By Diana Arundell – University Qualified Naturopath & Nutritionist
As with taking medication, there is a time and place for nutritional supplements and herbal medicine, however not everyone has access to these due to financial constraints or they may be unable to take tablets or liquids.
Also, as with many medications, supplements are very beneficial for shorter term treatment, but we also need to take control of our own health for long term sustainability. Here are some diet and lifestyle tips to improve and maintain health naturally, for long term health and wellbeing.
Nutrition is our biggest foundation of health care as humans. Medicine is more ‘sick care’ and food is our true ‘health care’. To make sure we a creating the most solid foundation we can with our diet, it’s best to choose food that is seasonal, locally grown, majority plant based and is as fresh and unprocessed as possible. There are many healing foods available such as locally produced honey and many medicinal herbs that can be snipped straight from the garden and used fresh or dried, steeped in boiling water and consumed as a tea. Consider ginger for warmth and circulation, sage as an antimicrobial for sore throats, coughs and night sweats (including menopause).
Drinking plenty of clean water with sliced lemon can support digestive function and with a pinch of pink salt, can work as electrolyte support. Nutrition and digestive function go hand in hand. The better our digestive function is, the better our absorption is, which translates to our cells having access to nutrients needed for energy production, hormone manufacture and brain function. Eating in a relaxed state rather than a stressed state can improve blood flow to the digestive system and improve function, as can chewing food well and being mindful when eating. Some people find their digestive health improves when it also has a rest such as having a 12 hour fasting window between dinner and breakfast eg. 7pm–7am. Others function better when grazing on smaller meals all through the day. The right option is the one that feels best for your body.
Time is our most precious commodity and how we choose to spend our time can impact our long term health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Resting when the body needs it rather than continually pushing on, and regular quality sleep is imperative to overall health. Fresh air, sunshine, spending time in nature whether it’s near water or trees can be healing on many levels and actually allowing bare feet to feel the sand, grass or soil can improve antioxidant status. Stopping to truly breathe in the beauty in all it’s forms, of the planet we are blessed to be visiting is not only free, it’s available in every moment if we choose to see it. Take a moment to stop and check in with all your ‘ordinary’ senses such as what you can see, hear, smell, taste and touch in the present moment and feel how that affects your physical body, mind and emotions. Then tune into your more ‘subtle’ or ‘inner’ senses to feel the moment with even more consciousness and appreciation.
Managing stress is an important part of maintaining good health. Recognising we are feeling out of balance is the most important part and this is as simple as noticing if we are feeling consistently unhappy or exhausted. Taking time to tune within ourselves is important and is often overlooked as we focus so much on the physical. Meditation, mindfulness, listening to music, taking a bath and relaxing can offer space to explore within. Learning techniques to improve resilience to stress so we can deal with adversity is also important long term as stressful events are a part of life. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Recognising and not collapsing into emotional drama is another skill that can significantly reduce emotional stress. Present moment awareness/mindfulness can significantly reduce feelings of stress and improve the quality of many experiences, both the mundane and the extraordinary ones.
Building genuine connections with other people is vital for health and wellbeing. Reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people and focusing on healthy relationships can be incorporated into outings in nature, creative get togethers or going for walks and exploring new things and places.
Life is actually meant to be fun and enjoyed. I’m pretty sure we didn’t come here to be miserable and not have a good time. Find experiences that create laughter and happiness and when you find yourself in a happy mood, move more in that direction and follow the momentum.
Movement for the body and stimulation for the mind is also very important for health and wellbeing. Use it or lose it refers to muscles including the heart, brain and memory. Find ways to move the physical body that are enjoyable such as dancing, exploring new bush walks, tai chi, yoga, beach walks, bowls, paddling, golf. Moving the body helps circulation, digestion, elimination, sleep, mood and maintaining a healthy weight.
Incorporating even one of the above suggestions will improve your sense of wellbeing even temporarily, however incorporating many of these suggestions consistently will provide strong foundations for your health and wellbeing to flourish long term and may even reduce the need for some pharmaceutical medications over time. It’s your choice how fabulous you choose to feel and how you nourish your body, mind and spirit. Imagine feeling the best you possibly can and make choices to move in that direction one step at a time.
Diana Arundell is a university–qualified naturopath and consults from her Avoca Naturopath clinic. She has a special interest in fertility and pregnancy health, digestive health, immune function and family wellness programs. She was a nutrition lecturer at Macquarie University for 10 years, and is an accredited Journey Practitioner. For further information or to make an appointment please contact Diana Arundell at Avoca Naturopath on 0410 465 900.