6 Natural Wellness Careers for Aspiring Students

Holistic healthcare has helped millions of people around the world to manage chronic pain, correct nutritional imbalances and prevent illness. Natural wellness careers focus on the whole person and the way body systems interact with each other. If you’re interested in this field, there are many different career paths you could take.

Many natural wellness professionals work with and appreciate traditional Western medicine. They go through intensive training and rely on research and study throughout their careers, just like traditional doctors. Here are six natural wellness careers for aspiring students. 

1. Nutritionist

Nutrition is incredibly important for overall health and wellbeing. A poor diet is linked to disease and mental illness and some foods make your risk of illness much higher. For example, refined sugar causes physical inflammation and can worsen symptoms of depression. Research shows that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. 

You can help people improve their mental and physical health with dietary changes. Some people go to school to study nutrition, while others take a certification program. The right path for you depends on your goals as a nutritionist and the kind of training and experience you need to reach them. 

2. Midwife

You could also consider becoming a midwife. Midwives use a combination of natural and traditional medicine to ensure both mother and baby stay happy and healthy throughout pregnancy and delivery. Some midwives partner with hospitals, while others meet with families in their homes. 

Some midwives start with a nursing degree and then specialize in nurse midwifery. Others complete a certification program, while still others take on the role after completing an apprenticeship. In general, midwives with degrees make the most money. However, their training also has a higher financial cost. 

3. Chiropractor

Chiropractors study how bones, ligaments, nerves and muscles work together to support the human body. They’re trained to correct physical problems that are causing pain or physical dysfunction. There are several different types of chiropractors, including musculoskeletal and wellness chiropractors. 

To work as a chiropractor, you must graduate from an accredited chiropractic program. It can take seven years to complete prerequisites and graduate with the certification to practice in the United States. However, chiropractors make a good salary once they set up their practice. In 2018, the median annual income for chiropractors was $71,410. 

4. Health Coach

If you want to be more involved in your clients’ lives, consider becoming a health coach. These health professionals help clients make personal health goals and stick to them. They improve their clients’ quality of life and can even help them manage chronic diseases like diabetes. Health coaches are cheerleaders and life coaches as well as medical professionals. 

Some health coaches go to school and earn a degree to start their careers. Others complete accredited certification programs in person or online. In general, companies that hire health coaches want to see evidence of a degree and long-term study. Freelance health coaches can start their own business after completing a certification program. 

5. Copywriter

You can also build a career in natural wellness by writing about the field. Copywriters do research and write content that supports businesses through online marketing. As a copywriter, you’ll be able to write about many facets of natural health and educate more people on the benefits of holistic practices. 

You can freelance as a natural health copywriter or apply for a traditional marketing role at a natural health company. With the right discipline and good clients, freelance writers can make a lot of money. However, you may want to write for an established company if you prefer structure and regular work hours. 

6. Naturopathic Doctor

Naturopathic doctors focus on the whole person and help them support the body’s natural healing abilities. They typically spend a lot of time with each patient and consider emotional, physical and genetic factors that could be causing illness. Many naturopathic doctors use herbs and supplements to help their patients heal. Some naturopathic doctors also use meditation, massage or hydrotherapy. 

These medical professionals make a good salary after their practice gets going. To become a naturopathic doctor, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree and then train at a naturopathic school. To graduate, you must pass a national board exam. 

Working in Natural Health

The best career for you combines your passions with a service that people need. If you’re interested in natural health, consider these six roles as potential job options. Natural wellness careers enable you to continue learning about human health while improving the quality of life for hundreds if not thousands of clients. 

Holistic health is a reputable field that takes years of study and experience to succeed in. Consider your life goals and how they might intersect with a career in natural health. This field is expanding as more people see the benefit of preventative, holistic health care.