In the month of May we celebrate the women in our lives!  We are the natural caregiver, the mothers, daughters, friends, givers.  Always ready to lend a hand, cook a meal, share a celebration and a go to when the chips are down.   As providers of the majority of informal care to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, friends and neighbors, we play many roles while caregiving—hands-on health provider, care manager, friend, companion, surrogate decision-maker and advocate.  Always giving but is the expectation too much?

I know speaking from experience that the last few months as caregiver to my Mom has been a roller coaster of poor sleep, fast food, missed work, many miles in my car and always checking the phone for messages.  Not to mention an emotional roller coaster.  I’m exhausted!

The health consequences on our caregivers is heavy.  Problems such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, susceptibility to every little cold and flu and even major immune breakdowns such as shingles and pneumonia.  As workforce participation increases, caregiving could pose even greater financial challenges for many women workers, due mostly to lost wages from reduced work hours, time out of the workforce, missed promotions, family leave or early retirement.

But it’s not all doom and gloom!  After all, like most of you I wouldn’t leave my moms care up to just anybody.  We have a big, beautiful, loving, family willing to help.  I just need to ask.   And I do work at a pretty cool place with health resources to keep me on track.  Again, I can’t hide from the fact that I too need some care.

Here’s what this caregiver uses to help me through;

1. Let’s start with the obvious.  Getting adjusted!  I know from first hand experience that it helps stabilize my emotions.  My physical body was trembling with anxiety and my state of mind was laughing hysterically at the silliness.   Within minutes of the adjustment I was calming down.  And it has helped me get some much needed sleep.
2. Food.  Well…. Lets just say they can put the calorie count on all their drive thru boards.  It doesn’t make the choices any better. Keeping a stash of nuts, fruit and bottled water in my car has saved me several times!
3. Sleep.  On the nights when it is not my friend… I try not to freak out and adjust my following day accordingly.  I have had to cancel many obligations and social outings that I just wasn’t prepared to be happy at!  My friends understand.
4. ASK FOR HELP!  A good friend reminded me that it’s ok to say “I’m not ok”  I have a great group of family and friends but I have to let them know when and how I need them.  Don’t be shy.

So if you know a caregiver, ask how you can help! And if you are one remember, sometimes the caregiver needs to be taken care of!

After seeking chiropractic help in her twenty’s for the usual (and expected –or so I thought) lower back issues that go with horseback riding, she experienced a new level of health. Not only has she made chiropractic a regular part of her life but she has made a commitment to changing her lifestyle and coaches others how to do the same. She is an avid outdoors person. You can find her walking her beagle, biking, painting and drinking great coffee. Her true passion is riding horses and has been a competitive rider/jumper for years.

WOMEN. Mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, moms-to-be, inspirational female leaders, female caretakers… we all deserve to be celebrated. That’s why this month at Synergy is Women’s Health Month. We celebrate and appreciate all the women in our lives, by encouraging them to embrace and take control of their own health. Often times women are the glue of the household, and need to be in the best health for ourselves and everyone else who counts on us. Take time to care for YOU first! Start by joining us at Synergy on Tuesday May 16th for our LADIES NIGHT! Not only will we have drinks, food and good company, we also welcome guest speaker Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp who will be discussing all things HORMONES! Her talk, Happy Hormones – Happy You, will tackle issues such as adrenal fatigue, sluggish thyroid, sex hormones, and weight loss issues. Get your tickets NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-night-tickets-33929844077

Speaking of hormones, it’s not much of a secret anymore. If you’ve seen me in the office, you know something is very different. You may have wondered, you may have come right out and asked. The truth is, yes, I’m pregnant. My husband and I are very excited to be expecting our little girl in July. Embarking on this new journey has increased my appreciation for pregnant women and moms in general. I’ve learned a lot these past 7 months, what to do, what not to do, and basically how to survive the biggest roller coaster you’ve encountered thus far.

Here are my top 5 “tips” to feel great pregnant

Don’t let Allergies and Asthma get you down this year!

Bacteria often has a negative connotation. But what if I told you bacteria can actually be good for you? Even help with your asthma and allergies this time of year? Probiotics are your answer.

What are PRObiotics?

They are GOOD live bacteria that promote health, help with proper digestion of food and help our immune systems defend itself against BAD bacteria, viruses and fungi, which promote illness. This “good” bacteria, or “intestinal microflora” which live primarily in our gastro-intestinal tract (your gut) promote optimal health and prevent illness, so long as there is a sufficient amount.

How do Probiotics work?

Get outside and live life fully!

The anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle is very much in the news these days.  Is it Fact, Fiction or Fad?

I’m very much learning as I go so I will take a basic intro to the anti-inflammatory world of do’s and don’ts and share them with you!  And would love your ideas, feedback and recipes.

First let’s talk about inflammation. What is it? Why does it happen and why is it bad for us? Or is it?

Inflammatory cells are cells that cause inflammation. They release different molecules and mediators that can cause an area to become hot, hyperperfused (red), painful and swollen. In some cases, inflammation is a good thing.  A mosquito bite gets puffy and red.  It’s the body’s way of isolating a problem or intruder, rushing blood cells to the area to fight and heal.

It is important to let the body heal itself.  But when is it a problem and what is chronic low level inflammation doing to our bodies? Let’s look at what today’s lifestyles throw at our bodies, things that previous generations never had to deal with and as a result we are seeing more and more chronic illnesses and even fatal diseases. Things such as chronic fatigue, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Let’s take a look at contributing factors;

·         Sedentary lifestyles – we work more, exercise less.

·         Diet and Nutrition – we think of diet predominantly as a number/result issue as opposed to nutrition/wellness  – Processed foods may be fast  and easy but it’s also a fast and easy way to wreck your health.

·         Environmental contributors – pollution, second hand smoke and even medications.

Hence the Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle! Or as we like to say around here “ a balanced lifestyle”. Identify in your life what could be contributing to unnecessary inflammation in your body.  Some of these things you can change some you can’t. Cut out ONE simple anti-inflammatory causing food at a time.  Replace it with an anti-inflammatory fighter!  Follow a vitamin regimen and modify it as needed. GET ADJUSTED!  A well-functioning nervous system is the hub to wellness.  Discover a fun way to exercise that will keep you motivated and committed. Hiking, dancing, skating or even just walking.  I have friends that have recently discovered photography and bird watching.  Get outside and live!  Do everything possible to help your body fight todays challenges!

Here are a few more anti-inflammatory ways to fights;

·         Omega 3 – in its purest form

·         Spices such as turmeric, ginger, curry and garlic

·         Whole grains such as wild rice, quinoa and oats

·         Go fresh!  Stay in the fresh food isles and explore new ways to add foods (for me it’s some I don’t enjoy) as smoothies and soups

·         Tea, dark chocolate and yes even a little red wine is good for you!

So when (not if) we choose a balanced approach to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, we will be helping our bodies be inflammation fighters when they need to be!

After seeking chiropractic help in her twenty’s for the usual (and expected –or so she thought) lower back issues that go with horseback riding, she experienced a new level of health. Not only has she made chiropractic a regular part of her life but she has made a commitment to changing her lifestyle and coaches others how to do the same. She is an avid outdoors person. You can find her walking her beagle, biking, painting and drinking great coffee. Her true passion is riding horses and has been a competitive rider/jumper for years.