Self-care isn't selfish

"The team at Vitality has helped me feel so much better, which has encouraged me to grow and succeed in life. I am so grateful for Vitality’s influence on my life. Learning to listen to my body and take time for self-care has enabled me to be better for myself, my profession, and for my family."

-Lindsey Mawhorr

After I had my second child, Aden, I began to suffer from postpartum depression. I knew I wasn’t feeling like myself, but I never in a million years would have known there was a name for what I was experiencing. It got to the point where I was able to take care of my kids, but that was it. As a human, I just wanted to crawl under the blankets and never come up. I’m usually so upbeat and outgoing. It was very scary; I felt so alone. When Aden was 8 weeks old, my husband actually suggested that I go talk to someone.

I visited my general doctor and they suggested antidepressants. I felt like it wouldn’t be enough; I wanted to get to the root of the problem. My friend, who had been to Vitality for a medical issue, suggested that I make an appointment there, so I did. They drew my blood and found that I was deficient in a lot of my vitamins and in my testosterone. The practitioners at Vitality didn’t make me feel like there was something terribly wrong with me or that the situation was hopeless. Instead they made me feel like they could help me be myself again.

Dr. McRae really takes her time, and I appreciate that she is open to alternatives beyond medicine, like using essential oils or vitamins to help improve your mood. She’s so kind and from the beginning I felt like she truly cared. She will do whatever it takes to help you. However, Vitality never pushed any products or procedures on me, they’re very focused on what you need and what will work for you, specifically. Their goal isn’t to sell you something, it’s to help you. That was very refreshing to me. For example, one thing Dr. McRae recommended for me was making time for self-care.

For me self-care can take a lot of forms. I always get up before everyone else in the house for coffee and quiet time. I read a lot of books. I eat healthy and hydrate, something I’ve also tried to incorporate into my kid’s lives, too. I also take time to get a massage or do dermalinfusion and facials with Julie at Vitality. Julie and I have such a great bond, I really feel like she’s my friend and I trust her 100%. I’ve connected with so many women at the office; Kristin and Candiss have also been important in my wellness journey, The team at Vitality has helped me feel so much better, which has encouraged me to grow and succeed in life. I’ve been a hairstylist for fifteen years and it was my dream to open my own salon; cosmetology is my passion. When I was going through postpartum depression, I almost walked away from the profession because I had such anxiety about being able to balance everything. Now, I own my own salon in Ontario, Persona Hair Studios.

When I was growing up, I struggled a lot with being made fun of at school. I was always trying to fit in where I could. Ever since I began working in the hair industry, I’ve felt like myself. At Persona, I get to help clients embrace their uniqueness and feel beautiful; it’s so rewarding. I love how much Vitality’s philosophy connects with my own work. The idea that how you feel on the inside affects how you feel on the outside is so important! I am always recommending Vitality’s services to my clients.

I am so grateful for Vitality’s influence on my life. Learning to listen to my body and take time for self-care has enabled me to be better for myself, my profession, and for my family.