What happens when you're getting better from chronic illness but genuinely can't see it? In this episode, I explore the early stages of grief as they apply to healing—specifically shock and denial—and reveal why tracking your symptoms is crucial for recognising your own progress.

As a Naturopath, I've seen this pattern countless times: clients come in for follow-up appointments saying "I'm still not sleeping well" or "nothing's changed," but when we review the detailed data from their first session, the improvement is dramatic. They've gone from five terrible nights a week to two, their energy has doubled, and they're no longer reaching for painkillers—but they can't see it.

This is denial in chronic illness recovery—not refusing to believe you're sick, but struggling to trust that you're actually getting better.

I walk through all seven stages of grief (shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and acceptance) and explain which ones show up most often in healing journeys. I also share the homoeopathic remedies I use for clients processing shock: Ignatia for emotional shock, Arnica for physical trauma, and Aconite for the "deer in the headlights" feeling.

Topics covered:

• The 7 stages of grief applied to chronic illness recovery (and why they're not linear)
• When shock does and doesn't show up in healing
• Homoeopathic remedies for shock: Ignatia, Arnica, and Aconite
• Why most chronic illness patients experience denial about getting better
• My 2-hour initial consultation process and why it matters
• How I quantify symptoms: pain scales, energy levels, and aggravating factors
• Real example: sleep improving from 5 bad nights to 2, but the client can't see it
• Why tracking data proves improvement when your brain can't recognise it
• Moving from denial to hope, optimism, and owning your new normal
• How TCM uses symptom patterns to diagnose imbalances

• If you're recovering from chronic illness and struggling to see your own progress, or supporting someone who can't recognise they're improving, this episode will help you understand why—and how to break through that denial.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/zMmjpmvYELg

What happens when you've been chronically ill for so long that getting better actually feels... weird? In this episode, I share a fascinating case study about a client whose chronic headaches disappeared—and how she struggled to trust her new normal.

This is the follow-up to my episode on Maslow's Hierarchy and chronic illness. Now we're exploring what happens when you climb out of survival mode: the disbelief, the waiting for the other shoe to drop, and sometimes even unconscious resistance to healing.

I walk through the seven stages of grief as they apply to chronic illness recovery, focusing especially on denial and testing. Some people are subconsciously attached to being sick because it's become part of their identity, or because their illness serves a psychological purpose they're not aware of. This isn't victim-blaming—it's about empowering you to understand the full picture of healing.

Topics covered:

• A case study of rapid headache recovery and the disbelief that followed
• The seven stages of grief applied to getting better
• Homoeopathic remedies for shock (Ignatia, Arnica, Aconite)
• Why I quantify symptoms on a scale of 1-10
• How denial shows up when clients are actually improving

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/zbsefZcHv9o

Ever feel guilty because you know what you should be doing for your health, but you just... can't? In this episode, I explain why chronic illness keeps you stuck in survival mode and why that's not your fault.

Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, I break down why you might be reaching for instant noodles instead of cooking healthy meals, even though you know better. When you're in the baseline of the pyramid—dealing with pain, fatigue, or chronic symptoms—you simply don't have the capacity to make choices the way you would when you're well.

This episode is permission to give yourself grace. If you're chronically ill or supporting someone who is, understanding this psychological framework can help release the guilt and shame that often accompanies chronic health struggles.

Topics covered:

• Why you can't just "do better" when you're chronically ill
• The homeless person analogy for survival mode
• How chronic illness affects every area of life, not just health
• Why forgiving past behaviour is essential for healing
• The gap between knowledge and capacity

YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/B-e2wtLpDbM

Living with ADHD and neurodivergence as a family?

In this episode, I share the game-changing structures I've put in place that help our neurodivergent household run more smoothly. From hiring a cleaner twice a month to creating accountability with an exercise subscription, these aren't just tips—they're survival strategies that actually work.

I talk about visual reminders using whiteboard markers on kitchen tiles, setting up a wellness trolley for supplements, and how I've structured my business booking system to protect my mental health as a solopreneur. If you're neurodivergent or parenting neurodiverse kids, you'll find practical, real-world solutions that honour how our brains actually work—not how we think they should.

Topics covered:

• Why a cleaner changed our family dynamic
• Exercise accountability for ADHD brains
• Visual reminder systems that actually work
• Protecting boundaries as a neurodivergent business owner
• Creating structures that reduce overwhelm

Link to Youtube episode: https://youtu.be/FCcJsae40YA

Link to blog article: https://vintagehealth.com.au/blog/episode-eleven-practical-structures-for-a-neurodivergent-adhd-household

How to Use Crystal Essences: Total Love, Warrior & Choosing Your Blend | Vibrational Medicine

Final episode in the crystal essences series covering:

Total Love (recognizing love, releasing romantic expectations, heart chakra work)

Warrior (hope, faith, pushing forward in difficult times).

Plus practical guide to using crystal essences: dosing, frequency, switching between blends, and the intuitive Choose Your Own Crystal system.

Learn why frequency matters more than quantity in vibrational medicine, how to switch pre-made blends every 24 hours vs personalized blends for 4-6 weeks, and how to use your intuition to choose the right essence for you.

Topics covered: self-love, heart chakra healing, hope and faith, vibrational medicine dosing, intuitive healing, crystal healing, holistic health practices, emotional wellness, natural remedies, energy medicine, alternative healing methods

Perfect for: anyone exploring vibrational medicine, those seeking emotional healing, people wanting to develop intuition, holistic health enthusiasts

The Choose Your Own Crystal (CYO) personalized system launches 2026. Learn more at vintagehealth.com.au

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/giLr-zAitZ0

Subscribe for episodes on natural health, holistic wellness, and practical naturopathic advice!---

📧 info@vintagehealth.com.au

🌐 www.vintagehealth.com.au + www.vintage-health.com

IG: @vintagehealth + @vintagehealthessences

Tiktok: @vintage.health

Spotify & other podcast platforms: Healthier With Elizabeth✨️💜🌿

Disclaimer: All content on the Healthier With Elizabeth podcast, and associated websites, social media pages and YouTube channel, is presented for educational purposes only.The information provided is not designed to be a substitute for professional health and medical advice. All information and ideas presented are not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care professionals before making health-related lifestyle changes.

Music: Adapted from Biking in the Park by Lee Rosevere, from FreeMusicArchive, licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lee-ros...]

Crystal Essences Explained: Emotional Healing & Vibrational Medicine | Healthier with Elizabeth

Discover how crystal essences work on emotional and psychological health. Naturopath Elizabeth explains six powerful essences from the Vintage Health range:

Holding Space for emotional processing

Intuition for developing your sixth sense

Powerhouse for confidence

Release for ancestral trauma

Sassy Pants for boundaries

Speak Your Truth for authentic communication.

Learn how vibrational medicine addresses the emotional patterns underlying physical health issues, why trauma healing requires more than just physical approaches, and how to use crystal essence drops in your daily routine.

Topics covered: crystal essences, vibrational medicine, emotional healing, trauma recovery, confidence building, intuition development, throat chakra healing, ancestral healing, holistic health, natural remedies, alternative medicine, energy healing

Perfect for: people interested in holistic healing, those struggling with boundaries, anyone exploring emotional root causes of physical symptoms, natural health enthusiasts

Elizabeth is a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and Crystal Essences Practitioner based in Western Australia. Learn more at vintagehealth.com.au

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HDOBx1dApuE

Subscribe for episodes on natural health, holistic wellness, and practical naturopathic advice!---📧 info@vintagehealth.com.au🌐 www.vintagehealth.com.au + www.vintage-health.comIG: @vintagehealth + @vintagehealthessencesTiktok: @vintage.healthSpotify & other podcast platforms: Healthier With Elizabeth ✨️💜🌿Disclaimer: All content on the Healthier With Elizabeth podcast, and associated websites, social media pages and YouTube channel, is presented for educational purposes only.The information provided is not designed to be a substitute for professional health and medical advice. All information and ideas presented are not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care professionals before making health-related lifestyle changes.Music: Adapted from Biking in the Park by Lee Rosevere, from FreeMusicArchive, licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lee-ros...]

For the next three episodes Elizabeth takes a dive into each of the Vintage Health Global Crystal Essences.

Crystal Essences for People Pleasers, Overwhelm & Abundance | Natural Healing Guide

Learn about the Vintage Health crystal essences range including :

Grounding & Protection spray and drops for common emotional challenges

Abundance for scarcity mindset

Appropriate Boundaries for people pleasers (with real client transformation stories)

Balance for overwhelm

Flow to relax in the face of needing to control

Gratitude for being stuck in 'glass half empty'.

Discover the difference between Balance (overwhelm) and Flow (control and resentment), how to use crystal essence sprays for energy clearing, why being 50% selfish and 50% selfless is true balance, and real examples of how these essences transform lives.

Topics covered: people pleasing, healthy boundaries, overwhelm management, work-life balance, abundance mindset, gratitude practice, energy clearing, vibrational medicine, holistic wellness, stress relief, emotional healing, natural anxiety remedies, self-care

Perfect for: people pleasers, those struggling with boundaries, anyone feeling overwhelmed or stuck in scarcity mindset, parents looking for natural solutions

Find the full crystal essences range at vintagehealth.com.auWatch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y3cujHIdgUk

Subscribe for episodes on natural health, holistic wellness, and practical naturopathic advice!---📧 info@vintagehealth.com.au🌐 www.vintagehealth.com.au + www.vintage-health.comIG: @vintagehealth + @vintagehealthessencesTiktok: @vintage.healthSpotify & other podcast platforms: Healthier With Elizabeth ✨️💜🌿Disclaimer: All content on the Healthier With Elizabeth podcast, and associated websites, social media pages and YouTube channel, is presented for educational purposes only.The information provided is not designed to be a substitute for professional health and medical advice. All information and ideas presented are not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care professionals before making health-related lifestyle changes.Music: Adapted from Biking in the Park by Lee Rosevere, from FreeMusicArchive, licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lee-ros...]

Emotional Root Causes of Physical Health Issues | Why Crystal Essences Work

Why do crystal essences work? Naturopath Elizabeth explains how emotional, spiritual, and psychological imbalances often cause physical symptoms. Discover why 8 out of 10 clients use crystal essences, how childhood survival decisions still run your adult reactions, and why fixing physical symptoms without addressing emotional terrain leads back to the same place.

Learn about the two crystal essence offerings: pre-made blends for common issues (switchable every 24 hours) and personalized Choose Your Own Crystal blends (4-6 weeks of focused work). Understand why being 50% selfish is actually healthy balance, not selfishness.

Topics covered: mind-body connection, emotional healing, root cause medicine, holistic health, trauma healing, subconscious patterns, people pleasing, adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, stress-related illness, functional medicine, integrative health

Perfect for: anyone with chronic health issues, people interested in root cause healing, those exploring mind-body medicine, holistic wellness seekers

Elizabeth has worked with crystal essences since 2017. Background in Bach Flower Remedies and Australian Bush Flower Essences. vintagehealth.com.au

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e_WSaceV1E8

Subscribe for episodes on natural health, holistic wellness, and practical naturopathic advice!---📧 info@vintagehealth.com.au🌐 www.vintagehealth.com.au + www.vintage-health.comIG: @vintagehealth + @vintagehealthessencesTiktok: @vintage.healthSpotify & other podcast platforms: Healthier With Elizabeth ✨️💜🌿Disclaimer: All content on the Healthier With Elizabeth podcast, and associated websites, social media pages and YouTube channel, is presented for educational purposes only.The information provided is not designed to be a substitute for professional health and medical advice. All information and ideas presented are not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care professionals before making health-related lifestyle changes.Music: Adapted from Biking in the Park by Lee Rosevere, from FreeMusicArchive, licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0 [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lee-ros...]