Natural Cures For The January Blues

It’s been 20 days since my last post; I think it’s safe to say I’m experiencing some writer’s block. I suppose it’s not surprising; I’ve recently started a new job, and I’m planning a wedding. And, if that wasn’t enough stress, I’ve caught a couple nasty viruses this season. Normally, when I’m feeling stressed, I just go outside: get a little sun, sit in a park, maybe go for a run. But, it’s January, and the bitter cold seems to suck away my energy and trap me inside. This is difficult to share, but recently I have even felt sharp chest pain and had difficulty breathing during particularly stressful days.

To combat this terrible feeling, I’ve come up with a few natural, healthy ways to ease anxiety and beat the blues.

1) Take a St-John’s Wort supplement. This remedy was suggested by my colleague, and after doing a little research, I’m quite pleased she did. (Thanks, Faith!) Hypericum perforatum is a flowering plant with 370 species worldwide. It has been used for centuries to treat many different ailments. It has been shown to be as effective as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. It’s also proven effective in treating  insomnia and other sleeping disorders. There are some drug interactions to note, so it’s important to do a little research before trying it. But, I find it a great alternative to traditional medicines. I’ll be taking 900mg  per day for the remainder of the winter season. Make sure you get a good quality brand of capsule (which are easier to digest).

2) Drink a green juice every day. I can’t think of anything more energizing than a tall glass of vegetable juice. It contains all the vitamins, minerals and live enzymes of a large amount of raw veggies in one easily consumed beverage. Good nutrition goes a long way towards helping with depression and restoring nervous system function. I like to add lemon and ginger to kale, celery, cucumber and spinach, and serve it over ice. I recommend the Brevel Juice Fountain Elite. It’s not recommended that you store your juice in the fridge – drink it right away while it’s fresh and none of the nutrients have degraded. Juicing is a great way to gain the nutritional benefits of green leafy vegetables that may otherwise be unpalatable to you.

3) Find fun activities to stay active in winter. (Emphasis on fun!) Exercise helps ease depression by releasing feel-good endorphins. I might not be able to ride my bike or go for a run, but that doesn’t mean I’m stuck inside. This winter, I dug out my old ice skates and gave myself the goal of skating the entire length of the Rideau canal. The only way to stick to an exercise regime and feel motivated is to find activities that you truly enjoy. Another great activity to try is a trip to Sky Zone to jump on trampolines all afternoon. Or find an indoor pool and swim a few laps, then treat yourself to a soak in the hot tub or sauna.

4) Eat more omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential for optimal functioning of brain cells and neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin. A great way to increase your omega-3 intake is to incorporate ground flaxseed into your diet. Try sprinkling it into smoothies, cereals, or salads. Other plant sources of omega-3 include kiwifruit, chia seeds, and hemp oil. 

5) Replace screen-time with craft-time. It’s easy to get caught-up in our technology and forget to flex our creative muscles. I have to admit that since getting an iPad at Christmas, I spend less time writing or making soy candles. There’s something to be said for crafting things. You can temporarily escape your  day-to-day stress, and focus on a productive endeavour. And, at the end, you might be left with a phenomenal piece of art, instead of wasted hours watching Netflix and feeling blue. I recently invested in some oil-based paint pens and I’ve really enjoyed the stress-release of doodling on a canvas with them. At the end of a long day, it’s a nice escape, with pretty results.

Talking about depression isn’t easy: not for me, not for anyone. On January 28th, Bell will donate 5 cents to mental health initiatives for every tweet with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook page share, every text and every phone call made on the Bell network. The funds will be donated towards anti-stigma initiatives, improving care and access, workplace mental health initiatives, and donations to research. You can learn more here.