Postpartum & Wellness: Sophia's Journey

Wellness is advertised everywhere, from gyms to veterinarians, but what does it all really mean? Many individuals associate health with wellness, but wellness is much more than that. I love this quote by J. Stanford. "Health is a state of mind. Wellness is a state of being." Miles J. Stanford was a Christian pastor who wrote many books on spiritual growth.

Indeed, wellness is much more complex than health status. According to National Wellness Institute, it includes spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, emotional factors in addition to physical state. Moreover, "Wellness is functionally optimally within your current environment."

I know my own wellness journey started later in life, in fact only several years ago. Yes, I worked out. Yes, I ate pretty "clean" most of the time. However, I believe life has a way of humbling all of us. Sometimes it humbles us through our own events or sometimes through close one, whether its a diagnosis or trauma. Several years ago, I was living life as wife, full-time Neurosurgery nurse-practitioner and mother to two toddlers. I had my first son a month before lockdown COVID took affect. New mom, new scary disease... Not a good mix. I look back now and can really appreciate the struggle in a different light. I've always been resilient, childhood trauma can do that. that "just keep going, don't quit' mentality. However, I never really faced the darkness I was dealing with for a couple years. I just swallowed all the overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and chugged along until one day I was talking to a friend about her postpartum depression. There I was 2 years post-baby and I took a postpartum depression questionnaire. Holy smokes. How could I be a healthcare provider and not realize I was facing postpartum depression? I began to replay all the internal monologues... Man, talk about darkness.

I would never say or treat someone with the way I spoke to myself. However, a little voice inside, whispered my worth. I began to focus on spiritual growth which has made me whole in so many ways.

I wish I could say I had life all figured out and I was an expert at it. BUT that would be a lie. I come to you as a wellness coach practicing the same advice I give you (not always easy). A lot of our journeys take self-exploration to create new identities and new habits. I also try to practice and encourage A LOT OF SELF- GRACE. We can be our own worst critics and find it easier to fail into something familiar than to be courageous for something new.

If you're looking for a provider to treat the whole person and need more than just herbs, supplements, or meds, you've hopefully found the right person.

Set up a free discovery call :) Call/text 480-336-2997

Sincerely,

Sophia Weis, NP