Page 26 - Real Style February 2018

HealtH & Wellness
WitH Dr. sara Celik
We reached out to Board Certi ed Naturopathic Doctor and National Spokesperson for Renew Life Canada, Dr. Sara Celik, for the answers to some of the top health and wellness questions.
Real Style: What are your top tips for embarking on a journey to better health in 2018?
Sara Celik: Remember that health is a lifelong jour- ney. Adopt a positive outlook, identify your “why”
If you enjoy working out in the evenings, try to pack your gear before you leave the house in the morning. Coming home at the end of a long day can make it dif cult to honour your workouts. A workout buddy for 2018 may be
26 Real Style February 2018
and celebrate your wins no matter how small they may seem. We can be too hard on our- selves and forget how far we’ve come. Small, achievable goals are often more effective and sustainable than sudden, drastic changes. Make healthy habits and activities something you enjoy and you’ll stick with it.
RS: It’s not uncommon in the winter for people to feel tired, sluggish and unmoti- vated. What would you recommend for people who feel like this?
SC: Feeling unmotivated and sluggish dur- ing the dark, short days of winter is a com- mon occurrence. You are not alone. To beat the winter blues, you have to stay physically active. Be sure to take your vitamins (vita- min D, probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids are great choices) and have a warm winter ward- robe. I encourage my patients to add work- outs or yoga classes to their calendar, treating them like appointments.
a good idea as they can motivate you, keep you ac- countable and encourage you to beat the cold to get your workouts in.
RS: What are your tips for families dealing with a household of snif es, coughs and fevers?
SC: Many people are surprised to learn that 70 to 80 percent of the immune system lies in the gut. A rise in cold and u can occur due to poor gut health and a lack of “friendly” gut bacteria. Although vita- min C, vitamin D, oregano oil and garlic are popular immune-boosting remedies, live bene cial bacteria – known as probiotics — play a key role in strength- ening the immune system.
One study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2015 showed that the probiotic strain
PhOtOs, leFt: sara celik, riGht: istOck