8 minute read
MOTHERS ARE A POWERFUL GIFT TO HUMANITY
I KNOW, AMAZING ENTREPRENEUR, CAPABLE AND INTELLIGENT BUSINESSWOMAN, THAT MOTHERHOOD DOES NOT DEFINE YOU, IT IS A PART OF YOUR UNIQUE AND LAYERED MAKE UP. LET’S TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK AT THIS VERY POWERFUL PART OF YOU.
Our mothering collectively determines what the world becomes. Together we are raising the future, shaping the world view, values and attitudes of the next generation.
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Imagine a generation prepared to risk it all; to stand up for what’s right and be the cause agents of the change they know is possible. A generation that stand up speak out, and demand change and expect more. I believe in the power of every mother to raise these revolutionary world changers.
I believe we do it not by complicated extracurricular schedules or by adding any ‘thing’ to our plate. I believe you will raise revolutionary world changers by living an authentic life in full alignment with your values. You know the world is broken. You know racism, discrimination, poverty, domestic violence - an endless list of injustices that exist in your community. Your soul calls you to action, your head searches to answer that call. Should I share a post, join a protest, volunteer? This is weighty. You might feel a responsibility to effect long-reaching change. In watching you search out answers, your children are gleaning. They don’t need to see you get it right straight away, your tenacity and dedication to finding solutions are where the power lies for your kids, in watching your journey.
They see you living your life authentically, aligned to your beliefs and walking out your values, even through challenging terrain. They see the truth of what you are working
and fighting for; they will inherit your conviction, the values you’re working to uphold are shaping who they become. The injustice you’re striving to correct will become intolerable to them too. The better world you are fighting for and slowly carving out in your areas of influence will be the better world they expect to walk in.
Then you will find you are raising children who don’t just value inclusiveness; they fight for it. Children who don’t just value equality but call out and challenge prejudice; who don’t just “stick up for the little guy”, rather they demand more from the big players.
Imagine a generation prepared to risk it all to stand up for what’s right and be the cause agents of the change they know is possible because they saw it. They saw the most influential woman in their lives live this, take risks for this, fight and work for this. When they stand up, they are standing on your shoulders; you show them today what was possible for their tomorrow.
I often wonder what will define our children’s generation. What values will our children glean from the way we operate our businesses, the way we treat others, the way we show up in the world? Global events and the influences of the world are shaping us and our children. What if we consciously harnessed the power of our motherhood? What if we were the generation of mums who purposefully raised children to believe they can and should do what is right, no matter the cost? What if we could be the mothers who raise a generation to use their freedom to right injustices? To bring freedom to those who are captive? And to stand up to oppressors?. The mothers who raised a generation that forever changes the world.
What a gift to humanity those mothers would be; Imagine the world we might create?.
Kathryn Ottaway
Kathryn Ottaway believes parenting should be enjoyed, not endured, and loves working with clients to see this become their reality. InJoy Parenting helps driven mums to reclaim the joy of parenting, enjoy their children and parent without guilt or shame.
Stress
The Impact On Libido And Relationships
STRESS IS AN UNAVOIDABLE PART OF OUR LIFE, WE FACE VARIOUS PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES EVERY DAY, AND THAT’S OK. IN SMALL DOSES, STRESS IS HEALTHY FOR US, AND CAN HELP US FACE DAILY CHALLENGES AND ACCOMPLISH TASKS MORE EFFICIENTLY. IT CAN EVEN BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM.
However, worrying too much and being overwhelmed by stress can impact not only your mood but your sex life, lead to low libido and wreak havoc on your relationship.
Chronic Stress and Low Libido
When you face a stressor, the body reacts to it and goes through several changes preparing you to run away or face and fight the problem. This can lead you to experience high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and breathing rate which can lead to feelings like anxiety.
Such a process is more known as the fight or flight response. But what’s important about such a stress response is that it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, which in high levels can affect your sex hormones leading to low libido.
This happens because the building blocks used for cortisol productions are the same as for sex hormone productions. Therefore, if the stress is ongoing for an extended period of time, it can reduce testosterone production, which can lead to decreased sex drive in both men and women.
Note: Both men and women can experience low libido or reduced sexual desire caused by long-lasting stress symptoms, mental health issues, a hormone deficiency, or mental health concerns.
The research has found that when women are exposed to constant daily stressors, they are likely to have decreased sex drive and lower levels of sexual satisfaction.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and having trouble sleeping there is a good chance you will have a low low libido, and this can affect the quality of your relationships.
To know if this is the underlying cause I think you should “test and not guess” when it comes to hormones. You can do a comprehensive blood test for the sex hormones but the best way to assess adrenal function and the sex hormones is with the DUTCH hormone test.
The DUTCH test is a special urine test to assess hormone health and that can be done at home, so no need to visit a lab which is important at the moment with social distancing and keeping pathology labs free for essential services.
Lifestyle Changes to Regain Sexual Desire
PRACTICE STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress management is vital for everyone. Effective relaxation techniques help support your emotional and mental health and prevent hormonal disturbances and problems with sex drive.
You can improve the way you respond to stress by trying some stress management techniques such as:
Yoga and meditation Guided imagery Progressive muscle relaxation Breathing exercises Spending time in nature
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps change your behavior and the way you think about certain things, which makes it an effective tool for stress management and overcoming some obstacles in your life.
When you are going through the hard times in relationships and experience sexual problems, you’re likely to start overthinking and stressing yourself out about every trifle. By focusing on some negativity and complaining, you just prevent yourself from taking important steps to recharge your sexual energy, improve your wellbeing and relationship with your partner.
CBT may help you switch your beliefs, increase self-acceptance, and present moment awareness, and keep you motivated on the way to the positive lifestyle changes that will help your relationship thrive.
PRACTICE SELF-CARE
Make sure to take some time for a little self-care. Get rid of bad habits like smoking and drinking, follow a nutritious diet, and try to establish healthy sleep habits. By taking care of yourself you’ll build confidence and will show that you’re worthy of affection.
TALK TO YOUR PARTNER
Try to examine whether your relationship is healthy. The low libido can be caused not by the stress at work but by regular conflicts within your relationship. Also, your decreased sex desire may lead to a lack of sex interest from both sides. That is why it is vital to talk to your partner and work through relationship problems including low libido together.
Finally, if you’re going through the treatment, trying hard to improve your lifestyle but the conflicts with your partner still occur, then you might need some help from a therapist or relationship counselor.
3 Key Takeaways on Dealing with Low Libido and Stress
1. Consult a doctor or naturopath who is experienced in doing comprehensive sex and adrenal hormone testing.
2. Make healthy lifestyle changes to enhance your wellbeing and improve the health of your relationship.
3. Work through issues like low libido together with your partner.
Michael Smith
Michael Smith is a Naturopath with 18 years of experience. Michael uses functional medicine testing to identify the root cause of health issues and help to take out the guesswork when it comes to your treatment plan. This includes dietary, lifestyle and mindset changes to help you be the best version of yourself.
Michael has a special interest in hormone and digestive issues, along with chronic health problems like autoimmune conditions.
