I struggle with my mental health. I don't say that lightly. In fact, I often brush over it, wanting so desperately to believe I'm still don't have cycles of depression. It’s not just “a hard season” or “a rough week.” I'm not just tired or off. I have days when it's a struggle to smile. I can feel discouraged and down for no apparent reason. Anxious thoughts fill my mind. I know I’m not alone There are so many women quietly dealing with anxiety, low mood, brain fog, or emotional ups and downs. Sometimes the reasons are obvious. Sometimes they’re not. But either way, not talking about it doesn't make it any less real.
Living in the Tension
Lately, I’ve been wrestling with this question: How do I accept my reality… without letting it define how I live my life based on what I know? Our bodies are designed to heal and given the right environment and the right support, they can do incredible things, but I also know healing isn’t always quick, it isn’t always linear and some things may not fully “go away.” That’s a hard truth to hold.
A Piece of My Puzzle
One thing I’ve learned about my body is that I have what’s called the MTHFR gene mutation. In short, it means my body doesn’t detox as efficiently as it should. So for me, this isn’t a “quick fix” situation. It means I have to:
- Be more mindful about what I’m exposed to
- Support my detox pathways regularly
- Make daily choices that reduce the burden on my body
What Helps Me Stay Above Water
I don't have all the answers, and I'm certainly not a doctor, but I have learned a lot over the years about viewing my body holistically and caring for it naturally. Maybe some of things I do will feel doable to you and support your mental health too.
1. Food That Supports, Not Stresses
I focus on organic, real foods. Foods as close to their natural form as possible. I nourish my body well so that I'm sending the right information. Food is medicine. It's information and fuel. What you eat directly impacts brain function, mood stability, and inflammation levels. We live in a world of abundance where indulging in sugar and processed foods, as well as over eating, is normalized. But keep this in mind: With every bite, you are sending a message to your body. Choose carefully what you want to say. Choosing organic when possible, will limit the amount of toxins you are exposed to and lessen the negative impact they have on your gut and hormones.
2. Supporting Detox Pathways
Detoxing for me looks like small, daily habits that help my body do what it was designed to do—process and eliminate what it doesn’t need.
Hydration is one of the most overlooked pieces of detox support. Your body needs adequate fluids to flush out toxins, support kidney function and keep everything moving efficiently. Adding electrolytes helps your body actually absorb and use the water you’re drinking, instead of it just passing through. And filtered water matters because it reduces the additional burden of contaminants you’d otherwise be taking in with every sip.
The lymphatic system also plays a big role in detoxing—but unlike your circulatory system, it doesn’t have a pump. It relies on movement. That’s why I incorporate things like dry brushing, daily movement and making sure I stay regular. If waste isn’t leaving the body consistently, it can get reabsorbed and recirculated. Getting enough fiber is key here—it helps bind and carry waste out so your body can fully eliminate it.
Your liver is one of your primary detox organs—it’s constantly working behind the scenes to filter and process what comes in. Supporting it doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Eat nutrient-dense foods that provide the vitamins and minerals it needs to function well
- Use tools like castor oil packs to support circulation and stimulate the liver to clear toxins
- Incorporate practices like coffee enemas. This has become part of my regular Saturday morning routine. (If you want to talk more about this, send me an email. I'm happy to share what I've learned.)
The goal is to support the body’s natural pathways so they can work more efficiently and if when other systems are working well, your mind is supported too.
3. Moving Your Body
Movement is one of the most natural ways to boost your mood and mental health. It increases your serotonin, helps to release built-up stress and tension, support circulation (which helps move nutrients and waste through the body) and encourages lymphatic flow (which plays a role in detox). Hands down, this is one of the best "medicines" you can be using to support your mental well being. Take a walk outside to add the benefits of nature. Soon, you will wonder how you ever lived without this routine. It's that addictive!
4. Sleep, Rest, and Slowing Down
I don't know about you, but when I don't sleep well, it's that much harder to take care of myself the next day. My mood suffers. When I’m depleted, everything feels heavier. Protecting my sleep and allowing for rest isn’t optional—it’s foundational. I admit, it's not always within my control whether I get the quality of sleep I need, but I am able to control my evening routine and the habits I put in place to rest and prepare for it. Limiting screens, staying in, keeping lights low, and diffusing calming essential oils are all part of my evening ritual.
5. Stress + Emotional Release
Holding onto stress shows up in the body. It's critical to find healthy ways to let go of what you can't control and create space to breathe deeply. Incorporating regular habits into your routine that calm you and tell you are safe will help you easily tap into their benefits when the difficult days come. Praying, journaling, walking, and using aromatherapy are all tools I use to process my feelings and reset my thoughts. These things help me feel more grounded daily.
A Gentle Place to Start
If this feels overwhelming, don’t try to do everything at once. Choose one area (food, sleep, products, stress). Take one small step. Stay consistent. That’s where change begins. And be kind to yourself. You are not alone in this. There are real, physical reasons behind what you’re feeling and, sometimes, just understanding that can bring a little bit of relief.
I’m not a doctor and I don't want to replace the help you may need by seeing a professional health care provider. But I’ve walked this road… and I’ve learned a lot about supporting the body holistically along the way.
So, If you feel like you’re:
- One or two steps behind where I’ve been
- Curious about how I use aromatherapy
- Or just need a friend
I’m here.
Let’s chat. 💛
I can help you take those first simple steps toward supporting your mental and emotional health—naturally.
0 Comments