A naturopath and women’s health expert has revealed the five pillars for supporting your health and staying youthful and glowing for longer, and why good health is all about going ‘back to basics’.

Meah Robertson, 38, from the wellness business Fem21, said looking after yourself is about more than just your physical health, but taking into account your mental and spiritual approach too.

In conversation with Imbibe, Meah detailed the five pillars for looking after yourself, and revealed why you need to consider something she calls the ‘GOAT axis’ for optimum health.

 

A naturopath and women's health expert has revealed the five pillars for supporting your health and staying youthful and glowing for longer (Meah Robertson pictured)

A naturopath and women’s health expert has revealed the five pillars for supporting your health and staying youthful and glowing for longer (Meah Robertson pictured)

1. SLEEP WELL

The first pillar Meah said you absolutely must think about for glowing skin and good health is your sleep. 

‘Make sure you’re sleeping well, which means you’re having at least seven or eight hours each night,’ she told Imbibe’s skin expert Amanda.

‘If you’ve got the opportunity to track your sleep with a fit watch, do that so you can monitor how well you’re really sleeping.’

Meah explained that quite often, we all think we’re getting a decent amount of sleep, but actually when you look into it, you can see how much of your shut-eye is broken, fragmented and disjointed.

‘Whether you need to improve your pillow, adjust the warmth in your room or fix the lighting, make sure you pay attention to your bedroom,’ Meah said.

If you still struggle with sleeping, it can be good to develop a decent bed-time routine.

This might include burning some essential oils, switching off from all tech and taking a hot shower before you slip between the sheets.

2. EXERCISE FIRST THING

Once you’ve had good quality sleep, the second thing you should try and do religiously is get active in the mornings.

‘When it gets light, get up, go outside if possible and do some exercise,’ Meah said.   

Whether it’s just some squats in your living room or a walk in the morning sunshine, Meah explained that exercising in the morning is great for your health because it signals to your cortisol levels that it’s now ‘time to pick up and be active’. 

‘Exercising first thing will also set you up for a much better energy flow throughout the day,’ she said.

It doesn’t have to be an hour. Even 20 minutes is enough to get the endorphins flowing. 

For many of her clients who struggle with tiredness and adrenal fatigue, Meah said one of the best things you can do is limit caffeine and perhaps replace it with something else (pictured)

For many of her clients who struggle with tiredness and adrenal fatigue, Meah said one of the best things you can do is limit caffeine and perhaps replace it with something else (pictured)

For many of her clients who struggle with tiredness and adrenal fatigue, Meah said one of the best things you can do is limit caffeine and perhaps replace it with something else (pictured)

What is the GOAT axis? 

* Meah subscribes to something she calls the GOAT axis.

* This is the interplay between the gut (G), the ovaries (O), the adrenals (A) and the thyroid (T).

*  Meah said that when all of these things are healthy and in balance, you will feel so much better.

* Your gut should be working well, your liver should metabolising and your thyroid should be working to help. 

3. LIMIT CAFFEINE

For many of her clients who struggle with general tiredness and adrenal fatigue, Meah said one of the best things you can do is limit caffeine.

‘Coffee may make you feel like you’re surviving, but it gives with one hand a temporary level of feeling good and it takes from the other hand, from your adrenals, where it could leave you feeling overstimulated,’ she said.

If you’re someone who has one or two coffees a day but who feels they could go without it, Meah said you are probably okay and defined as someone who ‘has a good relationship with coffee’.

‘But if you’re someone who is reliant on coffee to function, reducing your coffee or your caffeine substances is great for your health,’ she said.

You should aim to have no more than 100 milligrams per day, which roughly equates to one shot of espresso or two instant coffees.

'If you're in adrenal fatigue, you'll want to make sure you're having plenty of B vitamins, as well as plenty of zinc, magnesium and vitamin C,' Meah (pictured) said

'If you're in adrenal fatigue, you'll want to make sure you're having plenty of B vitamins, as well as plenty of zinc, magnesium and vitamin C,' Meah (pictured) said

‘If you’re in adrenal fatigue, you’ll want to make sure you’re having plenty of B vitamins, as well as plenty of zinc, magnesium and vitamin C,’ Meah (pictured) said

4. SUPPLEMENT PROPERLY 

The fourth thing you should think about is your supplementation.

But rather than just taking whatever you think is good for you, Meah said you need to make sure you’re taking the right supplements for your body.

‘If you’re in adrenal fatigue, you’ll want to make sure you’re having plenty of B vitamins, as well as plenty of zinc, magnesium and vitamin C – all of which are really helpful for your adrenal system,’ she said.

Take your vitamin C in the morning, and then your zinc and magnesium at night for the best results. 

Zinc is also good for decreasing inflammation, meaning it’s great for your skin especially if it’s stressed out, or you have acne and rosacea.

‘Getting your supplement regime sorted is hugely helpful for all of your health,’ Meah added.

5. BE MINDFUL OF STRESS

Finally, you need to take a look at your stress levels and have a think about what’s going on in your life to get on top of your health.

‘Take a look at your body closely, as often we are running on that stressy, nervous energy rather than proper energy, and this just leads to burnout over time,’ Meah said.

Once you’ve had a look at your body, Meah said you might need to make some changes to what you do and how you approach things.

‘If you’ve lost your spark or passion for life where you’re at, you might need to make some changes – whether that’s in your career or your relationship,’ she said.

‘This might be your body giving you the sign you need to make a change, so make sure you pay attention to it.’   

For more information about Meah Robertson, you can visit her Instagram page here. 



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