Stress, Sleep & Fatigue

Have you noticed that your body doesn't seem to respond the way it used to? Perhaps your sleep has changed, your energy feels less consistent, you're suddenly experiencing unusual skin breakouts, or maintaining your usual weight has become more difficult. I started noticing these changes myself around April last year. I was in the final few months of my naturopathy studies and my stress levels had increased significantly. Suddenly, my sleep changed, my skin changed, and I beg

Cast iron cooking can add a small iron boost to some meals. Are you dealing with low iron that keeps showing up on your blood tests, even after taking iron supplements? You are not alone. This is something I see in the clinic, and it can be frustrating. So, why can iron stay low? Is it simply a matter of not getting enough iron from your diet, or could something else be affecting how your body uses and absorbs it? Let's take a closer look. That heavy 3 pm tiredness, foggy thi

“I didn’t sleep well last night. My watch told me.” I hear versions of this often. Someone wakes up, checks their device, sees a low sleep score, and starts the day already feeling behind. They may have felt fine for a few minutes, until the number told them they should not. My usual response is simple. How do you feel? That question can sound almost strange now. We have become used to outsourcing body awareness to watches, apps and health dashboards. We can track sleep, step

When we think of trauma, we often picture a mental or emotional experience— a painful memory, grief, fear, or an overwhelming event. But trauma is also a deeply physical, embodied experience. As I recently explored in Bessel van der Kolk’s landmark book -The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk, 2014), overwhelming experiences can continue to dictate how our brain, nervous system, and physical tissues respond long after the original event has passed. When stress becomes prolong

You take vitamin D every day. You remember your capsule, follow the instructions and expect your next blood test to show an improvement. Then the result comes back: your vitamin D is still low. It can be frustrating—and in a sunny city like Perth, it can seem particularly confusing. But living somewhere with plenty of sunshine does not automatically mean you will have adequate vitamin D. Time spent indoors, clothing, sun-protection habits, darker skin pigmentation, age, body

Over the last couple of weeks in the clinic, many clients coming in are just recovering from RSV. It's springtime in Perth, but our bodies are still transitioning from the cooler months to the warmer weather, leaving the immune system vulnerable. If you’re still feeling the drag of a lingering winter bug, the sudden shift to the new season can feel overwhelming, and many of us are finding our energy levels aren't quite matching the longer, brighter days. I am noticing the shi

In the clinic, we often hear about "brain fog." It means something different to everyone—a sudden mental blank, a heavy, congested feeling in the head, or a frustrating inability to focus. While it is easy to assume a cloudy mind is purely a "brain problem," these experiences are closely tied to your sleep, stress, and your gut health. Your gut and brain talk to each other all day long through a two-way connection known as the gut-brain axis, which explains why what we eat di

Muscle tension often feels like a purely physical strain. But if you’re trapped in a cycle where treatments bring only temporary relief, leaving you exhausted and frustrated, the issue goes much deeper. During my years working as a soft tissue therapist, I saw this constantly: clients received great treatments, but the tension returned days later. The root cause may not be just mechanical—it could be biochemical and emotional. When we carry heavy mental burdens, our nervous s

I remember back in 2013 to 2015; I was really struggling with IBS. My digestion was all over the place, and I had so many gut symptoms that no medication or specific dietary protocol seemed to help. I tried PPIs and herbal remedies, took stool tests and gluten/dairy intolerance tests, and strictly followed FODMAP, gluten-free, and paleo diets. Nothing changed for me until I finished my remedial massage qualification. Things finally settled down once I was no longer driving fr

What does your plate usually look like at mealtime? As a Naturopath, this is one of the first questions I ask during client consultations. Often, once we dive into the 'why' behind meal plating, my clients realize they tend to load up on carbs and protein but fall completely short on fiber. This common pattern can quietly drain your energy, slow down your digestion, and even disrupt your sleep (Binks et al., 2020). The good news? By making a simple swap—adding more colorful v

Over the past 15 years, I’ve found myself using less and less makeup and skincare. My external routine is simple and basic. Instead, I focus heavily on what I eat and my daily habits. Quality food, solid sleep, and proper hydration are my three key pillars for overall health—and that foundation directly shows up in my skin. Healthy skin comes from more than just a good skincare routine or cosmetic treatments. It is a direct reflection of your body's internal balance. When the

I often hear people say they skip breakfast because they simply aren't hungry. In fact, people usually think it's crazy that I wake up and immediately eat a piece of sourdough with an egg, avocado, greens, and feta every single morning! I have always eaten breakfast, but over the years, I've learned to add more healthy fats and fibre to better balance my blood sugar. Eating this way helps me maintain a healthy weight, and I no longer crave sugary foods and treats. When client

Do you enjoy a glass of wine to unwind at the end of the day, but secretly wonder how much is actually safe for your liver? This is one of the most common questions I get in the clinic. The truth is, how your liver handles alcohol is deeply connected to your overall metabolic health. Your diet, lifestyle, and even your genetics all play a huge role in your liver's resilience. Surprisingly, standard routine blood tests can often completely miss the early signs that your liver

I love good food, and the thought of skipping meals just makes me miserable! Over the years through my studies, I've realized that the food choices you make every day are far more powerful than the calories you try to burn. I don’t do crazy diets or exhausting high-intensity workouts. I eat three full meals and two healthy snacks daily. I lift light weights for 30 minutes twice a week and play tennis once or twice a week. And the truth is? I am leaner now than when I used to

Many women experience fatigue, period pain, sleep interruption or weight gain and are told these symptoms are simply "part of being a woman." However, experiencing common symptoms does not mean your body is functioning optimally. As Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist, points out, women's health complaints are frequently dismissed. You should not have to fight to justify an investigation into your own fatigue or pain. Hormones operate in complex feedback loops. When physi

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons people seek naturopathic care. Many of my clients arrive describing feeling "tired but wired," "exhausted for no reason," or "like my body simply isn't keeping up anymore." If this sounds familiar, please know you are not alone—and your body isn't failing you. Fatigue is not a diagnosis; it is a signal. It is a sign that your body is redirecting energy, compensating for an imbalance, or trying to restore harmony. When we look past the

Migraines can be debilitating, but there are ways to manage them effectively. By learning about their causes and symptoms, you can take proactive steps toward relief. What Causes Migraines? Migraines are complex neurological events that involve changes in brain activity and blood flow. While the exact cause is not fully understood, several factors contribute to their onset: Genetics: Migraines often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component. Brain chemical changes: F

Sleep is not just downtime for the body; it is an active process that supports many vital functions. Here are a few reasons why sleep is essential: Brain Function: Sleep helps consolidate memories, process information, and clear toxins from the brain. Physical Repair: During sleep, the body repairs tissues, builds muscle, and strengthens the immune system. Emotional Balance: Adequate sleep regulates mood and reduces stress. Metabolism: Sleep influences hormones that control a

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep concerns affecting adults today — and it’s far more complex than simply “not sleeping well.” A 2024 review published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine highlights just how multi‑layered insomnia really is, exploring its history, causes, diagnosis, and the most effective treatment approaches. If you’ve been lying awake at night, waking frequently, or feeling unrefreshed in the morning, you’re not alone — and there are evidence‑based ways

Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports hundreds of functions in the human body. Despite its importance, many people do not get enough magnesium, leading to magnesium deficiency. This deficiency can affect your health in subtle and sometimes serious ways. Understanding magnesium deficiency, its causes, symptoms, and how to address it can help you maintain better overall health. What Is Magnesium and Why Is It Important? Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in many foods