What does a Naturopath Do?
Karen Morris
If you’ve never enlisted the help of a naturopath before – welcome! Here at herbsonlineshop.com my goal is to provide plenty of helpful information to assist you in becoming your healthiest, happiest self. The role of a naturopath is to help the patient lay solid foundations for a healthier, happier body. Naturopaths generally focus a lot on gut health, because as the saying goes “all disease starts in the gut”. We look at the energy levels of a patient and try and pinpoint stressors that may be influencing mood and overall health factors such as sleep, energy levels, nutrition and exercise.
Sleep
Sleep is a huge factor when it comes to general health, if we are lacking in sleep then it is more than likely we will be lacking in energy, meaning our mood will suffer and we may find ourselves reaching for carbohydrates and sugars that can cause us to gain weight, especially when we are too tired to get to the gym after a busy day. Naturopathy can assist you if you are struggling with sleep issues such as insomnia, loss of appetite or binge-eating, use of prescription sleep aids or if you are constantly feeling tired. At herbsonlineshop.com we supply products like our Adrenal Tonic which calms restless minds, helps ease the symptoms of anxiety and helps strengthen your immunity. As one of the key foundations to a healthy body, sleep is an area that can be significantly improved with the help of a naturopath. Some general advice to begin improving your sleep quality is to establish a good routine and allow for anywhere between 7 to 9 hours per night. It also helps to analyse your sleep environment; do you need more darkness in the bedroom? Perhaps purchase an eye mask or try sleeping with the blinds/curtains fully shut. Turning off screens an hour or two before bed has also been proven to help calm the mind and prepare the body for a night of quality, calm sleep.
Energy Levels
The cause of low energy levels can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, low energy comes down to simply having the wrong thing for breakfast, for example, sugary cereal that causes a spike in insulin only to leave you feeling sluggish 30 minutes to an hour later. A lack of exercise can also contribute to poor energy levels as well as a poor diet. If you are suffering from low energy levels, I recommend giving me a call so we can discuss your lifestyle and which herbs and supplements would be best suited for you. At herbsonlineshop.com we have a range of supplements and extracts designed to improve energy levels, such as our Siberian Ginseng which is helpful for fatigue, anxiety and low energy levels.
Nutrition
As well as being a naturopath and homeopath, I am also a nutritionist. What we eat really does make a difference to our overall wellbeing. A poor diet can lead to complications such as tooth decay, high cholesterol, some cancers, depression and type-2 diabetes. If you think your diet could be improved start by aiming for at least five serves of vegetables a day. These can easily be incorporated into your diet through salads, soups and even veggie juices. Ensuring your hydration levels are met is also crucial for a healthy body, aim for 8 glasses of clean water, more if you can. If you think your diet needs help but you’re feeling overwhelmed, why not get in touch and we can develop a nutrition plan suited just for you to help you get back on track and feeling good.
Exercise
The benefits of exercise are extensive, from cardiovascular fitness to strength training, a well rounded exercise program will improve your mood, aid in weight loss, improve sleep and digestion, increase muscular strength and endurance, lower blood pressure and improve all-round energy levels and health. Exercise has been proven to lower the risk of developing osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease – just to name a few! Likewise, naturopathy is founded on healing the body and preventing disease. As a naturopath I recommend at least 5 days of exercise a week, whatever you enjoy is what you should do, but a minimum of 30 minutes low intensity is needed to really reap the benefits, or alternatively, just 15 minutes of HIIT (High intensity interval training) will also dramatically improve your health.
As always, feel free to get in touch with any questions or comments and while you’re here, why not follow me on Instagram @herbsonlineshop and Facebook – Herbs Online Shop.