thank you for writing this!! very annoyed by how easily novel names for nonexistent concepts/problems (moon face, tomato girl, hip dips) go viral and make it easy to stop thinking critically
Great article. However, with the high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence alone, it's asinine to say that most people have never had a fight-or-flight experience.
I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be the contrarian here: I call bullshit. I’ve been the vegan locavore who’s obsessed with how processed my food is and where it comes from. I’ve been very acutely attuned to my vitamin and mineral intake. None of this has saved me from the deep psychological work I’ve had to do on myself to recover from cPTSD. I know that you identify with this term, and I won’t pretend to know what your experience has been like. But for me, it’s been so incredibly liberating to know that I can’t fully heal through diet and exercise alone. Acknowledging the psychological and spiritual elements at play (especially, in terms of food and consumption) has been the basis for my healing and, ultimately, some peace. I recognize that a Substack comment is not the best medium for this discussion. But just wanted to share a differing (but true to me) perspective.
Hi Bethany! You don’t have to be sorry! I think you lost the plot a bit though - the article specifically talks about more than one factor being in play at the same time for those of us dealing with cortisol issues - while your diet alone didn’t do the trick, it certainly contributed very positively. this article is also very specifically against buying random supplements without understanding how they work. I understand the desire to want to take things personally, as a traumatized person I do that, too, but I actually don’t think we’re coming from different places. I’m really glad you’ve found what works and hope you keep on healing!
I don’t think your perspectives are at odds with each other! The point of it all seems to be that we ultimately need to take stock of the many forces in our lives that contribute to stress - eating nourishing foods, going out in nature, limiting alcohol consumption, going to therapy! The key, however, doesn’t lie in an influencer’s supplement recommendation. Glad you have experienced healing in the way your body and soul needed it! 💕
"The bodies general response for any demand to change" is the perfect definition of stress. As someone with Addison's Disease who doesn't make any cortisol, this is exact how I describe stress. As long as everything is going along in it'd hum drum, normal, boring way I am fine. Any slight deviation though increase my hydrocortisone demands. Keeping my diet to whole foods, plenty of sunshine/fresh air and exercise is key to keeping me in a relatively healthy state. I bounce back fairly quickly from stressful events and in 12+ years have been able to avoid a severe adrenal crisis. I know many with this disease who have terrible quality of life and I think diet and lifestyle play a huge role.
I love your newsletter so much.
Thank you so much, Caroline. I really appreciate that :)
thank you for writing this!! very annoyed by how easily novel names for nonexistent concepts/problems (moon face, tomato girl, hip dips) go viral and make it easy to stop thinking critically
I could not agree more!!! Thank you for reading this! Also, I am scared to google tomato girl???
god bless you.
You have the coolest name in the universe!!!
Haha sheesh thanks I did not pick it out myself :)
Great article. However, with the high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence alone, it's asinine to say that most people have never had a fight-or-flight experience.
Hey Sam, I actually totally agree with you. I did not word that accurately and will edit that now. Thank you for your comment and feedback!
I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be the contrarian here: I call bullshit. I’ve been the vegan locavore who’s obsessed with how processed my food is and where it comes from. I’ve been very acutely attuned to my vitamin and mineral intake. None of this has saved me from the deep psychological work I’ve had to do on myself to recover from cPTSD. I know that you identify with this term, and I won’t pretend to know what your experience has been like. But for me, it’s been so incredibly liberating to know that I can’t fully heal through diet and exercise alone. Acknowledging the psychological and spiritual elements at play (especially, in terms of food and consumption) has been the basis for my healing and, ultimately, some peace. I recognize that a Substack comment is not the best medium for this discussion. But just wanted to share a differing (but true to me) perspective.
Hi Bethany! You don’t have to be sorry! I think you lost the plot a bit though - the article specifically talks about more than one factor being in play at the same time for those of us dealing with cortisol issues - while your diet alone didn’t do the trick, it certainly contributed very positively. this article is also very specifically against buying random supplements without understanding how they work. I understand the desire to want to take things personally, as a traumatized person I do that, too, but I actually don’t think we’re coming from different places. I’m really glad you’ve found what works and hope you keep on healing!
I don’t think your perspectives are at odds with each other! The point of it all seems to be that we ultimately need to take stock of the many forces in our lives that contribute to stress - eating nourishing foods, going out in nature, limiting alcohol consumption, going to therapy! The key, however, doesn’t lie in an influencer’s supplement recommendation. Glad you have experienced healing in the way your body and soul needed it! 💕
Agreed, 100%!
Thank you for writing this! I really needed to read it today.
Thank you for being here! You've got this.
"The bodies general response for any demand to change" is the perfect definition of stress. As someone with Addison's Disease who doesn't make any cortisol, this is exact how I describe stress. As long as everything is going along in it'd hum drum, normal, boring way I am fine. Any slight deviation though increase my hydrocortisone demands. Keeping my diet to whole foods, plenty of sunshine/fresh air and exercise is key to keeping me in a relatively healthy state. I bounce back fairly quickly from stressful events and in 12+ years have been able to avoid a severe adrenal crisis. I know many with this disease who have terrible quality of life and I think diet and lifestyle play a huge role.
So glad I found your substack! Finally a voice of reason 🙏
Ditto and thanks!
Genuinely thank you so much for making content like this accessible to us all, it is so helpful.
Do you have a list of references for this post please?
This, this and more of this!!!! Thank you Anna. Stumbled across you on here and so bloody glad I did! 😊
‘This plate will save your life’ says it all ♥️