Ayesha Shaukat

12/17/2025

11/16/2025

Me time matters huge. In our busy lives, we often put everyone else first—our families, our work, our responsibilities. But here's the truth: taking time for yourself isn't selfish, it's essential.
A me-time is a cornerstone for women's health. It reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels, and helps prevent burnout. When you prioritize even 15 minutes a day for yourself—whether it's a quiet cup of tea, a walk, reading, or simply breathing—you're investing in your mental and physical wellbeing.
Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn't taking away from others; it's ensuring you have the energy, patience, and health to show up as your best self. Your wellbeing matters. Make yourself a priority, not an afterthought. You deserve🍁

#

11/09/2025

Trust your deepest passion and intuition

10/31/2025

Seed cycling is a natural practice that involves eating specific seeds during different phases of the menstrual cycle to support hormonal balance. During the follicular phase (days 1-14), flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds are consumed for their lignans and zinc, which may help promote estrogen metabolism and progesterone production. In the luteal phase (days 15-28), sesame and sunflower seeds provide selenium and vitamin E to support progesterone levels and reduce estrogen dominance.

While many women report benefits like reduced PMS symptoms and more regular cycles, scientific evidence is limited. The seeds' nutrients support overall hormone health, but more research is needed to confirm seed cycling's specific effectiveness.🍁

nessjourney

09/21/2025

The relationship between mind, body, and soul represents one of humanity's oldest philosophical inquiries, with different traditions offering varied perspectives on how these aspects of human existence interconnect.

Traditional Philosophical Views

In many Western philosophical traditions, these three are seen as distinct but interconnected aspects of human being. The mind encompasses consciousness, thought, and cognitive processes. The body refers to our physical form and biological functions. The soul often represents our spiritual essence, moral character, or that which gives life meaning and purpose.

Holistic Integration Perspectives

Modern holistic approaches suggest these aren't separate entities but different expressions of a unified whole. From this view, mental states directly influence physical health - chronic stress can manifest as physical illness, while physical practices like exercise profoundly affect mental well-being. The "soul" dimension might be understood as our deepest values, sense of purpose, or connection to something greater than ourselves.

Scientific and Embodied Approaches

Contemporary neuroscience reveals how thoroughly intertwined mind and body are - emotions have physical signatures, thoughts trigger biochemical changes, and bodily states influence mental processes. The gut-brain connection, for instance, shows how digestive health affects mood and cognition. Some researchers explore how practices traditionally associated with "soul" cultivation - like meditation, gratitude, or service to others - create measurable changes in brain structure and immune function.

Practical Integration

Many therapeutic and wellness approaches work with this interconnection - trauma therapy that includes bodywork, meditation practices that cultivate both mental clarity and physical awareness, or meaning-making practices that address existential concerns while supporting psychological health.

The holistic view suggests that optimal well-being emerges not from perfecting any single aspect, but from nurturing the dynamic relationships between all three dimensions of human experience.

06/16/2025

Certain fruits can support your body's natural detoxification processes through their high water content, fiber, antioxidants, and specific compounds that aid liver function and elimination.

Water-rich fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and oranges help flush toxins through increased hydration and urine production. Watermelon is particularly effective because it's about 92% water and contains the amino acid citrulline, which supports kidney function.

High-fiber fruits such as apples, pears, and berries promote detoxification through the digestive system. The pectin in apples binds to heavy metals and cholesterol in the intestines, while the fiber in all these fruits helps move waste through your system more efficiently.

Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits contain compounds that stimulate liver enzyme production. Starting your day with warm lemon water can kickstart your liver's detox processes and improve digestion.

Antioxidant-rich berries including blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries protect cells from oxidative stress and support liver function. Cranberries are especially beneficial for urinary tract health, helping flush bacteria and toxins from the bladder and kidneys.

Grapes contain resveratrol and other compounds that support liver detoxification pathways, while papaya and pineapple provide digestive enzymes that help break down proteins and reduce digestive burden.

The key is that these fruits work by supporting your body's existing detox systems rather than providing some magical cleansing effect. They're most beneficial when part of an overall healthy diet with plenty of water, vegetables, and whole foods, rather than as a quick-fix detox solution.🍁

#

05/14/2025

Former Birth Control Users Face Heightened Menopause Challenges: The Nutritional Solution

Women who relied on hormonal contraceptives for years often experience more severe menopausal symptoms when they discontinue use. The artificial hormone regulation from birth control pills can mask perimenopause indicators, leading to sudden and intense hot flashes, night sweats, and mood disturbances once discontinued.

Long-term birth control use may deplete essential nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and zinc—compounds critical for hormone balance during menopause. This depletion can exacerbate insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue that characterize this transition.

Research suggests former birth control users face a steeper adjustment curve as their bodies struggle to recalibrate natural hormone production after years of synthetic regulation. This hormonal withdrawal often intensifies menopausal discomfort.

Targeted nutrition offers effective relief. Hormone-balancing foods like cruciferous vegetables support liver detoxification pathways. Adaptogenic herbs including ashwagandha and maca root help regulate cortisol levels. Antioxidant-rich berries combat inflammation while calcium-dense foods protect bone density.

A customized nutritional approach addresses both the symptoms of menopause and the lingering effects of long-term contraceptive use, providing a natural pathway to hormonal harmony with or rwithout pharmaceutical intervention.🍁



#

04/23/2025

04/22/2025

Menopause

Menopause is the natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It's officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Typically occurring between ages 45-55, the average age of menopause in the United States is 51.

Menopause happens when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, eventually stopping the release of eggs. This transition often happens in three stages:

Perimenopause: The years leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and symptoms may start

Menopause: The point when 12 months have passed since the last menstrual period

Postmenopause: The years following menopause

Common symptoms include:

Hot flashes and night sweats

Sleep disturbances

Mood changes

Vaginal dryness

Changes in sexual function

Decreased bone density

Changes in cholesterol levels

Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen

Treatment options range from lifestyle modifications to hormone replacement therapy, depending on symptom severity and individual health factors. Many women find relief through a combination of approaches developed with their healthcare provider.