Featured Article
What are Natural Solutions to Help Improve Mood?
Dr. Jennifer Bunzenmeyer ND
This is a common question we get as naturopathic doctors in our practice- people seeking natural solutions to depression or low moods. Many people suffer with low moods or depression affected by weather/seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter months or an on-going low mood throughout the year. Sadness, crying, anger, withdrawing from social activities are common symptoms of depression but physical symptoms such as poor concentration, fatigue, decreased libido and a loss of interest in activities that usually were found pleasurable are also very common.
From a naturopathic perspective there are so many angles to approach this from, simply meaning- many different solutions to look at:
Diet is a first approach. Refined carbs and sugars trigger a decreased mood and increased anxiety. A balanced diet protein (legumes, raw nuts, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, tofu with each meal), complex carbohydrates (veggies, fruits, brown grains such as rice, quinoa, spelt, kamut) and healthy fats (olive/fish/flax oil, avocado and raw nuts and seeds) will put energy in your step and help boost mood.
Stress management- we live in a world of high stress- rushing with kids, responding to work emails on all our new “techy” gadgets and upkeep of daily responsibilities leaves many people in a state of adrenal fatigue. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are similar to depression. ROUTINE is the number one activity to support adrenals. Any time you change your routine the adrenals help you adapt to that change. Eating times through the day, balancing blood sugar with diet, bed/wake times and work times- keeping these consistent helps regulate the adrenals.
