Knowing how to prepare your body for the fall (and that other season that shall not be named) can keep you thriving amid a season of common ailments.
We’ve put together a checklist of what you should be staying on top of as you bring your healthy habits forward throughout the colder months!
Clock your Vitamin D
Maintaining the right levels of Vitamin D is a challenge as sun exposure literally dims. With at least 40% of the population deficient, there’s a good chance you know the first hand effects of missing out on this mega important nutrient.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health concerns including obesity, depression, osteoporosis, hair loss, fatigue, and several types of cancer (…and this is just naming a few).
Maintaining the right amount of Vitamin D can be hard to get from diet alone. Our Functional Medicine and Clinical Nutrition team can help you pinpoint your micronutrient deficiencies and prescribe the right supplemental plan.
Stick with your sleep
Staying on top of your sleep habits this time of year is critical to your wellbeing. Without a doubt, sleep deprivation is linked to illness and it just plain feels awful. As the seasons transition, the change in sunlight can impact the natural cycles that trigger us to be tired and alert. As a result, lack of sleep is one concern. On the other hand, you might also be tempted to snuggle and snooze more than you should. This is not necessarily helpful, either.
The key to sleep hygiene starts with keeping a consistent sleep schedule. Sounds easy enough but sleeping troubles are not always that simple. Our integrative team has many tools that get to the root of what is causing your sleeplessness. Our acupuncture and functional medicine providers often work together to help patients unlock better sleep while addressing deeper issues like hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and other underlying causes.
Make the most of your current healthcare options (Has your deductible been met?)
By this point of the year, many people have met their health insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. This makes health care and medical services significantly more accessible.
Planning ahead before the holiday season kicks into gear can help you make the most of your health insurance and flexible spending accounts.
Our team is happy to look into your benefits to verify coverage on any of our services. You might consider starting a new treatment plan, treating yourself to a therapeutic massage, acupuncture treatment, or even that food sensitivity testing you’ve been curious about!
Know your H20
Did you know it’s more likely you are dehydrated in cooler months than warmer months? This is because our thirst response diminishes while our urine output increases. Winter dehydration can leave you with a range of uncomfortable health conditions, including dry skin, lack of energy, muscle cramps, and under performance. Essentially every part of your body needs water to function properly. In addition to monitoring your water intake throughout the day, be sure to incorporate water-rich fruits and veggies like winter squash, celery, pineapple, pomegranate, and chard.
Mind your Mood
If you notice that your feelings and mood changes with the seasons, you might be susceptible to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Indications of SAD include lack of motivation, feelings of hopelessness, changes in sleep, diminished energy, and other depression-like symptoms.
As many of us do, you might just find it a bit harder to maintain a healthy emotional outlook throughout the colder months.
Integrative medicine can help you find balance amongst the winter blues. We take a whole body-whole lifestyle approach to your health concerns. During the fall and winter, prioritizing your self-care is more important than ever. With several convenient wellness centers throughout Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs and a team of specialists in non-invasive, drug-free healthcare options, we make it as easy as possible to tap into your body’s amazing ability to heal and thrive all season long!
Click the button below to contact our team today to schedule your next appointment.
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