10 Reasons You Need To Try A Float Tank
10 REASONS YOU NEED TO BE FLOATING (like yesterday)
18 / SEPTEMBER / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Floating has become increasingly popular in recent years, for all kinds of reasons (many of which are listed below). If you’re not sure what floating is… healthline defines it as “a sensory deprivation tank, also called an isolation tank or flotation tank, is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). It is a dark, soundproof tank that is filled with a foot or less of salt water.”
That salt water is Epsom salts which allows you to float atop of it and contain high doses of magnesium which is part of what provides such amazing benefits.
I remember being a little nervous about getting into a pod, I’m not overly claustrophobic, but hey… still a bit strange. However, closing my eyes and shutting off from the world for an hour was incredible. I make sure I go at least once a month. My favourite local one is Infinity Float (who have also given me a discount to pass onto you for 20% OFF: ‘SHW20’.
10 REASONS YOU'LL LOVE FLOATING
- Reduced Stress + Anxiety: floating in a sensory-deprivation tank induces a state of deep relaxation, helping to alleviate stress + anxiety and promote a sense of calm for the nervous system (aka reduced cortisol)
- Pain Relief: the buoyancy of the saltwater can ease muscle and joint pain, making floating a therapeutic option for those with chronic pain conditions - loved this for my knee!
- Improved Sleep: regular floatation sessions have been linked to better sleep quality... Hello, you are floating in 550kg of magnesium, and I slept like a baby after mine
- Enhanced Mental Clarity: sensory deprivation allows the mind to quiet down, fostering mental clarity, improved focus, and heightened creativity.
- Muscle Recovery: floating is a tool for muscle recovery, as it can reduce lactic acid buildup and accelerate the healing of muscle tissue, and improves circulation
- Strengthened Immune System: the relaxation response triggered by floating may contribute to a strengthened immune system, helping the body defend against illnesses.
- Mind-Body Connection: floating provides an opportunity for introspection and a deeper connection between the mind and body, aiding in self-discovery and personal growth.
- Relaxation: floating provides a unique opportunity for mindful relaxation, allowing us to disconnect from external world which we very rarely give ourselves the opportunity to do.
- Elevated Mood: floating stimulates the release of endorphins, promoting a positive mood and potentially acting as a natural antidepressant.
- Enhanced Creativity: the sensory-deprivation environment can encourage creative thinking and problem-solving, making it a valuable tool for artists and professionals seeking innovative ideas.
I particularly noticed the creativity and left feeling super recharged and re-energised! I cannot wait to go back to @infinityfloat again!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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My Favourite Go-To Snack Recipe
MY FAVOURITE GO-TO SNACK RECIPE
11 / SEPTEMBER / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Servings: 1
INGREDIENTS
- 4 to 5 squares of dark chocolate (low sugar variety and at least 70% cocoa)
- 1 cup unsweetened, plain Greek yoghurt (Kalo is my favourite if you’re in NZ)
- ½ serve of unflavoured protein powder of choice (flavoured is fine too, but I find it too sweet)
Optional extras:
1 tbsp. nut butter or ¼ cup nuts of choice and/or ½ cup berries
METHOD
- Serve yoghurt into a bowl and mix in the protein powder
- Chop up the dark chocolate (or grating can be nice too)
- Add in the other toppings if you’d like
- Enjoy!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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What Your Food Cravings Are Really Trying To Tell You
WHAT YOUR FOOD CRAVINGS ARE REALLY TRYING TO TELL YOU
4 / SEPTEMBER / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Whether it’s chocolate, chips, peanut butter, a steak or even a piece of fruit there’s something your body is trying to communicate with you when you have cravings.
I recently went away with some friends and it was so interesting to observe the cravings they were gravitating towards. After sharing with me what a stressful time they’ve been having (work + family stress) it was obvious to me their cortisol levels would be in a chronically elevated state and they were living in fight or flight.
What they didn’t realise is how incredibly intelligent their body was at ensuring they were getting the extra top up of nutrients they needed.
You see, when we are in a state of fight or flight (aka sympathetic nervous system dominance); we are more stressed - the more stressed we are, the more of certain nutrients we need.
Not only that, but high cortisol levels will suppress the immune system, cause the body to run primarily on glucose and use up a lot of your nutrient stores much faster. Hence why the carb cravings can go through the roof during this time.
So what was my friend craving, and what does it mean?
WHAT YOUR CRAVINGS MEAN
CRAVING CHOCOLATE?
Chances are if you’re craving chocolate, there’s a magnesium deficiency. The more stressed we are the more magnesium your body uses. Chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) contains high levels of magnesium.
50g of a high quality dark chocolate often contains more magnesium than most good quality magnesium supplements. I recommend getting at least 70%+ dark chocolate with no/low sugar, but I do also recommend that a high quality magnesium supplement is taken daily.
Solution: Magnesium bisglycinate is my go to (to avoid funky bowel movement changes and to calm the nervous system) - dosage starting around 300 mg.
CRAVING SALTY FOODS?
Chips, pretzels, salted nuts… all feedback your adrenals are constantly being stimulated. What do the adrenal glands do? Produce cortisol and adrenaline - hello nervous system again (starting to get the picture?).
Salt isn’t ‘bad’ like we’ve been led to believe. Sodium is one of the most required nutrients in the body, it’s an electrolyte and we need it to keep us hydrated. We’re 70% water after all and detoxification, mood, energy… everything is negatively impacted if we aren’t in a hydrated state.
So, having the salt isn’t the issue, it is normally what the salt is covering - e.g. the fried potato or the gluten filled pretzel. Salted nuts are fine, but often it is the overconsumption of these that affects our goals.
Solution: add kelp or natural salt to your meals, or to your water (yes I know that sounds weird), which is why my go-to is to drink electrolytes. Particularly around my workout or first thing in the morning.
CRAVING FRUIT?
This can be a combination of factors; one it could be the carbs you’re craving to calm down the nervous system (yes they do this). Or it could be the nutrients inside that particular fruit.
In my friend's case, I think it was both. They were eating mandarins like there was no tomorrow! What are mandarins high in? Vitamin C. So not only was the body getting a hit of carbs to help calm down the nervous system from the sugars in the mandarins, but also the extra immune system support from the vitamin C.
Vitamin C can halve our cortisol levels which is great, because chronically elevated cortisol (as aforementioned) suppresses the immune system.
Solution: in periods of higher stress, or just as an added layer of support add in a high vitamin C piece of fruit to your day (e.g. mandarins, oranges, kiwifruit etc), or supplement with 1000 mg of vitamin C.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You can see that for my friend (as for many of my clients), the cravings were all supporting one core imbalance - nervous system dysfunction.
The body is always trying to get back to homeostasis - a place of balance - where the body feels safe and regulated. There are many other cravings that can mean different things too and I am happy to dive into those in another blog (let me know in the comments if you’d like that). But I hope this helps give you a starting point to understand that cravings aren’t there to sabotage you, they’re feedback from the body.
So next time you get a craving, ask yourself… What is my body trying to communicate with me?
With love,
Sheree xo
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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Green Goddess Soup
GREEN GODDESS SOUP RECIPE
28 / AUGUST / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 2-3 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 100g shredded chicken
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 cup veggie stock or bonebroth
- 2 medium zucchinis(chopped)
- 1 head of broccoli (chopped)
- 1 cup kale (chopped)
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp. Cumin
- ½ tsp. curry powder
- Salt + pepper to taste
METHOD
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped veggies with seasonings and sauté until soft.
- Add veggie stock and coconut milk and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer for around 20 – 30 minutes.
- Wait for it to cool slightly before adding to a blender, or alternatively use a food processor and blitz until it reaches a creamy smooth consistency.
- If need be re-heat slightly in the pot to serve, and add shredded chicken.
- Double or quadruple this recipe to make multiple servings for an easy dinner or lunch to heat throughout the week.
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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How To Get Rid Of Sugar Cravings For Good
HOW TO GET RID OF SUGAR CRAVINGS FOR GOOD
21 / AUGUST / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Tired? You’ll crave sugar.
Hungry for too long? You’ll crave sugar
Stressed out? You’ll crave sugar
There’s not many instances where our body won’t crave sugar if we aren’t giving it what it needs. But your body isn’t trying to work against you…
See, sugar is a quick source of energy, it will pick up your blood sugars, goes directly to the brain and boom… you feel less tired, less hungry and often a little less stressed (because let’s face it, sugar is yum!)
BUT… here’s the catch. It doesn’t last long, and before you know it, you’re back feeling tired, hungry and probably more stressed because you wished you hadn’t indulged in all of that chocolate.
CRAVINGS ARE TYPICALLY DRIVEN BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Blood Sugar Dysregulation: aka you’re not eating to support your insulin levels, causing a blood sugar rollercoaster, driving moods, energy, hormones and hunger to be all over the show (and feel out of control)
- Gut Dysbiosis: a fancy way of saying you either have too little good bugs, too many bad bugs or a combination of both. It is often too many bad bugs that are driving the sugar cravings because that’s what feeds them and allows them to multiply
- Fight/Flight/Freeze: a wired, tired, or frozen nervous system means you’re operating out of a sympathetic state - aka survival. When we live here, we rely on glucose (sugar) to function and therefore need more and crave more carbs to help keep ourselves going and ‘calm’ or as close to it as possible.
None of these are optimal ways to be living, and many of the clients I work with are dealing with a combination of one or more of the above.
SO HERE'S WHERE WE START…
Since all of these root causes are a form of stress on the body, we want to help by mitigating the stress and calming down the system. We also know the more stressed we are, the more magnesium we use.
So we start by adding in extra magnesium to your diet, whether this is in the form of a supplement (ideally start with 300mg of magnesium bisglycinate - this is the most bioavailable form of magnesium and won't give you the runs). Or get a high quality dark chocolate with no nasty ingredients, at least 70% cocoa or cacao and very low in sugar (no artificial sweeteners either). Take this daily and watch your sugar cravings disappear.
Also for the month of September in the Conscious Wellness Collective our challenge is ‘CURB THE CRAVINGS’ click here for more info!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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How To Avoid Poor Sleep
HOW TO AVOID POOR SLEEP
7 / AUGUST / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
When clients come to me wanting to heal their gut health, balance their hormones, shift stubborn weight, they are always focused on food, and exercise. And I don’t blame them, but unless you get your sleep right, you really aren’t going to get anywhere with the other two.
Sleep literally affects every single physiological function in your body. By that I mean get enough sleep, every single thing your body does from how strong you are to how productive and happy you can be is enhanced. Skimp on sleep or deprive your body of sleep (even just one night), will negatively affect every single function in your body.
Which is why a nighttime routine is so important. Good news is, I’ve made things super simple for you, by sharing 5 ways you can support yourself sleeping better below!
MY TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP
- Power Down - at least 2 hours before bed
Create your own nighttime routine by dimming the lights and closing down your tech buddies – smartphones, laptops, and TVs should hit that do not disturb mode at least 2 hours before bedtime, and ideally be kept out of the bedroom. Bright light is like a wakeup call to your brain + body, so it’s key to start sending the opposite message - that we are powering down more than just our devices.
The blue light from our devices only makes things worse, it tells the brain there is a party going on, so if you really can’t do the two hours make sure the lights are dim to increase your melatonin production and grab yourself some blue light blocking glasses. - Skip The Nightcap - the alcohol really doesn’t help you sleep
That glass of wine or two to unwind might seem like a simple way to shuteye, but once that buzz wears off, you’re prone to less restful sleep and more frequent awakenings.
Instead, replace the nightcap with some magnesium, a sleepy girl mocktail or even some of my favourite soul CBD sleepi gummies! (CODE: SHEREE) - Make the Bedroom for Rest + Play Only - create a sacred space
Your brain is triggered unconsciously by your environment and the things it does consistently. If your brain is constantly associating your bed with work, the kids sleeping in it, or full of device time, it isn’t going to feel rested when it enters the room.
Whilst I am not here to judge, the science really does support keeping the bedroom for sleep + sex - both of which require you to unwind and relax! So think about how to make your bedroom more of a relaxing, restful and maybe somewhat raunchy space. - Keep It Cool & Quiet - temperate control is key
Although we may think we wanna be all snuggly and warm (believe me I still struggle with this). Our body craves a specific temperature for optimal sleep, and it is more on the cool side.
Ideally our room is between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit or 15-19 degrees Celsius, to optimise your sleep environment. Also, eliminating any disruptive sounds is key, so think about incorporating a sound machine that plays soothing white, brown, or pink noises. I personally love playing binaural deep sleep beats on a sleep timer to fall asleep to. - Declutter the Mind Before Bed - avoid the wired yet tired feeling
Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., an expert in psychiatry from the Behavioral Sleep Medicine program at the University of Pennsylvania suggests if you often find your thoughts racing when you're in bed, it may be because you haven't taken the time to process your day. This can keep your cortisol levels high, reducing your melatonin production causing you to struggle to fall asleep.
To quote Grandner, "a more effective approach would be to dedicate some time in the evening to reflect on your day, create tomorrow's to-do lists, and clear your mental clutter. Then, climb into bed." I personally love journaling on gratitudes and planning out my next day.
Establishing a nighttime routine or making these changes can feel tough, but they are 100000000000% worth it when you think of the impact even one good night’s sleep can have on your health. So start small and slowly implement these in the months to come!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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30 Wellness Habits For Optimal Health And Longevity
30 WELLNESS HABITS FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH + LONGEVITY
24 / JULY / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
As I entered my 3rd decade on this planet this month, I thought it only fitting to share some of the wellness habits and hacks that I plan to continue into my years ahead (and ones I wish I had started when I was younger)...
Your body is a temple, and in order for me to fulfil my mission and serve as deeply as I know I am meant to, it is important that I treat it as one.
30 WELLNESS HABITS
- Practice gratitude daily
- Get 7-9 hours sleep
- Hit the sauna 3 - 4 x week for 20+ minutes each time
- Strength train 4 x week
- Get out into nature often, daily if possible
- Wake with the sunshine and set up your circadian rhythm for success
- Say NO if it doesn’t feel aligned, you don’t have to please everybody
- Take cold showers daily (except when you’re on your bleed)
- Practise lymphatic drainage morning and evening
- Dance more, often and as if no one is watching
- Take creatine, not just for your muscles, but for your brain health
- Walk after big meals to balance your blood sugars
- Avoid naked carbohydrates (always put some clothes on - pair carbs with fats or protein to slow the blood sugar spike)
- Only take medications when absolutely necessary, there is almost always a natural solution
- Get your 8+ hugs a day
- Practise self-awareness, manage the stories in your mind, reflect and act from a conscious state and sense of self so you’re always growing and moving forward in a postive direction
- Ask for help when you need it, there is no shame, and you know you’d do the same for others
- Listen to your body, it knows best and is always trying to communicate with you
- Be mindful in the morning even if it is just for 5 minutes, it sets up your day
- Drink your coffee 90 minutes after waking and after a high protein breakfast
- Fast for a reset, to prevent jet lag and to heal your gut - daily overnight for 12 hours is also helpful
- Get your 7.5K+ steps in for your mental and metabolic health
- Magnesium is your best friend, don’t go a day without it
- Surround yourself with people who are where you want to be, going the places you want to go and constantly challenge you in the best way
- Practise giving more than you receive, but be able to receive too
- Ditch the perfume, receipts, plastic bottles and containers
- Breath consciously, in different ways, it controls your state
- Smile, laugh, pray
- Eat your leafy greens, and when you think you’ve eaten enough, eat more
- LOVE, love hard, love big and don’t be afraid to love again
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whilst these may not be your conventional ‘wellness habits’ they are tools/lessons/tips for your mind, body and soul. I can honestly say that I am so proud of myself and grateful to live by these.
Wellness to me is a way of life. It isn’t just ticking a box, nor is it doing it to be ‘trendy’. I genuinely love living this way and I am incredibly happy for it.
Not all of these 30 may resonate with you, and some may take you many more years to learn, or you may be screeds ahead in some. But I am a huge fan of nailing the basics.
Move your body. Nourish your mind. Love from your soul. In my 30 years (which may seem very young), this is the key to fulfilment, happiness and success.
I’d love to know what you’d add to the list… share it with me in the comments below or email me at sheree@shereehannahwellness.com.
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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5 Ingredient Healthy BBQ Sauce Recipe
SIMPLE HEALTHY 5 INGREDIENT BBQ SAUCE RECIPE
17 / JULY / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup tomato puree (or passata)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1-2 tbsp natural sweetener (like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener)
METHOD
- In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato puree, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and natural sweetener.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness if needed. Add more sweetener for a sweeter sauce.
- Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool completely.
- Transfer the BBQ sauce to an airtight container or jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
This simple BBQ sauce is perfect for adding flavour to your BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos or any other dishes you enjoy.
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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The Moon And Your Menstrual Cycle
THE MOON + YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE
26 / JUNE / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Science adding some confirmation to our inner knowings... just in time for the first full moon of the year!
Many of us (myself included), notice a connection to when we bleed and where the lunar cycle is at...
Majority of the population tend to ovulate around a full moon 🌕 (nowish) and bleed 🩸 around a new moon. Vice versa can also be true, and it is for me right now.
The menstrual cycle was shown to have statistical significance in being influenced by weekly and lunar rhythms according to this study done on 35,940 women over 3 years.
The menstrual cycle is influenced by weekly and lunar rhythms. Finally, something more than anecdotal evidence. A study assessing a total of 35,940 European and North American women aged 18-40 years reports statistical significance linking the menstrual cycle with the moon. The onset of menstruation was assessed in prospectively measured menstrual cycles (311,064 cycles) over 3 full years (2019-2021). Both weekly (circaseptan) and lunar (circalunar) rhythms were observed. Results noting most women with a cycle of 27 - 29 days get their periods on a Thursday or Friday. Those with cycles this length had the highest correlation with that of the lunar cycle.
WHAT THE RESEARCH TELLS US
Conclusion excerpt:
Although relatively small in amplitude, the weekly rhythm of menstruation was statistically significant. Menstruation occurs more often on Thursdays and Fridays than on other days of the week. This is particularly true for women whose cycles last between 27 and 29 days. Circalunar rhythmically was also statistically significant. However, it is less pronounced than the weekly rhythm.
My verdict? SCIENCE IS FINALLY CATCHING UP! This is something myself and many other holistic practitioners have witnessed in our clients for years. It’s currently a full moon 🌕 and I am on my bleed 🩸and a lot of women will be ovulating (vice versa is often true for a new moon) What are your thoughts? Are you in sync?
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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The Nutrient Your Hormones Need To Thrive!
THE NUTRIENT YOUR HORMONES NEED TO THRIVE!
12 / JUNE / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
You need protein for a healthy menstrual cycle... it really is that simple, but this is one of the biggest things I see women get wrong as a holistic hormone coach
Skimping on the protein, especially at breakfast can cause hormonal havoc, driving up the cortisol levels and dysregulating your blood sugar levels. This is also why skipping breakfast altogether also isn’t helpful (I’m looking at you intermittent fasting).
Ideally, you're aiming for at least 1.5g/kg ideal body weight per day at an absolute minimum. Tbh, I actually have my clients on a fair bit more than that, but it is a good starting point.
SO WHY IS PROTEIN SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR HORMONES?
Proteins are the building blocks of life, and when it comes to your menstrual health, they act as key players in maintaining hormonal balance and overall well-being.
Adequate protein intake provides the amino acids necessary for hormone synthesis (making your hormones), helping regulate the delicate dance of estrogen and progesterone throughout your cycle.
This not only aids in a smoother menstrual experience but also contributes to mitigating common issues like irregular periods and hormonal fluctuations.
Furthermore, proteins are your allies in managing energy levels and preventing blood sugar spikes.
Stable blood sugar is a cornerstone of hormonal harmony, promoting a more predictable and comfortable menstrual cycle.
Use any of the examples below as a great foundation for making sure you get at least 30g of protein with your main meals (and yes ladies, I know 5 eggs is a lot! But one egg only has about 6g of protein)
Make protein a centrepiece of your meals, add some leafy greens and the rest tends to sort itself out!
30g of protein looks like 👇🏽
🥚 5 eggs
🍗 100g (3.5 oz) turkey
🍖 100g (3.5 oz) chicken breast
🥩 115g (4 oz) eye fillet steak
🥩 130g (4.5 oz) sirloin steak
🍣 150g (5.3 oz) salmon
🍨 285g (10 oz) greek yoghurt
*free range/organic where possible to minimise the amount of synthetic and added hormones
What is your favourite protein source? Let me know in the comments below.
P.S. Want support in mapping out your meals so you get enough protein every day, click here to chat with me about supporting your hormone health through balanced nutrition and lifestyle!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!