I’ve made a handful of life changes since trying to focus on natural ways to improve my Fibromyalgia and avoid the need for prescription drugs. I’m so passionate about these topics and will have more detailed posts about their many aspects but for now I’ll touch upon each of them and the ways in which they have benefited me. I’ve grouped them into three main changes:

Detoxing my Products
When I was first confronted with the option of medication I knew that wasn’t the direction I wanted to take. My first idea was “Ok so if I’m trying to avoid putting chemicals into my body maybe I should take them out of everything else I use too.” This random thought turned into a life journey after doing some reading and research. It all seemed overwhelming at first but as I changed things slowly I realized it actually simplified my routine which is great because I need all the time I can get! I’ve now switched everything in my body care and house care from toothpaste to laundry detergent. Ridding my products of toxins and chemicals allows my body the ability to help itself and not be preoccupied with flushing out all the toxic crap instead.

Veganism
As my journey to natural living progressed I began to focus on what I was eating and making conscious decisions to eat foods that would aid my condition and overall health. However I still wasn’t vegan. I was bloated constantly and my digestion was far from perfect. After a trip to England last year I was the most bloated I had ever been to the point where I looked 3 month pregnant and was in a decent amount of pain. I had already done some looking into veganism before the trip and upon my return I knew this was the time to start. I also try to eat as many organic whole foods as possible and make the smartest choices I can otherwise. Since then my digestion has been great and bloating is rare. Another unexpected perk is that my cycle comes without the crippling cramping and nausea I once endured monthly.

Living with Intention
It’s easy to lose yourself in the fatigue, pain and self care. A simple shower can seem like a challenge or at least an inconvenience. I’ve learned that when I do everything with intension it makes the daily necessities into less of a hassle. Regular epsom salt baths are a huge help for my pain levels so using a bubble bath, oils or candles turns a shower or bath from an inconvenience into a break. Cooking dinner is much more fun when I pick a “theme” or use a new ingredient. Even cleaning can be therapeutic when I put on music or a podcast and diffuse some lemon and rosemary in the diffuser. The rooms in my condo are set up with different spaces that accommodate my needs for wellness. From the activities I engage in to the things I surround myself with, everything is to maximize healing both psychically and mentally. Living with intention has taken me out of a rut and relieved so much of the overwhelming feeling I once had.

These changes have drastically improved my quality of life however that’s not to say my journey is complete or ever will be. And again there are so many things within these topics that I plan to share that are versatile between other chronic illnesses as well as anyone who just wants to live a healthier lifestyle!