The Importance of Resilience

True Health is based on resilience – not how you feel.

Thousands of studies over recent decades show that people of all ages who are resilient tend to have better health and well-being outcomes than those who do not possess resiliency.

In simple terms, resilience is doing well when you shouldn’t be doing well.

When your body is adapting to all of the stressors in its environment, the natural self-repair mechanisms of the body are able to go about the business of doing what they do best – heal the body. However, when your body reaches its threshold to adapt – we begin to see illness/dysfunction/disease. How does this happen?

The problem comes when we stop taking care of our bodies. When we eat mostly processed, inflammatory foods high in sugar , we don’t exercise, and don’t get enough sleep.

This is where chiropractic fits in. This restoration process is the primary focus at True Health. We believe you are hardwired to heal. Our goal is to break any harmful patterns that have developed and that prevent your body from adapting and recovering. Then we begin to restore your body’s ability, empowering it to once again do what it was created to do. After all, a healthy and balanced spine is a key component in coping with stress.

We must stop merely treating the symptoms of stress, but rather begin to address the true cause of sickness and disease – the body’s inability to recover from a stressful environment.

So, how do we improve our body’s ability to adapt?  Here’s 3 Ways:

Attitude: In general, realistic positive attitude is one of the best things we can do for our health. Fill your head with positive thoughts, express thanks and encouragement aloud and look for something to be grateful for, not criticize, in those around you, especially family and friends. Surround yourself with positive people, and people who will hold you accountable for your self-care.

Adjustment: Stressors cause spinal shifts within the inner framework of your body. Which means one way in which we can help is when our body’s self-healing forces become impaired or impeded by this structural imbalance. This leads to an impaired nervous system – which can reduce immune function, concentration, recovery from illness and injury; it could lessen athletic performance and digestive function. It could even alter behavior. Restore spinal mobility and nerve flow with chiropractic adjustments.

Adaptogens: Supplementing with substances that “adapt” to what your body needs and help protect against various stressors, supporting the body’s adrenal glands, reducing stress levels and regulating hormone responses for an overall sense of homeostasis, or balance. Ask us on your next visit what we recommend.

Your health and well-being are counting on your resilience. Taking the time to bolster resilience is probably one of the single best things you can do to improve your health, relationships, and happiness levels.

5 Foods To Help Reduce Stress

How many times have we heard that “food is medicine”? Well, there’s a reason we keep hearing it: it’s true. Eating healthy can actually offer some real stress relief. Here are 5 foods to help you beat stress naturally:

Dark leafy greens: These are rich in folate which helps your body produce seratonin and dopamine – regulating your mood.

Avocado: These contain 20 essential health-boosting nutrients – including potassium, Vitamin E, and folate. Avocados help keep you satiated and help regulate blood sugar levels – which can help keep your mood steady in times of stress.

Chocolate: When you’re in a stressed state your body can be depleted in magnesium. The secret is to find a good quality dark chocolate to snack on.

Walnuts: These contain a plant form of Omega- 3 fatty acid that the body converts into DHA to lower norepinephrine – a hormone which can make you feel anxious and irritable.

Almonds: These offer a combo of healthy fats, B vitamins, Vitamin E, zinc, magnesium and protein which work together to help maintain brain function and regulate mood.

(From @foodmatters)

5 Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck in the food department, follow these tips:

1️⃣ Support local farmers in your own area. Join a CSA (you’ll eat in season which is cheaper & will taste better).

2️⃣ Bulk bins are your friend (you don’t pay for packaging/labels/advertising) & you only buy what you need.

3️⃣ Grow your own (even if it’s just herbs and spices in your kitchen window). It’s an inexpensive & rewarding way to eat more veggies.

4️⃣ Use your freezer (when something is on sale – stock up and freeze). It’s a great way to save on local & organic fish, poultry and meat.

5️⃣ Reduce waste (don’t let leftovers go to waste). Freeze leftover soups, sauces & casseroles).

PSA: You Are Not Broken

Pharmaceutical companies spent $6.5 billion on consumer ads last year to convince you that you’re broken.

You aren’t.

You don’t need to be fixed.

Your body has an amazing ability to heal itself when you give it a little love (move, sleep, eat real food, get adjusted) and everyone should utilize this innate power first… not last.

At True Health, we help you be your best by restoring the communication pathways between your brain and your body. Chiropractic adjustments open these pathways allowing information to flow unobstructed – giving your body the best chance to heal.

Normal structural alignment coupled with a healthy lifestyle means that the body is the best it can be to throw off potential illness (without drugs or surgery).

Be Your Own Guru

When it comes to your health and happiness, YOU know best.

We often forget this especially when it come to our health – turning to every expert we can to find the answers. But remember, we are all born with an innate ability to heal. In fact, that’s what chiropractic was founded on back in 1895 – the idea that your body needs no help, just no interference to it’s own healing ability. In short, that we all are designed to function, heal and re-create from the inside out.

Today that interference comes from many sources: external stressors (physical, chemical, emotional), poor nutrition, lack of movement, environmental toxins to name a few.

So what can you do? Look at all aspects of your lifestyle.

Are you getting enough sleep? Is your work fulfilling and do you have time to relax, or are you stressed out and overworked the majority of the time? What foods may be causing an imbalance? Are you moving your body enough each day or are you sedentary for endless hours?

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can diagnose yourself and prescribe positive changes that will lead you towards optimal health.

Nowadays, there are so many books and blogs and supplements. Too often we get caught up in rules and restrictions that leave us unable to follow our own body’s wisdom. Teachers, guides, mentors, they’ve all got value – so yes – by all means, focus on the teachings – but not so much the teacher.

At True Health – we want you at your best. Engage with us (read our blog, like our facebook page / instagram page /twitter page for health tips and articles) and we will walk you down the path to your best life. It is only getting better and better.

And remember, the greatest guru is your inner self.