Self-Care & Mental Wellness: Lindsey Mansueto Of Flemington Chiropractic Center On The Top Five Selfcare Practices That Improve Mental Wellness

An Interview With Maria Angelova

Meditation: connecting with your breath, taking time for yourself to feel grounded and secure, opening up our bellies to strengthen vagal tone will allow us to respond to life in a more mindful manner.

Let’s face it. It seems that everyone is under a great deal of stress these days. This takes a toll on our mental wellness. What are some of the best self-care practices that we can use to help improve our mental wellness and mental well-being? In this interview series, we are talking to medical doctors, mental health professionals, health and wellness professionals, and experts about self-care or mental health who can share insights from their experience about How Each Of Us Can Use Self Care To Improve Our Mental Wellness. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lindsey Mansueto, D.C.

Dr. Lindsey runs a large clinic and lifestyle center in New Jersey. Her passion is to empower her patients to fearlessly focus on the life they want to create and teach them how to systematically journal, focus on their intentions and not internalize the stress of modern-day living. Anything Dr. Lindsey does, it is with one goal in mind; not only to alleviate pain in her patients but to inspire her patients to become active participants in their own well-being.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. It is a great honor. Our readers would love to learn more about you and your personal background. Can you please share your personal story? What has brought you to this point in your life?

I always wanted to help my community to heal. Each person has a story that will break your heart. There is so much suffering happening, and I want to be a beacon of hope and empower people to create the life they want with intention. I suffered as a young adult with anxiety in regard to academic performance and I really needed someone to tell me to breathe, relax and the universe will unfold for my highest good (which it has) I now try to be that for other people.

What is your “WHY” behind what you do? What fuels you?

Each day I wake up with an open heart to serve my community through hands on, holistic healthcare. I feel patients need to have a healthcare team that puts them in the center and creates evidence-based treatment plans to ensure they heal but also to learn how to take care of themselves when they conclude their treatment plan. I often see parents, running ragged to meet the needs of the family, constantly putting themselves last — this leads to burnout, resentment and in the end- disease. My job is reminding patients of their sovereignty as a matriarch/patriarch of the family and speak to the fact that when their children grow up that they will repeat those learned behaviors. Focusing on self-care will not only alleviate stress within them- but also models how setting boundaries and spending time focused on filling up their own cup with activities that they enjoy is a beautiful way to model self-care to the younger generations.

Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake or failure which you now appreciate has taught you a valuable lesson?

I used to think I was broken when it came to meditation and that I could never do it. I would try to quiet my mind and focus on my breath and a million thoughts would enter my mind. This triggered my perfectionist wound to abandon my practice all together and feel like a failure. This happened for seven years. I would say self-limiting beliefs like,“meditation just isn’t for me.”

I needed to get comfortable with being uncomfortable with those million thoughts. I learned to harness the power of my breath to breathe through my anxious tendencies. I learned to be an observer of my thoughts- without judgement. Remember, we are NOT our thoughts. We are the gatekeeper of our thoughts- if we like the thought we can assimilate it into our person. If the thought is not serving us- we sweep it away and replace it with something that aligns with our goals. I finally broke through the meditation hump and use meditation daily as a form of self-care that no one can take away from me throughout the day. I also teach others- kids and adults to stay present with their breath.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Service to the community: When your intention is to be of service to your community it shifts your mindset. Once I step foot into my clinic, I am a humble servant to my community. I want my clinic to be respite in a fast-paced, hustle culture. I frequently remind patients that this is their time — use it to envision the life you want to create. There will be plenty of time “to-do” lists in their head. When they come in they are our number one priority. We even go as far as to ask for their water preference-room temperature or cold? These small gestures remind our patients that we aim to please and they are in a safe, supportive environment.

Perseverance: I had a mentor in my field who kept trying to tell me that running the type of practice I wanted wasn’t conductive to having a family. Being an excellent clinician was just as important to me as being an excellent mother. I have done both and felt fulfilled in both roles. A reliable support system (both at work and at home) is a must but your grit and determination will decide your level of success.

Operational Excellence: It is important to set goals that allow you to perform at a high level. It is important to hold yourself to a high standard. This motivated your team members to perform at higher levels. Showing up on-time, energized from a great night’s sleep allows us to provide our patients our most compassionate and loving treatments. Every day I strive to not only meet the needs of our patients but exceed them. Keeping wait times to a minimum as well as performing high-level hands-on care is essential for success in our industry. Just remember- try your best and trust that your best is good enough.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now? How do you think that will help people?

I have been loving our child and caregiver meditation class. Every Saturday morning an eleven-year-old child leads a guided meditation, breath-work and then reflection time. We teach children alongside their caregiver how to connect with their breath, utilize breathing techniques for stress reduction, teach belly breaths (we use cute stuffed animals on their bellies) so they connect to diaphragmatic breathing and not shallow chest breaths. This diaphragmatic breathing will allow for vagus nerve stimulation which helps the child tap into their parasympathetic nervous system. This is the rest and relaxation portion of the nervous system. It is so rewarding to see children calm, relaxed and at ease at the conclusion of our time together. We discuss what we felt through the class as we color or draw to help with speaking about their feelings. Teaching our younger generations how to cope with feelings or overwhelm is so important and this practice can serve them for years to come.

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, about the interface between self-care and mental health. From where you stand personally or professionally, why are you so passionate about mental well-being?

Our bodies will respond to the thoughts that we are thinking. The teaching of Tony Robbins, Joe Dispenza and other teachers have correlated that what we think most often creates our “personal reality” which is also know as our personality. It is important to not be on autopilot and thinking in the same negative thought loop. It is imperative to acknowledge that we can re-wire our thoughts to an abundant mindset. Instead of asking, “what else can go wrong” ask the universe “show me how it can get better” When we reframe our negative thought patterns we are able to transmute our hurt and pain into abundance and gratitude. This is no easy task. Remember to meet yourself with compassion and kindness when that “inner critic” arrives. I want people to empowered to courageously live the life they have always desired. This is within reach and you can harness your personal power to help with mental health setbacks. We need more people subscribing to the abundant mindset so we can help raise the vibration for all life forms on Earth.

Based on your research or experience, how exactly does self-care impact our mental wellness?

When we take mindful moments to prioritize our own well-being we not only are able to meet ourselves with love and compassion but we also model that behavior for others. You being you is medicine for those around you. You embracing your authentic, messy, imperfect parts of yourself help others embrace those parts of themselves too.

Here is our primary question. Can you please share your “Top Five Selfcare Practices That Each Of Us Can Use To Improve Our Mental Wellness”?

1. Journaling: I find writing my goals, feelings and desires down helps me organize my thoughts and timelines. I love looking back at all my journals and being able to quantify my rate of self evolution.
2. Meditation: connecting with your breath, taking time for yourself to feel grounded and secure, opening up our bellies to strengthen vagal tone will allow us to respond to life in a more mindful manner.
3. Bodywork: trauma, injuries and negative self talks creates tension in our bodies. Finding a trauma informed doctor and/or therapist can help you work through the physical manifestations of somatic pain pathways.
4. Nutrient Dense Foods: eating mindfully- seeking out nutrient dense food will help balance brain and gut connection. We now know that the majority of serotonin is made in our gut and not in our brains. If we are eating highly processed , standard American foods, we will have a dysbiosis and that usually results in negative impacts on mental health.
5. Healthy Sleep Routines: Prioritizing an evening routine which allows for restful sleep will help your body to process the days activities. Muscles grow, organs cleanse and you show compassion to yourself by having a consistent bedtime routine. I meditate every evening with my children before bed. They thrive on this routine and it accomplished 2/5 practices on this list.

Self- Sabotage- we all know what it takes to be healthy both mentally and physically. However, when we operating in lack mentality it is easy to talk yourself into staying up late, having one more drink, sending that snarky text…. My best advice is to treat yourself like a best friend. What advice would you give them? Ask yourself- how can best show myself compassion in this moment?

In one sentence, what would you say to someone who doesn’t prioritize their mental well-being? You are worth it!

Thank you for all that great insight! Let’s start wrapping up. Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does this quote resonate with you so much?

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right”- Henry Ford

If we can think it- we can do it. The people who realize phenomenal success believed that they could. Top athletes are able to perform at elite levels because they train and believe that they can achieve the goals they focused on. So practice reframing negative thought loops to an abundant mindset and see your dream life unfold.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? They might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-).

Dr. Joe Dispenza — what a pioneer in epigenetics and I love his story on how he persevered after his back injury.

I truly appreciate your time and valuable contribution. One last question. How can our readers best reach or follow you?

Lindsey@drlindseychiro.com www.flemingtonchiropracticcenter.com www.lifestylecenteratfcc.com @flemingtonchirocenter on IG @lifestylecenteratfcc on IG

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.