Hope you are well and enjoying your Sunday. As I edited this message today, it brought on unexpected tears, but that's okay, I always feel a sense of relief after a good cry. I believe tears serve as a therapeutic release, helping to cleanse our energy and make room for new and bright experiences.
This is one of my more somber messages, so if you choose to read on, thank you. I hope my shared story about my mom proves helpful to you, as it was for me to write this.✨
I’m planning to visit my family in South Carolina this week. As the date of my flight approaches, I’ve become increasingly anxious. The anticipation of seeing my mom for the first time in a year, especially since she has moved into memory care, brings a heavy mix of emotions.
It’s been only four years since she was first diagnosed with a mild cognitive decline, a period during which she could have potentially reversed the progression of her condition. It’s difficult to accept that my mom decided to live life on her own terms, despite the well-intentioned advice.
The doctor wasn’t sure if her declining condition was due to depression or the early stages of dementia. But her words were concerning – Dementia doesn't limit the length of life, just the quality of it. Self-care is crucial.
Reflecting on her advice for combating depression, I realize these simple actions could have made a profound difference in my mom's life: engaging in regular exercise, following a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, reading daily, taking supplements, participating in group activities, and even traveling.
Recalling this list brings me back to my journey into holistic health over 20 years ago. Faced with persistent anxiety, irritability, and an unexplained depressed mood, conventional treatments, including antidepressants, failed me.
Guided by intuition and a desire for emotional balance, I ventured into wellness. Books, podcasts, documentaries, and course work became my allies, fueling my enthusiasm for better mental health, resulting in an overhauled diet, exercise routine, and a spiritual practice.
The power of functional medicine opened my eyes to the delicate dance between genetics and wellbeing—an important discovery considering my family's history with Alzheimer's and neurological conditions.
Research proves that a comprehensive nutritional strategy can prevent and reverse certain illnesses, emphasizing the connection between gut health and brain function.
My challenges, rooted in my gastrointestinal issues since childhood and inefficient detoxification, required a tailored approach. By eliminating specific foods and incorporating the right supplements, my body detoxified effectively—a game-changer.
As I reflect on my wellness journey and the preventable nature of my mom's condition, a sense of sadness surrounds me. Our relationship has always been complex, and I believe we both endured similar symptoms as mothers, so my realization that she could have chosen a different path feels bittersweet.
Love for my mom remains strong, and while I’m sad for what could have been, I understand that we’re each having our own unique soul’s journey. We all navigate our paths, shaping how we spend our time and live our lives.
Our emotions can have a profound impact on our mental health, a lesson underscored by my mom’s situation. It's a good reminder that addressing and embracing our emotions is not just a luxury but a necessity. Living in the present, letting go of past and future worries, and engaging in self-care practices can make all the difference.
As we navigate our individual paths, let’s focus on the care of our emotional well-being, which is crucial to the quality of our lives.
