LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #34 - 4 ways to cope when you have a setback

Having a setback or bad day on your healing journey can bring up all kinds of emotions. It can make you feel like a failure. Like you aren’t trying hard enough. Like you are broken or unable to heal. I want you to know that you are not broken, you are not a failure, and you are doing so very well.

4 ways to cope when you have setbacks

Having a setback or bad day on your healing journey can bring up all kinds of emotions. It can make you feel like a failure. Like you aren’t trying hard enough. Like you are broken or unable to heal. I want you to know that you are not broken, you are not a failure, and you are doing so very well. I’ve been there too and I know how hard you are trying. What you are doing is enough. And this too shall pass.

Although we’d rather they not happen, setbacks are part of the process of managing your autoimmune disease. Simple as that. When we can come to expect setbacks and learn how to relate to them differently, we take a lot of pressure off of ourselves and open ourselves up for learning opportunities and powerful healing. Watch the video below or read on to learn my 4 strategies for coping with setbacks.

1. We can expect them

If you come to see setbacks as a part of the process it’s a whole lot easier to cope when they do come up. Setbacks are part of the process of managing chronic health issues and do not mean we have failed in some way.

2. Check your self-talk

Take a minute to think about the first thing you think or say to yourself when you notice your symptoms creeping back up or having a bad day. Is it that you didn’t try hard enough, that you don’t know enough, that you’ll never get better, that other people can get better but not you?

Bringing awareness to our thoughts and giving ourselves some grace and love makes it a whole lot easier to work through a flare-up. After all, we’re the most important person on our care team!

3. Give yourself what you need in that moment

Instead of pushing yourself to where you want to be, give yourself what you actually need in that moment whether that is rest, moments alone in silence, or the support of others.

4. Learn from it

Setbacks, when simply observed with kindness and viewed without judgement can provide us with huge insights as to what’s going on in our bodies. They can offer us an opportunity to slow down, quiet down, and listen to what is going on internally and can be used as a great tool for healing and personal growth if we let them.


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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #33 - Managing relationships and autoimmune disease with Whitney Shook

Today on the Live Well Podcast we’ll be exploring relationships and autoimmune disease with Whitney Shook. Whitney is a Nutritional Therapy Consultant focused on helping women feel less alone as they work on navigating autoimmune disease. She runs Rooted in Healing, a lifestyle blog for women struggling with chronic illness, as well as an online nutrition practice.

Whitney Shook

Today on the Live Well Podcast we’ll be exploring relationships and autoimmune disease with Whitney Shook. Whitney is a Nutritional Therapy Consultant focused on helping women feel less alone as they work on navigating autoimmune disease. She runs Rooted in Healing, a lifestyle blog for women struggling with chronic illness, as well as an online nutrition practice. Whitney believes it's through a shift in diet, lifestyle, and mindset that people achieve the deepest level of healing. Join us as we speak about how to navigate our relationships with others while managing chronic illness.

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:50 Introducing Whitney Shook of Rooted in Healing

  • 1:40 Whitney speaks about her personal journey with autoimmune disease

    • Alopecia, PCOS, Mental Health

  • 7:12 When we are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease it not only affects us but also those around us. Whitney speaks about how her relationships were influenced by managing autoimmune disease.

    • Relationship with self

    • Relationship with partners

  • 10:50 Whitney describes a turning point in the relationship with her husband

    • “I didn’t sign up for this”

  • 18:00 How to live your life and be social while managing symptoms or a restricted diet

    • Getting honest with yourself to be able to be honest with others

    • Empowerment

  • 22:26 Advice from Whitney about how to improve your relationships and understand each other better

  • 23:50 The positive things that have come from living with a chronic autoimmune disease

  • 26:26 Outro

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Connect with Whitney

Instagram | Facebook | Pintrest


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


ChristinaT-12.jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #32 - Change your mindset, change your life with Sarah Kolman

I’m so excited to have Sarah Kolman on the podcast to speak about the importance of mindset and the concept of “being” versus “doing.” We all know our “to-do” list that can drive our days, but today Sarah is going to introduce you to the concept of your “to-be” list. If you are someone who has made dietary changes but aren’t finding relief from symptoms, paying attention to mindset and how you react and relate to your symptoms might be the missing piece of your healing journey.

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Sarah Kolman is a Registered Nurse, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and Contemplative Psychotherapist. Sarah’s unique one-on-one health coaching practice blends her nursing and psychotherapy experience with holistic and nutrition-based health concepts. A passionate student in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, she helps her clients heal by focusing on the brain-body connection and its profound impact on wellness. With Sarah’s support and guidance, clients learn to manage stubborn symptoms that have persisted through countless traditional treatments. She is also the author of the book Full Plate: Nourishing Your Family’s Whole Health in a Busy World.

I’m so excited to have Sarah on the podcast to speak about the importance of mindset and the concept of “being” versus “doing.” We all know our “to-do” list that can drive our days, but today Sarah is going to introduce you to the concept of your “to-be” list. If you are someone who has made dietary changes but aren’t finding relief from symptoms, paying attention to mindset and how you react and relate to your symptoms might be the missing piece of your healing journey.

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 2:50 Sarah explains her background and how her work with people at the end of their lives influenced how she lives her own life and how she works with clients to life their purpose

  • 8:30 Introducing the concept of mindset and “being” versus “doing”

    • “Stress management is less about controlling what we do but having the tools to navigate anything that comes out ways”

  • 10:58 Why the current concept of stress management is problematic

  • 15:08 “Life is always happening for us not to us”

  • 16:04 Defining “ways of being” and the way we react to our world

  • 30:00 How navigating the stress response can affect your autoimmune condition

  • 33:00 Sarah’s “Planning with Purpose” practice that helps her get into a being mindset

  • 43:02: Outro

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Connect with Sarah

Instagram | Facebook | Website


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


ChristinaT-12.jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell

How To Deal With Autoimmune Flare-Ups

Having a “Flare-Up Tool Kit” ready to go anytime autoimmune symptoms come up can help to guide you through without falling into a state of overwhelm. And you’re in luck! Because today I’m sharing the 3 components of my Flare-Up Tool Kit with you.

Flare-Up

When I was first starting out on my healing journey 14 years ago after being diagnosed with Adult-Onset Still’s Disease, I thought that if I changed my diet and addressed the root cause of the issues going on in my body, I’d be “healed” and done dealing with symptoms. I had a really linear view of what healing looked like.

Now after coaching hundreds of women through their healing journeys and continuing to ride the waves of my own, I’ve learned that everyone has had an upward trajectory, but the line usually has many ups and down along the way. Although we’d rather they not happen, flare-ups are part of the process of managing your autoimmune disease.

Having a “Flare-Up Tool Kit” ready to go anytime symptoms come up can help to guide you through without falling into a state of overwhelm. And you’re in luck! Because today I’m sharing the 3 components of my Flare-Up Tool Kit with you to help you through this process.

Watch the video below or click here to read my full article featured on The Mighty to learn the 3 components of my Flare-Up Took Kit.


livewell_previews-12 (1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More