Dr. Julia Christensen, ND Videos

Acknowledging Grief
Hello everyone ❤️ This is the first video that I recorded a few weeks back that I reference in the video on adaptation and self awareness. Hope you find it helpful 😊 In this video I’m reaching out to check in and to begin a conversation around grief and to acknowledge and validate the feelings and emotions you may be experiencing. In future videos I’d love to share self-care wisdom so that we can take care of ourselves and others as we navigate this unprecedented time. Sending you all love ❤️

Adaptation and Self Awareness
Welcome back everyone ❤️ This is a follow up video to my first video a few weeks back acknowledging grief. ❤️ In this video I wanted to discuss the adaptation that we’ve all been required to do in varying capacities and I wanted to highlight how this might be manifesting physically, mentally, and emotionally in your body. ❤️ When we can pause, and self-reflect, we can build awareness of the areas that might need some extra love and support through this time. ❤️ I’ve highlighted what I like to call the foundations of health and have briefly touched on some of the ways imbalances might be showing up. ❤️ In the next series I’d love to discuss the strategies and supports that I find helpful for balance ❤️ Stay well everyone

OPTIMIZE SLEEP without sleep aids 😴 💤 🛏 As I previously talked about in my last post, quality sleep is essential for optimal health and longevity and for smoother sailing through our day 💁‍♀️ Here are my favourite strategies to support a deep restorative sleep: 💤 Avoid junk light 1-2 hours before sleep. That means getting off the electronics or if that’s not possible use a filter on your screen to dim the light or get some glasses with red lenses to filter out the more abrasive light from screens. The reason for this is that bright light on our retina in the back of our eyes prevents our body from thinking its nighttime; therefore, the body is not going to release melatonin to get into that restorative sleep. Supporting our natural light/dark cycle is paramount for successful sleep. . 💤 On the topic of light, black out curtains can be very helpful especially if you live in an area with street lights that may be coming through your blinds for example. . 💤 Settle the nervous system and relax your muscles by taking an Epsom salt bath (be generous with about 1-2 cups), and you could add your favourite essential oil for an added calming effect - I personally love lavender and rose🌹 . 💤 Deep breathing- so simple and yet so profound in its benefits. All too often we spend the day running around without giving any thought to the quality and depth of our breath. The very nature of a slow, deep and conscious breath will move us from fight or flight and into rest and digest mode. . 💤 Journal - often times I hear people say that they have difficulties calming the mind before bed. Focusing on breath can be great for this and so can writing down what’s on your mind. Ending your day by writing out what you are grateful for is also a way to support a blissful state . 💤 Gentle stretching/restorative yoga poses- my favourites are legs up the wall as well as child’s pose. Just ensure that you feel supported, comfortable and relax