Spring Is Here: It’s Time To See How a Naturopath Can Help
Spring is a time of growth and renewal. Nature comes alive again, with flowers blooming, leaves sprouting and insects buzzing. After months of inactivity, the world around us is full of life and energy. We humans also begin to stir again, sensing that this is a time for us to focus on our own inner health and wellbeing. Our bodies naturally move with the rhythms of nature. Spring is a season of change, and a Naturopath Toronto can help you on your journey to a healthier you.
Finding a Natural Path to Health
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to physical and mental health and wellbeing. It is based on the understanding that the body can self-heal. A naturopathic doctor unites the power of nature with modern medical knowledge to treat the complex system that is the human body. These professionals recognize that each individual is unique; thus, they do not treat symptoms. Instead, naturopathic doctors seek to identify the underlying causes for illness and disease and implement systems that treat the whole person.
Even if you’re already healthy, a naturopath can help you maintain or improve your physical and mental health. Naturopathy focuses on natural treatments, such as herbal supplements, dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments and acupuncture. NDs can be primary care providers, but they also often work with a medical doctor to provide integrative treatment plans for their patients.
Spring Cleaning for Your Body
During the long winter months, people tend to slow down. This isn’t just a mental thing that occurs when the temperatures drive us inside; it’s a natural biological response to the change in season. When the weather turns colder, our metabolism slows down, and we tend to crave “comfort” foods more. Often, people are more sedentary in the winter months, and, subsequently, they gain weight.
When spring rolls around, we naturally feel the urge to be more active. Our metabolism ramps up, and our bodies work to eliminate the excess baggage we accumulated over the previous months. For those who already have a healthy lifestyle, spring is a time to switch from soups to salads and head outdoors for daily exercise. However, many people have a difficult time making the transition to a healthy diet and increased activity in the spring. This is where a naturopath Toronto can help!
Discover the Benefits of Whole Foods
Whole foods provide the body with the vital nutrients it needs to gain and maintain good health. However, it can be difficult for people to know what they need. While there are general dietary guidelines you can follow, every individual is unique. Your route to a healthy body will not look exactly like anyone else’s. This is why Higher Health NDs take the time to investigate all aspects of your health and lifestyle and analyze blood test results. This provides us with a clearer picture of your overall condition and whole health needs. We use this to develop an individualized plan for you.
Spring is a great time to cleanse your body of accumulated toxins. These can come from our environment as well as from eating the wrong kinds of food. A diet rich in micronutrients can help you clear your body of what it doesn’t need and replace it with what it does need. A naturopath Toronto can help you learn about the foods that are right for you. What better time to start this journey than spring, when more local fresh fruits and veggies become available?
Improve Your Gut Health
Gut health is in the news a lot these days. Medical research is revealing how important gut health is to overall health. Your gut contains microbes that help your body function. These bacteria are crucial in supplying and synthesizing essential nutrients. Your gut is closely linked to your brain. This paired system is connected through a dedicated system of nerves called the enteric nervous system, so gut health is associated with brain health.
When your gut health is off due to stress, poor diet, lifestyle habits, aging or illness, you are at risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. A naturopath Toronto can help you get your digestive tract on the right track. Natural remedies can help:
- Remove toxins from your diet
- Treat bacterial overgrowth and remove pathogens
- Repair gut damage
- Boost microbiome to healthy levels
- Improve immune function
- Decrease inflammation
Lifting Your Spirits
If you find that you often get into a winter funk and have a difficult time getting out of it, even after the days grow longer and the temperatures warm up, you are not alone. Traditional treatments usually involve antidepressants, but there are natural solutions that can help lift your spirits as well. Natural approaches can’t always replace pharmaceuticals, but they may reduce the need for medication over the long term.
A naturopath Toronto works with you to determine the best path forward. There are several potential mood-lifting strategies. Exercise boosts your energy levels and raises your endorphins, which improves your overall mood. Acupuncture can help stimulate your body’s natural healing processes and decreases depression symptoms. Botanical supplements can also improve your mood. You need to work with a qualified ND — especially if you are taking prescription medications — as there are potential risks from interactions and improper usage.
Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud
While spring is a time of renewal, many people dread its arrival. Spring allergies can make you miserable, robbing you of the joys of this season. Allergies are essentially an immune system issue. Your body responds to something in your environment, such as ragweed, as if it were an invader out to do harm. You want your immune system to respond this way to harmful viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, but not when it’s confronted with things that aren’t harmful. Your naturopath Toronto can help you nip spring allergies in the bud with targeted solutions to improve your immune system.
Connecting With a Qualified Naturopath Toronto
At Higher Health, we want to help you attain your best health, naturally. Our highly qualified NDs are here to guide you on your path. They work with you to develop a personalized plan designed to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.cand.ca/common-questions-advantages-of-naturopathic-care/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2883816/
https://ndnr.com/mindbody/rebirth-of-the-body-the-spring-cleanse/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6056614/
https://naturemed.org/faq/naturopathic-doctors-address-seasonal-allergies/
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1060.8814&rep=rep1&type=pdf