Should I See A Naturopathic Doctor? The Right (And Wrong) Times For Men To See an ND
As a father and husband myself, I know how much health and wellbeing affect our ability to show up for the people we care about. I know how easy it is to deprioritize our own needs by telling ourselves it’s in the best interest of those in our care, too. So even when we think something might be wrong, or even just not 100% right—in other words, even when we get to the point of asking ourselves, “Should I see a naturopathic doctor?”—we’re experts at convincing ourselves it’s unnecessary. But, as an ND, I also know that neglecting our wellbeing, even just for a few months or years, only negatively affects those we love. If not immediately, then in the long run.
If living a long, strong, and bulletproof life where you give everything you can to the people you care about is something you want to strive for, this post will help you see why starting now (not in 5 months or 5 years) is key.
What Naturopathic Doctors Can Do For Men
It’s rarely a bad idea to see a naturopathic doctor because we can essentially screen you for everything. Naturopathic doctors are trained to run convenient but extensive laboratory work that shows us how all areas of your body are functioning. Even just one simple blood draw can tell us that some tweaks are needed, that numerous body systems require attention, or that you’re a finely tuned machine!
So maybe you’re tired, struggling with digestion, or just lacking the motivation and drive you used to have. That’s a great reason to book in. But maybe, you don’t even know a problem exists, and you just want to check in and improve what you can to avoid having bigger issues to deal with later. That’s a great reason to book in, too.
Men’s health issues that naturopathic doctors can prevent, treat, and diagnose are:
Reduced sex drive
Erectile issues
Heart attacks
Strokes
Memory loss
Adrenal Burnout (related: Are You Burning Out?)
Insomnia
Premature death (sadly)
So for the same reason that you’d take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance (to identify emerging issues and prevent big breakdowns that cost way more if they’re not caught early), scheduling a check-in to make sure you’re in great shape, or learn what more you can do for yourself health-wise, is a great idea.
A Naturopath Will Optimize Your Lifestyle—Not Overhaul It
In case you’re worried, seeing a naturopathic doctor like me is not going to turn your lifestyle and diet upside down. I start off as a doctor but over time, function like more of a coach—helping you facilitate the daily actions that build up and improve your health over time. At the end of the day, this is about you and creating sustainable healthy habits that fit into your day.
Sure, we’ll recommend a few changes or tweaks if they’re needed. But we’d never suggest things that feel intense or overwhelming to you because we know they wouldn’t stick anyway. Instead, we work together to create an achievable plan of action that adds in some specifically targeted nutrients to help get you to where you need to go.
The Best Time For Men To See A Naturopathic Doctor
The best time to see a naturopathic doctor is three years ago. But the second-best time is now. This pandemic has created issues for public health but it has also reaffirmed many things we already know, like that people who struggle with the health foundations (proper eating, regular physical activity, irregular sleep, and stress management) do worse when dealing with infections of all kinds. This happens because, when these foundations aren’t in check, our immune systems just don’t work as well as they could.
If your body isn’t functioning optimally—even if nothing is wrong yet—you are simply more susceptible to more illnesses and injuries, including some that can be prevented or avoided completely when they’re caught early on. So, why wait?
Book Before It Breaks Down: Why Prevention Is Key
If your goal is to keep doing the things you love to do with the people you care about, even as you age and change, prevention is crucial. Start thinking about your health care the way you think of your dental care: If you don’t take regular care of your oral health—you don’t see the dentist often, don’t brush and floss, and you eat lots of sugar—your teeth and gums have a limited lifespan. The same principle applies to your body!
FAQ: Couldn’t I Just Google or DIY It?
Sure, identifying certain aspects of your health that need attention can sometimes be done online. But only if accuracy, specificity, and finding effective treatments aren’t that important to you.
It’s much more advantageous to let a naturopathic doctor do the investigating for you, so we can hand you the solutions most likely to get results. Because when we identify your health issues and apply strategies tailored to you, that’s when the rubber hits the road. (Plus, wouldn’t all that time and effort spent searching the internet for your silver bullet solution be better spent with your family, or doing stuff you enjoy?)
So, Should You See A Naturopathic Doctor? Yes!
It’s in your best interest, your family’s best interest, and even your future family’s best interest to get your health in order now. Putting it off until it’s more convenient is a waste of precious time. Remember, preventative health care, including eating better and exercising more, improves every aspect of well-being, including immune function. So waiting could be the difference between routine maintenance and a costly repair—or even a total write-off—down the road.
Do It For Your Family, Your Health & Yourself
And if you’re waiting because you feel like other people’s needs are more important, I get where you’re coming from—but you have to let that go. As a father, a husband, or even a man in general, you may think downgrading the importance of your health care is noble. And in theory, it is. But if we play it out, you’ll just end up burning out not showing up for your family the way you want to, or even leaving your loved ones early because of a health decline. Putting your health first by adopting simple habits that improve your life is you putting them first. Because when you’re well, you can care for and show up for them so much better.
Book A Free 15-Minute Virtual Call (There’s Zero Risk)
If there’s any time in your life to connect with a professional who can help you improve your immune function, level up your stress resilience, and build mental and physical strength, it’s now.
I have the tools and expertise to hear your concerns, answer your questions, and give you a results-based plan to easily incorporate healthy behaviours into your life. To get the ball rolling, book a free 15-minute virtual discovery call, or better yet, schedule your initial visit.