“I was getting really run down and sick all the time, so I finally went to my doctor who did my bloods and found out I was iron deficient. I’ve honestly been a new person since I discovered and started treating it,” she explained, adding that the feeling of constantly being under the weather had taken a “huge mental toll.”
Common symptoms of iron deficiency include chronic exhaustion, dizziness, shortness of breath and an inability to think clearly.
“I’d find myself never wanting to go out because I knew I’d wind up sick, or I was too sick to want to go out and in turn, those anti-social feelings spiralled my mental health and stress too,” she continued.
A lack of key nutrients and vitamins in the diet can worsen symptoms for those already battling anxiety and depression. Which is why Georgia has made an effort to increase her red meat intake since her diagnosis.
“I take an iron supplement (ferro-grad C) every day to keep my levels up and I’ve honestly been a new person ever since. Especially this year when life has been stressful and health has never been more important,” she added.
This isn’t the first time the journalist has spoken candidly about her struggles with mental health. Shortly after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, Georgia shared a poignant message about the never-ending nature of grief.
“I don’t like the word 'luck,' but I do think I was very lucky to have never really experienced grief until last year,” she captioned a quote tile on Instagram. “But 27 years without understanding it has made its blow even tougher than I could have imagined.
“What’s surprised me the most is how it hits on the days you least expect it. Of course Mother's Day, her birthday, the anniversary of her death and Christmas would be hard. I was prepared. I received countless messages of love and thoughts and was wrapped in that protective coating. And I got through, even with a smile. But I never expected how hard the days following those milestones would be. If grief comes in waves, they are the tsunamis.”
She explained that while life returns to normal for most people, the grieving person’s does not and will not.
“It’s indelibly changed and that’s what is so hard to wrap your head around. It’s not just this Christmas she’s not here for, it will be the next and the next and the next. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel.”
Georgia also encouraged others to reach out to people who might be suffering over the festive season.
“If you have someone in your life who is grieving, please don’t forget them in these days. That’s when we need you most."
In October, Georgia took to social media to share a photo from the family archives of herself as a child with her mum, Belinda to mark the anniversary of her death.
"4 excruciatingly long years, yet somehow still a lifetime ahead," the 32-year-old wrote in her caption.
Georgia's post was filled with comments from her followers as they shared their own sweet messages of condolence on the anniversary of Belinda's passing.
"Will hug you the very second I get home from work gorgeous and never let you go!! Love you!" her fiancé and Bachelorette winner Lee Elliott commented.
"Being part of the dead mothers club is s***. Absolutely s***. You never get over the loss, but it somehow becomes easier to bear because of the lessons they taught you. Much love," feminist and writer Clementine Ford penned.
