Depression – Feeling low? – Naturopath-health

Why do you get Depressed?

There can be many reasons why we can become depressed, sometimes it can be due to suppressed emotions, or on-going stress in your life, or not being able to cope or deal with what you are experiencing.

With the many lifestyle changes that we have experienced around the world due to Covid-19, many of us have found ourselves struggling to keep positive and motivated. You may even find yourself worried or upset for no reason and unable to cope with all of this?

Some Symptoms

Below are some Symptoms that you may be able to relate to, for me they are ones I have experienced and had to deal with personally over the last couple of years this all started with me being physically assaulted by two women on two totally separate occasions – which even for me was a horrendous experience!

Crying for no reason
Changes in sleep patterns
Low mood and no Appetite
Self sabotaging
Unmotivated, having no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Low energy levels
Poor concentration
Feelings of low self-esteem

Worst case scenario’s can be feelings like, “giving up”, having no hope, or feeling like “what’s the use trying” and thoughts of suicide. To this day I can still experience these feelings and emotions that generally come on without any warning or reason.

Here in NZ as in many Countries, we are lucky to be offered FREE 24/7 Counselling Support.

This service is available to anyone who is feeling down, depressed or just needing to talk with a Counsellor or Mental Health Specialist who will listen to you and/or give you advice.

Lifeline Aotearoa ph: 0800 543 354

Mental Health helpline Ph: 0800 173 7173 or txt 1737

What Helped Me!

During these challenging times I was so grateful for the training I had received and knowledge gained over the years in my profession regarding what Supplements to take and Lifestyle Routines to implement that helped me feel better and supported when I was feeling really Low and/or Depressed.

Supplement and Nutritional Support

Every one of us is an Individual who will need different supports, what one person takes or needs to support their health can be different to another person’s. In general, though there are certain Vitamins and Minerals that can be helpful to take if feeling Depressed or Low.

Magnesium, EFA (Omega 3’s) or EPA/DHA, B-Vitamins/Mineral Complex, Vitamin C

Nutritional Foods, and Remedy Support

Some helpful diets like Wholefood, Anti-inflammatory, and the Mediterranean diet are inclusive of high intake of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, quality essential fatty acids, and whole grains (limiting starchy grains and vegetables).

Herbs: Some of the herbs that I took and/or brewed as a tea where St John’s Wort, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Nettle, Oat-straw, Skullcap, Passionflower.

Bach Flowers: Many Bach Flowers where helpful to deal with emotional needs.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils: Rosemary, Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Jasmine and Rose

Homoeopathic Remedies: Some remedies Ignatia, Nat Mur, Aurum Met for different presenting symptoms helped me through times when I was crying, upset or feeling really low.

Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) EFT has demonstrated efficacy for various physiological and psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to help relieve pain and cravings.

Colour Therapy-Drawing: You may of heard me talk about or even watched one of my video’s on Colour Therapy-Drawing and how effective it is to support emotional and mental well-being, by connecting you to your subconscious through drawing, discussion and counseling techniques which gives an outlet to suppressed emotions.

Colour Therapy Session (Any Type)

Counselling and Mindfulness: Talking to someone when I did not have someone to talk to was one of the biggest things that helped me move through my traumatic experiences and emotions. Being present in the moment and focusing on my breathing helped pull me back into the present when worrying thoughts and pain was present.

Exercise helps to improve depressive symptoms by increasing endorphins or feel good hormones also Physical symptoms of stress can be reduced through relaxation exercise, including activities that involve progressive muscle relaxation and breathing control (yoga, pilates, meditation).