Stress is a major problem that affects many people. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States estimates that stress accounts for about seventy-five percent of all doctor visits.
Long-lasting stress has many short- and long-term detrimental effects on human health. Stress is also closely associated with poor cognitive function, affecting the ability to think clearly and remember, and it is associated with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Statistics about the occurrence of depression and anxiety reveal that between seven and eight percent of people in North America experience at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime, and the estimated prevalence of mild to moderate depression is twenty-one percent. Anxiety disorders affect eighteen percent of US adults and are likely as common in other populations in the world.
If you experience stress, anxiety or mild to moderate depression, what do you do?
You could medicate, and indeed, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are widely prescribed. However, they don’t come without numerous short-term and long-term potential adverse effects.
Fortunately, scientific research has shown that various natural agents and lifestyle factors can be just as effective or more effective at alleviating stress and improving mental and emotional well-being.
In my book, Natural Solutions for Stress, Anxiety and Depression, I offer natural and healthy strategies to lessen the feeling and ill effects of stress, anxiety, and mild to moderate depression. This book addresses mood and stress together because how you feel results from your experiences, and stressful experiences can dampen your mood.
As a naturopathic doctor, author, and educator, my focus has been the prevention and reversal of risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, arterial plaque, and diabetes.
What does that have to do with stress and mental wellness, and what makes me an authority on stress and mental health?
Well...often, these aspects of health and other related conditions cannot be fully resolved without addressing stress and mental and emotional well-being.
The physiological effects of stress and depression contribute to the development of various common health conditions, including
cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, obesity,
Alzheimer’s,
and even cancer.
This is why it is paramount that I recognize and address stress, depression, and anxiety in my patients. In many cultures, the heart is associated with happiness or sadness. We recognise that lack of happiness can harm the heart, and in the English language, we have expressions such as “a happy heart,” “a heavy heart,” or a “broken heart,” and the heart is associated with the emotion of love.
These concepts can be extended to science. Over the past several decades, scientists working in psychoneuroimmunology have proven that what we think and how we feel influences the types of biochemical (neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones) released by our nervous system's various glands.
Biochemicals released because of excessive stress and poor mental and emotional well-being have detrimental effects on various aspects of our health (including our cardiovascular well-being and beyond), while the opposite is true when stress is not overwhelming and we are in a balanced mental and emotional state.
As a naturopathic doctor for over seventeen years, I have had the good fortune of an interesting, fulfilling, and diverse career. I have also worked with natural health product manufacturers, using my knowledge and expertise to formulate over-the-counter health products, as well as educate health store staff and consumers. Several of the products I helped to formulate are to alleviate stress and improve mental and emotional well-being.
I observed that many people, whether they visit a doctor’s office or a health store, are looking for a magic pill to resolve what ails them.
Indeed, nature, in its innate infinite wisdom, has provided a number of plants that can be used. These have been scientifically shown to lessen anxiety and improve mood. However, what might be even more important than a magic pill, is a magical approach to wellness and healing.
That is why I wrote my book called “Natural Solutions for Stress, Anxiety and Depression”.
It lays down the foundation of a magical approach to alleviating stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and healing. You’ll find valuable guidance in nutrition, herbs, lifestyle choices, and other strategies to help you be healthier and feel more at ease, more focused, calmer, and happier.
Although anyone can benefit from the information and resources provided here, this book is not meant to replace treatment from a primary healthcare provider.
You can now get the “Natural Solutions for Stress, Anxiety and Depression” ebook (PDF) for free - click here to download it.
