What can Ayurveda teach us about women’s health, nervous system regulation, hormones, and emotional well-being?
In this episode, we sit down with Britt Vanderhoof, founder of The Ayurvedic Nurse, to explore the intersection of Ayurveda, mental health, women’s health, and holistic healing. Britt shares her journey from nursing into Ayurveda—and how Ayurvedic principles transformed the way she understands the body, mind, emotions, and nervous system.
We explore how Ayurveda can support women through perimenopause, menopause, the menstrual cycle, stress, inflammation, sleep disruption, and emotional change. Britt breaks down the Ayurvedic doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and explains how understanding your unique constitution can inform nutrition, daily routines, seasonal living, sleep, movement, and self-care.
We also explore nervous system regulation and weight, nutrition and inflammation, emotional balance, grief and healing, and the connection between physical and emotional health. At the heart of the conversation is an invitation into embodiment: learning to listen to your body, understand its signals, and develop a more conscious relationship with your health.
Whether you're curious about Ayurveda, navigating perimenopause or menopause, interested in nervous system health, or seeking a more embodied and conscious approach to women’s wellness, this conversation offers practical wisdom for supporting your whole self.
Learn more about Britt:
Instagram: @the.ayurvedic.nurse
Website: theayurvedicnurse.com
In This Episode- Ayurveda and mental & emotional health
- Ayurvedic cleansing and healing
- The doshas: Vata, Pitta & Kapha
- Ayurveda, nutrition & seasonal living
- Nervous system regulation, stress & weight
- Sleep, routine & daily rhythms
- Ayurveda for women’s health and hormones
- Perimenopause, menopause & the menstrual cycle
- Embodiment, gratitude, empowerment & conscious living
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Chapters00:00 Introduction to The Ayurvedic Nurse
02:16 From Nursing to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
03:28 Mental & Emotional Health in Perimenopause
05:26 Britt’s Journey Into Ayurveda
14:34 Ayurvedic Cleanse & Healing
22:10 Understanding Your Ayurvedic Body Type
30:21 Understanding Ayurveda & the Doshas
30:48 Ayurveda, Diet & Seasonal Changes
32:29 Balancing the Doshas
36:08 The Nervous System & Health
37:28 The Nervous System & Weight
39:20 Sleep, Routine & Ayurvedic Rhythms
56:10 Ayurveda for Menopause & Perimenopause
01:02:25 Ayurveda & the Menstrual Cycle
01:04:50 What Is Ayurveda, Really?
01:05:05 Nutrition & Inflammation
01:06:06 Balancing Emotions & Energy
01:09:24 Grief, Healing & Emotional Processing
01:36:02 Gratitude & Empowerment