Refill Your Cupboard
A Mom’s Own Story of Depletion – and Recovery
with Jan Hanson, LAc
Ever felt like you’re running on fumes as a mom and been told it’s “just part of the job”?
In this conversation, holistic practitioner Jan Hanson sits down with Renee to talk about maternal depletion — what she went through herself, the moment a chiropractor asked “what do you hold your kids up with, your will?”, and how she realized she wasn’t just tired, she was genuinely depressed and depleted.
Jan walks through what’s actually going on in a depleted body (think low iron and amino acids, wonky sleep, hormonal dysregulation, even sneaky chronic infections), the easy-to-miss signals moms tend to shrug off, and why a good night’s sleep alone won’t refill the cupboard.
She also shares the smallest possible first steps for a mom who genuinely cannot add one more thing to her list — starting with a five-minute doctor’s appointment, an honest heart-to-heart with your partner, and yes, cracking one more egg in the morning.
If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re feeling is “normal mom tired” or something more, this one’s for you.
Jan Hanson, MS, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist and integrative health practitioner with more than four decades of experience in nutritional medicine, functional testing, and holistic approaches to wellbeing. Building on early training in biochemistry, she is one of the early pioneers in bringing evidence-informed nutritional medicine into mainstream complementary care. Jan has taught widely, offering practical guidance on topics such as digestive health, allergies, and women’s wellness. Known for her clear, compassionate teaching style, she has supported individuals and families in improving their health through accessible, step-by-step methods. She lives in northern California with her husband, psychologist and author Rick Hanson, and enjoys time with their two adult children.