Beyond Basics: Flourishing Through Health with Jordan Clapp (Part 2)
“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.”
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Hello, friends! Welcome back to the Elegant Balance blog. I'm so excited to share some insights from my recent podcast episode with my dear friend and Certified Integrative Nutrition and Holistic Health Coach, Jordan Clapp. If you tuned in to episode 83, you know we started a conversation about flourishing through health and nutrition. Today, we're diving even deeper into that discussion.
(If you haven’t listened to episode 83 yet, be sure to start there!)
The Importance of Health in Our Daily Lives
In episode 83, we talked about how taking care of our health and fueling our bodies well enhances our energy levels, which in turn helps us maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether you're a wife, mom, employee, sister, friend, or volunteer, having the energy to engage meaningfully in these roles is crucial. This conversation is all about building on those foundational health practices.
When we take care of our health, we can show up more effectively in the various roles we play. This means having the energy to meet the demands of being a wife, mom, employee, sister, or volunteer. It's about ensuring that we have the vitality to engage in these roles meaningfully and not just go through the motions.
Beyond the Basics: When Foundational Health Practices Aren't Enough
While foundational health practices are essential, sometimes they aren't enough. This is where many of us find ourselves—doing all the right things but not seeing the desired results. So, what do we do next?
1. Stress Management
Life is inherently stressful, and our bodies often react to minor stressors as if they were major threats. Think of stress as a bucket. If your bucket is always nearly full, even a small stressor can cause it to overflow. Managing stress involves increasing our awareness and taking intentional actions to handle it better. Simple strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, and recognizing when to take a step back can make a significant difference.
Stress management is not about eliminating stress entirely—an impossible task in today's world—but about managing it effectively. This can include practices like meditation, yoga, or even just taking a few moments each day to breathe deeply and reset. Recognizing the signs of stress and taking proactive steps to address them before they become overwhelming is crucial.
For example, our nervous system can sometimes react to everyday situations, like getting the kids ready for school, as if they were life-threatening events. By becoming more aware of these reactions and implementing stress management techniques, we can better handle these situations and reduce their impact on our overall health.
2. The Role of Sleep
Sleep is a critical yet often overlooked component of health. It's during sleep that our bodies heal and restore themselves. Getting 7-9 hours of deep, restorative sleep each night is essential. Simple changes like reducing screen time before bed, creating a calming bedtime routine, and ensuring your sleep environment is conducive to rest can improve sleep quality.
The concept of "sleep hygiene" includes habits like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine close to bedtime. For those struggling with sleep, it might be worth exploring potential underlying issues such as sleep apnea or hormonal imbalances.
Avoiding electronic devices before bed is crucial, as the blue light from screens can disrupt our circadian rhythms. Instead, consider reading a light fiction book to help your mind relax. Creating a dark, quiet, and cool sleep environment can also significantly improve sleep quality.
3. Exercise: Finding What Works for You
Exercise is another key aspect of a healthy lifestyle, but it's important to find what works for you. Not everyone enjoys running or high-intensity workouts, and that's okay. Activities like yoga, walking, or even family bike rides can be just as beneficial. The goal is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that supports your overall well-being.
Exercise should not be seen as a punishment but as a way to enhance your life. Whether it's strength training, dancing, or a gentle walk in the park, the key is consistency and finding joy in movement. Over-exercising can sometimes be counterproductive, especially if it leads to increased stress or injury.
Transitioning from high-intensity sports to more sustainable forms of exercise like yoga and family bike rides can be beneficial. The focus should be on building strength and stability, which contribute to long-term health and mobility. It's about finding a balance that works for your body and lifestyle.
4. When to Seek Further Help: The Role of Targeted Testing
If you're doing all the right things and still not feeling your best, it might be time to consider targeted testing. Basic lab work can provide a starting point, but more comprehensive tests might be necessary to uncover underlying issues. Looking beyond basic tests to get a full picture of your health is important.
While basic blood tests might show that everything is "normal," more detailed tests can reveal issues with thyroid function, hormone levels, or nutrient deficiencies. Advocating for yourself and seeking out healthcare providers who are willing to dig deeper into your health concerns is crucial.
Normal lab results don't always mean optimal health. Comprehensive testing can provide insights into areas like glucose metabolism, thyroid function, and hormone balance. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms despite following foundational health practices, it might be worth exploring these more in-depth tests.
Conclusion
Our health journey is ongoing and requires patience and persistence. If you're feeling stuck, remember that it's okay to seek help and explore further testing. Your health is worth the effort, and taking the time to understand your body's needs can lead to a more vibrant, flourishing life.
Thank you for joining us on this journey to flourishing through better health and well-being. If you have any questions or want to learn more, feel free to reach out to Jordan.
Connect with Jordan Clapp
Jordan Clapp is a certified integrative nutrition and holistic health coach who specializes in women's health, hormone balance, thyroid, and autoimmune concerns. You can find her on social media and her website:
Website: Organically Optimistic
Instagram: @JordanClappHealthCoach
Jordan also offers a free resource called "Food as Fuel," which includes delicious recipes and foundational health tips to help you get started on your journey to better health. You can download it HERE.
While foundational health practices are essential, sometimes they aren't enough. This is where many of us find ourselves—doing all the right things but not seeing the desired results. So, what do we do next?