by | Oct 3, 2016 | Uncategorized
You are hardwired to heal. This is evident when we cut our finger, get a bruise or a cold and it magically gets better; often you don’t even notice this capacity of your system is always at work. Sometimes the body and mind encounter environments, disease, infection, and injury which can overwhelm the healing system.
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE YOU CAN MAKE IS TO LOVE AND CARE FOR YOURSELF THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
This builds your healing ‘bank account’. When you do acts of self care and self love, your health bank account grows. When you don’t take care of yourself (physically, mentally and emotionally), you are using up the funds in your account to manage the distress on your system. If you have been running your account lower and lower without filling it up, your system has fewer and fewer resources to prevent and manage illness and injury when it naturally comes along. It becomes harder for the body to cope. Examples of what this might look like: chronic illness and pain, injuries that don’t heal, frequent colds and headaches. There is infinite possibility in your ability to heal. We don’t have a crystal ball for our health, but we can learn, do the work, build on positive thinking and change outdated beliefs that no longer serve us. Here are a few very basic tips.
Docere Wellness Center NW Calgary
1. Always speak kindly about yourself – eliminate negative self talk
2. Listen to your body and your heart – what do you need to be well? (you know, the answer just might be hiding if you haven’t been listening)
3. If you know you are not taking care of yourself and something needs to change – pick one simple change, such as drinking more water or going to bed at the same time everyday.
4. Get educated. Learn about your health. Read a book, watch a documentary, surf the web (with a critical eye of course), take a class, consult a wellness practitioner.
5. You are never alone. There is a whole community in this big wide world of compassionate and kind people who will naturally show up in your life when you make the decision to become healthier and happier.
by | Sep 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
Do you feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning ? Restful sleep is so important to us because without it – it is can be difficult to recharge, heal and be ready to face the day.
CranioSacral Therapy NW Calgary
Craniosacral therapy is a great treatment for helping the body get back to a state where you can get rested and sleep more soundly.
Quality sleep is deeply effected by stress and tension within the body. When stressful events have reached a certain threshold it is very difficult to unwind and relax before going to bed. Another factor in our sleep problems is that our fast paced lives mean that we often rely on our adrenaline and a speed up sympathetic nervous system to have the energy to get through the day.
Craniosacral therapy addresses both of these problems. It treats areas of the body that allow you to come back into a balanced and calm nervous system state. We also treat areas of the body that have become tight and tense. When the body is treated in this way, clients report a sense of overall well being and symptoms often melt away.
Craniosacral therapy looks at the body from a wellness model. That the body can heal itself as long as the right conditions exist. From this therapeutic perspective the therapist is tracking how well the body fluids can move. These fluids can become restricted often from chronic tension patterns related to stress or injury. It is amazing what healing can occur when the body gets the nutrient rich blood flow and can easily remove toxins from unobstructed veins. It is amazing how well the brain and nervous system function when tensions that pull on the nerves are resolved and the CSF fluid flow allows the brain to be operating well. People are often very surprised with the results from having several sessions of Craniosacral therapy as the results of the therapy can be far reaching and greatly increase quality of life and increase in health.
So by resolving chronic patterns of tension we can restore normal healthy function of the body. This calms the body, the mind and the nervous system and allows you to face the day feeling healthy and with the energy you need to face the day.
Receive 30% off your FIRST VISIT – call 403.452.6262 to book your treatment TODAY!
by | Aug 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
The end of August brings the harvest of summer, evenings of cooler temperatures and golden leaves starting to fall. In the natural world, our bodies flow with this rhythm. As human beings we are also gifted with the powers of our mind and free will choice in all that we do. We make decisions, organize, plan and participate in life. All of which require our energy. So what happens to the laid back play of summer? Back to School of course! Programs and activities, homework, families getting up early and out the door with lunches packed.
How does overwhelm happen? I think sometimes it just does; no matter how much we plan for Sept to be organized, ready to go for packing lunches, program registrations, the pile of school forms that are headed our way, it seems to land all at the same time. We feel overwhelmed with so many things to do and are wondering how we will get them all done.
What are a few of the symptoms? Headaches, tense neck and shoulders, back pain or soreness, fatigue, irritability, shallow, rapid breathing, difficulty sleeping, endless thoughts, and feeling alone. Looking at your calendar for the week and wanting to go back to bed and hide under the covers. Your child, spouse or coworker asks you a simple question and you want to burst into tears.
What can we do about it? Care for ourselves. Thinking kind and loving thoughts about ourselves, applaud our own efforts and the hurdles we jump, even if it is just getting out the door on the first day of school. Aiming for perfection in all that we do is setting ourselves up for tension, frustration and rushing around chasing the invisible carrot. It will get us no where. When we care for ourselves, our bodies, minds and hearts say thank-you and make our days easier because we will feel better.
Massage Therapy Calgary
Massage can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. The beauty of massage therapy is it incurs relaxation in the body. Bodywork releases tension from the muscles and supports the body in letting go of what it is holding onto. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode) and soothes and comforts the sympathetic nervous system (stress, fight/flight mode). This is beneficial whether you have physical maladies or are even just feeling stressed and anxious. A massage session, in my style of practice is completely your time to unwind. If you need to talk about how you are feeling or just rest quietly during the bodywork, you are in charge of that. If you want some deeper tissue work done, or simply long, soothing relaxation strokes, it is my job to support your healing. I am always open to questions too, and can provide suggestions for simple self care practices customized to your well-being and lifestyle. I can also provide references to other practitioners if what you need is beyond my scope of practice.
Reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and BOOK your massage session today!
by | Aug 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
Planning ahead can make back to school lunches not seem so time consuming and dreadful. Meal prepping and making large meals so that leftovers can be an easy option.
Healthy Lifestyle Calgary
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day, so important it should never be missed and make it count! Consider that your body has been fasting for the last 12 hours it is ready to receive all the nutrition that a healthy breakfast has to offer. This meal also sets you up for the day, very important with kids because a high sugary breakfast cereal can cause that big sugar rush and crash early on, making learning nearly impossible. I know mornings can be busy so why not prep the night before. My favourite are smoothies, you can hide anything in a smoothie including the green veggies that can be difficult to fit into kid’s diet and they taste great. Include a good source of protein and fats, avocado, chia, hemp or flax seeds, nuts, coconut oil and you’ve created a nutritionally loaded jump start to the day. Oatmeal with some added coconut oil, berries, protein powder, turmeric and cinnamon can offer a great easy option to make the night before.
Lunches
Heading into the fall season there is nothing like cooked stews, soups and chilli to keep us warm, satisfied and incorporate a bunch of vegetables. Make a big batch on Sunday or one night during the week. Crockpots are another great option, cooking a big batch of chili lime chicken to have on salads, or taco shells (corn if following a gluten free diet), topped with homemade salsa and guacamole. Crockpots are great to cook overnight or while you are work, and maintain all the nutrition of the vegetables and proteins. It is fresh fruit and vegetable season so if you have a garden or if you don’t check out all the local fresh produce available at grocery stores or farmer’s markets. There is nothing like fresh produce to convert a non-vegetable lover. Mixing with hummus, guacamole and other healthy dips can also be a great way to enjoy, as a snack of dinner side. A new favourite are vegetable noodle makers with avocado pesto sauce, use vegetables to make your favourite pasta dish. Lastly don’t forget nuts and seeds can provide convenient, delicious healthy fats.
We are here to assist you in maintaining a healthy life and offer what’s best for your children. Contact us and book your initial consultation today.
by | Aug 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
Naturopathic Doctors Calgary
I am currently studying for my Pharmacy exam, so thought it would be appropriate to write an article about my favourite super brain foods and strategies that most people already have at home. Our brains are made up of around 60% omega 3 fats! This is huge and with the majority of our population deficient in omega 3 fats this becomes one of the easiest aspects to boost brain function. Why are we deficient? Our ancestors consumed wild animals daily, fish being one of the highest omega 3 fat containing sources. Today wild meat is less and less abundant, and instead we are exposed to the processed omega 6 inflammatory causing oils, such as soybean, corn, margarine, and shortening.
Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats must remain in appropriate ratios to maintain a healthy non-inflammatory state. Abundant omega 6 oils will tip the omega 3 scale down causing inflammation and damaging our cells, even shrinking our brain. Inflammation is one leading drivers behind brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. So feed that brain the omega 3 fats that it thrives on: wild fish, or other wild meat, flax seeds, walnuts and in some cases a good quality supplement may be warranted.
Coconut oil is another brain favorite! Coconut oil is a medium chain fat, it’s small molecular size makes it permeable to cells in the blood brain barrier, and can therefore be readily converted into ketones. Ketones fuel the brain, and unlike glucose will not impact insulin levels, your brain is able to use this fuel much faster than breaking down large chain fats. It is a powerful antioxidant that will strengthen the immune system and other body cells. It has also been shown that when coconut oil is taken with omega 3 fats, it can double the effectiveness of the omega 3 fat.
Coffee, this suggestion may surprise most people. Coffee contains powerful antioxidants that will help improve brain function. Coffee is however one of the most sprayed crops in the world so it is important that it is an organic source. Coffee also feeds the microbiota or stomach bacteria that break down foods and act as important precursors to our neurotransmitters. Coffee is a health food when consumed in moderation (1 cup/day), but may not be the best for individuals suffering with anxiety or high stress because of it’s stimulating effects. I will share one of my favourite study secrets: bullet proof coffee; coffee, MCT oil, ghee and sprinkle of cinnamon blended in a blender. It combines some of my favorite fats and stimulating effects from the coffee. In addition, cinnamon is another potent antioxidant that also has the ability to regulate blood sugar. All components contributing to optimal brain function.
Rosemary essential oil, to satisfy the smell sensation. Rosemary is a brain stimulant, it has the ability to keep you awake and alert. It prevents the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which aids in memory consolidation and general cognition. The best way to use rosemary essential oil is to place several drops in a diffuser or apply directly to temples. If you do not have the essential oil, try the fresh herb, rubbing it in your hands to release the essential oils from the plant and breathing it in.
Eliminating sugar, sugar or glucose causes our insulin levels to spike creating inflammation throughout the body. This insulin is required to utilize the glucose for the brain. This similar action occurs with any carbohydrate, but the higher the sugar content the worse the impact. When our blood sugar spikes this also causes inflammation and can give us an instant high energy feeling, followed by an even quicker crash. Avoiding blood sugar spikes can keep a clear mind and improve our ability to concentrate and consolidate information into our memory. Having good protein and fats sources in our diet can also decrease these sugar cravings that can occur.
The last important topic that can impact our memory and overall brain function is stress. Negative thoughts and stress can shrink the memory center of our brains, the hippocampus. This is due to the inflammation and release of the stress hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands. The best way to combat stress is exercise, yoga, breathing, meditation and getting enough sleep. Sleep is one of the most important components to reducing stress and consolidating our memories. While we sleep our brain takes a rest from external stimulus and is able to store all the information from the day. Positive nutrition and lifestyle changes can be the best medicine for the brain.
Make sure your brain get what it needs to stay healthy. Enhance your lifestyle and contact us for any consultation.
