To the Girl Who Thinks She’s HARD TO LOVE

Hint: The answer is hiding in plain sight

There are some really basic things that might be affecting your mental health. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life. You might ignore your own needs until you feel totally off. Guilty!!!!

After years of juggling running my own company, motherhood, and feeling like I was always on the go… I found myself feeling exhausted and burnt out and, I couldn’t figure out why. I started contacting health coaches. I googled my symptoms. I listened to podcasts. I scoured the local Barnes and Noble aisles for an answer. I even bought a book titled Why Am I So Effing Tired… After opening it, I learned about gut health. I also learned about immune health and hormones. I realized how delicate the female body is. Everything can be thrown out of whack if these aspects of health are not taken care of.

I picked up the SLEEP edition of the magazine Real Simple. I started reading about all the really important processes that happen while we sleep. I learned that there are lots of unhealthy symptoms that result from not getting enough sleep as well. Here are a few biggies:

Common Problems Created from Lack of Sleep

1) Lower levels of serotonin (which increases depression)

2) Inflammation

3) Immune Dysregulation

4) Increased anxiety & depression

Information Overload

We Americans live in a fast-paced society and culture. It is so easy to overlook things as basic as good sleep hygiene. It is an absolute necessity. I remember my early twenties. I was in college and out into the wee hours of the night with my sorority sisters. Oh, how times have changed. Now there are so much more responsibilities on my plate. From motherhood.. AKA being responsible for another human being. To running a business, taking care of my home… and being a partner. It is SO easy for sleep to get put on the back burner.

After months of feeling tired almost all the time, I became concerned. I was convinced that I might have an autoimmune disorder or some other health problem. I started questioning why this was happening. Should I believe the unsolicited comments from people around me? They said it was just a result of being a mom and having a busy life. Was it “NORMAL”? Being exhausted all the time is not NORMAL. I didn’t settle for that lie and you shouldn’t either.

After prioritizing sleep and getting 4 consecutive nights of solid sleep lasting 7+ hours I feel like a new me. Am I suggesting that this is the answer to all of your energy drain problems, absolutely not. But I am suggesting it is a huge and largely overlooked part of the equation…

Seek Out a Professional

For many of us, sleep alone won’t solve our energy drain. It also won’t resolve other physical and mental health issues. FYI I just began meeting with a functional medicine practitioner last week. I am now very interested in learning about gut health and hormones. I also want to explore what else I can do to optimize my health and my energy levels. After becoming a mama, I have entered my 30s. I have grand plans of all the things I still want to do. I can think of nothing better than diving deeper into my health. I want to become the best version of me that I can.

I’ll share with you some solid suggestions she’s already given me or I’ve found through my own research for getting optimal sleep:

7 Sleep Hacks for Optimal Sleep

• Change your display setting on your phone to reduce blue light on a nightly schedule
• Use a relaxation app like Calm
• Use Blackouts Curtains
• Sleep in a room that is 63 – 68 degrees Fahrenheit
• Reduce stimulants like coffee or other highly caffeinated drinks after mid day
• Get at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night (for adults, children need more)

You Don’t Have to Struggle

Remember, you have more control over your well-being than you might think. In the holistic wellness triangle, we must consider the 3 major areas of well-being. These areas need to function in tandem with one another. They are mental, physical, and spiritual.

MENTAL HEALTH

If you suffer from anxiety or trauma, please visit my site and we will help you find the right therapist for you HolisticMentalHealthNYC.com, We offer online sessions that you can attend from the comfort of your own home. We also specialize in somatic techniques. These techniques remove trauma and stress from the body.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Unfortunately we currently have a broken health system that focuses on treating symptoms rather than preventing them. I highly recommend finding a trusted functional medicine practitioner. They will run lab tests on all your hormone levels. They can also test other important biological functions. They can help guide you about nutrition choices, lifestyle choices, and making sure your body is properly nourished and supported.

Thank you

For being part of this Holistic Wellness Community. I often find that the struggles we encounter in life become very valuable. They help guide others who face these same challenges after us. I am grateful to offer you my knowledge. I support you in creating the life you deserve to live.

– Lucia Falcone