Appropriately, Valentine’s Day occurs during the month of February, which is deemed “heart health month” in medicine. Today, heart disease is still the number one killer. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to change if the way cardiovascular disease is treated continues to focus mostly on fixing the end result, rather than addressing its root cause.
Doctors and patients may believe that they are doing their due diligence to ward off heart complications through daily medication and/or lifestyle interventions. Yet, this approach ignores the number one risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, perceived isolation. This is especially disturbing because today, isolation and separation are at an all-time high.
As a naturopathic doctor, I feel it is imperative to offer integrative support and mind-body approaches that assist with more effectively coping with today’s tragedies. This is why I have been advocating for accessible, safe, holistic, and complementary psychiatric options to help our troubled society deal with all the turmoil and trauma of current events. We also need to consider these same tools for integrative heart health. This will not only impact emotional and mental health, but also bodily resilience.
What we think and how we feel impacts our organ systems. Furthermore, our physical health can impact our psychology. This month, the American Heart Association (AHA) validated this connection between the heart and brain. They issued a statement to encourage practitioners to look at their patient’s mental health when assessing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
The statement reads, “there is increasing evidence that psychological health may be causally linked to biological processes and behaviors that contribute to and cause CVD…”
My favorite tool for addressing both the mind and body synergistically are essential oils. They impact brain health, emotions, biochemistry, and spirituality.
In my most recent article, I highlight how essential oils are perfect for promoting the emotional, relational, and physical aspects of heart health.
Topics include:
- How essential oils impact mental and emotional health.
- The importance of holistic heart health.
- The impact of essential oils on all aspects of cardiovascular wellness.
Access my latest blog to learn more.
Next week, I will review five essential oils and blends that are specific for supporting the mind-body-heart connection.
Learn How Naturopathic Medicine Can Support Your Health.
Specializing in Mental and Emotional Health, Women’s Health, and Digestive Health
Click here to discover more.
Access my free two-part video series on essential oils for brain, mood, and hormonal balance!
This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)
According to experts and the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no approved standard of care treatment, cure, or preventative for COVID-19. Supportive measures and containment are in full force as a result. Please see the CDC website and your state’s website for more information and updates. They also state when to contact your physician related to symptoms and travel history, exposures. Please read my more detailed article on this subject here.
Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
Thanks Canva and Pixabay.
