Woo-Woo or Wise? Why Prevention Shouldn’t Cost a Fortune
Healthcare reacts, but what if we could stop the chaos before it starts? A snarky take on wellness, integrative medicine, and why my husband always ends up eating his words.
Love my snarky takes on marriage, parenting, and the chaos of raising an ADHD-fueled family—while still trying to live that crunchy dream, but do not want to upgrade to paid? Help keep the laughs rolling, the sourdough rising, and the wellness wisdom flowing. Toss a few bucks my way—because organic sarcasm and real talk deserve a little funding. 😉What Do Healthcare and Cops Have in Common?
Neither prevent things—they show up after the crime.
Before anyone gets their panties in a twist, let me be clear: I’m not against cops. As someone who escaped domestic abuse, I got a front-row seat to how restraining orders actually work (or don’t). Spoiler alert: They’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot. They don’t necessarily keep you safe, but they do show up after the damage is done. It’s the same thing with our healthcare system—it’s not preventative. It reacts. And that, my friends, is a problem.
A lot of people roll their eyes at so-called “woo-woo” practices—until they need them. Funny how skepticism vanishes faster than your paycheck on payday when conventional healthcare can’t fix what’s wrong.
Now, before you come for me with pitchforks, I’m not bashing traditional healthcare. It absolutely has a place. If I break my arm, you better believe I’m heading to the ER, not rubbing essential oils on it and hoping for the best. (Although, let’s be real, I might still throw in some lavender for the vibes.) But why are integrative practitioners so damn expensive, and why doesn’t insurance cover them? We could prevent so many issues before they even start if these options were more accessible. What do you think? Wouldn’t it make more sense to see integrative practitioners for prevention and traditional doctors for emergencies?
Even my husband makes fun of my “woo-woo” ways. And let me tell you, when he rolls his eyes at me, I swear he can see his small brain. But the funniest part? When he has tried everything and can’t find a “manly fix,” where does he come running? Yep, straight to his woo-woo wife. And do I gloat? Obviously.
Here are some of the ways we practice our “woo-woo” wellness (aka, how I keep my family from falling apart without pharmaceutical intervention):
Herbs for ailments – For stuffy or runny noses, we take nettle leaf, bromelain, and quercetin. Also, blowing your nose helps. Just saying.
Nasal sprays – We use one with saline, eucalyptus, propolis, and oregano oil. The first spray is a religious experience.
Immune boosters – Colostrum and bee propolis are staples in our house. Basically, if bees make it, we take it.
Magnesium supplements – Even with a whole-food diet, we don’t get enough. If stress had a kryptonite, it would be magnesium.
Gut health support – Pre, pro, and postbiotics keep our digestive systems in check because gut health is basically the CEO of the body.
Valerian root for sleep – Because tossing and turning isn’t cute, and neither are the dark circles that come with it.
And the best part? Many of our favorite practices are completely free and easy to implement:
Mindfulness, journaling, and meditation – I start my mornings reading and jotting down thoughts while sipping my coffee. This 10–30 minute practice completely changes how I operate for the rest of the day. Also, coffee first, enlightenment later.
Body movement and getting outside – Nature is healing, simple as that. Bonus points if you touch some grass.
Breathwork or meditation before bed – Helps us wind down for deeper rest. Try it. Or don’t. But don’t complain about bad sleep.
Charging phones away from the bed – EMFs can disrupt sleep, and I don’t need my phone whispering sweet nothings to my brain all night. Keep it on the other side of the room (or in another room entirely).
Does this mean we never get sick? No, we’re humans, not mystical creatures (though I do wish for elf-like immunity). But it does mean we don’t get hit as hard or as often.
I don’t currently work with a naturopath because, quite frankly, I can’t afford one. But I do communicate with my PCP about everything I want to try before resorting to conventional treatments. And guess what? She supports my choices. Not all doctors are pill pushers; there are some gems out there who actually listen.
If you were to ask my advice—which you didn’t, but I’m giving it anyway—I’d say reach out to a naturopath and see if they offer simple consultations without a barrage of expensive tests. Maybe they can guide you on what to ask your primary doctor to test for, then you bring those results back to the naturopath. A system where they work together instead of against each other—just a thought.
So, what do you think? Should integrative healthcare be more accessible, or are we doomed to a system that only reacts after the damage is done?
More to Explore
