10 Things I changed after my body crashed.

Three years ago, you wouldn’t have recognized me.

My body crashed hard enough to land me in the hospital. At the time, I thought I was pushing through life like everyone else. In reality, I was running myself into the ground.

That experience forced me to relearn what taking care of myself actually means.

Today, I’m calmer, stronger, fitter, and healthier than I’ve ever been. Not because of one miracle fix — but because I changed the way I live.

Here are 10 things I do completely differently now, and why they changed everything.

1. Sleep
   Before: 5–6 hours a night and constantly exhausted.
   Now: 8+ hours consistently, even when life gets busy.
   Why: Sleep impacts everything — hormones, recovery, mood, stress tolerance, and energy. Nothing changed my health faster.I went from 5-6 hours to 8+ hours a night consistently.
   
   Most people know they need more sleep. The problem is they’ve built a lifestyle and nervous system that won’t allow it. That was me too.

   If you’re struggling with poor sleep, high stress, or waking up exhausted no matter what you try, I work with people on rebuilding sleep habits and recovery routines that actually fit real life.
   Want better sleep? Talk to me about sleep here.

2. Water

   Before: I drank coffee, ignored thirst, and went through most days mildly dehydrated.
   Now: I make hydration a non-negotiable every day.
   Why: Your body can’t regulate energy, recovery, focus, or medications properly when you’re dehydrated. I underestimated how much better I’d feel just from consistently drinking enough water. Mental fog disappeared and medication side effects have reduced.

3. Stress
   Before: I lived in a constant state of pressure and overstimulation. I thought being stressed all the time was normal and just part of being productive.
   Now: I actively protect my nervous system with better boundaries, recovery, sleep, exercise, and downtime.
   Why: Chronic stress was slowly destroying my health long before my body finally crashed. Lowering my stress levels improved my mood, energy, focus, recovery, and overall quality of life more than almost anything else I changed. Want to lowever yours?
   Talk to me about real stress relief.

4. Strength Training
   Before: I focused on cardio and "burning calories," often feeling weak and prone to injury.Now: I prioritize lifting weights three times a week to build functional strength.
   Why: Muscle is more than just aesthetics; it’s metabolic insurance. Building strength improved my posture, spiked my metabolism, and gave me a sense of physical capability I never had when I was just "trying to be thin."

5. Food

   Before: I never thought much about what went into my mouth. I ate for convenience and “tried” to make good choices, but I was mostly just guessing.

   Now: I eat single-ingredient foods. Nothing processed. No added sugar, no convenience meals, and nothing out of a freezer box.

   Why: Your body isn't a trash can; it’s a biological machine that literally builds its cells out of the fuel you provide. Processed foods are designed to override your "full" signals and keep your nervous system in a state of constant inflammation. By switching to real food, I stopped the internal "fire." The results followed naturally: I lost fat, gained muscle, and cleared the brain fog. Being able to see my abs at 50 is great, but feeling like my brain actually works again is the real win.

6. Fun

   Before: Fun was an after thought. Not a thing I planned into my life.
   Now: I plan it into my life. I do things that make me smile, bring me closer to others and better my mood.
   Why: We simply don’t have enough joy in our lives. I can’t think of anyone who complains about having too much fun.

7. Interoception (Mindfulness)

   Before: I was not in tune with my body or emotions. It was so bad that I was slowly getting sick over months and it wasn’t until pain caused me to call an ambulance that I took notice.
   Now: I pay attention and “check-in” on my emotions and physical well being.
   Why: Strong interoceptive awareness allows individuals to manage stress, emotions, and basic needs effectively. Mental Health: Dysfunction in this sense is linked to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and addiction. Development: Interoception is a learned skill that develops throughout life, helping us understand our internal needs.

8. Supplements
   Before: I never thought much about them. Occaisonally I’d go on a kick and take a multivitam, but that was it.
   Now: I’ve studied supplementation extensively and gone to a naturopathic doctor with prescription abilities.
   Why: Every persons reason is different. In my case the immunosuppressantdrugs I’m on require I take much more calcium than that average person. I also take turkey tail mushroom to ward off infections, another side effect of the drugs. I’m happy to say I’ve never had any of the nasty side effects that can come with the drugs I am on. Talk to me about supplementation.

9. Alcohol
   Before: I bought into the culture of drinking. It was present at every celebration, every outing, and every time I was "supposed" to be having fun. I thought it was a social requirement.
   Now: I haven’t touched the stuff in almost 4 years, and I never will again.
   Why: If alcohol were invented today, it would never be approved for human consumption—not with what we now know about its toxicity. Beyond the long-term risks, I realized it was systematically sabotaging my sleep, my mood, and my ability to handle stress. Choosing sobriety wasn't about "giving something up"; it was about finally getting my brain and body back.

10. Nature
    Before: I was always into hikes and exploring but it wasn’t a mental health thing so much as a temporary escape.
    Now: I understand to use nature as therapy. I run in the mountains, take time to look at trees and plants and meditate in the forest.
    Why: There are too many studies to cite that extole the benefits of time in nature. It boosts mood, immune function, lowers stress, the list goes on.