I feel like I do a pretty good job of promoting the belief that we have the power to change our lives and to take control of our health; it’s my mission for myself and something I feel very passionate about sharing with others. It’s because of that fact that I want to share with you all today five ways in which you can take your health in your hands.
Sometimes life (and our health) throws us curve balls but there are things we can be doing everyday or when we feel something isn’t right, to get ourselves back on that path to health.
1. Nutrition
What we eat is so important! It’s funny to me because I really surround myself with people who understand the importance of nutrition that when I’m around people who don’t quite get it, it confuses me and throws me off guard, but what we eat is a huge part!
2. Fitness
Staying active is another fairly obvious one. For me, when I discovered an active lifestyle, I also found a form of therapy and stress relief that I really needed. To this day, I live for my moments on the mat at hot yoga, running on the treadmill, or lifting weights.
3. Clean Up Your Cleaners
While I understand the importance of cleaner products, whether the ones we’re using on our bodies or the ones we use to clean our homes, this is still a new thing for me and one I’m really starting to finally do something about. As I finish one bottle of cleanser, I replace it with a cleaner, more natural version. I hate waste and can’t afford to just dump it all and start over, so this feels like my happy medium.
4. Check Your Environment
Never discount that things in our homes could be making us sick, besides just the cleansers. If you can’t figure out what is causing your health concerns, maybe it’s time to check your home, your work environment and your water. While I’m talking physically, this also rings true from a mental and emotional space.
5. Order Your Own Health Tests
Did you know you can do this? Because you can! I was recently selected to get some testing done through a partnership with Everlywell. Testing I can do at home, mind you! I got a few tests done: Metabolism Test, Inflammation and Vitamin D Test, and Heavy Metals Test. I got the results back and my numbers for the Metabolism test were normal, my Vitamin D was a bit low (easy fix), but guys, I’m not saying this because someone made me, the Heavy Metals test is changing my life and was a complete and total eye opener.
The level of Iodine in my body is low but is necessary for thyroid function and deficiency can cause hypothyroidism (as you may or may not know, I was sure earlier this year that I had hypothyroidism, and while my docs said no, I share many of the symptoms).
But what really caught me off guard, was the high levels of arsenic in my body. Sources of arsenic include water and foods contaminated with Arsenic containing soil (often rice falls into this category). Arsenic exposure is known to manifest in headaches, vomiting and/or diarrhea, stomach pain and weakness. Without going into too much TMI, those symptoms fit the bill.
Guys, this is changing my life. Seriously.
I got a call from the lab late last week when my results came in, concerned about the high levels of arsenic and recommending that I share these results with my primary care doctor, which I already intended to do upon seeing them. I also did some additional research and found that my area of Michigan is the second highest group known for arsenic contaminated water, and that normal filtered water pitchers don’t remove arsenic. A little more research showed that I should be drinking water that has gone through a reverse osmosis treatment and that I can get my water tested through the state.
So what now?
I’m moving in a few weeks, so until then I will be drinking bottled water that clearly states it has been through the reverse osmosis treatment; I will be sharing the results of this test with my medical team; and once I move in a few weeks, will likely be getting my water tested at the new place before deciding what I should do next.
This isn’t to scare you, but it is to show that we have the power to take our health in our hands, to order tests that we feel we should because we aren’t getting answers anywhere else, to know that we can do these in the comfort of our own homes.
Everlywell offers a variety of tests including: Food Sensitivity Test, Heavy Metals Test, Cholesterol & Lipids Test, Metabolism Test, Women’s Health & Fertility Test, Thyroid Test, Sleep & Stress Test, and Inflammation and Vitamin D Test.
If you would like to order your own tests, use discount code EVERLYFALL10 for 15% off your kit through November 20th.
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How have you taken your health in your hands?
Which test would you order from Everlywell?
This post is sponsored by Everlywell through my partnership with Fit Approach; as always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. Thank you for your support of this blog.

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WOW! Who knew arsenic was so prevalent in drinking water! I definitely need to check into this home testing kit! I have Hashimotto’s,….so I’d be super curious where my Iodine levels were at too!
wow, some things clearly just happen for a reason. that’s so good you got the testing done! best of luck with everything <3
masala girl recently posted…Kaddu ki Subzi – Sitafal / Indian Mashed Pumpkin
These are great tips and I did not know about being able to order your own tests. I’m definitely going to check that out! Thanks for sharing!
I think being proactive with health tests is great. Also just getting up and moving around everyday. Walking, jogging, anything!
Exactly!!
So important to keep up with our health and take care of ourselves!
Jackie recently posted…Halloween Workout Gear
Agreed!
Wow, this is really interesting! Nutrition is key and getting your blood checked on a regular basis. I had mine checked and they found out that I had a major vitamin D deficit. I have been taking a supplement for a few weeks now and am already feeling better!
Chrissy recently posted…Believe In Yourself – You Can Do This.
I’m low on Vitamin D too!
It’s like you wrote this for me. Xoxo
ALWAYS here for you!!
Wow! That is so cool! I imagine, very eye-opening too!! Thank you for sharing this. I also love how you clean your cleaners one bottle at a time. That is a great way to avoid being wasteful.
Jessica Bradshaw recently posted…Date Night: Classic Dinner and Movie
I hate feeling like I’m wasting things, because it also makes me feel like I’m wasting money, but as I finish something to replace it with a cleaner version is something I can totally do. Plus, it’s better on my budget!
That in home testing is pretty cool! I try to eat well and exercise, but it would be interesting to see the results of some of those tests. My 5 month old has hypothyroidism.
Your 5 MONTH old?! Girl, I am so sorry! If you don’t mind me asking, how do you support a 5 month old with hypothyroidism?
She was diagnosed at 6 days old which explained why she wasn’t gaining back her weight. I have to crush pills for her daily. And regular doctors visits and blood tests to make sure her levels are maintained for proper growth and development.
Whoa! That is very interesting. I have been wanting to get those tests done! I’ve been feeling sick since last year due to stress. But I’ve been wanting to check these things out. Thanks for sharing!
Stress is definitely something I’ve been dealing with myself, it’s crazy how it affects your health too!
Love this post! Fitness and nutrition are 2 that I have undertaken in the last few years and the change in how I feel is amazing! Making the conscious decision to change these things forced a better balance in my life and that’s never a bad thing!
Carrie recently posted…Meringues
Exactly!!
This is a great post! Nutrition is number one for me. Changing up my diet has done wonders for migraines, chronic pain, acne, and digestive issues galore!
I’ve been swapping out products for natural options too–doing it as you go is important if you dont want to waste money!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…5 Easy Breakfast Ideas
That’s great!! My migraines are still under my microscope…