So in talking about the "Holiday BLUES" . . .
The question for today is this . . . why are the "holidays" so hard on our "mental health"???
Well . . . some of the reasons would be . . .
Lack of time
Financial pressure
Gift-giving
And family gatherings
And the National Alliance on Mental Illness . . . notes that 64% of individuals living with "mental health illness" . . . feel that their conditions "worsen" around the Holidays.
You see . . . the "demands" of the holiday season . . . like shopping and running errands while battling holiday crowds . . . back-to-back holiday parties . . . social obligations . . . houseguests . . . and some relative . . . are all potential "stressors".
And the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 16.2 million U.S. adults have had at least one major "depressive episode" . . . with "depression" becoming a more common mental disorder especially around the holidays.
So how can we help "relieve" some of this stress???
Well . . . there are actually "herbs" that can help like . . .
Holy Basil . . . which is an "adaptogen" . . . that assists the body in adjusting to stress . . . and enables the body to keep its equilibrium throughout the holiday "craziness".
Lemon Balm . . . is another herb that has a "calming" effect to the body and our nerves.
Milky Oat Tops . . . can help "calm" our stress factors.
And Ashwagandha . . . which again is an adaptogen . . . can help to "relieve" stress and anxiety. This is done by reducing perceived stress and levels of the stress hormone called "cortisol".
So even though . . . the holiday season . . . is a time of joy, celebration and togetherness . . . filled with twinkling lights, delicious feasts . . . and festive cheer . . .
The holiday season . . . can also become . . . a web of holiday "stress" . . . so maybe taking a natural "herb" . . . is the answer to "enjoying" the holiday season . . . a little more.
NOTE: But as always, please consult your own healthcare provider before using any "herbs". Many adaptogen herbs can "alter" the results of conventional medicines.
So have a "great" weekend . . . stay safe and be "mindful"!
As always, feel free to DM or contact me at: miraclemeadows.net/contact/