Blog

Right now I’m in the middle of a “cleanse”, though that’s not quite the right word for it. It’s a version of the Ultra Simple Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman, where you simplify your diet to reduce inflammation and negative reactions you may have to foods. You’ve probably heard that inflammation is the source of a lot of health issues, but do you know why? 

What Is Inflammation, Anyway? 

Years ago when I would introduce myself at a business conference, I would say that I helped women reduce chronic inflammation. Back then, hardly anyone would know what I was talking about. Not so much now, though I feel like it gets oversimplified. The truth is that it can have a massive impact on how you feel every single day. 

Inflammation can be the root of joint pain, digestive problems, stubborn weight gain, fatigue, and heart disease. It even plays a role in balancing your hormones. But people don’t always explain what inflammation really means; it’s actually your body’s natural way of protecting you.

As I write this, I’m in my happy place in the mountains. It’s taken me away from my normal routine, which of course has its positives and negatives. One surprising positive is that in this small town, many of my choices are limited. But why is having less options for grabbing a coffee, buying groceries, or eating out a good thing? 

Decision Fatigue is Real

Every day, your brain makes thousands of choices. What to eat. When to work out. Whether to check your phone or email, or stay focused… And on it goes. And the more decisions you have to make (even tiny ones), the harder it gets to follow through on anything. That’s why by 4pm, so many people feel like their willpower is nonexistent. It’s called decision fatigue - and your brain is just plain old tired. 

Beat Decision Fatigue

The best way to avoid decision fatigue is to set yourself up to make fewer decisions. How? Here are some ways to start:

✅ Pick your “default meals” for the week.
Think about it: by eating the same two or thr...

I won’t lie, we’ve had our share of stress in our household and we all know there’s plenty of stress coming from what’s happening in the United States. I’m sure everything will be fine in our home, and I’m trying to do what I can to help the greater good. But sometimes, I just need to feel better now. As much as I know that eating well, exercising, and getting restful sleep are part of the solution, a quick release from all that tension is what’s needed. 

Nervous System Regulation

Have you heard the phrase “nervous system regulation”? It’s trendy right now (for good reason!), but it is also a little confusing. Your nervous system manages your fight-or-flight systems, and transitions you from calm, to stressed, to calm again. It’s a natural bodily function (though very complex), but it is one we can influence to reduce our stress levels.  

You might think that to do this, you need to:

• Do a 90-minute yoga flow.
• Learn to meditate.
• Start an early morning routine that includes light...

Do you feel wound too tight all the time? I know I’ve been feeling a lot more anxious and unsettled lately. I can try blaming it on my son’s struggle with his health, on trying to help my daughter figure out what’s next in her life path, or especially on the craziness happening here in the US. The fact is, a lot of us are stuck in “go mode” all the time–even when we don’t want to be. 

When You’re Stressed 24/7

You don’t just wake up one day suddenly stressed. It’s something that usually builds up over time. As women, we can give a lot of ourselves without taking the much-needed recovery time our own bodies need. When your body is stressed day in and day out, it can affect your energy, metabolism, digestion, and even your weight. That’s because in times of high-stress, cortisol (your stress hormone) stays high, making you crave sugar, store more fat, and feel totally drained.

This is why real recovery matters. It’s not just about getting through the day–it’s about actually feeling go...

Hooray for the end of February! I’m already looking forward to daylight savings time, more light at the end of the day, and temperatures warming up. Come on, Spring!

As I write this, I’m on the plane heading to visit my daughter for her senior year open studio. I’m excited to have some one-on-one time with her, and by the time you read this I’ll be back home. At home, I’m in full swing with the kids’ mountain bike team I help with, and that’s something I’m really enjoying, too. 

In other words, my personal life is pretty okay.

At the same time, I’m also experiencing a lot of stress, fear, and even anger at what’s going on in the United States. I can’t really pretend that it’s all okay, when good people are losing their jobs and I worry that my own parents could lose their social security. I could go on and on, but it’s too depressing. 

I feel like I’m experiencing a low level of stress at best, and much more than that at times.  

As I’m researching for my book and drawing on what ...

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of learning about how our body systems all work together. It truly amazes me how each system has its own purpose, yet is intricately intertwined with the entire body. Here is yet another one that sounds a little “woo-woo”, but makes sense once you think about it. Did you know that stress can make your hips tight? And here I just thought it was because I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk. 

How Stress Makes Your Hips Tight

Have you ever been in a yoga class and seen someone break down or tear up during a deep stretch? Or maybe you’ve experienced your own unexpected emotional release during a hip-opening stretch yourself. The reason is that your hips are directly connected to your fight-or-flight response via the psoas muscle. (Pronounced so-as.) 

This muscle connects your spine to your legs, and it’s activated when you’re in a stressful situation. The problem is that most of our modern-day stresses (like that irritating email) don’t require you t...

I recently turned 55 and I’m more conscious of taking care of my body (and mind) more than ever. Part of the reason is so I can keep living an extraordinary life far into the future; but it’s also about making life better here and now. One way I’m doing both is by reducing stress with exercise. 

What Happens When You’re Stressed

Right now we’re having conflict with a neighbor over a shared fence we’re replacing and it’s been really stressful. When I’m stressed, my stomach tightens up, then it spreads to my chest, and eventually I get a headache. In the worst times I end up with a migraine. 

I went to bed feeling all tight inside and the feeling was still there this morning when I woke at 4:30am. Not a great start to the day, for sure. I considered meditating which sometimes is helpful, but I knew that my busy mind would just take over. When dealing with stress, common reactions are to: 

• Think your way through it
• Numb out with distractions (like social media)
• Let it take over yo...

It’s well-known that stress affects the digestive system. That’s because when your body is in flight or fight mode due to chronic stress, immediate stress, or even worrying about your day, your body, your body’s processes are disrupted. When it comes to digestion, oxygen and blood are diverted away from the gut, and the body produces less saliva, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. So, if you can form a habit of eating in a more relaxed state, your digestion can improve - even before making any changes to what you’re eating.

Try one or all of the suggestions below to make mealtimes a little more “zen” and your tummy happier. 

Make Meals a Problem-Free Zone

It can be tough to leave problems behind at mealtime. I know that as my kids have become older and all of our lives busier, mealtimes are often when we spend the most time together. That means we often use mealtimes to discuss what went well or not so well during the day, make plans around our busy schedules, and chat about curre...

Stress is an inevitable part of our lives, and we all experience it in different ways. Whether it's due to work pressure, personal relationships, or financial issues, stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health. While occasional stress is a normal part of life, chronic stress can have severe consequences on your physical well-being. 

Stress originates when your body/mind experiences a threat. The threat could be real (being chased by a bear or losing your job), or it could be a perceived threat (i.e. lying awake worrying “what if” every night). No matter the threat,  your nervous system responds by sounding an alarm and preparing the body to respond quickly. The reactions include increased heart rate and breathing, surges of hormones, and increased blood pressure to name a few. 

These responses are meant to help in short-term “fight or flight” situations to increase your chances of survival. Unfortunately, in the modern world full of stress, this response is not a great...

Listen on The Extraordinary Life Podcast

Back when the pandemic really hit and the kids were stuck in their rooms every day doing schoolwork, my daughter’s mental health took a hit. Her room got very little natural light, so we switched my brighter office with her bedroom and it helped a lot. Now that she is gone to college, though, it’s time for me to switch back. The back and forth has involved a fair bit of physical decluttering, and I feel so much lighter with less “stuff” to manage. The same principle works in your brain, too. When you clean up your mental clutter, your mind has more space to work and play in. 

Some signs that your mental clutter is bogging you down are feelings of overwhelm or being over-stimulated, confused, and even disoriented when it comes to everyday life and decisions. Our modern world moves quickly, and with quick access to the internet and social media, it’s easy to become over-stimulated. Just as we need to take care of our bodies and the space we p...