Products for Holistic Health
Holistic Health is all about balance. We know from decades of research that the mind, body, and soul are intricately connected. This aligns with the standard biopsychosocial (Biological + Psychological + Social) approach to health and wellness that in practice with most psychological professionals around the world. Below are a selection of high-yield holistic products that have been shown to improve physical, mental, or spiritual wellness and health. As with all things, please consult a health expert like a doctor, pharmacist, or other medical professional before making a change to medications, lifestyle, or diet.
Heat/Hot Therapeutic Products
Heat or thermal therapy has been shown to improve elements of physical and mental health. This includes things like hot tubs, Nordic Saunas, steam rooms, and Infrared Saunas.
In our desire to provide all clients options to access this therapeutic benefit, below are several options of varying economic cost.
*Always consult your physician before adding a heat therapy intervention to your routine.
Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 24;2018:1857413. doi: 10.1155/2018/1857413. PMID: 29849692; PMCID: PMC5941775.
Lowest Cost Thero-therapy
Many local gyms, community centers, and pools can have a sauna co-located with them. Costs for use of these are often pay-per-use with fees that can be as low as $5/session.
For more information, simply use an internet search for your local community centre/pool/gym!
Finnish-style Saunas
Finnish saunas are known for the high temperatures. This type of sauna was often expensive and difficult to attain, but many options are available now. Even ones that collapse or are portable. Some even fit in apartments and condos! There are many cardiovascular and other benefits to these high heat, dry saunas.
As always, consult a physician before adding saunas to your routine.
Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas offer the benefits of red-light and infrared therapy. These have been shown to penetrate through the skin to the muscle to improve blood circulation, recovery, and healing. There are many options in terms of size.
Infrared saunas tend to not heat up as much as Finnish-style saunas due to the primary mechanism being the infrared heater.
Hybrid Saunas
Hybrid saunas are a combination of the heat benefits of the Finnish-style hot saunas with the benefits of the infrared saunas. These tend to be more expensive but give the user a variety of options for heat therapy.
Cold Exposure Therapeutic Products
Cold exposure therapy has been shown to improve elements of physical and mental health. This includes things like cold showers, lake and ocean cold/ice bathing, and cold tubs.
In our desire to provide all clients options to access this therapeutic benefit, below are several options of varying economic cost.
*Cold can be dangerous to individuals with certain health conditions. Please consult a physician before adding cold exposure to your routine.
The Science & Use of Cold Exposure for Health & Performance - The Huberman Lab
Almost Free Options
Finding cold water at either an extremely low cost or free depends on where you might live. For most of the locations in Canada, finding a cold body of water may be as easy as going into a local lake or the Ocean. Ideal temperatures vary, but usually anything below 10 degrees Celsius.
Other, almost no cost options include: your shower or bath tub, or a clean rain barrel. Simply fill your container with water on the coldest setting, or turn the shower to cold and enjoy!
Cold Exposure Tubs
Cold water exposure has many physiological and psychological benefits. How one enters the water can vary. From inflatable barrel type tubs that one fills with water and ice, to fully circulating chiller systems that keep the water at whatever temperature you desire.
Supplements and Vitamins
There are numerous studies that support supplements and vitamins can show benefits for mental health conditions and physical health conditions.
There are many ways to increase the concentration of specific vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional components. One way is to supplement with readily available products, accessible in local health food stores, grocery stores, or online marketplaces. Below are just some options.
Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food - Harvard Health Publishing
Low Intervention Options
The food we eat can be high in specific nutrients. Since we all have to eat, the lowest economic intervention is to educate oneself in finding foods that contain the nutrients you are looking for. An internet search can be the first step at tailoring your shopping list for the things you are looking for.
Common search may include:
High iron foods
Vitamin D containing foods
Foods that boost the immune system
Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements
There is significant science behind the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals. At Unfiltered Mind we believe that we can all leverage these benefits as we know that many of us do not get our recommended daily intake of all the nutrients we need.
Additionally, certain minerals or vitamins can help with certain mental health conditions. Ask your clinician which ones may work for them.
Finally, new and emerging studies are looking at different supplements and how they can help with different elements of mental and physical health.
Use this link for a discount on herbal and vitamin supplements.
Disclaimer
This information is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation, nor a substitute for personalized guidance from a licensed healthcare professional.
Dietary supplements are not evaluated or approved by Health Canada to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary widely based on personal health, diet, medications, conditions, allergies, age, pregnancy, or other factors. You are solely responsible for your own due diligence: thoroughly research each product, read labels carefully, check for third-party testing, and—most importantly—consult a qualified physician, pharmacist, or registered dietitian before purchasing or using any supplement to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your unique needs.
Use of any product is entirely at your own risk. Any associated parties assume liability for any side effects, adverse reactions, injuries, illnesses, or other outcomes arising from these products or links. Always prioritize professional medical advice over online information.
Additionally, multiple manufacturers exists for nearly all these products. These are simply options for exploration. Final decision to purchase remains with the customer/client.