A Healthy Mind = A Healthy Body

I have always been an active person, I enjoyed walking and going to the gym ( I will admit I have never enjoyed running its my idea of torture). I loved group classes such as Body combat, Body pump and dance type classes. It never occurred to me in my early 30’s that I took the ability to work out or even enjoy a walk with the dog for granted.

Fast forward a few years and the active vibrant woman I had been was all but a distant memory. I had gone through an incredibly messy separation from my husband who I had been with since I was 16 years old.

There was a lot of stress, custody issues, physical violence, police involvement and more. I was desperate to hold everything together for the sake of my two children and I was trying to work full time in a newly promoted position (which I did not enjoy at all). I had joined a roller derby team and I loved to skate. It was physically demanding but I loved my team and they were a great support system for me through this.

I was in a constant state of stress and on full alert. I did not sleep much, I drank …… a lot. I would fight through the day to get home and pour a glass of numbness I smoked more than a pack of cigarettes each day trying to calm my frayed nerves. This could not go on for long. The body began to rebel I was constantly tired, I would sleep for 12-hour stints and feel just as exhausted as I did when I went to bed. I endured crushing migraines which would make me dizzy and sick and the only thing I could do was lie in a dark room and throw up until the strong pain killers kicked in and I would sleep for days.

Over a period of 6 months of this I had lost my job due to being constantly ill. I was in a deep depression but had found something I enjoyed doing. I opened a shop where I made all-natural male grooming and skincare products. As part of this I trained in clinical aromatherapy and discovered a love of holistic therapies. I trained in massage therapy, reiki, herbalism and more. I was still quite ill. I had eventually gotten a diagnosis of Myalgic encephalomyelitis which is like chronic fatigue syndrome. I was on a mountain of medication including, nerve pain killers, sleeping tablets, antidepressants, preventative migraine medication and more. At one point I was taking 16 tablets each day!

I discovered meditation through a friend in the holistic world and I started to use it to help with my stress levels. (The messy divorce was, and is, still ongoing) I had noticed that stress was a huge trigger for flare ups and migraines, so I was ready to try anything.

I fell in love with meditation instantly, the relief I felt was immediate and could last all day. When I find something I love I want to learn all about it so I studied it and decided that everyone should know about this amazing therapy that cost nothing and you could do anywhere, on the bus/train, sitting at your desk in work, on your bed , in your chair anywhere that you can close your eyes and be still. I qualified in meditation and mindfulness teaching and began to share this with my clients, friends, and family.

Over time I began to feel better. Little by little my migraines became less frequent and less intense. I could get out of bed easier and had less flare ups. I was better able to deal with the still ongoing stress around me.

I learned new skills including the art of journaling and I used this every day. I learned to carve time out of my busy day for me. I developed a daily spiritual practice of meditation and journaling which I still use today.

Fast forward to today, I have not had an ME flare up in well over a year. I have stopped smoking and although suffer from severe asthma (to be expected after smoking for over 20 years) I am able to begin building my activity levels back up. I have gradually managed to stop all of my medication (on advice and under the supervision of my GP) and I can now walk for miles without paying for it the next day or three, I am working up to being able to get back to skating and yoga. I am much more aware of my body and its health. I now work with women to help them to discover their Goddess Within using the techniques I used to aid my recovery. I teach weekly meditation classes and provide personal coaching. I really do believe a healthy mind can help recovery of a broken body.

Stress is an important thing to be aware of, it feels like a mind thing, but it absolutely is a body thing. Your body is not built to be in a constant state of stress. Manage your stress levels and your body will be grateful.

If you wish to hear more from Amanda or get in touch about all her amazing Goddess Work, please visit her website Goddess Within.