We want to be happy.. but
We want to be happy but we are often alert and looking for trouble and strife. The function of the primitive parts of our brain is to keep us alert for danger and to react quickly. Changing our mindset is far from easy as we are more inclined to focus on the negative and to be reactive to situations.
We are all vulnerable to poor mental health.
Modern clinicians, using the standard diagnostic criteria, agree that Lincoln certainly suffered with depression. But a modern diagnosis does not explain how Lincoln wrestled with the monsters in his head, and where it led him.
Food, inflammation and mental health
We know that nutrition is related to aspects of mental health and that all of our cells, bones, and tissues are built from what you eat- and this includes signalling molecules. An example is that dietary fat is important in building and maintaining brain tissue and also aids in balancing hormones.
The power of our mind
Many studies demonstrate when patients are given a placebo pill, and they believe that it’s powerful medicine, they get better. The power of the mind is awesome, and often untapped. (1) we also have the nocebo effect; a substance or treatment’s ability to make us feel unwell if we believe it has the power to do so.
Embracing change
I have had so much change in my life over the last six years – and I am really not fantastic at coping with change. To start, my 22 year old marriage ended, which was so hard, and also it happened in the midst of completing my PhD.
Mental! Who are you calling mental
The very use of the word ‘mental’ in mental health is pretty screwed up - do you agree? Why not ‘emotional health’? In 1960, Thomas Szasz published ‘The Myth of Mental Illness’ a controversial paper that rang alarm bells throughout psychiatry circles. Szasz argued that mental illness is a damaging myth, and had no established foundation in biological pathology.
Importance of being vulnerable
Few of us feel comfortable being vulnerable as it leaves us with nowhere to hide, and it may not be safe. We want to protect ourselves, and therefore we put on masks, and build walls around ourselves.
Lessons from the yellow wallpaper
Most of us are embarrassed when we feel unwell in our mind. In fact, and stigma attached to mental illness is almost as bad as the illness itself in some cases.
What’s wrong with our dietary guidelines?
Our dietary guidelines in Australia (including the health star rating) should be reviewed. It is utterly ridiculous that in a country with a growing incidence of diabetes, sugar laden, highly processed cereal gets a healthy 4-star rating and the Heart Foundation Tick, despite containing 23.5% sugar.
Gut health and mood
What if we could eradicate depression and anxiety, or at least ease symptoms, by making lifestyle changes?
Emotional eating
The feeling of self sabotage is real and often fuels the next session of emotional eating.
Ashwagandha for mental health
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb commonly used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. The root of Ashwagandha smells like a horse and it is believed the herb gives the strength and virility of a horse (in Sanskrit, ashva means horse and gandha means smell).
Gratitude for a well mind
It is entrenched in all major religions and is a philosophy that has been taught for years. Be thankful each day.
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