Dr. Ashley Margeson, ND

11/21/2025

I loved this part of our podcast episode with Starr. This conversation about warning signs is such a key understanding of how we support our own mental health - and it's something we all can use.

Think of your own warning signs like a light coming on in your car telling you to check something out. Noticing the little signs early own allow us to adjust our supports and our output.

Some of my warning signs are things like not wanting to do things in the evening after work, or climbing into bed at 7.30pm, or skipping breakfast and not missing (because higher cortisol = a decrease in hunger cues initially) . Start talkes about hers as well, like taking more baths, or spending more time spoiling the dogs.

Curiously, have any of you picked up on little things that your body almost unconsciously does to tell you it needs a little more support? For a few ideas and cues, go listen to episode 146 of The Superwoman Code (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y74CvnLnhQg8oekZxcMkz?si=45ZJflXUTQWSI4h119Exgw&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A2ueNTb41dvsSivHwjXkZAe)

PS - I've heard it said (name that musical/movie reference) that there are a few more tickets available for the Mental Health Gala tomorrow night - alternatively and additionally, you can support the foundation's work through their Messages of Kindness campaign! Find more info in the link in my bio 💛 or by following https://www.mentalhealthns.ca/

Xo




'stalk

11/20/2025

Seriously.

Make something. Create something. Do something with your hands.

Because your cozy hobbies are doing more than keeping you busy - they're actually protecting you from burnout.

A 2025 systematic review found that tactile, hands-on crafts—knitting, pottery, sewing, anything with texture—improved mental well-being and lowered stress. Think: better capacity, more grounding, and a little boost in “I can handle this.”

And a 2023 review of art-based therapies showed similar patterns: reduced emotional exhaustion, calmer anxiety, and real shifts in how the brain regulates emotion.

Science says your crafts count.
Your nervous system already knew.

PMID: 37794353
PMID: 39956657

11/17/2025

Last Friday, I had the utmost pleasure of joining my friend at the conference to deliver a workshop on Burnout.

Janice and I met originally because she was in the depths of her own burnout recovery, and when she asked me to join her as she stood on a stage in front of her peers and told her own story of Burnout, of recovery and of refinding passion for work, I was honoured. To be able to stand there, in front of a packed room of HR professionals, to witness Janice share her story was just ... there are no words. Just awe, strength, and grace.

Its true what she said, though... we all have our own lived experience, but if we don't talk about it, we will never make it better.

So thank you, for having both of us there to share our story, our work, and create the start of a conversation that can truly change how we not just live, but also work.

11/14/2025

You know those moments where the conversation you have breaks open a lot of feelings?

The latest episode of our podcast is one of those.

Now listen. I grew up with Live At 5 blaring on the TV at my grandparents during supper. I had dreams of one day being picked as a weather watcher (it never came to fruition, much to the dismay of my 9-year-old self), and if I could have picked one voice to narrate the audio book of my life it would be the voice of

Newsflash, I did NOT tell her this when we were recording.

Little did I know, she was fighting her own battle deep inside, and that 5pm news slot was the easiest hour of her day. Isnt that true of how so many of us move through our days...

So, as the gets ready to share their Message of Kindness campaign, and fundraise at the Holiday Gala (Nov 22 - will I see you there? - link for tickets in my profile and stories) I hope you take a moment to listen to the most recent episode of the podcast where Starr and I chat about her story, the warning signs she looks for and the work the Foundation is doing.

-Dr Ash

11/08/2025

Thank you for inviting me to the Island to spend time with your teachers, your educators, your teams and your humans.

It was an absolute pleasure to geek out in true science teacher fashion on perimenopause, menopause and hormone changes in the classroom and how it affects our stress, our burnout and our lives. Meeting all of you afterwards was the icing on top of my cake (because carbs are good for our hormones) and all the hugs were just magical!

Thank you again for having me (and Cherie!)

Xo
-Dr Ash

11/02/2025

Stop trying to win at wellness.

It’s a rhythm, not a race.

Watch my full TEDx Talk from here:
https://youtu.be/bbZr7rDmC38?si=4x9RZ00EhzKnFjtM

10/30/2025

6 months ago I started writing the blueprint for this, 3 months ago I delivered it at Tedx Argyle St and today my Ted Talk goes live (OMG!)

I hope it gives you a moment of pause, of reflection and of awareness around how maybe, just maybe, we should be thinking about wellness. If it resonates with you, I'd love if you would share it, comment on the youtubes link or give it some love.

Dr. Ashley Margeson explores why wellness isn’t just about doing more—it’s about connection, presence, and the small actions that create lasting change. Draw...

10/20/2025

Why does everything seem harder the week before your period?

Had a little something to do with these parts of your brain and how they respond to the changes in your hormones.

You dont need to try harder, friends.. the late luteal phase requires completely different strategies, especially if you are feeling those changes intensely.

Me? I plan my meals ahead of time (eg I just write them on sticky notes so I dont have to make the decision) and leave my computer at work that week so I don't feel like I should open it up. And my secret tip? I go to the library in my earlier luteal phase and check out as many and magazines as I can find. You'll find me reading those at night because its easier on my brain 😉

Any of y'all have a good idea for me to consider? What works for you? And have you listened to Ep 143 of The Superwoman Code on your favourite podcast platform yet?

Xo

10/19/2025

- happy 43rd birthday (omg, so old)

Although the kids might be really good at pointing out your grey hairs, today is your birthday so here's to you! To the man who is thoughtful, and loving. A fearless leader and driver forward of change. A fantastic dad. A great doc. The person we want to do everything with and the person we want to do nothing with at the same time. Words cannot describe how it is to spend life with someone who fills in all the spaces in between, and fills them with light and life.

So, on your birthday, we toast to you. To more travel, more adventures and more love. To more hikes, paddles and 6am coffees in bed. To more laughter, more growth and more hugs. To more of the best things that make you you.

Happy Birthday, - we love you.

- Your ACE (Ash, Caleb, Elise) Team

10/16/2025

Decision Fatigue wearing you down?

Yup.

I think I recorded this latest episode of The Superwoman Code for me, as much as I recorded it for all of you. Dinner plans were getting on my nerves!

Tune in on your favourite podcast platform to catch the latest episode. It's got some science, a whole thing about the amygdala and 3 quick takeaways for you to digest in 10 minutes. Because we definitely don't need more on our todo list 🤣

Xo
Dr Ash

10/13/2025

The older I get, the easier it is to let go in a way that feels purposeful, not guilt-driven...

Autumn reminds me of this every year...

10/13/2025

May your Thanksgiving weekend be full of crisp hikes, apples and pumpkins, lazy mornings that stretch into cozy evenings, and those autumn colours that stop you in your tracks.

Here’s a fun little nugget from the research on resilience: it’s not the big things that make the biggest difference. It’s the little things—the everyday, ordinary moments—that actually shift our capacity to adapt and add up to a stronger sense of joy.

So today, I’m noticing the small stuff:
☕️ a warm coffee handed to me this morning
🛌 morning snuggles in bed
💐 the flowers surprised me with lighting up our living room
🥾 strong legs carrying us up Castle Rock and the view that made it worth it
🍲 a new recipe waiting to be tried
💛 great friends and even better conversations

The more I appreciate the little things, the bigger life feels. Wishing you the same this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all