Episode 009 Feeling BLAH about life? or Feel like your drowning?

Do you wake up dreading the day ahead?  Do you wish you could just pull the covers over your head and stay curled up?

Do your kids live in fear, anticipating your next angry outburst?  Or are you exhausted from yelling and screaming with your teenagers?  Do you always feel on the edge, ready to snap at the littlest thing? 

Are you overwhelmed with cooking, cleaning, taking care of your kids, working all day, worried about trying to pay all your bills?

Are you finding it difficult to focus and concentrate, even make decisions?  Do you feel like your head is in the clouds?

I've been there, done that. During the past 6 months, I've experienced all of these at one time or another. Somedays, all! Looking back, I stopped taking my probiotics regularly and during the holidays, I splurged on Holiday Treats! My cousin from New Zealand and his daughter spent the Holidays with us for the first time so we had extra family potlucks! Anyone from Hawaii knows that every time you visit home, eating all your local favorites is a must! So, we had lots of sugary, fried, fat-laden food. Way more than I normally do. By New Year's I felt junk - a bit bloated, constipated (which is a rare occurrence) and tired.

The most noticeable effects were brain fog and feeling blah. In conversations, I noticed that I couldn't think of the right words. Ummm and there was something else. Oh yeah, I couldn't remember simple things. I was so concerned about it that I researched what leads to memory loss - I discovered that gluten was a huge factor - AND tools that I could use to support my brain. My Grandma, Aunty and Mother-in-Law all had/have dementia. This is one dis-ease that I will do whatever I can to prevent. Not only for myself, but because of the burden that I would be on my family. The frustration of having to repeat yourself, the sadness of your loved one not recalling happy memories or worse not remembering who you are, having to be with them 24/7 and especially if they get combative.

Feeling blah. I had a ton of things to do but just couldn't find any desire to do them. I knew I should write my emails and work on my blog, I knew what I wanted to write but I just couldn't find the motivation to write them. Then I felt guilty for feeling like a slug and not getting everything done that I needed to, which made things even worse.

I'm writing this now.  Yay! So, what changed? A friend invited to join a 30 day cleanse to reset my gut! Great timing! I have cleansed lots of times - after the Holidays seemed like the perfect time! 1) Prepare by providing your cells the nutrients they need, reducing inflammation, supporting the Liver/Kidneys/Lungs to be able to process more toxins 2) Cleanse the gut - cleaning the intestines and clearing out harmful bacteria, 3) Restore and balance the microbiome - add probiotics (and fiber), provide antioxidants to help the cells and DNA function properly.

What did resetting my gut have to do with how I was feeling? The Gut and the Mind are inextricably linked. Most neurotransmitters, the chemicals that tell your nerves and your brain what to do, are made in the gut. Yep, in the gut, not in the brain. So, if your gut is messed up, is it possible that the chemicals it's releasing are triggering your brain to think negatively and not work properly affecting your memory?

I finished the 30 day cleanse at last week. I've continued to take probiotics and extra fiber (because fiber is food for probiotics) as I ramp up my vegetable intake. When I wake up, I'm excited about everything that I get to do (yes, I get to vs. have to). I'm able to handle the unexpected with a lot more calm and grace. I am way more chill and am able to catch myself before I explode. I'm able to focus and concentrate for longer periods of time. I think my memory has improved, too. Instead of watching life pass me by, I'm ready to conquer the world again!