Winter? The Blues? Or … is it Depression?

Signs & Symptoms of Depression It is that time of year again. We are coming to the end of Winter and Spring cannot get here fast enough. It is the Winter of Blues when some of us are more susceptible to developing signs, symptoms and even an episode of Depression – which is far from…

Are you caught in … “The Happiness Trap”?

We are supposed to be happy … right? I mean if we are not happy, we are clearly failing in some obvious way. Aren’t we? Could the pressure to be ‘happy’ be making us … unhappy? Russ Harris started out working life as a Medical Doctor, a GP. After a couple of years he noticed…

In the Mood for Food?

Food and nutrition is a greatly under utilized source of medicine and it is essential to look at nutrition and diet when learning to manage or treat any mental health condition. Said simply “food affects mood”. The food we eat impacts the production of neurotransmitters in the brain which in turn influences our moods that…

Stress System Overload ~ It is real

OK so we all experience stress here and there but stress is becoming a major health hazard with people working and eating on a 24 hour schedule. Have you ever felt as though you have been pushed too far and cannot get it together? As though you are turning the ignition key but the engine…

Couples in Conflict

So everybody in relationship with another person – could be child, sister, brother, colleague, neighbour, father, mother, partner – doesn’t matter what kind of relationship it is – will eventually experience the erruption of conflict. Conflict is an inevitable consequence of being human, of being individual and seeing things from a unique perspective. None of…

Saffron ~ a New/Old Anti-Depressants

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the world’s most expensive spice. I thought I might do a piece of Saffron in honour of the Saffron Cottage in Tecoma that was recently rehoused due to the impending but currently not proceeding proposed McDonald’s development on the site that was the Indian restaurant. Saffron has multiple health related benefits…