Last week there was renewed discussion about mood and mental health. The “saddest day of the year” (Blue Monday) happened.
Upcoming in January is Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 24). Seasonally, some people struggle in the winter and January finds many of us in the middle of winter when daylight hours are shorter.
There is no single day we can reasonably declare as the saddest day of the year, but the point remains the same: bringing focus to how mental health challenges affect many of us.
The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that in any given year, one in five people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness. It is important for us all to realize that mental health challenges affect people from all walks of life, regardless of sex, gender, age, education and income.
While conventional treatments for mental illness can be effective, many individuals seek alternatives and explore holistic approaches to feeling better. Preventative strategies are of utmost importance and naturopathic medicine offers various options to help individuals improve mood.
A holistic approach that addresses the factors present for any given individual yields the best results.
For instance, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is best treated with light therapy. Daily sessions of light therapy can significantly alleviate SAD symptoms.
Together with light therapy certain nutrients can improve depression symptoms, such as vitamin D and omega 3 fats (best from fish but also flax and walnuts). Vitamin D is best dosed based on a blood test to determine the right amount for you. As a naturopathic doctor, I also use acupuncture and herbal medicines to help those with SAD and depression.
A true holistic approach to mental health is to consider the role of the digestive tract. This is termed the gut-brain axis and describes how the health of the gastrointestinal tract impacts mental health (and vice-versa).
Strategies to improve the health of the digestive tract, and particularly the microbiome, can improve mental health. This could include using probiotics (which have research for depression), but also set the foundations for optimal digestive function (such as reducing inflammation and improving the barrier function of the intestines).
Managing stress is a key element for promoting positive mental health. This certainly includes taking steps to reduce actual stressors in our lives. It also includes building our capacity or reserves so that our mental and physical bodies can perform optimally.
Meditation is one such way to reduce stress. For those interested in what the science says, David Vago, PhD, promotes mental health and well-being through research on meditation and the brain. Learn more at: contemplativeneurosciences.com/how-to-meditate.
Dr. Shawn Peters, ND, is a naturopathic doctor practicing in the qathet region.
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