At Revival, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness that prioritizes every system of the body working harmoniously; of course, this includes our mental and physical health! We wanted to recognize Mental Health Awareness Week this year by offering some practical advice for how we can all care for our mental wellness in more effective, comprehensive ways.
You Are Not Alone
Taking the first step toward mental health care can seem daunting, but it’s crucial for healing. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, remember, you are not alone. Reaching out can feel like the hardest step in our healing journeys, but it is vital to our restoration. Consider the resources below if you or a loved one are in need of help.
Balancing Physical and Mental Wellbeing
A priority in maintaining our mental health should be caring for our bodies. To help remember the basics, think of the acronym CHEERS:
- Connect: Meet regularly with loved ones, find a local group you could join, or participate in community events. However it may manifest, make sure that socializing is a regular part of your routine. Remember, we need each other!
- Hydrate: Water is an essential player in keeping your body balanced. It helps deliver nutrients to cells, protects your joints and organs, regulates your body temperature, and removes waste from your system — to name just a few of the many tasks water accomplishes in your body! Men should strive to drink 3 Litres daily while women need a daily intake of 2 Litres.
- Eat well: Wherever you’re able, try to incorporate more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and proteins into your meals. Avoid processed foods if you can.
- Exercise: A routine of just 30 minutes a day can make all the difference in boosting your cognitive function and energy levels, improving sleep quality, reducing risk of disease and high blood pressure, among plenty of other positive benefits to your health. If this doesn’t feel manageable, consider asking a friend or family member to join you for an exercise challenge to help you build the habit!
- Recharge: Making time in your schedule for hobbies you enjoy and allowing yourself to relax through these pursuits can help you keep a healthy perspective and enjoyment of your life.
- Sleep: Aim for 7 hours or more of quality rest each night to support a healthier immune system, improve your concentration and productivity, and regulate your emotions.
The Support Available to You at Revival Airdrie:
Our holistic treatments target and help regulate the nervous system, which is responsible for our heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, muscle movements, stress responses, hormone regulation, and senses – not to mention our thoughts, memories, and feelings, among other things! A well-regulated nervous system can improve your mental health and emotional well-being by reducing anxiety, improving sleep quality and subsequently, cognitive functions such as concentration and memory.
Book a 30 min Reset Appointment: Relaxation Session with our Athletic Therapists
Manual therapy, like hands-on Athletic and Massage Therapy, has been shown to reduce stress and tension in muscles and to promote overall health in a multitude of ways, such as lowering blood pressure. We are committed to improving our client’s quality of life by identifying the root cause of their pain and helping to relieve it by treating the whole body — not just symptoms. Athletic Therapy can help you recover and regain your strength, mobility, and flexibility. At Revival we believe that pain is never normal and strive to lead our clients into the pain-free futures they deserve.
Our Relaxation Sessions incorporate techniques to relax the nervous system and can include Craniosacral Therapy, lymphatic drainage, Fascial Stretch Therapy, and methods like cupping to help your body naturally return to a state of rest.
- Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on technique that targets nearly every aspect of your central nervous system’s performance. The goal of a CST treatment is to release soft tissue, mobilize restricted bones, and target the nervous system to help restore functions and movement throughout the body.
- Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, promoting the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues and back towards the heart. This therapeutic approach is particularly beneficial for reducing swelling, detoxifying the body, and enhancing the immune system. By applying light pressure and rhythmic circular movements, lymphatic drainage can also help rejuvenate energy, facilitate relaxation, and support the body’s internal cleansing processes. Often used as part of a holistic health regimen, this technique is ideal for individuals seeking relief from inflammation, fatigue, and other health issues related to poor lymph circulation.
- Fascia is a network of layered connective tissue that seamlessly surrounds muscles, bones, joints, and organs. Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) is a gentle, pain-free assisted stretching technique designed to release tension and improve overall mobility. FST employs oscillation, circumduction, and fascial traction to assess and remove restrictions to movement within joints, muscles, fascia, and the nervous system, leading to complete relaxation and down-regulation of the nervous system.
Consider Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy
High-powered Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy offers promising benefits for mental health by enhancing cellular function and improving circulation, which can lead to better brain health and mood regulation. This non-invasive treatment applies electromagnetic fields to the body, stimulating cellular repair and promoting overall neurological function. Research suggests that PEMF can increase the production of neurotransmitters, which play a crucial role in mood regulation, thereby potentially alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Research on the effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy on mental health has shown promising results, although it’s an emerging area and more comprehensive studies are needed. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience suggests that PEMF therapy can increase the production of neurotransmitters, which are crucial for mood regulation. This can help in alleviating symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Furthermore, PEMF has been noted for its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to improve blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which might enhance cognitive functions and mental clarity. Studies such as those found in the International Journal of Neuroscience have explored these potentials, highlighting PEMF’s capability to influence neurological health positively. These findings support the potential of high-powered PEMF therapy as part of a holistic approach to mental health care. Additionally, its ability to reduce inflammation and improve oxygenation to the brain can further enhance cognitive functions and mental clarity, making it a valuable tool in the holistic approach to mental wellness.
Visit our Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Dr. Sharon Pratt
Dr. Sharon Pratt is passionate about going beyond symptom management and eliminating pain and tension to elevate your quality of life. She employs a combination of holistic treatments, including Acupuncture, electo-acupuncture, cupping, massage, aromatherapy, and tuning forks. Her intuitive touch ensures you receive thorough and effective care, personalized to your unique needs.
During an Acupuncture session, Dr. Sharon targets specific points, guided by anatomical and physiological standards, manual inspection, and palpation. Stimulating these points triggers predictable physiological responses, impacting your neurophysiological, biochemical, and hormonal systems. This, in turn, alleviates symptoms, reduces pain and stress, and supports your body’s internal regulation. Dr. Sharon employs various techniques, including manual, mechanical, thermal, and electrotherapeutic stimulation to enhance your experience and outcomes.
Exploring the Benefits of Reishi for Mental Health
Reishi mushrooms, often hailed as the “mushrooms of immortality,” have been a cornerstone in traditional medicine for centuries, prized for their ability to enhance the immune system and improve longevity.
Beyond these physical health benefits, Reishi has significant implications for mental wellness. This powerful fungus is known for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body manage stress more effectively. By modulating the stress response, Reishi can contribute to decreased anxiety and improved sleep patterns, crucial for mental health. Its potential anti-inflammatory effects also play a role in neuroprotection, supporting overall brain health and cognitive function. Integrating Reishi into your wellness routine, whether as a tea, supplement, or extract, could be a transformative step toward achieving a more balanced and peaceful state of mind.
Research suggests that the adaptogenic properties of Reishi can help manage stress, potentially improving anxiety and sleep quality, although results in clinical settings are mixed Studies also highlight its neuroprotective potential, indicating possible benefits for brain health and cognitive function, though more clinical research is needed to confirm these effects (Nkodo, 2019).
We’re Rooting For You
We want the best for you and are cheering for you every step of the way. We hope you’ll take advantage of the resources we can offer you in our clinic so that we can continue to partner with you in your journey to wellness – mental, physical, or otherwise! If you or a loved one need additional support, consider reaching out to any of the following services. Remember, you are not alone!
When in Doubt, Reach out for Help
The Alberta Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741
Suicide Crisis Prevention (call or text): 988
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Alberta Community Resources: 211
A full breakdown of services available in Alberta can be found here.
Nkodo, A. (2019). A Systematic Review of in-vivo Studies on Dietary Mushroom Supplementation for Cognitive Impairment (P14-021-19).. Current developments in nutrition, 3 Suppl 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz052.P14-021-19.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information provided in this post does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a healthcare professional. If you are in need of urgent assistance, please contact the relevant emergency services immediately.