Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: daisie on November 22, 2023, 08:25:50 AM
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Morning ladies ,does any of you feel you have no motivation to do anything I'm postmenopause and this feeling is getting worse I can't be bothered for anything r anyone don't want to go out I'd rather stay in even house work is becoming a chore,I was once an out going woman loved shopping loved socialising all that has now gone can any of you relate to this x
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Morning. Housework has always been a chore, I much prefer being in the garden, pottering etc..
When did U last have a full blood count done to include thyroid function and VitD levels? R U depressed? Did U have hobbies that you have now given up?
Also over see your diet in case you are 'lacking' anything. If U can get out to exercise, that may be the starting point. Not easy when the weather is all over >:(
:bighug:
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Morning. Housework has always been a chore, I much prefer being in the garden, pottering etc..
When did U last have a full blood count done to include thyroid function and VitD levels? R U depressed? Did U have hobbies that you have now given up?
Also over see your diet in case you are 'lacking' anything. If U can get out to exercise, that may be the starting point. Not easy when the weather is all over >:(
:bighug:
[/quote hi clkd,I had a thyroid and iron test that was OK, I eat good meals iv not had avitamin d test I do feel anxity as got worse I'm forever worrying about anything I could possibly think of ,I'm wondering if having covid back in August had triggered anything off x
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Did u recover well from Covid? Fortunately DH and I weren't left with any residual cough etc.. It took a few weeks for energy levels to return. Virus attacks can depress the whole body as a defence mechanism, to make humans take more rest!
Have U considered a dedicated anti-anxiety medication ? In the 1990s I was prescribed valium to use as necessary: taken the evening B4 events that I was unable to get out of. Later on Propranolol every night helped a lot. Took the edge off.
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Did u recover well from Covid? Fortunately DH and I weren't left with any residual cough etc.. It took a few weeks for energy levels to return. Virus attacks can depress the whole body as a defence mechanism, to make humans take more rest!
Have U considered a dedicated anti-anxiety medication ? In the 1990s I was prescribed valium to use as necessary: taken the evening B4 events that I was unable to get out of. Later on Propranolol every night helped a lot. Took the edge off.
what dose of diazepam do you take ckld, looking back on how I was before covid I have not been the same In myself me and my partner did get it bad was bed bound with ne energy I was going places and doing the normal things before,I still suffered anxity then but not as bad as I have it now,while i was in bed with covid I had awful surges of depression running through me I do think iv not fully recovered ,i do take atenolol medication for blood pressure iv been on that 27 years,thanks ckld for your reply x
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I had 10 mg 3 times a day in the 1990s for 3 weeks, seeing my GP weekly. Then down to 5mg x 2 days. Than as necessary. I knew that 5mg was enough and would work so there was never any worry about requiring more, even though I knew it was OK to take up to 15mg a day.
It mayB that you need a different betablocka? 27 years is a long while, do U get a regular review?
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I had 10 mg 3 times a day in the 1990s for 3 weeks, seeing my GP weekly. Then down to 5mg x 2 days. Than as necessary. I knew that 5mg was enough and would work so there was never any worry about requiring more, even though I knew it was OK to take up to 15mg a day.
It mayB that you need a different betablocka? 27 years is a long while, do U get a regular review?
I did not go on my last appointment, I do keep a check on My blood pressure I have my own monitor I will make another appointment if it means a change of beta blocker, I did once get 2mg diazepam from doctors but didn't seem to do much could be dose too small x
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Yep. 2mg how often?
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Yep. 2mg how often?
take one when needed it says on the packet x
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Thinking about 'when needed' would it be better to swallow it B4 an event that might cause anxiety to rise?
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Thinking about 'when needed' would it be better to swallow it B4 an event that might cause anxiety to rise?
I'm not clued up with this sort of meds but thinking of how I feel I'm at my worst with anxiety in the mornings then by tea time comes I feel a lot calmer ,so I recon for me the mornings would be better to take it,what time of day do you take it x
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MayB the night B4 to ease you into the day. Or after breakfast if U require it. My days got better as I worked through my commitments, by evening I was a different person and had to remember not to say 'yes' to anything - because by morning I would be floored by anxiety :-\
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Yes @daisie I am 2 years post meno and I can relate exactly - it could have been me who wrote your post - I am not me anymore.
If you find a solution please share x
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MayB the night B4 to ease you into the day. Or after breakfast if U require it. My days got better as I worked through my commitments, by evening I was a different person and had to remember not to say 'yes' to anything - because by morning I would be floored by anxiety :-\
good morning clkd.i will try that,and thanks for your replys x
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Yes @daisie I am 2 years post meno and I can relate exactly - it could have been me who wrote your post - I am not me anymore.
If you find a solution please share x
hi fiftyplus,its awful to feel like this, are you taking anything at moment for it.if i do find a miracle medication i will let you know ;D x
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Lists - I would make lists every evening so that I could see what I *had* achieved ::). Other than getting dressed and washed, everything went on it. Even feeding the cats!
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Yes, I feel exactly like this. My oestrogen was low so have increased that and feel a bit less wobbly in myself but I just can’t find the motivation. Nothing feels exciting enough to be interested in pushing myself to do it. I kind of do the basics of what’s needed to run the house, get myself up and out of the house for walks etc. I can’t be bothered with food other than doing what’s required to feed everyone else. I’m just flatlining but don’t feel bothered enough to be able to push myself out of the rut I seem to be in.
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Lists - I would make lists every evening so that I could see what I *had* achieved ::). Other than getting dressed and washed, everything went on it. Even feeding the cats!
That's a good idea you can see how you are actually progressing,every day seems the same to me at moment x
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Yes, I feel exactly like this. My oestrogen was low so have increased that and feel a bit less wobbly in myself but I just can’t find the motivation. Nothing feels exciting enough to be interested in pushing myself to do it. I kind of do the basics of what’s needed to run the house, get myself up and out of the house for walks etc. I can’t be bothered with food other than doing what’s required to feed everyone else. I’m just flatlining but don’t feel bothered enough to be able to push myself out of the rut I seem to be in.
hi,fizwhizz,that's exactly the same as me ,I don't feel like thinking about Christmas this year at all I always go back to see My family but ,I feel like giving it a miss this year ,I just can't be bothered with company while feeling like this x
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Ditto, I’m not a fan of Christmas but don’t feel a fan of anything particularly currently. I keep looking at things I could pursue as hobbies to inject something different into life but despite the options out there I just wind up thinking ‘nah, I can’t be bothered’. I’m not up for socialising especially or anything. I’ve always been more introverted but have been able to push myself into things in the past. I just can’t find the motivation to do so currently.
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Ditto, I’m not a fan of Christmas but don’t feel a fan of anything particularly currently. I keep looking at things I could pursue as hobbies to inject something different into life but despite the options out there I just wind up thinking ‘nah, I can’t be bothered’. I’m not up for socialising especially or anything. I’ve always been more introverted but have been able to push myself into things in the past. I just can’t find the motivation to do so currently.
you sound like me again I wonder if its something in the air 😆I do hope there's a cure for this x
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Daisie, it sounds like you might be depressed. Perhaps have a chat to with your GP and see what they suggest. It might be worth considering anti depressants or possibly some talking therapy. Doctors are very reluctant to prescribe diazepam any more (due to it being very addictive ) Also, sorry if l've missed it but are you on hrt? This can help low mood and general well being enormously.
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I think you probably still need to increase your oestrogen a little more. The fact your mood is low suggests this. Anti depressants may be needed but I would optimise your oestrogen levels first and then take a view.
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Daisie, it sounds like you might be depressed. Perhaps have a chat to with your GP and see what they suggest. It might be worth considering anti depressants or possibly some talking therapy. Doctors are very reluctant to prescribe diazepam any more (due to it being very addictive ) Also, sorry if l've missed it but are you on hrt? This can help low mood and general well being enormously.
hi thanks for your reply ,I think its depression too I have some antidepressants but not been taking them its the same with hrt the side effects they cause me to be honest iv not took them long enough to see if they have any improvement for me I feel like I'm adding to My symptons with the side effects I just can't cope with them x
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I think you probably still need to increase your oestrogen a little more. The fact your mood is low suggests this. Anti depressants may be needed but I would optimise your oestrogen levels first and then take a view.
hi gnatty, I have tried hrt but the side effects put me off I know I should be on it as i had an hysterectomy with ovaries removed i must be running on empty unless estrogen is somewhere else in my body I know I should fight through the side effects but its the waiting x
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I’m on HRT but I still have stretches of feeling this way. It’s like a functioning depression, I can do certain things (the basics) but am just muddling through and not engaging with life and don’t feel I can be bothered to either. I’m on private HRT treatment and due to the testing I know my oestrogen is low so I’m hoping that will pick up a bit now as I’ve increased my dose. I’m so glad you posted as this lack of oomph and zest for life feeling is one of the menopause symptoms I find is the hardest to cope with. Lack of motivation is listed up as one of the main symptoms of menopause and yet no one seems to mention it much. I thought it was just me feeling like this and struggling with it.
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I’m on HRT but I still have stretches of feeling this way. It’s like a functioning depression, I can do certain things (the basics) but am just muddling through and not engaging with life and don’t feel I can be bothered to either. I’m on private HRT treatment and due to the testing I know my oestrogen is low so I’m hoping that will pick up a bit now as I’ve increased my dose. I’m so glad you posted as this lack of oomph and zest for life feeling is one of the menopause symptoms I find is the hardest to cope with. Lack of motivation is listed up as one of the main symptoms of menopause and yet no one seems to mention it much. I thought it was just me feeling like this and struggling with it.
hi fizzwhizz,yes it's crippling one of the worst symptoms i think,what hrt do you take and how long have you been on it x
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I take a biest compound cream with oestrodial and oestrogen then DHEA supplements which are supposed to be the building blocks for increasing testosterone and progesterone. My natural oestrogen has been up so at times I’ve had too much in my system which is pants as well. The aim is to get these hormones in balance as I understand it, that’s why I’ve not been offered testosterone as everything else’s up and down. I felt ok at 50 but am 54 now. Not sure if my own hormones are gone now hence the decrease in oestrogen. I have no idea whether paid for treatment has been worthwhile or working tbh. I don’t have physical symptoms really other than dry eyes, feeling I need to wee more at the moment the most difficult symptoms are this lack of motivation and kind of detachment from life.
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I take a biest compound cream with oestrodial and oestrogen then DHEA supplements which are supposed to be the building blocks for increasing testosterone and progesterone. My natural oestrogen has been up so at times I’ve had too much in my system which is pants as well. The aim is to get these hormones in balance as I understand it, that’s why I’ve not been offered testosterone as everything else’s up and down. I felt ok at 50 but am 54 now. Not sure if my own hormones are gone now hence the decrease in oestrogen. I have no idea whether paid for treatment has been worthwhile or working tbh. I don’t have physical symptoms really other than dry eyes, feeling I need to wee more at the moment the most difficult symptoms are this lack of motivation and kind of detachment from life.
i do have evorel 50 patch in my drawer sat there waiting to be put on when I don't know, but are there if I need to try them ,I had an hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries 8 years ago ,yes the lack of motivation is the worse ,I also suffer bad with dry eyes that's so irritating, I'm 68 now with no end of it ,but we are menopausal for rest of our lives once the hormones have declined I hope you do find some relief if you do let me know x
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Hi daisie, yeah me too - I have the hrt patches prescription sitting there but so far I have not been brave enough to start using them as I fear hair loss and bleeding which are some of the possible side effects and for me that would be worse than how I feel just now AND I also have a prescription of anti depressants as well which again I have not taken as the possible side effects have put me off such as nightmares and other stuff which again would be worse for me than how I feel just now, so I reckon I am maybe not as bad as I think I am but I am - maybe in the new year ... I hate this "change" and hate the new me - I wish I could just waken up one morning to an old younger me unchanged as I was before x
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Hi fizwhizz I too am able to function day to day, hold down a good job but tbh like you I am just muddling through. My gps are pretty useless and I always feel rushed when I attend an appointment as they are always running late and I am aware I only have 10 mins with them. Again, I might look at going private in the new year to get this sorted out as it would be great to have someone to just listen to what I am saying and give their "great" professional opinion on how I could help myself going forward but it is actually quite stressful even trying to get an appointment at my surgery in between working and and their availability which is not aloty and that's before I even get there.
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Hi fizwizz me again ::) - I felt fine at 50 but now at 55 I am dry too "down there" which is my worst sympton and I think getting me down. May I ask more about the DHEA supplements? and I wonder if I would be able to take them as at the moment the only thing I am using to help is the ovestin cream - I wonder ... x
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Hi daisie, yeah me too - I have the hrt patches prescription sitting there but so far I have not been brave enough to start using them as I fear hair loss and bleeding which are some of the possible side effects and for me that would be worse than how I feel just now AND I also have a prescription of anti depressants as well which again I have not taken as the possible side effects have put me off such as nightmares and other stuff which again would be worse for me than how I feel just now, so I reckon I am maybe not as bad as I think I am but I am - maybe in the new year ... I hate this "change" and hate the new me - I wish I could just waken up one morning to an old younger me unchanged as I was before x
hi fiftyplus,it's awful isn't it ,you have the same mindset as me over taking meds ,it's silly realy if we need to feel some benefits we need to take them I keep telling myself to give them time to work but I can't add anymore bad feelings on top of what im already feeling ,iv noticed I'm losing more hair now than ever before so I can't blame hrt for that ,I might try again with the patch and see how long i can stand the side effects ☺️x
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It's The Change - does what it says on the tin ::)
There are many forms of HRT so if 1 doesn't suit - the suggestion is to allow the body to uptake the replacement for 3 months; sometimes however side effects aren't worth continuing with; so give your body the chance to replace what is lost? HRT isn't a cure but a way of replacing what the body was making.
I have busy, involved, long dreams with ADs but never nightmares. Which I suffered for many years. Which is where the lists helped.
MayB wait until the New Year if you are in any way involved in festivities between now and 2nd Jan.. In the mean time, be kind to yourselves. Get into the ☀️ as often as possible; gentle exercise. Eat well. Keep hydrated.
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I take a biest compound cream with oestrodial and oestrogen then DHEA supplements which are supposed to be the building blocks for increasing testosterone and progesterone. My natural oestrogen has been up so at times I’ve had too much in my system which is pants as well. The aim is to get these hormones in balance as I understand it, that’s why I’ve not been offered testosterone as everything else’s up and down. I felt ok at 50 but am 54 now. Not sure if my own hormones are gone now hence the decrease in oestrogen. I have no idea whether paid for treatment has been worthwhile or working tbh. I don’t have physical symptoms really other than dry eyes, feeling I need to wee more at the moment the most difficult symptoms are this lack of motivation and kind of detachment from life.
i do have evorel 50 patch in my drawer sat there waiting to be put on when I don't know, but are there if I need to try them ,I had an hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries 8 years ago ,yes the lack of motivation is the worse ,I also suffer bad with dry eyes that's so irritating, I'm 68 now with no end of it ,but we are menopausal for rest of our lives once the hormones have declined I hope you do find some relief if you do let me know x
It’s tough to know what’s for the best. I’m afraid of feeling worse without the HRT but can’t say it’s been the full answer for me. I’m not to bad with physical ailments so I assume it’s helping in some way but I’m wary of just increasing my dose or adding testosterone into the mix. I don’t think Winter helps, or the news and I even wonder if some of this is post lockdown stuff playing out too.
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Hi fizwizz me again ::) - I felt fine at 50 but now at 55 I am dry too "down there" which is my worst sympton and I think getting me down. May I ask more about the DHEA supplements? and I wonder if I would be able to take them as at the moment the only thing I am using to help is the ovestin cream - I wonder ... x
I’m not sure I’ve got the hang of replying to posts. So I’ve quoted you. Yes, the dryness is starting to hit me more so but maybe because my oestrogen is low. The DHEA as I understand it is the raw ingredients for testosterone production and it’s a supplement. I get it privately on prescription so not sure about other routes. My testosterone has been low since I started HRT. I’m not sure how helpful my private treatment has been tbh. I did get given oestrogel by NHS but started to feel worse. When I went privately I was told I had too much oestrogen so it was creating a bigger imbalance and more symptoms. The NHS GP was just telling me to up my dosage when symptoms weren’t resolving 🤷♀️
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It's The Change - does what it says on the tin ::)
There are many forms of HRT so if 1 doesn't suit - the suggestion is to allow the body to uptake the replacement for 3 months; sometimes however side effects aren't worth continuing with; so give your body the chance to replace what is lost? HRT isn't a cure but a way of replacing what the body was making.
I have busy, involved, long dreams with ADs but never nightmares. Which I suffered for many years. Which is where the lists helped.
MayB what until the New Year if you are in any way involved in festivities between now and 2nd Jan.. In the mean time, be kind to yourselves. Get into the ☀️ as often as possible; gentle exercise. Eat well. Keep hydrated.
hi clkd,I might go and stick one on and see iv nothing to lose at moment got no plans yet for over Christmas if I start to feel bad ill just take it off, it could be I might need a different patch I have the evoral 50 at moment x
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There are ways in which this part of the change seems the most natural thing in the world to me, which isn’t to say it isn’t painful and distressing. And I’ve noticed the experiences you describe in myself, too. (I’m 61.)
A couple of things spring to mind. One is that obviously it’s physically/physiologically impossible to remain as strong and vigorous as we were — all those 40- and 50-year old longevity experts notwithstanding (i.e. wait till they hit 65 or 75!) — and that’s a hard adjustment to make. Another is that, well, I think it might be called ‘wisdom’, that thing where you realise a lot of what you do doesn’t make a blind bit of difference to the world. You realise that the world you can actually affect is a lot smaller than the one you thought you could affect when you were younger. (Me anyway.) And this can be a direct road to ‘why bother’. Again, it makes sense.
All I’m saying is, a lot of this actually makes sense. How to change it is another question. I’ve been trying to change how I think about myself, see myself, be less judgy re my state of mind, relax into it, even sometimes enjoy not wanting to do anything but lay about. A new approach for a new person, given that the old one is not coming back. It’s a work in progress…
Not saying it’s the answer, or possibly any kind of answer. Just throwing it out there for contemplation or something.
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Hi Everyone
I can really relate to this post so I hope you don't mind me joining in.
I am 53 and have been feeling less motivated and finding it hard to do much for about 6 years now and it has progressively got worse.
I am on HRT and have been on it for a year but am still struggling to be honest and it comes as a shock doesn't it. I am now feeling quite depressed with it all and really struggling at the moment. My Systemic HRT has changed to Lenzetto and I am struggling with that, however I do see a lot of ladies who use it find it very good once they sort out the correct dosage as it is weaker than other HRT apparently, so I am having a discussion with my GP and Meno specialist about that this week. I also suffer very badly from VA and bladder issues, I am on Vagifem for this daily and am about to try the estring as well but the decline in this problem over this year has been horrendous for me. I don't think the time of year is helping either, people are talking about Christmas, putting up decs etc and I just don't feel anything at all, i am just gong through the motions and have no energy to think about decs etc!
I have tried complementary therapies and they do help a bit and I am working with essential oils currently to help which they do subtly but it is so hard to get out of bed and get on with the day when you have no enthusiasm at all.
Anyway hopefully we can support one another, this site is very good at giving support so hugs to everyone else going through this difficult time and lets hope we can get some oomph back soon xx
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Hi Everyone
I can really relate to this post so I hope you don't mind me joining in.
I am 53 and have been feeling less motivated and finding it hard to do much for about 6 years now and it has progressively got worse.
I am on HRT and have been on it for a year but am still struggling to be honest and it comes as a shock doesn't it. I am now feeling quite depressed with it all and really struggling at the moment. My Systemic HRT has changed to Lenzetto and I am struggling with that, however I do see a lot of ladies who use it find it very good once they sort out the correct dosage as it is weaker than other HRT apparently, so I am having a discussion with my GP and Meno specialist about that this week. I also suffer very badly from VA and bladder issues, I am on Vagifem for this daily and am about to try the estring as well but the decline in this problem over this year has been horrendous for me. I don't think the time of year is helping either, people are talking about Christmas, putting up decs etc and I just don't feel anything at all, i am just gong through the motions and have no energy to think about decs etc!
I have tried complementary therapies and they do help a bit and I am working with essential oils currently to help which they do subtly but it is so hard to get out of bed and get on with the day when you have no enthusiasm at all.
Anyway hopefully we can support one another, this site is very good at giving support so hugs to everyone else going through this difficult time and lets hope we can get some oomph back soon xx
hi kirsti yes it's terrible one of the worst symptoms for me no motivation iv not put my tree up yet it all seems a waist of effort ,I can't wait for all the fuss of Christmas to be over it's sad feeling like this bur ypy can't help your emotions I do hope you find something to help you through it if so let me know ,x daisie
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From personal experience, making some adjustments to my lifestyle helped me regain a sense of vitality and purpose.
Prioritizing restful sleep was important. Making sure I get enough quality sleep each night has made a noticeable difference in my energy levels and overall mood.
I made a conscious effort not to skip meals and to focus on nourishing my body with wholesome foods. Eating regularly and maintaining stable blood sugar levels contribute to a more balanced mood and sustained energy throughout the day.
Connecting with nature has also been incredibly beneficial for me. Spending time outdoors, whether it's going for a walk in the park or simply sitting in my backyard, helps me feel grounded and rejuvenated.
I learned these steps from this guide to holistic living (https://not-another-health-and-wellness-site.com/). There are other steps mentioned there, a total of 7. You just have to enter your email, and you'll have access to it.