Probably the most complicated blog post I've done to date, possibly the most
complicated I will ever do. This topic was mind-blowing to say the least, but, first,
its disclaimer time:
I am not a doctor
I will never be a doctor, nor have I been one in the past
I am not offering doctors/medical advice
I am not suggesting you place my blog post ahead of doctors advice
I am not suggesting you do not go to a doctors when you feel the need to
That's that out of the way.
So if I'm not offering medical advice, what am I doing? Why do this blog post anyway?
Good question, and to be honest, I almost quit the post and gave up on several
occasions: it really did get that complicated.
To produce this post, I combined my research, conversations with people who are, or have
suffered with depression, anxiety and stress & my own personal experiences.
I want to share all this information with you via this blog post: what I learned about causes,
prevention and possible natural, homeopathic cures to depression.
So what is depression & anxiety? What are the definitions?
Depression is actually defined as a chemical imbalance in the brain, but did you know, this
is just a theory? Hard to believe I know, but it this has never been clinically, medically
proved!!
To make it even more interesting, this theory, is predicted to be the world’s biggest health
problem by 2030!
It is estimated that over 168 million people around the world are suffering from anxiety &
depression.
This is good news for some, especially the multiple drug companies who have convinced
health services, governing bodies and the general public, that they can supply drugs and
pharmaceuticals to cure and prevent this theory from manifesting or getting worse.
The sad truth is, this is just an unproven theory, and we still have so much to learn about
this illness.
Is it really a chemical imbalance? I don't know, and there are lots of people, far more
intelligent than I am, working for these drug companies, who don't know either!!
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. Anxiety is the main symptom of several
conditions, including: General anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social fears, phobias.
Again, as with depression, there is still very much to learn about anxiety: the causes and
the best way to prevent and treat it. However, the medical profession are still very eager
to prescribe medications as the preferred treatment.
So lets leave the pharmaceuticals, medicines, injections, pills & potions to the adults, and
take a look at what we could possibly do naturally, homoeopathically & holistically to help
prevent, ease the pain or even heal depression & anxiety.
For ease, and I think, simplicity, we are going to look at depression & anxiety collectively.
They both have a lot in common and share many causes and symptoms.
Depression & anxiety are both symptoms of stress. Now, as we know, stress can take many
forms, and can affect different people, in many different ways.
What might not bother one person, might create severe problems for another.
During my research, it was at this point where it became very complicated, and as I stated
earlier, I honestly nearly gave up.
But then I had a moment of clarity: my light bulb moment as it were.
This is only as complicated as you make it.
Is it really that difficult??
Are we just complicating things and making depression & anxiety almost impossible
to prevent and treat ourselves, especially without medications?
MY STORY:
I too suffered bouts of depression and anxiety, mainly brought on by toxic interactions
at my place of employment.
During its peak, because of the toxic nature of the working environment, my colleague
had already taken sick leave and was dealing with his issues, alone, in his flat. Although
I did visit him, it was abundantly clear, he was being offered zero support from our
employer.
Shortly after he commenced his sick leave, my team leader asked me to attend work
surgery as he said I was "looking stressed". I obliged and shortly after the curtain
closed on my cubical, I was promptly taken to my own GP, as an emergency
appointment.
My blood pressure was classed as "Stage 2 High Blood Pressure".
Once in the surgery, my doctor took my blood pressure again, and it was slightly
higher. He said hospitalising me was the only option if I could not remove myself
from the environment which was causing this.
He then, without any hesitation, offered me anti-depressants & mood stabilisers.
He was literally halfway through writing out my prescription on his pad, when I
asked him to stop.
At that moment, I knew I was going to deal with it, and get back to normal, but,
I wasn't sure how.
All I knew was, I wasn't taking any drugs: I was going to do it naturally.
Then I had a catharsis, and everything became clear: this became my plan:
- Identify the root causes
- Own them
- Deal with them
This is sometimes not an easy process, one which most people tend to shy away from,
as it simply becomes too painful. You have to sit yourself down, and be completely honest
about your situation and what is making you feel like you do.
No matter how many drugs you take or how many pills you pop, it will do nothing to help
you to identify and deal with "root causes". In fact, as anti-depressants only deal with
symptoms, this may actually cloud your critical thinking, and prevent you tackling the
situation in a normal, natural way.
The easiest option by a country mile, is to trod down the easy path, and take
the medications in an attempt to make it go away, or at least, lessen the pain!
If you sit and think critically, logically and try your hardest to remove the emotion from
your thoughts, identifying the root causes is not difficult, that's actually the easy part.
The difficult parts are actually taking ownership, then dealing with them.
I knew, without dealing with these issues, I was never going to heal myself mentally and
get back to normal. Like it or not, it had to be done.
I looked at the condition of my mental health holistically, meaning, I quickly realised it was
not only the work environment causing me problems, there were other factors at play.
The sheer relief came when I realised that ALL these factors were within my control.
Every single root cause could be identified and corrected by me, without the need for
medications: BUT, I had to be prepared to accept them & own them!!
Think about it like this:
Stress is almost always brought about by UNRESOVLED ISSUES!!
Admittedly, some of the work factors were exceptionally difficult to deal with,
especially the toxic people, some of who, were managers.
It actually made me feel nauseous thinking about confronting these people, and their
managers, in order to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
I did this, and I admit, it wasn't and easy process, however, in this situation, you only
really do have two choices: deal with it, or let it continue.
That was work sorted, and it did result in me being moved to a completely different
department. But it was sorted. What a relief!!!!
This relief was initially overwhelming, I instantly felt not only happier and mentally
stronger, I felt empowered & confident I could move on and complete my mental
health recovery to the full.
Lets move on.
What if?
What if depression is not a mental disease brought about by a chemical imbalance
in your brain? And which chemical anyway??
The brain relies on lots of things to function correctly: proteins, good fats,
electrolytes and neurotransmitters.
The most common reason given for depression, is a lack of one of our "Happy
Hormones" - Serotonin.
This is a key chemical messenger and is associated with happiness, focus, and
calmness.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a widely used type of
antidepressant and they work by increasing the amount of Serotonin in the
brain.
It would be too simplistic to say that depression and related mental health
conditions are caused by low serotonin levels, but a rise in serotonin levels can
improve symptoms.
What if there was a completely natural way to both prevent & heal depression
and anxiety, without the need for drugs and medications?
What if depression and anxiety were brought about by what we eat/drink, how
active we were, medications we took, lifestyle factors and how we managed
stress in our lives?
After all, it makes sense right?
Personally, I still exercise regularly, however, if, for whatever reason, I cant
partake, and this goes on for any length of time, I actually feel anxious and
depressed.
When we don't exercise, eat and drink the wrong fluids, suffer from poor sleep,
are exposed to significant amounts of stress, become exposed to EMF's, toxins,
poisons & heavy metals, our bodies become damaged and inflamed!
As our brains are an integral part of our bodies, it will also suffer the same fate
and become damaged, inflamed & ill also.
As a result, we then become fed up, cheesed off, irritable, sad, bemused,
solemn, stressed and dare I say it: DEPRESSED & ANXIOUS?!?!
What if this could actually be the ROOT CAUSE of depression & anxiety?
What if we, ourselves, without the need for pharmaceuticals and drugs, could
prevent and heal depression & anxiety by simply making changes to the way we
live and lead our lives?
What if indeed?!?!
Our brains need several things to survive, rebuild and thrive:
- Oxygen
- Good healthy fats
- Proteins
- Hormones and Neurotransmitters
- Blood flow
- Vitamins & Minerals
There is only one thing governing whether your brain receives these elements
or not ------ YOU!!
Ultimately, the best way to deprive your brain of what it needs could be any,
or a combination of the following activities:
- Poor diet (trans fats, sugar etc etc etc).
- Lack of exercise, or at least, low levels of mobility.
- Diabetes (which can be reversed).
- Obesity (which can be reversed).
- Chronic stress.
- Poor hydration (sugary drinks and not enough electrolytes).
- Chronic sleeping problems.
- Lack of brain food in your diet (good fats, proteins, vitamins & minerals).
The same question again then:
What if, we, ourselves, without the need for pharmaceuticals and drugs, could
prevent and heal depression & anxiety by simply making changes to the way we
live and lead our lives?
The Science:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is closely connected to the brain and plays
a vital role in regulating involuntary bodily functions. The ANS is a component of
the peripheral nervous system, and its primary function is to control and coordinate
activities of internal organs, blood vessels, and glands to maintain homeostasis.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS)and the brain are intricately connected, with
the brain serving as the command centre that regulates and coordinates autonomic
responses. This interaction is essential for the body to adapt to changing conditions,
respond to stressors, and maintain internal stability.
The ANS plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by controlling various bodily
functions without conscious effort. It is responsible for coordinating responses
to internal and external stimuli, ensuring that organ systems function together
harmoniously.
With me so far??
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into two main branches:
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS):
Often referred to as the "fight or flight" system.
Activated in response to stress, danger, or excitement.
Prepares the body for intense physical activity and mobilizes energy
resources.
Increases heart rate, dilates the airways, redirects blood flow to muscles,
and suppresses non-essential functions such as digestion.
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS):
Often referred to as the "rest and digest" system.
Dominant during periods of rest and relaxation.
Promotes recovery and conservation of energy.
Slows heart rate, constricts the airways, stimulates digestion, and enhances
functions related to rest and recovery.
The balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the
autonomic nervous system is crucial for maintaining internal equilibrium.
This balance allows the body to respond appropriately to different situations
and adapt to changing environmental conditions. The autonomic nervous
system influences a wide range of physiological processes, including
heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, digestion, and various metabolic
activities.
Chronic imbalance between the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), with prolonged dominance of one
system over the other, can contribute to various health issues.
There is now strong evidence to suggest that an imbalance between the
sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system
(PNS) activity may contribute to the development or exacerbation of
depression.
Here are some documented, peer reviewed findings:
Chronic activation of the SNS, often associated with the "fight or flight"
response, has been linked to an increased risk of mood disorders, including
depression.
Elevated levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine,
may be associated with depressive symptoms.
Reduced activity of the PNS, which is responsible for promoting relaxation
and recovery, may also play a role in depression.
The PNS is involved in processes that contribute to emotional regulation and
resilience, and its suppression may be associated with increased vulnerability
to mood disorders.
Heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects the dynamic interplay between the
sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS, has been studied in
relation to depression.
Lower HRV, indicating reduced flexibility in autonomic regulation, has been
associated with an increased risk of depression.
Prolonged activation of the stress response, often associated with sympathetic
dominance, can contribute to chronic stress.
Chronic stress may lead to changes in neurotransmitter systems, such as
serotonin and dopamine, which are implicated in the development of depression.
Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system can contribute to chronic
low-grade inflammation, which has been linked to depression.
Inflammation may affect the central nervous system and influence
neurotransmitter function.
That's the science done, I hope your still with me!?
Understanding how the science works helps us to move forward, identify
the root causes of depression, anxiety & stress, then put in place measures to
prevent, eliminate or at least mitigate the symptoms.
What can we do about it???
If maintaining a balance between the autonomic nervous system (ANS),
including both the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic
nervous system (PNS), is essential for overall health and well-being, what can
we do do ensure this in place?
Here are some strategies you may find useful:
Regular Exercise:
Engage in regular physical activity to promote overall cardiovascular health
and support a balanced autonomic nervous system.
Both aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, jogging, swimming) and activities that
promote flexibility and relaxation (e.g., yoga, tai chi) can be beneficial.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:
Practice mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or progressive
muscle relaxation to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and
counteract the stress response.
Incorporate relaxation practices into your daily routine to help manage stress.
Stress Management:
Identify and manage stressors in your life through effective stress
management techniques.
This may include time management, setting realistic goals, avoiding toxic
people and learning to prioritize tasks and saying NO.
Note: I will be doing a "stand alone" blog post on Stress, so look out for that.
Adequate Sleep:
Prioritize good sleep hygiene to ensure sufficient and restful sleep.
Please check out my Facebook Group Page "HappyHealthyOver50" and my
You Tube Channel "Sleep Harmony Academy" for access to my free "Sleep
Masterclass Course".
Balanced Nutrition:
Good brain food includes good quality proteins, vitamins & minerals such as
Vitamin D, C, B & E, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc.
Essential fatty acids are also vital to good brain health such as organic
saturated fats and Omega 3.
Regular Relaxing Activities:
Incorporate activities that promote relaxation into your routine, such as
reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
Engage in hobbies that bring you joy and a sense of fulfilment, things that
make you smile and be happy.
Avoid sugar and trans fats!
Sunlight and Nature:
Get out into nature as much as possible. This is not only good for your
mental health, it feeds your soul and can be very powerful.
Get natural light into your eyes: yes, this works even when its cloudy.
Remove your sunglasses (needed only when driving), and get natural
light into the back of your eyes as much as you can.
Post Summary & Key Takeaways:
There is no denying and no doubt that both depression & anxiety are
terrible afflictions and cause pain, torture and misery for millions of
people across the world.
Anxiety is a feeling of helplessness while Depression is a feeling of
hopelessness, and both can become debilitating if they become
chronic and long-term.
But there is hope and cause for much optimism: and yes, this is
without the need for drugs, pharmaceuticals and medications.
Although there are so many external factors causing significant
problems for our mental health, you also have the power to decide
how bad this is.
I also know, through personal experience, how hard and difficult
this can be to control, however, it can be done.
What if you did adopt this approach, and it yielded success?
Imagine how this success might snowball, enabling you to gain
the knowledge and confidence to prevent, mitigate or even
eliminate depression and anxiety altogether! Just imagine!!
Diet, nutrition, managing stress, getting good quality sleep, taking
regular exercise and getting exposure to natural light are all within
your control.
What if these were effective preventable and mitigating controls
against depression & anxiety?
What if?
Thanks for reading and ill catch you on the next blog post.
