Helloooo, 2025! 🥳

A new year brings the promise of new beginnings!

And for many of us–the start of a new year brings with it resolutions to improve our health, habits, weight and overall well-being.

But instead of focusing only on short-term goals, this year can be the one where you truly take charge of your health—by taking action. And so this year, let’s get proactive. 🔥💪

What can you do to take control of your health?

Health isn’t something that happens passively—it’s a reflection of your choices, habits, and how well you support your body.

And that means it’s a reflection of the choices you made, not only yesterday, but last week, month, and YEAR. That’s a lot of health choices to think about!

So, when I talk to my patients about their health and their health goals, I always stress that health is not just going to the gym the first few weeks of January—health is a journey.

Taking charge of your health needs to be a whole-body approach because your body is like a finely tuned Swiss watch—every part working together to keep you functioning at your best.

The Wellness Way Approach: Why Your Body is a Swiss Watch

At The Wellness Way-Lake Forest, we treat your body like a **Swiss Watch** — and that’s because your body works like a finely tuned machine.

Just like how one part of a watch can affect the entire mechanism, when one area of your body is out of balance, it creates a domino effect, impacting your overall health.

Whether it’s a hormonal imbalance, immune dysfunction, or digestive issues, symptoms are just your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong.

I also like to describe it as your engine light is on!

With my patients, I don’t just focus on your symptoms; I help you dig deeper to understand your individual root cause***-s***. And yes, I say causes, because it is usually more than just one cause.

Say, you’re experiencing fatigue, digestive problems, and feel like your hormones are all over the place, I look at HOW these symptoms are interconnected.

Not just that, but WHAT is triggering them. Inflammation, hidden infections, mental health, and food allergies can all impact your entire system.

That’s why we don’t guess—we test. This allows us to address your whole body with the mindfulness of the 3 Ts: Thoughts, Traumas, and Toxins*.*

These three factors play a powerful role in your overall health, and addressing each of them is what helps you take charge and achieve lasting health outcomes.

Here’s how you can start already!

1. Thoughts: Mastering Your Mindset & Stress

We do not place enough importance on our mental health and how much our thoughts can impact our health.

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood; it can cause high blood pressure AND seriously disrupt your gut health—it all comes back to the Swiss watch principle.

Your stressors and negative thoughts can create imbalances in your body, leading to issues like poor digestion, hormonal imbalances, and even lowered immune function.

Let’s change that!

Taking Action to Address Thoughts:

• Focus on stress relief: Whether through meditation, breathwork, or finding moments of calm in your day, reducing stress is key. Start by choosing one. There are also apps that can help– like Calm. (I have no affiliation with that App, and if you have a better one you like, let me know!)
• Change your self-talk: The way you speak to yourself matters. Reframe negative thoughts and practice gratitude daily to improve mental well-being.
• Try journaling: Writing down your thoughts can help organize your mind and identify areas of stress that need attention.

You can’t ignore the connection between your thoughts and your body. A positive mindset truly impacts your long-term health!

2. Traumas: Caring for Your Physical Body

When I say “trauma,” I am talking about more than big injuries like car accidents or concussions.

Physical trauma includes anything from poor posture to repetitive strain injuries to even sitting too long!

Have you ever sat at your computer too long and got up and thought, “ugh my neck muscles are sore!”

Well, that’s a sign your body had a type of physical trauma–even though it may seem small.

Tightness and pain are a symptom. Think engine light in your car—your body is trying to tell you something! Ignoring the sign only delays the issue. The better move? Take action!

Taking Action to Ease Traumas:

• Get adjusted regularly: Chiropractic care can help align your spine and promote better nervous system function.
• Stay active: Movement is medicine! Incorporate daily exercise to keep your body strong and resilient.
• Try somatic work: Physical therapy, yoga, or even light stretching can help release tension stored in your muscles from stress and past traumas.

Important bonus reading:  Ladies, Is Your Exercise Routine Depleting Some of Your Hormones?

3. Toxins: What You Put Into Your Body Matters

We live in a world filled with environmental toxins—and honestly, we learn to ignore them because they are just part of our life.

Think of your daily routine:

→ You wake up and drink a much-needed cup of coffee: Is that coffee it organic? Does it contain mycotoxins? Are there artificial flavors in your coffee?

→ The water you used: Is it filtered or tap?

→ The makeup or lotions you put on: Are they free from harmful chemical?

Toxins are everywhere–the chemicals in our food, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.

Even the popular personal care products we use have been found to contain Phthalates which can affect your hormones and may even affect your fertility!

Toxins can build up in the body, leading to inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and other chronic health issues.

One of the key ways to take charge of your health is by reducing your toxin load and making informed choices about what you put into your body!

Taking Action Against Toxins:

• Test, don’t guess: Get tested to understand what’s happening inside your body — from hormone imbalances to food allergies.
• Check Your Products: Use the EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database.
• Check your tap water: See how your local water supply measures up with the EWG Tap Water Database | Lake Forest.
• Detox your life: Reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in your food, cleaning products, and skincare. Opt for natural, non-toxic alternatives.
• Clean up your diet: One of the best ways to minimize toxin intake is to reduce sugar and processed foods. Join our No Sugar January Challenge to kickstart your detox!

Action Plan for 2025: Making It the Year of Taking Charge

Your individualized testing plays a significant role in identifying your root causes, allowing for a personalized plan to bring your body back into balance.

In 2025, the year of action, let’s take charge by focusing on a comprehensive view of your health.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Test, don’t guess: Schedule consultations for testing. Whether it’s hormone testing, food allergy testing, or an overall health assessment, testing will give you clarity on what’s going on in your body.
2. Prioritize your mindset: Set goals for mental health. Start incorporating stress management techniques like meditation, journaling, or therapy into your daily routine.
3. Take care of your body: Schedule regular chiropractic adjustments, start a fitness routine, and consider somatic therapies to heal from physical traumas.
4. Reduce your toxin load: Identify food allergies, clean up your diet, and minimize exposure to environmental toxins.
5. Join our No Sugar January Challenge: Cut out sugar for 30 days and see how much better you feel. Reducing sugar will help minimize inflammation, boost your energy, and support your immune system.

Let’s make 2025 your healthiest year yet! Every step you take, no matter how small, is one step closer to the vibrant, energized life you deserve.