Learn to unwind and de-stress with naturopathic treatments
By Dr. Onkar Singh, ND
We live in a day and age where life seems to be a rollercoaster. We often find ourselves rushing through our days with little time to enjoy it or the people in it. Everyone is busy and you just can’t get each other’s calendars to line up. You may find your day requires so much effort that by the time you get home, you are ready to crash. Not to mention that between sleeping through an alarm and coming home just to go out again with the kids, there is little time to make healthy choices.
It is currently estimated that 75 per cent of visits to doctors are due to stress related ailments. In fact, stress is a leading factor in deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke, lower respiratory diseases and accidents. The good news is that you can do something about it. When you see a naturopathic doctor, he or she will help you create a thorough treatment plan to help manage your stress. Moreover, the plan will be tailored and customized to your individual needs and health concerns as everyone deals with stress differently; how certain stresses effect one person may not necessarily have the same affect on another. A naturopathic doctor will be able to create a unique stress management plan for you after assessing your physical and emotional needs. It’s all about inspiring you and giving you ownership of your health.
Naturopathic doctors will often assess your adrenal glands, as they are fundamentally the most important when it comes to the stress response. Whenever we have any sort demand on us, be it good or bad, the adrenal glands release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which help prepare the body to meet those demands. Short-term stress (such as preparing for a job interview) may actually be a good thing as it allows you to dig deep and uncover qualities about yourself that you may not have realized in order to accomplish the task or face the situation at hand. The issue is when stress becomes a chronic part of your life, an everyday occurrence. At some point, the adrenal glands can become overtaxed, leading to what is known as adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue is a set of signs and symptoms that can result when the adrenals glands are functioning below their optimal level. Adrenal fatigue can be associated with intense or prolonged periods of stress including, during or after an acute or chronic infection (especially pneumonia, influenza, bronchitis), loss of a loved one, an emotional trauma, or physical trauma. Some of these signs may include: a sense of feeling unwell, low energy or poor stamina or inability to deal with any tasks at hand, lightheadedness or dizziness, cravings for salt and/or sweets, the need for stimulants such as coffee or energy drinks to get you going in the morning, and so on.
Dietary considerations will be the most important for you to help strengthen those exhausted adrenals. You may want to eliminate certain inflammatory-promoting foods such as gluten, dairy and sugar, to name a few. Moreover, you will need to balance your diet with steady portions of healthy proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Some of these dietary considerations will not only help to stabilize blood sugar levels (which will help with consistent energy levels, enhanced focus and concentration) but can help to take the stress off the adrenal glands as well. Nutritional supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, and high-quality fish oil are very critical in helping to address adrenal fatigue. Herbs like Rhodiola and Ashwagandha have consistently proven to be beneficial in optimizing the function of the adrenal glands. Both herbs are excellent adaptogenic herbs, which help to optimize the function of the adrenal glands thereby contributing to enhanced energy, stamina and overall well-being. Acupuncture treatments may also be recommended and can help to harmonize the flow of qi (energy) and thus relieve tension and anxiety. Treatments also provide an opportunity to relax for 20-30 minutes. When a proper treatment plan is implemented, patients begin to feel well, look well, sleep better, and have more energy and motivation for life. There is no reason that you should be living your life in a constant state of stress always trying to catch up.
Dr. Onkar Singh is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who has been in practice for the past 15 years in Brantford, ON. He is also a clinic supervisor at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic (RSNC) in Toronto. For more information visit www.rsnc.ca.
