By Kaley Burns EBS COLUMNIST
The new focus for our aging society will be an extended healthspan, or the period of life spent in good health, and focusing on health creation, not just adding years of suboptimal living. Small tweaks can mean significant changes to your physical and overall wellness.
Your health foundation is built on a variety of things you do each day; all of which have a significant impact on your optimal health and wellbeing.
What led me to my profession as a naturopathic physician is that unfortunately, patients are often prescribed medications without addressing the underlying causes or driving factors of imbalance. Some patients can be told they are fine simply based on a normal blood test result, when their health is really suboptimal. Personally, I aim to practice knowing that patients know their body better than anyone else and their insight into their health is key to our relationship and treatment plans.
Holistic wellness is a departure from how we have traditionally seen health. Particularly in Western society, wellness is typically associated with physical health and classically has been defined as the absence of illness or disease. However, we all know that this is only part of the story.
Our physical health is what most people think about when they think of health, because it is the physical body that often shows us physical signs and symptoms of either optimal or suboptimal health. Furthermore, physical signs and symptoms are easier to track and measure, versus other non-physical signs and symptoms that can feel more abstract—and can leave some feeling invalidated in their struggles. Physical well-being is sometimes thought of as merely being free from illness. However, simply “not being sick” doesn’t really make for much quality of life.
Maintain and improve daily life
The morning is a great time to start habits that can set the tone for the day. All too often we get out of bed already thinking of all the things we need to do and stress levels begin to climb. Not a good way to start the day.
If you wake to an alarm, try not to hit the snooze button, as this can send a mixed message to the body and brain. Similarly, making your bed sends a clear signal to the brain that you’re up and active. Even more beneficial is to wake up naturally, because it helps the natural body rhythms. If you can get natural sunlight as part of your morning routine, bask in the sun and take a few deep breaths to oxygenate the blood.
This leads me to nutrition. The food we eat is the number one thing that determines our healthspan. This is our foundation of health and any medication or prescription will be more effective if we optimize what we put on our plates.
When it comes to fighting inflammation, getting to the root of symptoms and ailments, and improving overall health, nutrition is one of the best tools you can use. Try to incorporate seeds into your diet for healthy fats, fiber and minerals, cook meals at home regularly—not only saves money but also allows for healthier meals—and have a regular eating schedule, which has been shown to prevent risk of metabolic syndrome.
Getting enough quality sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to optimizing health longevity. Studies found that a lack of sleep can increase risk of dementia and chronic disease, as well as weight gain or resistance to weight loss, inflammation and associated blood sugar dysregulation, mood disorders and other negative outcomes. If you aren’t sleeping enough, staying up too late, or are waking up in the middle of the night, it will take a toll on the body mentally, emotionally and physically.
Prioritizing quality sleep is key for keeping your mind and body well, so be sure you have healthy sleep habits that set you up for success. Go to bed at the same time each night, practice gratitude before bed, reduce screen time, and try to be done with the last meal about two to three hours before bed if possible.
Do something that you love. Juggling work, personal relationships and professional development consumes our days, but it’s important that we make fun activities and passions a priority too. Time spent doing something fun directly correlates to how efficient you are in your work time. It turns out that the better you are at play, the better you are at work.
An important question to ask yourself is: what does “healthy” mean to you?
The word “healthy” has a different meaning for everyone. I encourage you to base your answer on your own version of health rather than someone else’s.
It is about what you’re going to eat, who you are going to spend time with, what you watch, and your actions for the rest of your life. It’s okay to make small, manageable tweaks rather than a major overhaul. It is not knowledge that ensures good health, but action.
Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.
