From High Blood Pressure to Healing: How Eastern & Western Practices Saved Me

A blend of modern Western medicine, traditional Eastern practices, and cultural "mom magic" takes center stage in this episode of the Seasonal Sisters Podcast, where Janice Saunders shares how to remix your wellness recipe to support long-term physical, mental, and social health.Janice breaks down the myth that wellness requires painful, computer-like "optimization" or extreme routines like 40-day fasts and restrictive boot camps. Sharing her own 2022 health scare with high blood pressure during a period of intense workplace stress, she reveals how healing a "broken spirit" requires a holistic approach—combining doctor partnerships with alternate nostril breathing, acupuncture, and Qigong. She also introduces the science-backed strategy of "temptation bundling" to help you stay consistent with habits like strength training without relying on sheer willpower.If you’re feeling exhausted from caregiver burnout, workplace stress, or extreme diets, this episode is your invitation to join the Autumn Exhale and build a sustainable wellness routine rooted in living, loving, and being loved. Episode Timestamps;00:00 Welcome to Seasonal Sisters 00:44 Autumn Exhale Invitation 02:32 No More Optimizing 04:18 Origins of the Blend 08:26 Episode Focus and Values 10:19 Western vs Eastern Basics 11:21 Broken Spirit and Stress 13:02 Janice Blood Pressure Story 16:37 Take Action and Reflect 18:14 Holistic Wellness Checklist 19:41 Temptation Bundling Hack 22:34 Skip Extreme Wellness Trends 24:59 Remix Your Recipe Closing 27:08 Final Thanks and Next Steps What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeOptimization vs. Living: Why wellness is about "living, loving, and being loved"—not performing painful, computer-like optimization.Eastern & Western Blend: How combining evidence-based Western medicine with Eastern modalities (acupuncture, Qigong, breathwork) creates an accessible, affordable wellness recipe.Healing a Broken Spirit: How midlife stressors like caregiver burnout, workplace hostility, and grief impact physical health, and how to recover.Temptation Bundling: How to pair an activity you love (like an audiobook) with a habit you need (like strength training) using Dr. Katy Milkman's strategy.Ditching Extreme Fads: Why 40-day fasts, strict organic diets, and 30-day boot camps don't deliver sustainable long-term health outcomes.Honoring Ancestral Wisdom: The role of "mom magic" and traditional home remedies in midlife wellness. Resources & MentionsEvent & Tool: The Autumn Exhale Event (September 19th) Call to ActionIf this episode resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a sister, friend, or loved one who’s ready to prioritize her wellness.Take a moment this week to reflect on where your spirit might need healing, and try using temptation bundling to make one healthy habit easier to practice.Remember: Wellness is an action verb—and your next step starts now. Follow Janice Saunders on;Website: https://www.yourseasonalsister.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjanicesaunders/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealjanicesaunders/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seasonal_sisters_coaching Listen to the Seasonal Sisters Podcast on;Podcast Website: https://seasonal-sisters-podcast.simplecast.com/ Sign up for the Seasonal Healthy Habits Collective Email List;https://www.yourseasonalsister.com/opt-in-ca75f4f1-2d85-4bb1-8f37-5a5c48a2b697