#24 The destressing issue
Are you stressed? So is Donz!
Good vibes for your mailbox!
Hello Girls,
Well, it's official: Donz is on a de-stress quest. Instead of reaching for a case of wine, she's opting for a natural, healthy approach. This involves good food, supplements, the occasional exercise class, and chilling with friends. Go, Donz! She'll be sharing her experiences with you today and in the next newsletter. As for me, Delph, I've decided to Frenchify my style...
One thing we didn't anticipate when we started this newsletter is that all our friends and female network would be reading it and getting news about us through it! There are way more of you than we thought reading it; it's wicked!
It’s Saturday 10:42AM and Donz, who is away for the weekend, just sent me a photo of a custard square she just bought, so her de-stressing is going great guns. As for me, my new workmates have never heard “Jenny from the block” or “Jenny don’t be hasty”, random, I know, but that sums up my week!
Until next week,
Donz and Delph
Stressy issue(s)🧘by Donz
I had a day off last Sunday and ended up at Lynne's Gym BodyFix (thanks for the tip, Kath). There, I attended one of the most enjoyable yoga classes I have ever experienced (thank you, Stephen). Yes, I have joined the gym, and yes, I have only been once (baby steps). I am not going to make any excuses for not taking my recommended dose of gym three times a week; I simply don't make "going to the gym" a priority in my already busy life. Surfing on the other hand…
Do you ever feel like every moment of every day is scheduled? And if you do feel like you have a window of time, one of the kids asks you to run them here or there or they "need" something? Someone just always needs something… Or there is cleaning, washing, or organising the week, or food shopping (which I loathe).
Last Sunday, post-yoga with Stephen, I came home feeling relaxed and stretched for the first time in months. But what was more transformational than my body feeling nourished and stretched out was my change in mindset… I came home thinking, I loved that one hour of self-love; I not only want MORE, I am going to go out and get it.
So what does a less busy life look like? I can't make work less busy and my kids less demanding, but I can spend some time and money on ME, and that's what I plan to do.
So, I booked a trip to Brisvegas for my friend's 50th. I also jump online and do some well-deserved online shopping. I was amazed at what the Instagram algorithm thought I needed.
Hell, if Insta thinks I need it, I will take one. I think you all will be surprised at what I purchased. I will do real reviews of my purchases over the next few months.
PS: Beware of multiple jumpsuits.
If like Donna you feel stressed… read on!
What is stress?
While stress is a natural part of life, the added pressures of daily responsibilities such as family, work, and other obligations can intensify when coupled with hormonal fluctuations.
Stress is a common reaction to challenging situations, manifesting differently for each individual. It can lead to feelings of tension, worry, and physical discomfort like stomach knots. While some stress can be motivating, prolonged periods without support, especially during menopause, can harm well-being. Symptoms may include decreased patience, reliance on coping mechanisms like alcohol or sweets, difficulty sleeping, and impaired focus.
Can Menopause (which can start in your early 40s by the way) cause stress?
Interestingly, oestrogen is recognised for its role in mitigating the effects of stress on the body by reducing cortisol levels, which are responsible for managing stress. So you can see where we are going with this… This may elucidate why coping with stress becomes more challenging during and after menopause when oestrogen levels decline.
Menopause itself can be a stressful experience due to disruptive physical symptoms that can affect various aspects of life including work, home, and social interactions. Consequently, this can negatively impact mental health, making it even more difficult to manage stress. Common symptoms such as low mood, depression, anxiety, and mood swings can exacerbate everyday stressors.
How does stress affect menopause symptoms?
Stress will affect your menopause experience – more stressed people have a more negative overall experience and even earlier menopause. So you better de-stress fast!
Stress can also worsen any menopause symptoms you already have:
Menopause can affect memory, concentration and mood – and so can stress
Hot flushes are thought to be more frequent and last longer when you are stressed
Sleep problems are common both with stress and during menopause
How to manage your stress levels?
Listen, in 24 newsletters we haven’t found any miracle to any of the problems our bodies are going through, including stress!
Here are five tips, that aren’t rocket science, to consider:
Identify Stress Triggers: Pinpoint specific situations, tasks, or activities contributing to your stress and deal with them one at a time. Simplify your life.
Prioritise Physical Health: In short, get off the couch your bum!
Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits (obviously - have you not read the last 23 newsletters?): Embrace lifestyle changes such as maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimising intake of stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine to support stress reduction.
Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, tai chi, or engaging in enjoyable hobbies like crafting to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. There is no way either of us do that though...
Explore Counseling or Therapy: Consider seeking counselling or talking therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), to learn effective strategies for managing stress and re-evaluating your responses to stressful situations.
Good luck sisters!
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Crush of the week 💖 by Donz
I discovered Dr. John Douillard while researching Lithium Orotate (see my non-review). He is the founder ofLifeSpa.com. John, a youthful 60-year-old guru, is globally recognized as a leader in natural health, Ayurveda, and sports medicine. With over 4.5 million views on YouTube, LifeSpa.com is revolutionizing the understanding of Ayurveda worldwide, offering over 700 articles and videos that blend ancient wisdom with modern science. If, like me, you're unfamiliar with Ayurveda, it's the traditional Hindu system of medicine found in the Atharva Veda, the last of the four Vedas. It's based on the concept of balance in bodily systems and utilizes diet, herbal treatments, and yogic breathing. And there you have it
Meta Trend in action
A few newsletters ago we talked about #ick. Today, in Mamamia, a non-Gen-Z publication, I saw the use of “ick” as if everyone knew what it was! The TikTok language is making its way into our mainstream media and soon conversations!
That’s Taylor Swift’s boyfriend by the way… Looks like he does Ick stuff!
An actual review - Lithium orotate supplement by Donz
On my quest to free myself from stressing out and, of course, healthy ageing, I have started taking a lithium Orotate supplement. And I must say it is good sh*t.
Practically, the stress I was feeling at the hands of my kids and work is the kind of stress that causes early onset grey hair. I was outside the local supermarket waxing lyrical about how busy it is rushing from one place to the next, running multiple businesses, and that I was feeling burnt out both physically and emotionally. My friend, who is a medical professional, recommended I try lithium to help get me back on track.
I thought it was a drug that treated bipolar disorder, and it is, but Lithium Orotate naturally occurs as a mineral in foods depending on how rich the soil is that they grow in and is an over-the-counter supplement. Literature shows that low-dose lithium orotate may be beneficial for cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and cognitive function, as well as inflammatory and antioxidant processes of the aging body. There is also some evidence of low-dose lithium exerting a similar and sometimes synergistic effect on these systems. As a drug, high dosages of the potentially toxic form, lithium citrate, are used to treat mood disorders, but studies suggest the non-toxic form, lithium orotate, plays a key role in supporting mood stability, longevity, and cognitive health. I jumped online and found the iHerb website that sells Lithium Orotate and purchased 2. The lithium turned up earlier in the week, and so far so good. I feel a lot calmer and laser-focused. Let's hope I can keep this up!
Please remember to talk to a medical professional before you take any kind of supplement.
Speed reads
➡️ How Does Your Body React to Stress?
The fight-or-flight response is like your body's alarm system kicking in when you're facing a stressful situation. It's all about hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which get released to help you deal with the stress. But too much stress over time can mess with your health, causing all sorts of issues from headaches to heart problems. So, it's important to find ways to chill out and manage stress in your life.
➡️ How Grief Upsets Your Gut Health
This article explores the intricate relationship between grief, mental health, and gut health, shedding light on how emotional stress can impact physical well-being through disruptions in the gut microbiome.
➡️ Stress Can Be a Good Thing If You Know How to Use It
Interesting views on stress that challenge the idea that it's always negative. It suggests that stress can lead to growth if approached correctly.