Mood

This year, “Movember” felt a little different, with all those glorious ‘stashes hidden behind a necessary mask. The constraints of the ongoing pandemic; loss of sport and gym time, along with changes in social structure and interaction can be significant disruptors. It is important that men talk about the elephant in the room and strategies to overcome disruptions to mood and mental health.  There is a lot to be positive about and much to consider when looking at ways to improve wellbeing. Vitamin D and living in the great white north The change in season in Canada can be beautiful,

A shocking one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem or mental illness each year1 and 30% of disability claims are related to mental health issues.2 Clearly,mental health in the workplace has a huge economic and social impact on the work force. Taking mental health seriously and providing resources for coping go a long way in promoting a healthy work environment. Building a mentally healthy workspace requires participation from both employers and employees. The management level of a company definitely sets the tone and there are practical steps they can take to make employees feel safe and appreciated. Top

It is a normal part of life to experience occasional anxiety. Nevertheless, some people experience anxiety that is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable, and overwhelming. When this happens, it can interfere with daily activities. If this is the case for you or someone you know, it maybe due to an anxiety disorder. Anxiety comes in many different forms including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), specific phobias, Panic Disorder, and more. These disorders can affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Although there is not an exact answer as to why anxiety is so common, many attribute it to factors such as social

According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression.[i] The standard treatment for depression is antidepressants but 40 to 70% of patients are not alleviated by existing treatments.[ii] What if our diet could alleviate our moods? Most of us have noticed that certain foods make us feel better while others leave us feeling tired, or simply do not seem to agree with our system. This connection between what we eat and how

When we talk about our health, we are often focused on the physical. However, we know that health encompasses so much more than this, and be truly healthy, we must look after our mental and social well-being. The last few months have come with a new set of challenges we have never experienced before. We have all experienced drastic changes to our daily routine. Most of us are not able to get out of the house for work or school, nor are we able to visit family and friends. For those with children, tackling work whilst also home-schooling and ensuring

Summer is winding down and it’s back to work and school for the majority of us. With the hectic pace and high responsibilities of modern society, it’s no surprise that most of us may already feel somewhat stressed and tired, even after a relaxing summer vacation! Generally speaking, our body has an amazing ability to cope with stress. The adrenal glands release cortisol and other hormones to increase blood sugar and give us that immediate and quick acting fuel to handle stress. This is obviously great news! But too often our bodies end up relying on cortisol for long-term use.

GABA is a supplement worth taking for dealing with issues of anxiety.  I have been using it in my clinical practice for many years for this very reason. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter made from the amino acid glutamate.  GABA acts as a main inhibitor to the brain and nervous system, functioning as an “engine brake” on the system in times of stress.  Low levels of GABA in the brain have been associated with restlessness, anxiety, insomnia and poor mood (1). GABA has been shown to inhibit the excitatory impulses in the brain, including those responsible for panic, alarm,