Tag: #DrTanyaEscobedo

Stress on Stress on Stress: What You Need to Know About Adrenal Fatigue

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Stress is a common factor that most people share without even realizing it. The obvious stressors are the busy schedules, paying bills, caring for family, maintaining our relationships, and balancing our lives. Less obvious stressors include: physical stress such as that intense spin class or 6 mile run, physical illness, too little sleep, not enough down time, or working in a toxic environment. Many of my patients tell me “I don’t feel stressed” but it’s important to remember we are adaptable creatures. It’s amazing the level of stress and go-go-go that becomes normal after a while. Remember just because we have adapted to a hectic life doesn’t mean it’s not affecting our health.  Let’s talk about how stress affects our bodies, our health and what symptoms to watch out for.

What are Adrenal Glands Anyway?

Your adrenal glands are two small but potent glands that rest on top of our kidneys. They communicate with every cell, organ and gland in the body during times of stress to help maintain balance and ensure survival. They do this by secreting the hormone cortisol to help us adapt in stressful situations. These little glands influence many processes in the body from the immune system, hormone production, weight, and blood sugar. Cortisol turns off processes we don’t need in stressful situations and turn on processes we do. For example, if we are faced with a snarling bear we need to run, we need blood going to our legs, and heart, we don’t need to be digesting food or fighting off that cold you caught last week.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal Fatigue, also known as hypoadrenalism or adrenocortical insufficiency, happens when your body is not secreting sufficient amounts of cortisol and other adrenal hormones to meet your physiological needs. In other words, you’re overexerting and stressing yourself out so much that your body cannot keep up with your lifestyle demands.

We are not meant to be in a constant stress state, our adrenals are meant to help us adapt to stress in acute situations. Not to be pushing out cortisol day in and day out as we fight traffic, rush to pick up the kids, work late, then down coffee because we are sleep deprived. This push-push-push fast tracks us into adrenal fatigue, and stimulants like coffee and energy drinks not only mask our bodies signals telling us to slow down but push the adrenals further into fatigue. Essentially our little adrenals can only keep up for so long, before they can’t, and then we begin to feel it.

What are the Symptoms?

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up at night worrying
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Waking up feeling unrefreshed even after sufficient sleep
  • Feeling wired & tired at night
  • Craving salt
  • Low blood pressure
  • Irritability
  • Hyperpigmentation of the skin/malasma
  • Feeling exhausted after workouts or work days
  • Poor tolerance to stress

While mild adrenal fatigue is more common than severe cases, you may recognize the name Addison’s Disease, which is an example of severe hypoadrenalism. If you are experiencing five or more of these symptoms, you’re are most likely experiencing adrenal fatigue.

What are Typical Stressors?

Each person reacts differently to stress, and different situations in life stress people out in different ways. These are considered to be the top 10 most stressful events:

  1. Death of a spouse/child
  2. Divorce
  3. Marital separation
  4. Jail time
  5. Death of close family member
  6. Personal injury or illness
  7. Marriage
  8. Fired at work
  9. Marital reconciliation
  10. Retirement

Other major stressors:

  • Change in health of a family member
  • Pregnancy
  • Sex difficulties
  • Business adjustment
  • Change in financial state
  • Death of close friends
  • Changing jobs
  • Son or daughter leaving home
  • Addition of new family member
  • Change in living conditions
  • Kids starting school/changing schools
  • Change in sleeping and eating habits

The stressors above are sometimes situations that you cannot control, but you can help yourself to adapt better to them. There is a risk that the stress in your life is causing more harm than you realize, and it is pertinent that you develop a self-care routine.  To learn more about what you can do read my next blog.

If you’re interested in learning more about adrenal fatigue, or being tested to find out how your adrenals are doing give us a call at 1-650-271-9543 or book your free 15 minute phone consult online.

You Are What You Eat: Mindful Eating

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Mindful eating is a key to good health

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As 2018 progresses, New Year’s Resolutions have either flourished or fallen flat. For those who made personal goals on bettering your health and creating a new and improved lifestyle, it can be challenging to create a fitness routine that works with your crazy schedule. But, that’s only half the challenge- the food that you consume plays a huge part in weight loss, overall well-being, and skincare. While you may be thinking, “there’s so much to know… where do I start?” Lucky for you, mindful eating could be the first step to changing your life!

 

What Is Mindful Eating?

Basically, mindful eating is a perspective change on how, and why, you eat the way you do. With training, individuals become more aware of their hunger and satiety cues from their bodies, which in turn helps them to gauge how much to eat during a meal. Mindful eating focuses on bringing attention to the present moment of eating, using all of your senses, and observing your mental and emotional responses to different foods. It’s all about savoring your food, slowing down and enjoying your meal, which in turn can help you assess your level of fullness easier.

 

Why Is This Important?

For some, their eating habits are tied to emotional responses in their lives. Mindful eating teaches discipline, but is different than calorie-counting. Some individuals suffer from binge-eating habits, or eating when stressed or bored. Mindful eating aids in creating positive, healthy, and strategic ways to enjoy food without overindulging. When you are aware of poor eating behaviors, it is easier to correct them and replace them with nourishing ones.

 

Does It Actually Work?

Yes. There are several benefits to mindful eating. Besides a greater awareness of hunger and fullness, there is typically less weight regain that follows after dieting. There is also a higher level of self-esteem, and can act as a healthy coping mechanism for obesity and binge eating disorder. There can also be spiritual benefits to mindful eating, which is typically a Buddhist spiritual practice.

If you want to make a change in your life, mindful eating is a great place to start. When you change your perspective about your eating habits, there will be real-life changes that are tangible and will show results. We, at Wild Women Wellness, believe in you. For more information on our services, you can visit our website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453.

Feel the Benefits of Infrared Saunas

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At the start of the New Year, many people put their health as a priority. It’s a new beginning for many, and we at Wild Women Wellness always support decisions to better a person’s health. A very underrated form of wellness is the infrared sauna, which has proven benefits to help you relax, relieve pain, and lose weight- among many other perks! Listed below are the beneficial ways that infrared saunas can better your life:

First off, what is an infrared sauna?

Glad you asked. To start off, we must understand that sunlight is a combination of visible and invisible light. Infrared light is an invisible light, and is one of the healthiest forms of light that can infiltrate the deep layers of our skin. Infrared saunas use infrared wavelengths, at all different levels, to help dissolve toxins in your skin, vitalize your metabolism, and have your body feeling balanced.

Relaxation

One of the most beneficial aspects of the infrared sauna is the way it allows your body to relax. The infrared wavelengths affect your body’s primary stress hormone, cortisol, which helps to make you feel more balanced. The heat generated in the sauna works to relax your muscles and relieve tension where you hold stress in your body.

Pain Relief

One of the more popular uses for infrared saunas is the ability to help with pain relief. As the heat from the infrared sauna increases, so does your core body temperature, which will then increase your body’s circulation. When your body’s blood flow is stimulated, it allows for inflammation to be relieved and for muscle aches or joint pain to decrease.

Detoxification

Another benefit that infrared saunas provide can be seen physically. Because you are sweating in the sauna, you’re eliminating toxins deep within your body, which can lead to many perks. One of them is purified skin; as you sweat out the toxins, you increase your circulation, which results in your skin becomes clearer and softer.

Weight Loss

Finally, infrared saunas are known for their ability to aid in weight loss. Because your core temperature increases, so does your heart rate to try to keep your core temperature at a manageable degree. When your body has to work hard at maintaining your body temperature, your body will burn more calories, which results in weight loss. Burning calories while relaxing- sign us up!

We at Wild Women Wellness believe in the natural powers of health and wellness. To learn more about our services, you can visit our website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453 today!

Floating for Fun: Sensory Deprivation Tanks

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“Floating on air” always seemed impossible, but as we all know, nothing is impossible when it comes to science and new-age technology. Sensory deprivation tanks offer many positive health benefits to individuals, and can make for great holiday gift ideas. Interested in learning more? Let’s continue.

What are Sensory Deprivation Tanks?

The sensory deprivation tanks, or float tanks, specialize in isolating the individual inside from all the senses. That’s right- sight, sound, smell, and touch all melt away in these tanks. The water in the tanks is made to match the individual’s body temperature as close as possible, mixed with 700-800lbs of Epsom salts. This mixture allows for the individual to stay afloat easily on the water’s surface.

How Do They Work?

So, what’s the science behind these float tanks? Our body’s “fight or flight” stress response is lowered by inducing a deep state of relaxation. For those who struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression, this is a natural way of evoking a natural relaxation response because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. So while you float (no swimming required!), your cortisol levels are lowered and your nervous system is calmed, helping to bring your hormones and immune system back into balance.

The epsom salts are high in magnesium which helps with muscle relaxation! Not only does the peaceful environment of the tank help you to relax, the water itself is very relaxing and healing. It’s also a great place to integrate, meditate, and float into an altered state.

What are the Health Benefits?

Now that we understand what the sensory deprivation tanks are, we can dive into the actual therapy and the health benefits. There are physical and mental benefits to float tanks, while some claim a sort of spiritual awakeness. Deprivation tanks can help reduce your stress levels and is considered to be a non-invasive treatment method for certain pains and illnesses. Here’s a list that contains (but is not limited to) ailments that float tanks have been shown to aid:

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Low energy
  • Addiction or Withdrawal symptoms
  • Low immune function
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Sleep Trouble
  • Athletic performance
  • Peace
  • Relaxation

If you’re looking for a gift idea this holiday season, we highly suggest a trip to Balance Float in Redwood City. Deprivation therapy is a great resource to gift to someone, and we believe in its healing powers at Wild Women Wellness. For more float tank locations, click the link here. For more information on our services offered at Wild Women Wellness, you can visit our website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453.

Don’t Suffer From SAD … Be Glad! Ways to Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder

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The winter months are approaching fast, with little we can do to control the weather. The days are getting shorter, bleaker, and darker with each passing second. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs in a seasonal pattern, usually stirs up in individuals around late fall and winter months. While we can’t control the forecast, we can control natural remedies to help us fight SAD and have us feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally healthier.

Let There Be Light!
SAD’s cause is unknown, but the most common belief is that is occurs because of the lack of sunlight people are exposed to during the shortest days of the year. We suggest trying to surround yourself with as much natural light as you possibly can. Keep your windows and blinds open, and take walks outside when possible. Light therapy has also been proven to help those who suffer from SAD and can help with our chemical imbalances during these dark winter months.

Pump Those Arms!
Exercise has been proven to help in the treatment of depression, and this is no different. Exercising boosts your serotonin and endorphin levels, and can help you sleep better at night, which is a common symptom of SAD. If you can exercise outside with natural light, you’re killing two birds with one stone. Typically, aim for 30-60 minutes of fitness, and set up a workout routine to help keep you on track!

Replenish Your Body!
One of the most beneficial things you can do for your well-being is to replenish your body with the important nutrients it needs. “L-Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin and has been found to be an effective treatment for depression,” (Gaby 1079). Taking Vitamin D supplements has been linked to improvements in individual’s depression, and can be necessary if an individual is not receiving a healthy dose of natural light. Melatonin has also been proven to help with the treatment of depression, and also helps individuals regulate their sleeping schedules.

Seasonal Affective Disorder should not be ignored. If you or someone you know is dealing with SAD, reach out to someone and ask for help. We at Wild Women Wellness believe in the power of natural healing, and have seen it work firsthand. For more information on our services, you can visit our website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453 today!

Sources:
Gaby, Alan. Nutritional Medicine. 1st ed. Fritz Perlberg Publishing, 2011. Print.

How To Eat Healthy On a Road Trip

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The end of the summer is a perfect time to take a road trip. Whether it’s a few cities or states away, road trips can create lasting memories and show you a different side of life you’ve never seen. Proper planning is essential, and your diet is no exception. It can be difficult to eat healthy when you’re traveling, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to stay on track and still enjoy your time sightseeing!

Places To Stop

If you’re making a pit stop at a gas station to fill up the tank, you can easily fill up your tummy as well! While the healthy options are few and far between, there are still a few healthy foods that you can eat. Beef jerky is a great source of protein, and trail mix or nut mixtures can be a great snack to tide you over until you find something more filling. Plain potato chips can also be an option.

If you’re looking to stop at a restaurant or pick up some groceries, the best way to pick places to go is by trusting your handy-dandy smartphone. Whole Foods is a great store that can give you healthy and tasty options, or you can search for the closest “Health Food Store” which can bring up some great options. If you’re lucky, you can catch some farmer markets and get some fresh, organic cooking ingredients! When looking for restaurants, I’ve had the best luck searching “Vegan Restaurants,” which bring up organic restaurants that have great options for food- even if you’re not a vegan.

Pack Healthy Snacks

Another way to eat healthy on road trips is to pack lots of healthy options before you hit the road. Food prep will be your best friend, whether that means getting recipes ready or prepping some fun snacks. Nut mixtures are my favorite to bring along, since there’s a variety to choose from and I usually feel pretty full after. Packing bars like Quest bars, Kind bars, and GoMacro bars is also a good idea. Bringing lots of water is a necessity, along with herbal teas to mix it up and add some oomph to your drink.

Snack Ideas

Looking for some new, healthy, and delicious snacks to bring along? We’ve got you covered! I have a plethora of healthy recipes on my website, with a section dedicated to healthy snack options (my favorites are the kale chips and the apple/almond butter combo!) There are also several recipes that can be found on ThatCleanLife.com, which specifically focuses on healthy recipes and helps you create a plan just for you and your dietary needs. One of my favorite recipes, that works especially on the road, is the Campfire Baked Apples.

Here at Wild Women Wellness, we’re all about giving you the tools to live a happier, healthier life. Eating on the road doesn’t have to be hard when you follow these tips. If you’re interested in learning more about health and wellness, you can visit my website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453.

Treating Seasonal Allergies Naturally

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Seasonal Allergies

As spring continues to move into summer, the weather change bringing the seasonal allergies we all dread. Runny nose, sore throat, red and itchy eyes – the list of symptoms can go on and on. Your first move has always been to go straight towards over-the-counter medicine to treat your symptoms, but have you ever thought of a natural approach to treating your seasonal allergies?

Understanding Allergies: What Are They?

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, an allergy is “when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it.” Some of the most common allergies are to mold, pollen, dust mites, animal hair, food, and the environment. Seasonal allergy symptoms typically include “sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, or roof of the mouth, runny or stuffy nose, and watery, red, or swollen eyes.” However, many find themselves experiencing seasonal allergies for longer periods of time and at a more intense rate.

Why Treat Allergies Naturopathically?

Instead of trying to suppress the symptoms with pharmaceutical medicine, our holistic approach of treating allergic symptoms goes deeper to the cause as to why a person’s immune system is overreacting. Using herbs, homeopathy, and nutrients, naturopathic doctors aim to find and treat the root of your problem, instead of prescribing our patient’s medicine that will only temporarily treat the symptom.

Holistic Approaches to Treating Allergies

  1. Improve your diet – identify and take out food sensitivities and food allergies. This lowers the burden on the immune system reducing the allergic threshold of the immune system, thus making you more resilient to the allergy season. Avoiding trans fats can help as well.
  2. Integrate nutrients to stabilize the immune system, such as magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B5 and B1.
  3. Support the stress system- when stress is high, the immune system is taxed and allergies can get worse. Adrenal support can help make you and your immune system more resilient.
  4. Hesperidin, a nutrient from citrus fruits, has been shown to reduce symptoms of allergies.
  5. A good quality probiotic is essential to supporting healthy immune system and allergy resilience.
  6. Try correcting hypothyroidism- balancing the thyroid has shown to improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
  7. Quercetin in high dose has been shown to be effective at stabilizing mast cells- 100mg twice daily. 

Dr. Escobedo has had great success helping her patients improve their immune health, reduce allergy symptoms and identify and eliminate food triggers. If you are suffering from allergies, or think you may have food or environmental allergies, come in and get your blood test today. If you’re interested in learning more about the services provided at Wild Women Wellness, you can visit our website or give us a call at (650)-271-9453 today!

 

Anti-Anxiety Secrets of Natural Medicine: GABA & Phenibut

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Phenibut

Suffering with anxiety can be lonely and difficult. Utilizing traditional treatments can create even more apprehension as patients are left with a host of side effects from prescription medications. Naturopathy utilizes nature to help restore balance and a sense of calm. Neurotransmitter GABA and a derivative of GABA called phenibut can have a significant effect on mood based on how high or low their levels are in the body.

GABA & Phenibut in the Body

Low levels of the neurotransmitter GABA have been associated with panic and anxiety disorders, depression, alcoholism and bipolar disorders. GABA is not directly absorbed into the brain, taking GABA is not the best way to restore levels. Phenibut combined with activated B6 can be taken orally and has been shown to provide relief within an hour. Phenibut, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, will bind to GABA B receptors and have an anxiolytic effects. Phenibut is valuable as it is able to lower stress levels without adversely affecting an individual’s performance.

Yoga: The Secret Weapon

Physical activity is a great all-natural way to help the brain produce the feel good endorphins. Even a short exercise session of 20 minutes can help create a sense of calm and improve overall mood and outlook.  While all exercise can increase GABA, yoga, in particular, can act as a powerful catalyst to increased GABA levels.

There is substantial evidence that supports the correlation between yoga practices and GABA levels in the brain. A study was performed with 8 yoga practitioners and 11 control subjects. The yoga practitioners did 60 minutes of yoga posturing and breathing while the control group read quietly for an hour. Following the experiment, MRIs showed 27% increase in GABA compared to the control group. A second study compared 19 yoga practitioners with 15 walkers. The participants did yoga or walked for an hour three times a week for 12 weeks. In the end, Yoga practitioners had improved mood and anxiety compared to those who walked, and MRI results showed increased GABA in the thalamus.

Visit Wild Woman Wellness for Guidance & Support

Dr. Tanya Escobedo of Wild Woman Wellness is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Redwood City, California. She uses special testing to safely evaluate neurotransmitter imbalance, and uses natural treatments to restore balance by addressing the root cause – without using drugs or causing adverse side effects.  Contact her today for your complimentary 15 minute phone consult.