balanced, all would be well.
Long story short, it doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Saliva testing says my levels were "normal" after using the cream for almost one year. My cycle was still crazy, acne worse.
My story gets better. I am headed into 2014 feeling great. What happened? I went to an allergist who brought me complete relief. I now take medication daily for asthma and allergies. Acne? Gone! My complexion has never been this great! Thank you Proactive! PMS? Zoloft.
I hate taking medication. I fought it all for almost two years. I still eat well and work out because I want to be healthy. I feel so great, but it didn't come the way I had hoped it would. Why am I telling you all this?
You are a woman, and that means that you probably take care of everyone else around you before yourself. You feed your family, and forget to eat lunch. You take your kids to the doctor, but don't have time for a check-up for yourself. You make sure that your children make it to every practice and game, but you you can't find time to make it to the gym.
Our health is worth pursuing, and I can tell you that life is much easier and more enjoyable when you feel well!!! For some of you, a brisk walk everyday in the daylight could dramatically help your struggle with mild depression. Exercise is at the top of the list for the treatment of depression. Just drinking enough water can keep you from being bloated. Maybe you need to quit smoking or stop drinking diet drinks (they are poison to your body).
I'm just saying that most of us do not make our health a priority. I wish that the hormone therapy had worked. But girl. I am so glad that I have Zoloft. I feel like myself and I can enjoy my family. Thanks to my allergist, I can breathe through my nose everyday. It's the little things.
It's the whole oxygen mask in the plane thing again. If you don't put the mask on first, you can't help passengers around you!
Your health is important and needs to be a priority. You may think you don't have time to exercise, but exercising adds time to your life. You may think that healthy food is expensive, but health care costs more. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. Don't be a martyr.
I have not even told you the one thing I did in 2013 that changed my life more than ever. I went to counseling. I found healing and freedom in Christ this year. It was not easy, but sooooo worth it! I shared about it in my first few blogs in September this year if you want to read more.
Your physical, emotional, and spiritual health need to be a priority. Would you agree that the purpose that God has for you could be lived out more freely if you were healthy? What will you do about it?