In this episode of the Fieldnotes podcast, Dr. Rob Downey interviews naturopathic doctor Sarah Love about why nutrition alone often fails to resolve modern health issues. Sarah explains that despite patients following excellent diets, chronic stress, lack of breaks, and sympathetic overdrive frequently block healing. She emphasizes the importance of intentional rest, reconnecting with nature, and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Her clinical experience led her back to herbal medicine and the creation of her own caffeine-free tea blends designed to support relaxation, gut health, cognitive clarity, and daily rituals that restore vitality. The conversation highlights simple, "common-sense" lifestyle practices — like scheduled breaks, outdoor time, and herbal tea — as essential foundations for wellness.
Timestamps:
02:40 – Diet alone not healing patients.
04:54 – Break culture urgently needs revival.
06:43 – Breaks must be truly restorative.
13:48 – Herbal teas reintroduced into practice.
21:39 – Gut drives overall body health.
_______________________________________________________________________
Key Takeaways:
Breaks are essential for true healing.
Stress blocks digestion and vitality.
Nature exposure boosts parasympathetic activity.
Herbal teas support gut and mind.
Simple habits outperform complex interventions.
