This month we caught up with Transformational Nutrtion Coach Annie Svensen to talk about women and taking control of our physical health. It was a powerful conversation where we got real about the struggle to care for ourselves while caring so much for others.
Annie Svensen
Tell us a little bit about you and your background.
My name is Annie Svensen, Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach. My passion for helping others with their health and wellness started when I was a teenager and decided I wanted to be a physical therapist. I ended up becoming a massage therapist instead and that put me squarely on a path that's evolved over time. Currently, I help women in chronic pain move past sucking it up! I help them find the right tools to mitigate and manage pain rather than let it manage them.
What inspired you to work with women who are experiencing chronic pain?
As a former chronic pain sufferer myself, I know exhausting and all consuming chronic pain can be. When I was walking my own journey with pain, I didn't have someone to come alongside me to help me navigate the path - no one to help me find the tools I needed to implement and then hold me accountable. I had to figure it all out on my own. I don't want others to have to fight SO hard to overcome chronic pain - I want to help them find their way and feel supported and seen while doing so.
What three tips would you give a woman starting out on her journey to manage chronic pain?
For immediate relief, I would encourage you to engage in an activity that doesn't flare up your pain, but that you find really soothing and comforting. Take a warm bath, knit if you're a knitter, go for a low-impact walk, go sit in a park in the sun, snuggle a loved one - something that nourishes you. From there I would recommend working on lowering your systemic inflammation. There are easy things you can implement that can make a significant impact in as little as two weeks. Things like adding in anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric (as long as it's in combination with black pepper), high quality omega-3 fatty acids, ginger, etc. You can also work to cut inflammatory things like sugar, dairy, alcohol, etc. to reduce inflammation.
Any tips on self-care for women?
With regards to self-care and making sure you stick with it, I would recommend that you: a) create a list of things you would like to do (anything from meeting a friend for tea, starting to journal, getting out in nature, taking a bath, taking a nap, etc.); b) schedule time on your calendar for your self-care just like you would schedule any other important appointment because this appointment with yourself IS important; c) be protective of your time and the commitment you've made to yourself. Self-care is a HUGE piece of the puzzle when it comes to managing and overcoming pain. You have to commit to it and then hold that boundary.
Tell us about any upcoming projects, and let us know where we can find you.
With regards to an upcoming project, I am now the Lead Treatment Coordinator for Pacific Health Options. I'll be helping clients learn how to use a microcurrent device to help them achieve pain management and healing. You can learn more about my work with women on AnnieSvensen.com. On Instagram, you can find me at @annie_svensen.
Photo by Jared Rice