Well-Being Day
January is well known as being the most depressing month of the year. Post-Christmas credit-card bills, failed new year’s resolutions, cold dark days, and long nights are bad news for emotional our well-being.
In order to create a little light at the end of the tunnel, The Lismore Clinic will be holding its first annual “Well-Being Day” on Sunday 29th January from 2-5p.m. There will a number of useful talks throughout the afternoon including ‘Nutrition and Herbs for Emotional Well-Being’ by Medical Herbalist, AnneMarie Reilly, ‘Aromatherapy for Well-Being’ by Aromatherapist, Wendy Livingson, ‘Coping with Stress’ by Psychotherapist, Marianne Gurnee, and ‘Emotional Well-Being for Children’ by Art Therapist, Lorraine Shanahan. Other qualified and experienced practitioners will also be available for a free, no obligation, informal chat, and light refreshments will be available.
Many people who suffer from the ‘January blues’ feel that it’s just not serious enough to do anything about it – feeling worn out and a bit low is hardly reason enough to take antidepressants or to go into therapy, but there are plenty of simple and natural ways to reduce stress, boost your mood and energy levels, and beat those January blues.
For example, herbs such as St. John’s wort lift the mood and improve motivation, while others, such as Siberian ginseng help to improve energy levels and protect the body from the effects of stress. These herbs are not habit-forming, and are therefore suitable for short-term use if your January blues tend to evaporate with the arrival of spring.
What you eat also has a big impact on your emotional as well as your physical well-being. It is important to eat plenty of warm, nourishing foods that benefit the nervous system at this time of year, such as oats, and to keep your blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day. Useful supplements for emotional well-being include vitamin B complex and essential fatty acids, both of which are necessary for a healthy nervous system.
Aromatherapy is another very effective way of improving emotional well-being. The nostrils are also attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system, which controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormone balance. When essential oil molecules are inhaled, messages are transmitted to the limbic system, which can either stimulate or relax the body and mind. For example, rosemary oil is uplifting and stimulating, while lavender oil is calming and relaxing. Messages from the limbic system also affect many body processes including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, stress levels, memory and mood.
While some people may feel that talking over their problems with a counsellor or psychotherapist may be helpful, others may feel that their problems don’t really justify exploring their emotions in great detail. For people who just need a little support to solve a problem or make decisions for the New Year, one or two counselling sessions is often enough to make a huge difference.
Likewise, for people who can’t really put their problems into words, or for children and young people coping with the stress of school, Art Therapy can be a very useful way of expressing these emotions. Even where one to one therapy is not required, art can still be a very useful outlet if used in the right way.
To find out more about these simple and natural ways to beat the January blues, why not come along to the The Lismore Clinic “Well-Being Day” on Sunday 29th January from 2-5p.m. This open day is completely free of charge, which is good news in these difficult times. The event will be of particular interest to anyone who would like to find out about natural ways to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being, but all are welcome.