Written by: Heidi Jennings, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
John Lennon asks for help to get his feet back on the ground, and Robbie Williams reveals his head speaks a language he doesn’t understand. Rob Thomas says he isn’t crazy, just a little unwell, and Elton John guesses about why we call it the blues. Generations of like-minded souls are serenaded and comforted by lyrics that remind them it’s okay to feel lost, sad, or unhinged sometimes as a normal part of the human condition.
Mental health is a hot topic these days and spoken about so much more openly than in days past. We are learning that packing up our troubles in an old kit bag and smiling is not always the most healthy approach to dealing with our bad days. Bringing our struggles out into the open is now accepted and encouraged at a time when anxiety and depression appear to be at an all-time high.
Perhaps you’ve dragged yourself to the doctor to explain you’re feeling down and just need something to take the edge off. The doctor nodded sympathetically while hastily scrawling a prescription for anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication in five seconds flat. They didn’t have the time to delve into what is really going on because your allocated 10 minutes was up, and well, a pill will fix it!
Or will it? In reality, those little white pills do little aside from placing a misty fog over the black clouds rumbling below. Somewhere and somehow, our approach to healing a troubled mind has gone very, very wrong.
Step into my office, and I will explain how to put it right.
The first step is to understand the fascinating connection between the brain and the gut. I could spend hours on the subject, explaining how 90% of our serotonin (happy hormone) is produced in the gut, and for every signal the brain sends to the gut, the gut sends nine signals back to the brain. I will happily tell you how to replenish your good gut bacteria so the serotonin can produce healthy quantities of melatonin to give you deep sleep and a rested mind. I will draw diagrams about what happens in the intestines when a stomach stripped of its essential acids can’t break down, digest, and absorb food correctly and how this affects the brain. Restoring a healthy gut and therefore soothing a troubled mind starts with eating whole, nutrient-dense foods packed with probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Grow leafy greens and herbs in your garden and eat them unwashed to flood your gut with elevated biotics and to make your insides sparkle. Steer clear of troublemakers that will greedily devour beneficial gut bacteria, such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar, stress hormones, food sensitivities, and medications.
Secondly, you must teach your body how to sleep correctly so your hormones can recalibrate. Increased cortisol (alert hormone) raises blood sugars and overstimulates the brain, leading to over-thinking and anxiety. Increased adrenaline (stress hormone) places the body into flight or fight (survival) mode, pushing the adrenal system into exhaustion and leading to feelings of depression. Deep sleep will allow your hormones to perform as they should and your body to feel safe. When the body feels safe, the mind can rest.
Finally, drill down into those bothersome feelings and figure out what is fuelling them. Whether it’s poor lifestyle choices, a toxic relationship, or a job you detest, you must identify the root cause of your suffering and take the necessary steps to address it. This may involve some tough decisions and courageous action but is an essential part of evaporating the clouds and healing the mind.
A life free from restless, sad, and anxious thoughts is yours for the taking, but you must start paying attention. Eat good food for a healthy gut, get deep, restful sleep, and address the root cause of your stress. These three areas are the powerhouse behind great mental health and will do more than any little white pill ever will.
It’s time to get this message out to the masses. Perhaps I need to have a chat with Robbie and Elton.
Heidi Jennings, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Heidi Jennings is a Holistic Health Coach specializing in Plant-Based Nutrition. After a health crisis left her bedridden and disillusioned with conventional medicine, she embraced a holistic approach to help her heal. She now runs her business alongside her husband Steve, and together they deliver holistic coaching programs to their clients. They specialize in chronic pain, anxiety and depression, stubborn body fat, menopause symptoms, autoimmune dysfunction, and sleep issues by focusing on the five pillars of health; nutrition, exercise, gut health, sleep, and managing stress. Heidi is also a guest speaker and is currently authoring her first book. Her mission is to change the lives of 500,000 people around the world by empowering them to take control of their health and happiness.
