On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 31 I September/October 2019 | Page 22

Natural health
on a budget and
without supplements
BY DIANA ARUNDELL – NATUROPATHIC PRACTITIONER
A
s with medications, there is a
time and place for nutritional
and herbal medicine
supplements, however not everyone
has access to these due to financial
constraints or they may be unable to
take tablets or liquids. Also similar to
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 sick
care and food is 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,
plant based and is as fresh as possible
and needless to say, as 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
steeped in boiling water as a tea. Consider
ginger for warmth and circulation, sage
for sore throats, coughs and night sweats.
Drinking plenty of clean water with
sliced lemon can support digestive
function and with a pinch of pink salt
with the lemon, can work as electrolyte
support. Nutrition and digestive function
go hand in hand. The better our digestive
function is the better our absorption
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
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O N T H E C OA S T – OVER 5 5
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. 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.
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 is important and often
over looked as we focus 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. Recognising and not
collapsing into drama is another skill that
can significantly reduce emotional stress.
Building genuine
connections with
other people is vital
for health and
wellbeing.
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.