5 tips for managing endometriosis

As a health care practitioner and from my own experience, here are my top tips!

• Find your health care A-team; endometriosis requires a holistic approach. Find health care practitioners who are supportive and knowledgeable about the condition.

• Establish your support network. Having a chronic illness can be isolating and can lead to depression.

• Consider your diet. If your body isn’t absorbing the appropriate nutrients and expelling waste/toxins as it needs to, it's only going to make you feel worse. There isn't one diet for endometriosis, but there are a few guidelines that can help:

  • Buy food as close to its natural state and prepare your own meals as often as possible - eat lots of veggies!

  • Buy organic where / if possible and reduce the amount of toxins you consume.

  • Eat plenty of healthy fats that can be found in nuts, seeds, fish and olive oil as they are anti-inflammatory.

  • Reduce or eliminate alcohol.

  • Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.

• Reduce your stress levels. By allowing your body to rest appropriately it will switch on your parasympathetic nervous system and allow your body to do things such as; conserve energy and digest food. Find your happy place! Whether it's playing sport, painting or going for a walk in nature - just do something that gives you time to nourish your body and mind.

• Address your digestive problems. It's important to have your gut absorbing the appropriate nutrients.