Finding Balance & Thriving: My Journey to Multi-Dimensional Wellness

Liz Kaisinger, Holistic Health & Wellness Coach and Reiki Master

As a holistic health enthusiast, coach, and Reiki Master, one of my core beliefs is that we all have an innate wisdom within us that knows exactly what we need to be healthy, happy, and thriving.

However, it's not always easy to tune into that inner voice and follow its guidance. For as long as I can remember, I've held the philosophy that I have the power to positively impact my own well-being through lifestyle choices.

Ups & Downs

Recently, I was pulling a small recycling bin to the curb and threw out my lower back! To say I was surprised is an understatement. I haven’t had any serious lower back issues in a long time! Then I got to thinking, I had been in a bit of a slump for the last 3 months.

Lessons from My Body

My schedule and many of my priorities changed. My life became a bit more hectic, and I was finding it hard to stick with my established self-care practices and routines. I thought everything was fine but I was managing on my ‘bare minimum’ approach. I still felt pretty good, up until that point. Now I was questioning that belief.

For the last month or so my allergies were harder to control. I wasn’t sleeping as well. I was fighting a sinus infection. I had noticed that my clothes weren’t fitting as well. All hints from my body that I missed. Now with the low back injury, my body had my attention. It was time to get rooted in my self-care basics, so I could continue to grow and thrive on this journey!

I immediately tuned into the signs my body had been giving me. Getting back to balance at times like these has become faster and easier. It took a bit of time for my recent back injury to heal, but now 8 weeks later, I’m in a great place, and learned a lot from that experience. But how did I know what to do and how to get myself back on track?

It Took Me Decades of Trial and Error

Throughout my life, I've struggled at various times with excess weight, anxiety, mild depression, chronic back pain, and more. It's been a journey of trial and error as I've explored different nutritional plans, lifestyle changes, and wellness practices. Some things worked well, others for a while, and some didn't work for me at all. But I've always learned something along the way, even if it was realizing a certain approach wasn't right for me.

I dealt with reflux, diverticulitis, sinus issues, and severe back pain that made it difficult to stand for long periods. Nothing seemed to fully relieve my symptoms and I popped over-the-counter medications just to get through each day.

I began to see more clearly the impact of my mindset, emotional and energetic states, on my experience of physical health and well-being. As I made wellness a priority and really dove into my own individual needs, intentionally incorporating holistic healing methods, and bringing myself into balance, things changed. Yoga and exercise became a more regular practice, and I made a point to learn other practices.

A Physical, Mental, and Emotional Bottom

By 2018, in my 50s, I finally felt like I had found my groove. In addition to daily yoga and meditation, I prioritized getting enough sleep, spending time in nature, journaling my thoughts and surrounding myself with supportive people. Life was in balance both physically and mentally.

But then things changed suddenly. A big life event caused my stress levels to spike overnight. Within months, my self-care routines fell by the wayside as I adjusted to the changes. It was around this time that I developed excruciating neck and shoulder pain out of the blue, during a long drive - the start of symptoms that soon spread throughout my body.

As the pain increased, so did my weight from being less active. Old health issues like reflux and diverticulitis returned. I found myself back on multiple medications daily just to function. Blood tests and scans came back normal, so my doctor suspected fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. A referral to a specialist loomed over me as my options seemed to be dwindling.

My Journey to Holistic Wellness: the more I follow this path the easier it is to get back to it

That's when I realized that symptoms and stress were creating a vicious cycle that controlled my life, and my experience of it. I knew I had to take control again from within. I started by slowly reincorporating even 10 minutes of meditation or yoga each day - anything to reconnect with my mind-body wisdom. Reading books on chronic pain and inflammation inspired me to overhaul my diet and supplement regimen, focusing on an anti-inflammatory approach.

I prioritized movement like walking when I could tolerate it. Small changes like these led me to feel less foggy and more motivated to improve. I began exploring alternative therapies such as sound baths and began working through a chronic pain self-study program.

Yoga became a daily practice that helped with flexibility and stress relief. I experimented, cut out inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy and sugar to see if I felt better. Meditation calmed my anxiety. All through this time, I worked closely with my primary doctor, who encouraged me every step of the way.

Slowly but surely, I noticed improvements. My back pain lessened to where I could manage it. Other conditions seemed to flare up less often. That setback was a big one. It took several years of struggle and the road back was a long one. Once I started, and things were improving, it set me on a path of healing and self-discovery that I don’t know that I would change.

Finding My Calling

It's been almost four years since I started on the path to dig myself out of that hole. Now, I'm happy to report that I'm about 90% pain-free most days. I've been able to discontinue all medications thanks to lifestyle adjustments. My energy levels have increased enough to resume hobbies I loved pre-illness, and my inflammation is greatly reduced. And, as with my recent back injury, I’m able to recognize when I’m out of balance, and more quickly get back to myself!

This journey led me to a desire to help others. I’ve been in a helping profession, working with high school students as a counselor and mentor for the last 20 years. I could clearly see how my journey and experience could help me to help others dealing with their own health and wellness challenges, and looking for a way to regain control. This led me to the Institute for Integrated Nutrition’s Holistic Health and Wellness Coaches training program.

The IIN program is a year-long intensive training in holistic health and wellness. That program opened a whole world and introduced me to others related to my passions. I dove deeper into Reiki and became attuned to the Master Teacher level, moving from practicing Reiki on myself, and my family to building a practice. I earned a teaching certificate in mindfulness so I can help others live more mindfully. I’m pursuing my 200-hour yoga teacher training, and various other approaches and techniques that will be helpful for myself and in my coaching practice. I’ll be writing about many of those techniques and practices here.

Always Believing in Myself

While I don't have all the answers, listening to my body's needs through trial and error has brought me so much relief. When challenges come up, I know I have the power to root myself back in self-care, reflect on what's working, and make adjustments to keep growing into a healthier, happier version of myself. Tuning into that innate wisdom is what allows me to constantly thrive.

The journey isn't always linear, but staying connected to inner guidance and making wellness a priority, even in small daily ways, can lead us back to a place of balance. I'm living proof that listening to our wisdom from within has the power to overcome. You don’t need to immerse yourself in study and practice. Just take some time to study yourself and your individual needs, and make small changes along the way.

You Can Do It, Too!

Make yourself, your health, growth, and fulfillment a priority. Follow me here for tips and ideas, check back regularly, and contact me if I can help you on this journey!