Angela Dawn Wellness

Post 3: Morning Light Exposure for Cortisol Balance

Good morning! Did you know that exposure to natural light in the morning can help regulate cortisol levels and set your day up for success?

Here's a simple practice to get you started:

*Morning Light Exposure Tip*

1⃣ As soon as you wake up, spend 10-15 minutes outside in natural light or sit by a sunny window.

2⃣ Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, feeling the light on your skin.

3⃣ Repeat a simple affirmation, like "Today is a new day, full of possibilities."

*Why it works:* Morning light exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythms, which can help balance cortisol levels and improve overall energy and focus.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Take Care,
Angela 🦋

Cortisol Series Part 2

Hey Beautiful Women!

As someone who's struggled with stress and overwhelm, I know firsthand how it feels when your body is rebelling against you. But I've learned that by understanding the science behind stress and cortisol, we can take back control and nurture our bodies back to balance.

Research shows that cortisol can:

- Disrupt our menstrual cycles and fertility (1)
- Contribute to weight gain, particularly in the midsection (2)
- Increase blood sugar levels, leading to energy crashes and mood swings (3)
- Impact our thyroid function, leading to fatigue and sluggishness (4)
- Interfere with our sleep, making it hard to catch those precious z's (5)
- Weaken our immune system, making us more prone to illness (6)
- Negatively impact our skin, leading to issues like acne, rosacea, and eczema (7)
- Contribute to mood disorders like anxiety and depression (8)
- Affect our libido and sexual health (9)
- Even contribute to hair loss and brittle nails! (10)

Now that's a list!
But here's the thing: I've learned that by making simple changes to my daily routine, I can manage my cortisol levels and promote balance in my body.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where I'll share my personal tips and favorite practices for managing cortisol and loving my body back to balance.

Take Care,
Angela 🦋

References:

(1) Mayo Clinic, "Stress and fertility"
(2) Harvard Health, "Why stress causes belly fat"
(3) American Diabetes Association, "Stress and blood sugar"
(4) "Stress and thyroid function"
(5) National Sleep Foundation, "Stress and sleep"
(6) Harvard Health, "Stress and the immune system"
(7) American Academy of Dermatology, "Stress and skin"
(8) National Institute of Mental Health, "Stress and mental health"
(9) American Sexual Health Association, "Stress and sexual health"
(10) Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, "Stress and hair loss"

Hey Beautiful Women!

Welcome to my Cortisol Series! If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, you're in the right place.

Let's start with the basics: what is cortisol? Cortisol is a hormone produced by our adrenal glands (those tiny glands on top of our kidneys) that helps us respond to stress. Whether it's an upcoming deadline, a family crisis, or just a plain old bad day, cortisol is there to help us cope.

But here's the thing: our bodies are wired to respond to stress with short bursts of cortisol, not a constant flood. Yet, in today's fast-paced world, chronic stress can hijack our cortisol levels, leaving us feeling frazzled and fried. If you've experienced trauma, your body may be stuck in "fight or flight" mode, making it even harder to regulate your cortisol levels and find balance. This can lead to a cascade of symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, irritability, anxiety, depression, weight gain, digestive issues, insomnia, and more - a reminder that our bodies are crying out for support and care.

Over the next few posts, we'll dive deeper into cortisol's role in our bodies, how it affects us, and most importantly, what we can do to support healthy cortisol levels and feel our best.

Take Care,
Angela 🦋

Hey Sisters!

Are you feeling stressed, exhausted, and like your hormones are out of whack?

Cortisol, the "stress hormone," might be the culprit! Chronically elevated cortisol levels can disrupt your hormonal balance, energy, and overall well-being.

But don't worry! There are ways to manage cortisol and regain control over your hormonal health.

On this page we will dive into:

- The impact of cortisol on your hormonal balance
- Simple stress-reducing techniques for busy women
- Nutritional secrets to support adrenal function
- Mindfulness practices for emotional resilience

Let's take back control over our hormones and our lives!

Join me here in my little cozy corner of the internet for support and guidance. I'm just getting started!

Take Care,
Angela 🦋

Sisters,

As we journey through the seasons of life, our bodies undergo profound changes. Hormones shift, digestion slows, and energy wanes.

But nature has a gentle remedy: fibre! It can help soothe menopause symptoms, support healthy digestion, and promote balanced energy.

By embracing whole, fibre-rich foods, we can harmonize our bodies with the natural world and cultivate vitality.

Here is a short list of high fibre whole foods:

1. Avocados
2. Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, black beans)
3. Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal)
4. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower)
5. Berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries)
6. Nuts and seeds (almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds)
7. Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips)
8. Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens)

Pick 2-3 new ones and add them to your diet this week. Feel free to share.

Let's nurture our wellbeing and honor our bodies' wisdom. Include more fiber in your daily routine and feel the gentle power of nature at work!

My special crafted Stress Buster Elixir that aims to balance and support hormone health. Oh man, I love making and drinking these!
A blend of coconut milk, maca, matcha, vanilla and cinnamon.

Let's chat about the Star ingredients!

Coconut milk is the base of this elixir, and it is known for its rich content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These healthy fats are easily absorbed and utilized by the body, providing a boost of energy and supporting hormone production. Additionally, coconut milk also contains lauric acid, a type of fatty acid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can be beneficial for balancing hormones.

Next up is maca, a root vegetable that is native to Peru. Maca is a powerful adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and balance hormone levels. It has been traditionally used to support fertility, libido, and energy levels. Maca is also high in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, and iron, which are crucial for hormone production and overall health.

Matcha, a type of green tea, is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can disrupt hormone balance. Matcha also contains caffeine, which can increase energy levels and improve mood.

A delicious and nourishing elixir that you can make at home.

💜 Angela

Well hello friends! Haven't posted in forever. I have been busy finishing up my holistic nutrition and wellness course. I finished it 🙂 and currently working hard on completing my specialty in Women's Hormone Health.

It's time for me to come out of hibernation- Beautiful Spring is on the way and I have so much to share!

This information is so important for Women's Health!!!!
It has been so helpful while figuring out my own health issues with adrenal fatigue and hormones.

I know this to be true.

Give me a 💜 if you feel it too. So shall it be.

“For centuries humans have held an endless fascination with circles, attributing meaning where they are found. From the eternal rotation of the planets around the sun, to the movement of clock hands, to a simple wedding band, and I more than most know full well just how a circle can affect one's life - or death.”

~ Diana Gabaldon — Claire, from the Outlander series

Art: Tarn Ellis
Tarn Ellis

Simple Nourishment Bowl:
Greek yogurt, Chocolate protein powder, blueberries & walnuts.

Trying these! So simple.

You Only Need 3 Ingredients To Bake These Gut-Friendly Peanut Butter Banana Brownies Pro tip: These brownies can serve as a nutritious breakfast, too.

It's a Matcha Morning 🌄
I added a cinnamon stick as a bonus to help with digestion & stress 🌻

💜💜💜

Happy Earth Day 2023!

May we rediscover our lost connection with Mother Earth.

We are sacred. We are peace. We are nature. We are the medicine. We are all one.

Homemade Matcha Green Tea Latte for the win!
I forgot how much I love this drink. A natural alternative to coffee. It can help lower stress, boost energy, improve focus, and may lower blood pressure. It's full of antioxidants that help with disease prevention.

A daily Matcha can aid your body in naturally detoxing. The high chlorophyll levels can improve liver function, flush toxins and help eliminate heavy metals.

It's a powerhouse! 🍵🍵🍵

Do you take Mid-Day Resets?

It helps clear the mind. Allows you to reset your energy and intentions for the next part of your day.

I love to get outside, go for a walk in nature, listen to music and do a short meditation. It works so well for me.

There are so many ways you could practice doing a Mid-Day Reset. Take the time for a "real" break and explore what works for you.

A few ideas to explore are:

Move your body- dancing, walking, yoga, exercise.

Get outside in nature or go for a walk around the block.

Meditation- there are so many wonderful free guided meditations to explore.

Breathwork- I am currently loving the Wim Hof breathwork method.

Would love to hear your Mid-Day Reset practices or ones you would like to explore in the comments below.

Here are some photos of my Mid-Day Reset I practiced yesterday.

Mind Body & Spirit Love,

AngelaB