Last week, I provided a resource guide for supporting mental and emotional health during the holiday season. My subscribers were also granted access to my yearly essential oils webinar.
Now, as we start 2021, here is a list of some of my top posts from 2020. Some are based on social media response and SEO hits, others because they tug my heart strings.
This article focuses on the top five posts on mood, anxiety, essential oils, and naturopathic medicine.
The Top Five Naturopathic Medicine Blogs of 2020
With a majority of the global population experiencing an unprecedented amount of unrelenting stressors from living in a world of uncertainty, many are seeking remedies to soothe their spirit and combat these triggers. It is important to note that dealing with chronic stress and coping with anxiety and other mental health conditions are not mutually exclusive. Although chronic stress has been associated with, and is a risk factor for, anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders, there is a distinction between the two and treatments often differ. This blog explores these differences in more detail.
In a series of articles, I explored the connection between hormones and mood. This post is the second part of a summary on supporting mood and hormones with essential oils. I highlight various essential oils that have been shown to influence the hormonal-brain axis and the research on their effects on estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, oxytocin, and cortisol.
I’ve written many articles on how essential oils have been shown to modulate neurotransmitters and aid the brain on the physiological and functional level. They have clinical evidence for benefiting emotional health and impacting the brain in a variety of ways. They have even been used as modalities to assist with substance abuse treatment.
In this blog, I provide a summary from my previous writings of the main points on how essential oils can support psychological well-being.
Today, many are being bombarded by a combination of chronic stressors at a higher intensity, and this is compounded by the overwhelming uncertainty of the world.
For these reasons, I am determined to continue to advocate for self-care and being mindful of mental health. I believe that naturopathic doctors (NDs) can offer their expertise in personalized and mind-body medicine to assist with alleviating the intense emotional suffering and psychological health symptoms that are a result of current events. This approach can be combined with conventional psychiatry in order to enhance positive outcomes.
In 2020, I launched a two-part video series on how to regain emotional and hormonal harmony with naturopathic medicine and essential oils. You can access it here. You are also welcome to explore the other self-care resources in the article.
In this short 11-minute video, I review why it is imperative to pay attention to our self-care and mental health to mitigate the negative physical and emotional ramifications from the excessive stressors of recent events. I also provide solutions on how to calm the brain and body by sharing a few of my favorite naturopathic and functional medicine tools. These include essential oils, deep breathing, mindfulness, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Finally, I highlight the importance of being compassionate to yourself and others during these challenging times.
In the accompanying post, interested practitioners and science geeks will also find additional information on the mechanisms of stress that I mentioned in the video.
I end with a final summary on the importance of toning-down the stressed-out nervous system.
Here’s to a beautiful and easing out of 2020 and a wonderful welcome to 2021!
Next week, I’ll continue with the Top 10 of 2020 and reveal my 2021 wish!
Mental Health Resources
*If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and/or are suicidal, please seek professional mental health support:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) — Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
- Lifeline Crisis Chat — Chat online with a specialist who can provide emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services at www.crisischat.org
Other Helpful Resources
Below are some of the highlights of the many free resources on this website:
- Four Essential Oils Blends for Supporting the Mind-Body and Easing Tension
- VIDEO: How Your Brain and Body Suffer with Too Much Stress & Naturopathic Medicine Tips for Calming the Mind and Relieving Overwhelm
- Video Recap: Essential Oils to Ease the Stress & Anxiety of Back to School
- The Importance of Fun, Music, & Play for Mental Health
- Video Recap: Essential Oils for Brain and Mental Health & Soothing Stress
- 10 Natural Ways to Relieve Stress and Calm the Mind-Body During Trying Times
- Video: A Naturopathic Doctor’s Approach to Thyroid Health Using Essential Oils: Video Recap & Additional Resources
Additional Supportive Techniques & Tools
- The Tapping Solution, A Technique to Lower Cortisol and Reduce Stress- Podcast interview by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald with Nick Ortner.
- Stress management tips and resources
If you need more individualized wellness support, please click the links for more information on essential oils or naturopathic consults.
Access My Video Series on Regaining Emotional and Hormonal Harmony with Naturopathic Medicine & Essential Oils
Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)
According to experts and the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no approved standard of care treatment, cure, or preventative for COVID-19. Supportive measures and containment are in full force as a result. Please see the CDC website and your state’s website for more information and updates. They also state when to contact your physician related to symptoms and travel history, exposures. Please read my more detailed article on this subject here.
This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
Thanks Pixabay and Canva.
