6 Wellness Habits for Gut & Hormone Health
Feeling a little off-balance? You’re not alone. In today’s post, our founder shares a personal reflection on the small yet powerful habits supporting her gut, hormones, and overall wellbeing; and how these mindful shifts have made a real difference in energy, mood, and focus.
Image sourced via Pinterest.
Bloating. Insomnia. Breakouts. Hair breakage. Fatigue. Brain fog. Lack of motivation. Not feeling like myself, and sometimes not even recognising myself.
These are just some of the symptoms I started noticing earlier this year, slowly at first, brewing beneath the surface, and then suddenly snowballing, hitting me like a ton of bricks (ever so rudely I must add).
Over the past year, I’ve been paying much closer attention to my body, particularly my gut and hormones: two areas that so profoundly influence how we feel, think, and show up each day. Frustrated, exhausted, and far from my best, I profusely tried every supplement under the sun; yet alas, still nothing seemed to budge.
It wasn’t until I decided enough was enough and began working with a naturopath who helped me make targeted diet and lifestyle changes, that I finally started to see some shifts. I was determined to continue my trajectory and finally start to feel optimally once more, so coupled with my own research, experimentation, and implementation of a few consistent habits, I finally discovered small but powerful routines that have made a noticeable difference in my energy, mood, and overall balance. While I still have a far and steep journey ahead (likely filled with roadblocks), in today’s blog I’m sharing a few of the habits that have ACTUALLY been working for me.
1. Steak Once a Week
It’s no new matter of fact that including high-quality red meat in our diet has a plethora of health benefits and it’s something I’ve known (yet lovingly chosen to disregard and keep a blind eye to) for quite some time. Iron, B12, and protein all help with energy production and cellular function, and play a paramount role in hormone function. However, I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a red meat, nor steak, eater (I’ve actually despised it if I am being entirely truthful). Even as a little girl, I vividly remember crying my tiny eyes out after being forced to eat it at 3-year-old kindergarten. Over the years, I’ve dabbled in various diets (paleo, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, back to vegetarian, back to pescatarian, etc. etc. the list goes on) but the moral of the story is, I’ve always had an an aversion to including it in my weekly rotation.
However, enough was enough: I was determined to feel better, so welcoming steak into my kitchen was something I accepted that I needed to be done, and it has now become a weekly inclusion in my diet (my naturopath would be proud if she’s reading this!) I’m not only just including it, but I am actually really enjoying it and feel I am noticing a real improvement; especially with my overall energy. I’ve been loving opting for a grass-fed good quality eye-fillet just once a week, and this small inclusion reminds me that nourishing our bodies doesn’t need to feel hard or restrictive: sometimes it’s just about going back to basics and making whole, intentional choices.
2. LED Mask Everyday
Bad skin has always been a minor challenge for me, but the breakouts earlier this year really pushed me to act. I was initially skeptical of at-home LED masks, but my determination to heal my skin won out. My Omnilux LED has now become a ritual I genuinely look forward to.
My research found that LED is reported to support skin health, healing, and overall cellular function. I use mine for just ten minutes each day before skincare, and the glow and speed of healing I’m seeing is genuinely remarkable. While there are, of course, other factors at play in my routine, I genuinely feel this small daily practice has made a paramount difference (and even if it’s not, it still brings a little pocket of joy to my mornings and makes me feel like I am doing something good for my skin, nonetheless).
3. Switching to Natural Hygiene & Beauty Products
This is one of those habits that, once I became aware, I simply couldn’t imagine going back from. Many conventional deodorants contain chemicals like aluminum compounds, parabens, and phthalates; while toothpastes and mouthwashes often include SLS, parabens, or even environmentally harmful microplastics. Considering that our underarms are one of the body’s key detox pathways (and that toothpaste and mouthwash go directly into the body) reducing chemical exposure quickly became a non-negotiable for me.
I’ve now transitioned to clean, chemical-free products and am loving GEM toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as Wild deodorant. I’ve also continued my clean-swap journey by incorporating natural makeup products from Ere Perez: a beauty brand that perfectly aligns with my values of clean cosmetics and conscious living.
While it’s a small change in the grand scheme of things, reducing synthetic chemicals in my daily routine has felt deeply empowering. It’s a mindful ritual that reminds me each day that wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it’s the small, intentional choices that truly make a difference.
4. Weekly Sauna
My weekly sauna session has honestly become my ultimate self-care escape ritual. Despite seeing it all over my feed for so long, it was one of those wellness habits I hadn’t yet tried for myself. Research shows that the heat supports circulation, detoxification, and relaxation; but beyond the science, it’s become a quiet moment to completely switch off from the noise of everyday life and just be.
While I’d love to build up to several sessions a week, for now I’m committed to once a week and it’s already become such a cornerstone in my routine. It’s a small ritual that grounds me, helps me reset, and feels like such a gentle act of care for both my body and mind.
5. Strength Training
Strength training and I are not unbeknown to one another and used to actually be the foundation of my exercise routine! However, over the past few years, we began to fall out of love and became more like long-distance friends. Recently, I’ve been reminded of just how incredible it can be, and have also been enlightened to some of the benefits I was seemingly unaware of, especially for women. From what I’ve found, strength training isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s vital for metabolism, muscle maintenance, and hormone regulation. Plus, it’s incredibly empowering and energising: a reminder of what my body is capable of when I show up consistently.
I’ve started working with a PT and committed to one full-body session every week and I am so excited to continue building strength. Not only is it something I am beginning to fall in love with it all over again, but I also just feel like I am doing something so amazing for my body and it’s longevity (also a refreshing change of pace from my long-distance running: slowing down, focusing on form, and celebrating progress in a completely different way).
6. No Screens 30:30 (30 minutes before bed and 30 minutes after waking)
This is one I’m actively working on and have already noticed such a huge difference. The idea is simple: 30 minutes away from screens after waking and before bed.
While I know a longer digital detox would be amazing, I’m starting with baby steps: small, sustainable changes that I feel will actually stick. I’ve been loving my screen-free mornings: sipping my collagen soy cappuccino with utter glee, journaling the things I’m grateful for, and doing a short nervous system reset meditation. In the evenings, the same rule applies and I put my phone away to switch off 30 minutes before bed: indulging in a magnesium hot chocolate and a good book.
This small ritual has made both the start and end of my days feel calmer, slower, and more intentional. No only has my sleep improved, but my stress feels like it’s reducing, and I’m noticing boosts in both my mood and overall productivity; all without it feeling restrictive or unrealistic. Sometimes, the smallest boundaries make the biggest difference.
To anyone experiencing their own turmoils, I’m sending you so much love. I hope these small habits might inspire some of your own diet and lifestyle changes, or at least remind you that healing is never linear, but always possible.
Wellness isn’t about perfection, quick fixes, or one-size-fits-all solutions: it’s about curiosity, patience, and tuning into what truly nourishes your body, mind, and spirit. These small, consistent habits have reminded me that even the smallest of choices can ripple into profound changes in how we feel and show up each day. As you explore your own journey, I hope you find practices that honour your body, support your energy, and bring a little more clarity, balance, and joy into your life. Be gentle with yourself, celebrate the progress you’re making, and remember that even on the days it feels nothing is budging, that every mindful choice is still a step toward feeling more like your best self. *
With love,Jess x* Please note, I’m not a medical practitioner. These are simply gentle intentions and habits that have personally supported me and made a significant difference in how I feel. If you’re navigating your own health challenges, I wholeheartedly encourage you to reach out to a trusted practitioner or professional who can support your individual journey.