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Functional Wellness for Working Moms: Balancing Health with Life’s Demands

Blissful Health & Harmony
FUNCTIONAL WELLNESS FOR WORKING MOMS: BALANCING HEALTH WITH LIFE’S DEMANDS

By: Naomi Dicus, CHC AFMC | September 19, 2024

Hey there, amazing mom. You’re a force of nature—balancing work, family, and all the little details that keep everything running smoothly. But let’s be real for a moment: where do you fit into this busy equation? If you’re like many working moms, your own needs are often the first to get pushed aside. While you’re making sure everyone else is taken care of, your health, particularly your hormonal health, may be quietly taking a hit. How many of us suffer from monthly symptoms and expect that suffering is the norm? I’ll be the first one to tell you, it isn’t normal, and it doesn’t have to be the norm. The reality is that your well-being is crucial not just for you, but for your family too. And that’s where functional wellness comes in.

What Happens When You’re Running on Empty

As a working mom, it’s easy to fall into the habit of putting everyone else first. The demands of work, home, and family can leave you feeling stretched thin, with little time or energy to focus on your own needs. Over time, this can lead to chronic illnesses, hormonal imbalances, and burnout. You may notice symptoms like fatigue, PMS, mood swings, stubborn weight gain, or trouble sleeping—your body’s way of telling you it’s time to pause and recalibrate.

Functional medicine offers a different approach to health than you may be used to. Rather than just addressing symptoms, it looks at the root causes of health issues. It’s about understanding how your body’s systems are interconnected and how factors like stress, diet, sleep, and exercise impact your overall wellness—especially your hormonal health.

Let’s explore how you can incorporate functional medicine principles into your busy life to help manage stress, maintain hormonal balance, and prevent burnout.

1. Stress: More Dangerous Than You May Think

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, especially for working moms. But chronic stress isn’t just exhausting, it can seriously disrupt your health and hormonal balance. When you’re stressed on the regular, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that’s essential in small amounts but can lead to problems when levels stay high over time. Elevated cortisol can contribute to thyroid problems, weight gain, fatigue, and even menstrual irregularities.

What You Can Do:

Move your Body: Cortisol wants you to MOVE! So find something you love; yoga, brisk walk at noon, a run, squats in place during your zoom meetings. And when you feel stressed, Move Your Body!
Micro-Moments of Calm: Even on your busiest days, find small moments to deep belly breathe, meditate, or practice mindfulness. Just five minutes can help lower cortisol levels and give you a mental reset.
Herbal Helpers: Consider incorporating adaptogens—mushrooms and herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola—into your routine. These natural substances can help your body better manage stress.

2. Nourishment for Hormonal Balance

As a busy mom, you might find yourself grabbing whatever food is quick and easy, but your diet plays a huge role in maintaining hormonal balance. Processed foods and sugar can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, leading to mood swings and fatigue. On the other hand, a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, especially upping your servings of green, leafy vegetables can support your body’s natural hormone production.

What You Can Do:

Prep Ahead: Spend some time each week preparing healthy meals and snacks that are easy to grab on the go. Think salads, overnight oats, or a batch of roasted veggies.
Balance Your Plate: Aim to include a mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates from natural sources in every meal. Foods rich in omega-3s, like salmon and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial for your estrogen balances.

3. The Power of Sleep: Restoring Your Body and Mind

When you’re juggling so much, sleep often feels like a luxury. But getting enough rest is essential for maintaining hormonal balance. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels and disrupt the production of other hormones, like insulin and leptin, which regulate appetite and metabolism.

What You Can Do:

Establish a Routine: Create a calming bedtime routine that signals to your body it’s time to wind down. This could be as simple as turning off screens 2 hours before bed, reading a book, or taking a warm Epsom salt bath.
Create a Sleep Sanctuary: Make your bedroom a place of rest—keep it cool, dark, and quiet. If you have trouble falling asleep, try using white noise or a sleep mask to block out disturbances.

4. Building Support Systems: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Let’s face it—trying to do everything on your own is exhausting. Having a support system, whether it’s your partner, friends, or a community of other moms, can make a world of difference. Ask for help, or hire someone to come watch the kids a couple hours a week for some valuable YOU time. Sharing the load, both physically and emotionally, helps reduce stress and gives you the space to focus on your own well-being.

What You Can Do:

Reach Out: Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it, whether it’s delegating tasks at home or seeking advice from a friend. Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s essential.
Find Your Tribe: Connect with other moms who understand what you’re going through. Whether it’s a local group or an online community, sharing experiences and tips can be incredibly empowering.

Wrapping It Up

You’re an incredible mom. Taking care of your health isn’t just about you,it’s about being the best version of yourself for your family too. Start small and manageable, with just one or two changes that bring you joy, and build from there. Remember, every step you take towards prioritizing your health is a step towards a happier, healthier you—and that’s something your whole family will benefit from.

You’ve got this, and the ripple effect of your wellness will be felt by everyone you love.

Naomi Dicus is a dedicated Functional Medicine practitioner specializing in women's health and natural conception. Based in Sausalito, California, she brings over 20 years of corporate finance experience in the tech industry to her practice at Bliss Point Health, where she has transitioned her career to holistic wellness and nutrition. Naomi's extensive education includes a Business degree and certifications from the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and the School of Applied Functional Medicine.

Her methodical approach to health emphasizes the importance of diet, lifestyle, stress management, and balancing the endocrine system. She utilizes real food, supplements, and holistic techniques, backed by strategic use of lab work to address root causes of health issues as well as a woman’s personal experience. Naomi is passionate about empowering her clients to achieve optimal health through tailored wellness plans that respect their unique bio-individuality.

She travels often with her family and enjoys yoga, hiking, riding horses, languages, and cooking.