How to Spring Clean Your Health

Spring is the season of renewal. After a long winter, trees are sprouting leaves again and the daffodils are in bloom. Why not take a similar approach to your health with a spring refresh?

At the Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury, we are passionate about helping patients improve and support their overall wellness! To “spring clean” your health, consider the benefits of adding certain activities, supplements and seasonal foods to your daily routine.

1. Safely Soak Up the Sun

Finally, we can get outside and enjoy the sunshine with a warm breeze! Spring is the ideal time to restore your Vitamin D levels, which can drop during winter. While it’s important to practice sun safety, healthy exposure in small doses can give hormone levels a natural boost and improve circadian rhythm, the internal process that regulates your sleep-wake cycle.

Experts recommend 5 to 10 minutes of morning sunlight exposure within the first few hours of waking to increase cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Cortisol works with your brain to control mood and motivation. When you have less reliance on chemical stimulants like caffeine, your body can optimally regulate on its own.

Afternoon sunlight exposure can help reduce the negative effects of late-night brightness from our smartphones, e-readers and televisions. Going outside at this time of day can communicate to your circadian clock that it’s time to start transitioning to sleep later on.

2. Support Your Body’s Systems

Regular chiropractic adjustments can take undue pressure off your nerve pathways to ensure there are no interferences keeping the immune system from functioning properly. Certain nutrients can also help protect the human body’s main systems.

In addition to Vitamin D from safe sun exposure, a supplement can further support bone health and immune function. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium to keep bones healthy, strong, and prevent osteoporosis. Decreased levels can also put you at higher risk for infections and autoimmune diseases.

Seasonal changes can also disrupt your gut health. The thoracic spine and lumbar spine are responsible for regulating the speed at which food is broken down. Chiropractic treatment can address gastrointestinal issues by improving nerve function to support better digestion. Probiotics are recommended to prevent symptoms of stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, while strengthening the immune system.

3. Lead a Healthy, Active Life

The transition from indoor to outdoor workouts or pushing too hard too early in the season can lead to injury. Yet springtime activities don’t need to be strenuous! A leisurely walk, bike ride, meditation or gardening can help reduce stress levels and your improve mental health.

Our team works with everyone from seasoned athletes to weekend warriors to improve flexibility, strength and stamina, so you can enjoy your favorite activities will less injury risk.
We also offer nutrition counseling to our patients! When healthy eating is at the core of our everyday lives, we have more energy and reduce our risk of disease.

Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are more flavorful and nutritious. Incorporating foods like asparagus, spinach, kale, beets, rhubarb and strawberries into your spring diet can lower your risk for heart disease or stroke and some forms of cancer.

Swapping sugary drinks for herbal teas or fruit-infused water positively affects blood sugar, which can help regulate your appetite and prevent weight gain. Maintaining a healthy body weight is good for your spine, which affects the rest of the body’s vital systems.
 
Our chiropractic team can help improve your health for spring and all seasons of the year! To enjoy your life with less risk of pain, contact us today!