Picture this….it’s the year 2050 and humans on earth are being exposed to the increase of modern technology, longer or unstructured working hours, financial struggles, health concerns, needless busyness, excessive environmental stimulus and often unrealistic self expectations.
They are experiencing stress, anxiety and depression. And it is increasing! Sound familiar? This reality is now!
The Ancient Greeks used #stjohnswort as a natural remedy and believed to prevent the reuptake of some of the chemical messengers such as Serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. The reabsorption of these can lead to nervous conditions such as those listed above.
According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 6 Australians is currently experiencing depression or anxiety or both. This is equivalent to 3.2 million people today.
St John’s Wort has a permanent position on our shelf of herbal medicines. However due to possible interactions with other medications, it is always advised that you consult with your naturopath or natural health care practitioner before taking St Johns Wort.
Work stress and lifestyle balance
If stress is real, then work stress REEEEEAAAAAL! Whether in the workplace or you run your own business (or maybe it is both) there is no hiding that there is an epidemic emerging. In Australia, almost 3 out of four workers are struggling to manage the pressure of low morale in the workplace (or general society right??), unrealistic work deadlines and workloads as well as a rise in job security. What gives huh?
Without sounding like a tech-o-phobe, surely we can all agreed that the advancement of our much loved technology in it’s many forms has made distinction between work and play almost undefinable. The concept of ‘taking work home’ has become inescapable when we can receive emails, phone calls, message and be contactable on social media at any time of the day. And without solid and disciplined boundaries set in place, life can become very overwhelming. We are essentially, ‘always switched on’
This becomes even more difficult for those that have their own business, work freelance or on demand. Where we once had structured working times and hours, the workforce has now shifted to a more casual and convenience way of working meaning less stability and less black and white working times.
Whenever we are stressed our nervous system, immune system and hormones get fired up, regardless of what causes it. Biologically, it doesn’t matter. Stress hormones are fantastic at helping the body cope in short and infrequent doses. But when they are constantly activated or we are constantly stimulated (switched on) that where we run into trouble.
Our body tires, cant keep up and the constant load starts creating dis-ease in the body. This can look like:
- Aches and pains
- Problems with sleep
- Digestive issues
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration
- Moody and emotional
- Low self esteem
These concerns when not addressed can lead to much larger concerns such as heart disease and high blood pressure, lowered immunity and depression.
Quick fixes and temporary relief from stress can be tempting. You know what we are talking about! The alcohol, the caffeine or the snack foods that are high in sugar. These unfortunately just make matters worse. And we want you off the treadmill.
Try starting with some ‘at home’ changes such as:
- regular exercise
- eating more plantbased wholefoods
- a more consistent sleep routine
- making deliberate time for play and restfulness
When it comes to your health, why wait for the next symptom to show up? And why continue on the downward spiral into the abyss of no hope? Nobody has time for that!
Depending on the impact that work stress is having on you, there may be the need for some short-term natural nutritional supplementation. Just to get you over the line.
But we are all about having people happy and well for the long term here at NNT. Having a whole person approach to the very real problem of work stress stress and means addressing every angle of an individual’s life.
We know that no one key fits every lock. That means that your road to better health and stress management may look different to someone else. Because hey, no one is you! Our team are always here to answer questions and we pride ourselves in working together as a team to make sure that you are getting best possible experience of wellness possible.