My twin sister's husband Dan, the father of my two nephews, passed away 1 year ago. In fond memory of him today, I want to thank him for probably saving my life. At the very least, a serious wake-up call nicknamed the silent killer.

I had started  a new job which felt heavy on my shoulders. I had resisted being a cancer coach and my brother in law, who didn’t believe there was anything outside of conventional medicine that could be done for him, was dying of his own cancer.  On his first night before hospice, as I was up all night with him,  as he obsessively tested his blood pressure I decided to take mine and discovered it was 187/132.  I called an MD friend with his PhD in pharmacology and complementary medicine to see what he could offer me to bring it down and he said, “call 911”  When I didn’t call 911 the next day he gave me a loving lecture on the meaning of integrative medicine, i.e. taking the best of both conventional medicine and complementary and alternative and traditional medicines and mind body therapies and bringing them all together.

So this last year I’ve been on a mission, “healer, heal thyself.” 

The cardiologist said, Lisa just face it when everyone gets older, they get high blood pressure and need medication.  I said, “I agree that medicine can be life saving in the short run but I’m not going to accept this as a given for long term therapy. I want to know the root cause.  I want to know why is it high and what can I do about it? 

1.  Yes, I’m passionate about my job and have a propensity to over function
2. Yes, my genetic snps predispose me to both hypertension and difficulty eliminating toxins and stress hormones
3. Yes, despite all of this, I’ve been addicted to stress and the adrenaline rush.  Like many born Washingtonians, I wear stress like a badge of honor.  I’m not taking just one more certification program; I’m currently enrolled in three!

I talk about the Superwoman/Superman Complex because I know her so well; I have a first hand, personal relationship with her.  I suffer from the myth that I can do it all, all the time, and fly with no rest and Superwoman power.

This past year, I spent a good portion of time beating myself up asking, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I get my blood pressure down?”  This is the cartoon I took to my Doctor which is so me!:

Seriously, I finally had to let go, take my own advice, and ask, “What’s right with me? What is my loving heart trying to tell me?”  My heart was saying, “Slow down.  It’s not your job to be the savior, or to “fix” or even heal anybody”. The body heals itself (see below). I can merely be a guide and help remove the obstacles. I had to learn to honor everyone’s journey and choices in this life.

So this past year I got serious, really serious. I could no longer ignore the symptoms and stuff the issues in my tissues.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

1.  I followed my own seven steps, starting with an honest personal assessment.  What is it that I really really want? Who is it that I want to serve? What’s my heart telling me? I cried and I danced….alot.
2. I hired a coach and a mentor in functional medicine.
3. I did micronutrient testing and discovered I was lacking in several key nutrients and minerals for heart health. Despite my healthy food, I was still deficient. I began a targeted supplement program.
4. I committed to turning off the computer and going to bed by 10pm and took supplements for sleep.
5. I did all kinds of baseline conventional and functional cardiac tests. Discovered I was in metabolic chaos and late stage HPA axis dysfunction.
6. I addressed intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis.
7. I finally addressed the heavy metal toxicity that was identified years ago. I was off the chart for toxicity.
8. I developed my own yoga and meditation practice. (Giving myself this time was really one of the most challenging, and rewarding gifts)
9. I gave up my nightly 1-2 glasses of wine and chocolate. (not easy for either myself or my husband). I had to kick the sugar cravings…again!
10. I took much needed vacations and co-facilitated a retreat focused on play, self-care, and yoga dance.  I’m even more committed to the value of play!

I’m developing more self-compassion; I’ve had to learn patience, that this is a process.  Long-term sustainable change takes compassion, time and patience. It's not hard or complicated, and if I can do it, so can you. Managing stress is imperative if you want to lose weight or heal from any dis-ease. 

This is an ongoing practice for me; I’m far from perfect. It took me a good year and my pressure still creeps up to borderline high under too much chronic stress. I’ve improved my total LDL by over 40% and my last micronutrient test; I had improved all of my nutrients, minerals and amino acids with the exception of Vitamin D and magnesium. (Stress eats up magnesium and exercise increases the need for vitamin D too.) I guess I’m just going to have to become a snowbird to make it through winter!

Do you spend so much time caring for others that you find it hard to prioritize YOU? I offer a weekly support group at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Bethesda, Maryland that is just as important for family, friends and caretakers to attend as it is for patients. If we cannot find balance in our lives, we will become ill. As my own health coach and guru says, “Optimal Health is not complicated. We just need to Maximize, Minimize & Prioritize.” 

This is how the body heals naturally from within. Doing it consistently is the challenge and where a health coach can be invaluable. Call me if you'd like to discuss if we are a good fit to work together. Carpe Diem!

With Love & Gratitude,

Lisa
PS

My Friend Luzy Perez is having her last sprouting class for the year today! She will be traveling to Thailand to help her son with his growing business. Please join her if you can!

ABOUT LISA JACKSON, RN, CHC, RYT

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker, retired RN, certified health coach, and yoga teacher.

Her book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think & Thrive: Seven Steps to Optimal Health is a self health book to enable healing from within. Her goal is to inspire wellness and to help others look and feel their best at any age.

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement, the International Health Coach Association and the Wellness Inspired Network. She is the mother of four adult children, a Grandmother, and believes that optimal health should not be a secret! When she is not coaching, speaking and writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance at every opportunity.