By halcyon

The winter holidays may be over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our stresses melt away like snow! To help us get 2017 off to a great start, halcyon delves deeper into the links between our bodies and our minds. Please remember that it’s always advised to discuss changes in your regimen with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address not only your personal needs and special concerns, but also the safety of alternative treatments, as herbs and supplements may also interact with medications or with each other – however, if you’re interested in holistic care, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

Honouring the mind and body connection

The Mind and Body are not separate. What affects one, affects the other. (Unknown)

The lure toward holistic care, for myself, is summarised in that short quote. I think the drawback to Western medicine (and what some in the holistic community would deem a failure) is the continued practise of treating the parts as opposed to the whole of the body. This includes not only the body, but the mind as well. There seem to be specialists for everything, and while specialists are not a bad practise, there is an overdependence on them hoping they can fix one ailment, then going to another for a different ailment – and so on.

This makes truly caring for people difficult. If you have a patient with five different doctors for five different problems, you also have the possibility of five different medications, when you might only need one or two to fix a certain problem. If a doctor looks at the whole and not just the parts you reduce the possibility of issues arising from the medications you take. All the contraindications, side effects, and negative interactions that can happen with every medicine you can take, you may not be aware of, and neither may your doctor. This is not to say that some people do not need or benefit from a variety of doctors, and certainly doesn’t mean that you should forgo medical treatment for holistic care, but I think it often would be beneficial used in tandem with other treatments.

I have broken this article into three parts, covering anxiety, depression, and migraines. I have issues with all three, including bipolar disorder, which I have been able to control without meds (though still under the care of a physician) for three years now. I hope to share with you some strategies and alternatives to help combat these issues. I use the word “combat” purposefully, because for those of us with these challenges, it is war. Every day is a fight to maintain balance and feel good.

Anxiety Disorders

These are broadly defined as feelings of anxiety and fear, where anxiety is worry about future events and fear is a reaction to current events. Anxiety feels different for everyone. Mine was oppressive and constricting, so it felt like I could not breathe. My mind would race and I was restless and easily overwhelmed, which may mean I’d burst into tears or get angry within the same hour. Though I’ve tried several things from the list that follows, what works for me and what I will share with you is a combination of yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy. I have included a favourite yoga pose, breathing meditation, and aroma therapy blend.

Alternative treatments for anxiety:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Meditation
• Regular exercise, including yoga
• Essential oils & aromatherapy
• Chamomile tea
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine
• Sleep more
• Natural B12, Omega 3’s and St. John’s Wort, & L-lysine

Yoga Pose: Baddha Konasana (AKA Cobbler’s Pose)
Cautions: Do not do this pose if you have a groin or knee injury. Always use a blanket as support under outer thighs.
Benefits: Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation. Traditional texts also say it destroys disease and eliminates fatigue which can help with anxiety.

Breathing Meditation Technique:

I have used meditative breathing for over 20 years now. I’ve used it not only to help reduce anxiety but to get through four childbirth labours. One of my favourites to use is:

The Measured Breath

• Breathe in slowly through your nose. Count to four, pacing your breath as you inhale. Keep your shoulders down and allow your stomach to expand as you breathe in. Once you’ve breathed in completely, hold a moment, then release the breath slowly and smoothly to a count of seven. Repeat as necessary.

Aromatherapy Blend for Anxiety

Relaxing Blend

• 1 drop Lavender
• 1 drop Sweet Marjoram
• 2 drops Red Mandarin
• 2 drops of Roman Chamomile

Add to your diffuser or whatever method you use to enjoy scented blends.

Depression

Depression is a prolonged feeling of unhappiness and despondency, often magnified by a major life event such as bereavement, divorce, or retirement. Many women often experience depression after childbirth. Mild depression can sometimes be alleviated using a few simple, natural strategies. It can also be used in combination with medical treatement to help lessen symptoms. I have listed a few that have helped me and may help you, too.

Tea for the Soul

• Hops, valerian, and powedered licorice are mood stablisers. Ylang ylang, lavender, clary sage, and chamomile are sedative and can calm depression.

Take a Break – Escape!

• A weekend, a day; heck, even a few hours will do tremendous things to boost your mood. Finding somewhere different, or even a favourite place you find restorative, can reset your mind.

Herbal Power!

• Did you know just 30mg of dried extract of saffron is as powerful as 20mg of the anti-depressent drug Prozac, without the side effects?

The Power of Scent

• A scented sachet of lavender or primrose may help you sleep. You can also try 2 drops each of rose and lemon balm oil and 3 drops of lavender for a restorative and calming effect.

Migraine

Migraine is a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision. These can be especially debilitating. I often find myself in the ER twice a year for a migraine that I can’t kill either with medication or one of the strategies I’ve included, but along with prescriptions designed to prevent migraine, I have curtailed the frequency with which I have them.

Relief – sip by sip

• Yes, we revisit tea. I have found a number of ways tea can enhance life and migraine is one of them. Try a blend of my favourite [1 TBS of the following combined herbs: feverfew, lavender and peppermint] boiled with a cup of water and allowed to steep for 15-20 minutes. You can also add a bit of honey or agave to sweeten it.

Eat your way to being headache free!

These foods have been shown to help prevent or treat migraine:

• Omega-3 foods like nuts, seeds, and wild fish like salmon help control blood flow, lower inflammation, and prevent electrolyte imbalance.
• Magnesium rich foods like Swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, kefir, and almonds.

Editor’s note: Even a single health care provider may not be aware of every side effect or potential interaction of mixed medications, and, sadly, it’s also true that some simply don’t care. If your doctor is unable to answer questions to your satisfaction, or you find that you’re having difficulties with the treatment regimen you’re already on, do your own research and come to your next appointment ready to discuss the matter in more detail. If he or she still refuses to address your concerns and you have the option of visiting another provider, it may be time to seek a second opinion.