5-4-3-2-1 Countdown to Calm
I love simple ways that help calm anxiety and bring your attention to the present moment. Stop feelings of panic in their tracks with this exercise that makes use of your 5 senses to focus on the here and now. […]
Trauma, a tech analogy
It’s hard to describe what happens when panic sets in. People who don’t experience chronic acute anxiety episodes or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or dissociation often struggle to understand. As I woke the other day with a feeling of great distress, I found a new, truly geeky analogy to explain both the sensations and the management. […]
Hearing voices
The idea of hearing voices is one of the most vilified aspects of mental illness. Hearing voices is frequently attributed to those living with schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder, but is much more common, and complex, than its portrayal on TV or in media. Although auditory hallucinations can pose significant problems in some cases, voice-hearing can be positive and even, non-clinical. […]
4 herbs to help you resist
It’s been a rough year so far for everyone, including those of us who work from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive model in healthcare (and anyone with even an ounce of humanity). I’ve added a new diagnosis to my medical charts – sociopolitical mixed anxiety-depressive disorder – to acknowledge the heightened fear, anger, and sadness that many people are now experiencing, especially so for those who are BIPOC or LGBTQ. So what to do in your day to day? How do you find the strength and vitality to fight back against environmental destruction, racism, misogyny, and transphobia? How do you stand up, stand in solidarity, and stay standing without falling down? How do you go on, when you are afraid of the future, or too angry or sad to get out of bed? Here are my top four herbs to support you through the next 2-4 years, even if you are currently lying in the fetal position under multiple layers of blankets (I know I’m not the only one): […]
Make your own anti-inflammatory capsules
Herbal medicine doesn't have to bust your budget. Even if you don't like the idea of sipping medicinal tea or drinking your herbs, you can still craft your own herbal anti-inflammatory capsules. Here's how. Get yourself a capsule maker. I use one that fits '00' size capsules. Follow the instructions provided with your capsule maker [...]
Speaking of sexual assault
This election is spinning me every day and I'm incapable of keeping up with my usual media diet that limits my exposure to misogyny, bigotry, and violence. And I live in Canada. Yet in a way i'm grateful for what this election has forced me to reflect on. A few years ago, I did a [...]
Herbal medicine for the senses, or why I love tea
It’s no secret – I ❤ tea! I love everything about it from the experience to the accessories. Don’t get me wrong, coffee and I have a serious morning relationship but I can have tea anytime of the day. Tea is versatile. There are so many different kinds of tea, so many herbal blends to explore. […]
Health, wellth, and intake forms
I spend a lot of time thinking about words. Part of it is my cultural studies background. Part of it is a personal obsession with etymology and semiotics and self-reflection. Words are power. Health is power. Unfortunately, many people have less access to wellth, or health power, than others. They may have less access to healthcare because [...]
How I recovered from (postpartum) depression
After my second child was born, I suffered from severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I was completely overcome by my own negative self-talk. I felt like my whole life was out of control. My thoughts would spiral endlessly through anxiety, fear, despondency, self-deprecation, and then I could top it off with shame for having any [...]
Perfect Pancakes (GF and vegan)
Stereotypically for a naturopath, my family has some specific dietary restrictions. Between the four of us, we don't eat gluten, dairy or eggs. For the most part, this is very easy to accommodate. There are tons of gluten-free grains and dairy-free options out there (and a good reminder that I should post my cashew cheese lasagna [...]
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