You have most likely heard of the Gut brain Axis, referring to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (brain) and the enteric nervous system (gut), linking emotional and cognitive centres […]
One of my passions is helping people with depression and anxiety through natural medicine. There are so many options available that can help with these symptoms. There are many contributing factors to mental health issues – including trauma, genetic factors, lifestyle, but one of the major influences that not many people are aware of is what is going on in the gut.
Anyone who has ever struggled with depression understands the sense of hopelessness that comes with it. We all have days when we’re feeling a bit down, sad or not in the mood to be social. However people with depression experience these feelings constantly, for long periods of time, and sometimes without any apparent reason.
Stress seems to be a challenge that most of us are faced with in our lives today. There are so many demands on our time and energy and an expectation of the 24 hour society. It seems to be a side-effect of modern life and can become overwhelming. But we can learn to recognise it and manage it as it occurs.
Excessive stress affects every system in our body: challenging the nervous system, dampening the immune system, affecting digestion, dysregulating blood sugar levels, and the list goes on. Ongoing stress and our perception of what we think we are meant to be able to manage can also have a detrimental effect on our mental health.
Supporting mental health naturally has been a passion of mine for decades, and there are many complementary options to help manage depression and anxiety, including optimal nutrition, herbal medicine, flower essences, movement, breathing techniques and lifestyle choices.