The Heart of Mental Health

February is typically Heart Health Month but I feel drawn to talking about mental health instead. Pandemics will do that to you.

Luckily for me, in Traditional Chinese Medicine the mind (the “Shen”) dwells in the heart, so I can honour Heart Health Month while reflecting on the last few months of supporting patients (and myself) through the mental health challenges that have come hand-in-hand with the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have been in practice for over twelve years and while there have always been patients with irritability, anxiety, depression, poor focus, and disturbed sleep there has been a significant uptick in people concerned with their mental health in the last year.  Reports of inexplicable rages, deep sadness, fear, loss of motivation, and outright panic seem to be far more commonplace these days.

From a holistic perspective there are a lot of angles for me to consider in order to best help each unique person with their unique circumstances, however, there are few “prescriptions” that I find myself making over and over again…

Meditation

I can feel some of you digging in your heels or rolling your eyes right now.  “I’ve tried it but it’s too hard/I’m no good at it/it doesn’t work for me.”  That’s fair.

Meditation IS incredibly hard, particularly in a go-go-go society.  Many people can’t eat a meal alone without bringing in entertainment from their phone, work computer, TV, or a book.  Our brains are so wired for stimulus, more so these days than in the past I think, that to unplug our attention from the latest viral video in order to focus on something as mundane as our own breathing is a shock to the system!

And yet, I continue to recommend it (and to do it myself).  It is hard – with some good days and some “it’s impossible!” days – but sitting to do what is hard and to give the brain space to settle (whether it does or not) is where the benefit comes in.  

Movement

Working from home is a blessing for some people and a curse for others.  Consistently though I’ve had patients comment on the increased sedentary nature of their at-home work days.  

One gentle trick is to continue to bookend your workday with a morning “walk to work” (around the neighbourhood) and an afternoon/evening “walk home”.  Just 10-30 minutes of fresh air and movement before settling in to your day and to make the shift from finishing work to your personal time or family time helps.

Supplements/Herbs/Nutrients

There are so many gifts from the natural world to support our mental health. Some just take the edge off and allow us to feel calmer in the moment (lavender, magnesium). Some boost our spirits (saffron, 5-HTP). Some help us to feel more sharp and get more done mentally (rhodiola, b vitamins).

Medications

I’ve had some of the most natural people accept the help of prescription mental health meds during this pandemic. There’s no shame in needing extra help when you need it! It can be the duct tape needed to hold things together while time passes and/or you do more of the inner work. And we can always taper off later when you feel ready.

If you are struggling with your mental health in any way please reach out (to me, to a counsellor, to a loved one, to all of us!) There are tools in the toolbox to help.

Until then, take a deep breath, know that you are loved, and trust that this too shall pass…