The nights are getting colder…

Days are getting shorter, it’s definitely feeling like winter is arriving. I still can not believe we are into May already! It seems like every year is going by quicker and quicker. As a new parent I can see how quickly the years can go by as you watch your little one change and grow - Fred is already 5 months =0 where did that time go?

Anyways, we have decided to change up our newsletters a bit to try and provide you with more practical info you can use to improve your family’s health. We have decided to break the newsletter up into our 5 keys to good health and promote something in each that you can incorporate into your lifestyle.

I am also debating whether we should have another “Winter whereabouts” competition with paddy. Let me know by email if you’d like to see this again.

-Dr Chad

Chiropractic

Feeling good DOES NOT equate to good health.

Often times it is believed that if you are not experiencing symptoms then you are healthy. But this is not true!

Symptoms are a results of an underlying issue that has not been addressed or corrected. 

If we use the analogy of a fire and a smoke alarm. Addressing only the symptoms is akin to silencing the smoke alarm and ignoring the fire. Our aim at Otago Family Chiropractic is to address the underlying problem (the fire). But to truly get on top of an underlying problem takes CONSISTENCY.

Just like when you begin to put out a fire, the smoke alarm stops. When we begin to correct the source of the problem the symptoms reduce. But a fire can smoulder long after the flames are extinguished and if it is not watched and managed it can start again.

All too often we see patient come in; Work hard to reduce their symptoms then stop care because they “feel good”, only to come back in a couple of months or so later because it’s flared back up again.

Lets make this quarter the time of consistency and put out the fires once and for good! 

What you may not be aware of is that your sleep routine actually begins when you wake up. Andrew Huberman a PHD professor in neurology explains that in order for our bodies to make the right amount of melatonin for sleep it needs the right amount of cortisone at the right times during the day.

To achieve the optimum levels of cortisone Huberman recommends getting as much natural light into your eyes within the first 40 minutes of waking up. How do we do this if we wake before the sun? He suggests getting out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off (no snoozing) and turn on as many of the brighter lights in your home as you can. Then when the sun does finally come out get outside and bask in it for as long as you can.

Huberman also recommends waiting for up to 2 hours before you have your morning coffee from wake up… well I guess there are some thing’s we will have to professionally disagree on!

Very quickly you’ve broken that great routine and its coming up summer and you realise you haven’t exercised since before June.

While Dr Chad is a great fan of daily walking, “Just 30 minutes a day for 6 months will change your life forever…” We have a few amazing people and places that are here to keep you accountable and moving well over the colder months.

For ladies that prefer a more personal 1-1 or small group training who want variety look no further than the amazing Kristen Wingham at BodyKraft located down by baby on the move.

If you’re looking for more of a large group inclusive atmosphere that uses some of the latest equipment and technology to get results then head over and see the team at BFT Kensington.

Ensuring you have a strong social network really helps to ward off the winter blues. Now is the perfect time to start planning some social catch ups whether it be a mid-winter Christmas, a brisk coffee and walk or supporting the local farmers market with friends.

New “Think Well” traditions you could incorporate at home are things like:

- Nightly card games - we love cribbage or rummy cub.

- Bed time stories for the kids or a few hours reading before bed.

- If you’re not a regular eat at the table family, trying to make a day or a time each day to gather at the table and talk over a meal. You can step this up a notch again by eating dinner by candle light which helps the brain to create melatonin and build a cozy atmosphere.

A fantastic book that we re-read every winter season is “The little book of Lykke” by Meik Wiking, a Danish professor who has looked into health, habits and what makes us happy as humans.

Regardless here is his recipe for a Thai pumpkin soup that feeds a crowd or plenty of left overs to freeze.

Thai Pumpkin Soup

What’s happening in the community?

The constant postural change of looking down at a phone along with the bright blue light used during night hours can lead a lot of us, especially our teens, to experience migraines, postural issues and long term health problems like hypertension. Having specific time away from a device gives our primitive brains a chance to rest and reset amid the constant bombardment of social media apps.

A great tip while using your phones is what we call “Phones to face” where you bring the phone up to your face not your face down to your phone. Be careful, the chiropractors will call you out if they catch you with poor phone posture while waiting for your appointment!

A little bit of Fred

For those of you who like to keep up with wee (or not so wee anymore) Fred and his antics, here are a few photos from the last couple of months. Thank you again to all who have showered him with gifts he is very grateful as are his parents.