“The body lives and functions as a whole, where every system, organ, tissue and even cell depend on each other, affect each other and communicate with each other. One should not look at, let alone treat, any organ without taking the rest of the body into account.”
Dr, Natasha Campbell-McBride MD
Mental illness is one of the major public health challenges in Highland and Scotland as a whole. Around one in three people are estimated to be affected by mental illness in any one year. With the challenges of 2020, mental health is more important than ever.
But if we are looking for long term improvements in mental health, should we be looking at our whole body’s health and making changes to heal our body-mind-spirit, rather than separating our mind from our body?
Recent scientific research is confirming that we are complex integrated beings. Our more sedentary lifestyles, exercise choices, diet and digestive health have all been linked to our brain function and mental health.
In the fields of naturopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine the link between emotions and body function has long been appreciated, for example the lungs relating to grief, the liver to anger and the kidneys to fear. Using our lifestyle choices to keep our organs in balance, helps keep our emotions balanced.
If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or loneliness and need confidential help and support contact mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or at mikeysline.co.uk
By changing the way we move, eat and drink, feel and think, we can make great progress with our mental health. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help your own overall health and well-being, contact me…
References:
- GAPS Gut and Psychology Syndrome, 2010 chapter 6
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/mental-health/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724301/ Niacin in the Central Nervous System: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications Valeria Gasperi,*† Matteo Sibilano,† Isabella Savini, and Maria Valeria Catani*
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16862541/ Revenge of the “sit”: how lifestyle impacts neuronal and cognitive health through molecular systems that interface energy metabolism with neuronal plasticity Shoshanna Vaynman , Fernando Gomez-Pinilla
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724301/ Benefits from aerobic exercise in patients with major depression: a pilot study F Dimeo, M Bauer, I Varahram, G Proest, and U Halter
- Treating emotional trauma with chinese medicine. CT Holman 2018
- Traditional chinese medicine approaches to cancer Henry Mcgrath 2009