Pursue Wellness - Kelly Lutman

02/21/2026

You might already know that stress impacts the nervous system, but how many people stop to consider what the nervous system relies on to function during times of pressure?

When the body enters fight-or-flight mode, it not only depletes energy but also draws upon its mineral reserves — subtly yet consistently. Essential minerals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium are not just nutrients; they are vital components of the electrical system that keeps your body operating.

Instead of simply providing a list of supplements to consider, it might be more beneficial to examine how stress affects your internal resources and identify areas where a bit of support could make a significant difference.

1. Do you notice yourself craving salt when overwhelmed?
It's not a lack of discipline; it's an indicator. The adrenals, which help regulate the stress response, rely on sodium to stabilize blood pressure and maintain electrolyte balance. When they are overstressed, the body often craves what it is losing.

2. How does your sleep feel after a high-stress day?
If it’s fractured, light, or restless, consider the role magnesium may play. It gets depleted quickly under stress, and its deficiency can manifest as muscle tension, irritability, and the wired-but-tired feeling that often appears around bedtime.

3. Are you sweating more but hydrating less?
When stress is chronic, you're often losing essential minerals through sweat, breath, or bathroom trips. Rehydrating without replacing those minerals is like filling a gas tank without adding oil. It may appear full, but it won't run smoothly.

4. Do you move from coffee to meals without noticing your body’s cues?
Stimulants can suppress feelings of hunger, thirst, and even fatigue, temporarily masking these bodily needs. However, your mineral system continues to function in the background, drawing from what little resources you have left.

Asking yourself, "What am I truly needing right now?" can help change how you replenish your body. Want more specific data on your mineral balances? I offer a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test and review that will show your mineral levels and what their interaction says about the function of your body systems.
Check it out at https://pursuewellnessforyou.com/only-your-hair-knows/

02/20/2026

Do you find yourself feeling itchy after a meal, or perhaps notice a runny nose while you are eating? You may think briefly about allergy, or you may not.

What if you feel a headache come on or digestive discomfort? Do you just pop a pill and keep on with your day?

I have found that many of my clients have challenges with histamine and not just in the context of allergies. Histamine can influence many other effects in your body. Here's a basic explanation ...

The Gut – Histamine Link Explained Simply. Repair Takes Time, But Listening Is The First Step.

02/18/2026

Happy Mardi Gras!

When the parades have passed through, the trees have new color! It's one of the features I enjoy most.

02/17/2026

Most people don’t think about their gut flora on a daily basis. It’s usually only when something persistent arises, like bloating that doesn’t go away, brain fog after lunch, recurring yeast infections, or stubborn, inexplicable fatigue, that the question starts to form: Could there be something deeper wrong?

Candida, a naturally occurring yeast in the body, becomes a problem only when it grows unchecked.

Here are a few reasons why candida imbalance occurs more frequently than we're taught to recognize:

1. Sugar and starch don’t just feed you, they feed yeast, too
Sugar, alcohol, and certain carbohydrates can encourage yeast overgrowth, especially when combined with other stressors.

2. Antibiotics don’t only clear the infection
They also disrupt your gut's protective balance. Without intentional repair, candida can invade the space that beneficial bacteria once occupied.

3. A “healthy” diet may still be missing gut support
Sourdough toast, almond milk lattes, and big bowls of oatmeal aren’t necessarily bad. However, if microbial diversity is compromised, a low fiber diet won't support gut resilience.

4. Chronic stress lowers digestive fire
Lingering tension, shallow breathing, and irregular meals shift the body into survival mode. Digestion slows, gut permeability changes, and opportunistic microbes like candida can quietly expand.

If something feels wrong and you can't identify a specific cause, it doesn't mean you're imagining it. The body rarely signals a problem with just one obvious symptom; instead, it communicates through patterns and subtle changes over time.

Often, what appear to be "mystery symptoms" are simply your gut's way of indicating that it needs recalibration. What are you noticing about your gut? If you'd like to talk, comment "let's talk" below.

02/13/2026

Most people don’t walk into the kitchen and think, “I’m feeling emotionally dysregulated. I’ll soothe myself with a snack.” However, this pattern often occurs in subtler ways.

It’s not that food is the problem; rather, it’s frequently the most accessible option when pressure builds up without any outlet.

The question isn’t, “Why can’t I control myself around food?”

Instead, it’s often more helpful to ask: “What parts of me feel unmet, and how is food stepping in to fill that gap?”

Here are a few areas to gently explore:

1. Does eating feel like the only reliable pause in your day?
If you’re constantly moving from one demand to another without a true pause in between, food can become a substitute for being present.

2. What happens just before the craving shows up?
Sometimes it’s not hunger that leads us to the fridge; it might be the stress of a tense meeting or the frustration of being interrupted while trying to concentrate. By observing what triggers this urge, we can uncover the true needs of our body: perhaps it's a need for emotional regulation, the setting of boundaries, or simply some rest.

3. Are you eating with yourself or against yourself?
There’s a difference between nourishment and negotiation. One builds trust with your body, while the other comes with a running commentary -- too much, too late, too fast. The tone matters more than the food.

4. Is your body trying to find safety through sensation?
Crunch, salt, warmth, sweetness -- these elements are not random. They provide texture and comfort, especially when emotions seem overwhelming or difficult to express. Soothing through the senses can be a form of intelligence. The question is whether this is the only method your mind knows how to rely on at the moment.

When food becomes a form of communication, the aim isn’t to silence it, but to learn what it has been trying to convey.

02/13/2026

There are evenings when putting on a face mask feels restorative, and then there are nights when the same act feels like just another item on an ever-growing to-do list that began the moment you woke up.

So, how do you distinguish between self-care and self-pressure when they often appear so similar?

Here are a few areas to check in more honestly:

1. How does your body feel before the practice begins?
Does the thought of doing it bring you even a tiny bit of relief, or does it make you tense up? A supportive ritual might feel inconvenient at first, but it shouldn't feel like a burden. If you feel a sense of dread or obligation, your body may be signaling that it is being asked to prioritize wellness over receiving care.

2. Who are you trying to impress, even silently?
Sometimes, the self-care practice you engage in may not truly be for you; it might just cater to the internalized voice of someone who taught you that being lovable means being constantly optimized. Ask yourself: If no one else knew I was doing this, would I still want to do it?

3. Is there room to change your mind halfway through?
True care promotes adaptability. In a yoga flow, you may find that after three minutes, what you really need is to lie on the floor. In contrast, self-pressure often follows a set script and predetermined outcome, insisting on completion to meet a certain standard.

4. Is this compensating for a larger unmet need?
The bath may be enjoyable, but is it masking a boundary you failed to establish earlier? Is it a longing for solitude that you haven't acknowledged? Some practices lose their effectiveness when used to compensate for issues we are not directly confronting.

5. Does this lead to softness or scrutiny?
Do you feel slightly more at ease afterward? Or are you scanning your body or behavior for proof that it "worked"? Caring for yourself isn’t always comfortable, but it doesn’t require you to grade yourself.

There’s no set formula for this, but there is a rhythm that you can start to recognize when you take the time to be quiet. Often, it's less about selecting the perfect practice and more about exploring the deeper question: What am I truly hoping to gain from this right now?

02/11/2026

At the risk of bursting your bubble, I have some straight truth to share concerning the pursuit of wellness.

Watch, and then share what you find makes a difference in your wellness.

02/10/2026

Fiber seems like a simple solution when you’re feeling bloated. Just add more greens, flaxseed, or perhaps psyllium. However, digestion doesn't always react as expected, especially when the system is already inflamed, sluggish, or overwhelmed. While fiber can be beneficial at times, it may also exacerbate issues for a stressed gut. The key isn’t just the nutrient itself; it’s understanding what your body is trying to communicate in response to it.

Here are a few reasons why fiber may be exacerbating your situation or not providing relief yet.
1. More movement isn’t always more helpful
If the gut lining is irritated or inflamed, adding bulk can feel uncomfortable, like rubbing sandpaper on a sunburn. Instead, consider how can you create softness and support first - cooked rather than raw.

2. The bacteria you’re feeding may not be helpful ones
Fiber serves as nourishment for gut microbes, but not all of these microbes are beneficial. An excess of gas-producing strains can lead to discomfort. In such cases, high-fiber foods may exacerbate symptoms like pressure, bloating, or pain soon after eating or hours later.

3. Are you chewing or just swallowing more “roughage”?
Raw vegetables, cold smoothies, and dense, grainy bars may seem like healthy choices, but they can often lead to digestive discomfort if the body doesn’t properly process them. Start by chewing thoroughly!

4. The nervous system and the gut are rarely on separate pages
Stress can cause the diaphragm to tighten, restrict blood flow to the stomach, and slow down digestion, all before you even start your meal. In this condition, even a small amount of fiber can feel overwhelming.

Fiber remains important, but other factors play a significant role in determining its effectiveness. If your gut feels bloated and unresponsive, it's beneficial to take a moment to pause -- not to eliminate foods, but to listen to your body. What feels off today might not be related to the food alone.

This is where a health coach like me can help.

02/07/2026

You may not even notice them anymore -- the calendar chime, the group chat notifications, or the subtle vibration that resides in your pocket and under your skin.

But your body does. It registers each ping as a signal to pay attention, to scan your surroundings, and to respond. As a result, your nervous system rarely gets a chance to settle.

When clients express feeling overstimulated but can't pinpoint the cause, I often start by gently exploring this area.

Here are some insights I've found helpful:

1. What is this notification asking of me?
Sometimes a message is simply an update. Other times, it comes with a social obligation -- a subtle pressure to acknowledge or respond. If you feel your shoulders tense before even looking at your screen, it's important to pay attention to that. Your body is processing the information before your mind does.

2. Can this wait?
Whether you're wrapping up a thought, drying your hands, or taking a breath after a meeting, what happens if you pause before checking your phone or messages? That brief moment can often reveal how urgency creeps in. Recognizing this doesn't mean you ignore others; it simply means you take a moment to ground yourself first.

3. Where do I keep my phone when I want to feel like I exist outside of it?
Not always and not perfectly, but in specific moments. For example, while folding laundry, drinking coffee alone, or sitting in the car after a long drive. Moving your phone out of reach for a little while can feel like reclaiming a rhythm that your body remembers but doesn't often get to experience.

4. What does my system mistake for “emergency”?
A Slack message was sent at 8 PM. A text that ends with "Can we talk?" A subject line written in all capital letters. Being aware of what triggers your heart rate can help your body differentiate between a genuine alarm and background noise.

Screens go dark, but the body doesn’t always follow. The nervous system can stay subtly alert— picking up on what wasn’t said, what still needs a response, what might come next. Sometimes rest begins not by unplugging, but by noticing what hasn’t yet settled.

02/05/2026

Salt is often quickly categorized as a "bad" ingredient. For years, it has been associated with poor health, fast food, and bloating.

Your Body doesn’t just tolerate sodium. It actually relies on it, especially during times of stress and when you’re trying to recover after periods of depletion.
Let’s explore this in more detail.

1. When stress goes up, salt leaves your system faster.
Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can affect how your kidneys retain sodium. The consequence of this is that you might become mildly salt-depleted without even realizing it. You may experience lingering dizziness when standing up too quickly or a deep fatigue that persists despite getting enough sleep. Your nervous system may be seeking essential minerals that are no longer available to it.

2. Hydration without salt doesn’t always work.
When you drink water, it might not feel like it’s fully hydrating you. You may still experience a sense of fogginess, puffiness, or the feeling of constantly chasing hydration that never quite satisfies you. Sodium is essential for proper fluid absorption at the cellular level. The water you consume can pass through your system without staying long enough to be beneficial.

3. Movement and heat draw it out.
When you increase your walking, add strength training, or simply start sweating more, whether from a sauna, hike, or stressful commute, your body tends to lose more salt. Consider adding a pinch of mineral salt to your water or incorporating electrolyte-rich foods into your diet to help maintain balance.

4. Processed salt and whole salt are not the same.
Most of the salt found in packaged foods is heavily processed and refined. It consists mainly of isolated sodium chloride and lacks the trace minerals that are essential for regulating blood pressure, nerve signaling, and muscle function. In contrast, sea salt, Celtic salt, and Himalayan pink salt contain a wider range of minerals, which can be more beneficial.

Salt isn’t a shortcut or a miracle. However, it is an important element that is often overlooked when your body needs support and you’re unsure of where to start.

02/04/2026

02/03/2026

You don't need a diagnosis to recognize the connection. When you feel tense, with deadlines looming and sleep becoming scarce, you might notice that your digestion becomes unsettled. Perhaps your appetite fades, or maybe it intensifies. You could even experience a queasy stomach before a meeting begins.

This isn't just in your head. It's real. Your nervous system is communicating through your digestive system, and more often than not, it makes perfect sense.

Here's what might actually be happening:

1. The body reroutes resources
When facing a perceived threat, your body redirects blood flow and energy away from digestion. This is not a malfunction. It's prioritization. Your body is getting ready to react to threat rather than absorb nutrients.

2. The vagus nerve pulls back
Digestion is managed by the parasympathetic nervous system, especially through the vagus nerve. When stress increases, vagal tone decreases. This can slow down motility, lower stomach acid production, or disrupt enzyme release, all before you take your first bite.

3. Cortisol affects your gut lining
Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can gradually damage the protective lining of your intestines. This makes it more likely for inflammation or food sensitivities to arise, even if your diet hasn’t changed.

4. Your microbiome listens
The bacteria in your gut are quite sensitive to your condition. Cortisol and adrenaline can change their environment, affecting diversity and balance. The result may manifest as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, despite no alterations in diet.

5. Sensation amplifies under tension
Stress can heighten visceral hypersensitivity, making normal digestive processes, such as gas movement or food breakdown, feel sharper or more uncomfortable than usual. The discomfort is genuine, even if tests show that there is “nothing wrong.”

If you experience gut symptoms during stressful times, it does not mean your body is failing you. Instead, it may be responding as it was intended -- seeking a rhythm rather than just a quick solution.