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DEPRESSION

EMF: Device Hygiene

Protection from Smoke exposure

  • Is a mood disorder described as having persistent “feelings of sadness and hopelessness and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed.” It is the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide. 

    Depression can be seen as a symptom not a life-sentence, and there is an invitation to participate in our healing no matter the choice of therapy.

    It can be useful to determine whether depression is resulting from energetic (due to fatigue or pain for example), biochemical (nutritional deficiency), karmic/ spiritual (an initiation into consciousness), somatic (trapped emotions and memory in tissues), traumatic (PTSD), nutritional (depletion of vitality), and so on.

    It helps determine what kind of support, and on what level we are intervening, would be most effective. 

    1. Will movement therapies help to process the “stuck” and blocking material in the tissues and pathways?

    2. Will dietary changes help to supply the missing links? 

    3. Would ceremony and ritual support reorienting oneself to their biology and biography??? 

    4. Would engaging in service-work in the community or pet and take care of an animal be a game-changer?? 

    5. Will cognitive behavioral therapies help to reprogram the neural circuitry of repetitive thought patterns and self-esteem (ACT)?? 

    6. Will committing to  talk therapy support self-study and interpersonal clarity?

    7. Depending on one’s circumstance and severity, are pharmaceuticals (antidepressants) the appropriate support ? 

  • Supporting digestion, regulating sleep, managing stress, reducing toxicity exposure, creativity, movement, and getting outside and in the sun are low-tech avenues for self support. 

    1. Supporting digestion: Eat fresh organic food when possible. Make meals fresh everyday. Avoid ice drinks and cold food (especially in winter). Incorporate digestive aids like cumin and ginger into every meal. 

    2. Sleep: try to turn off devices by 7 pm. Explore a nighttime routine to help decompress from the day. Taking baths, self massage, stretching, warm tea, herbal supports. 

    3. Stress: be creative (draw, write, make), establish a nighttime and morning routine, stretch, receive bodywork, take time off work, play and do things you enjoy doing:)

    4. Toxicity: try to eat organic, only use chemical free detergents, deodorants, skin care products, sunscreen, try to wear more natural fibers (not plastic fibers like spandex). Drink filtered water to support the fluid body and emotional body (they are connected:)). 

    5. Nature and the sun: sun has a huge effect on our body and mind. Nature bestows a harmonizing  influence on our consciousness (sattva). The sun has many metaphysical connections, as well as establishing our circadian rhythm– therefore reorganizing the physiological rhythms in our bodies. 

    6. Movement: (depending on the study, exercise is equally effective to antidepressants). especially great to sync up with another person, especially for boosting self-esteem. 

    7. Seek support: we don’t heal alone. We need to support one another along our path to wholeness. 

    8. Clean: keep hygiene going strong, clean work and home environments tidy and welcoming to be in.

    9. Have fresh flowers in your home and around you. Beauty has a vibration.

  • Below is a compilation  (by no means complete) of several etiological (origin/ causing) factors that may contribute to the depressive experience. 

    From an Ayurvedic perspective there are overarching themes in all of these examples. Lack of or blocked energy and depletion of vitality. Sadhaka Pitta (subdosha) is usually involved if depression is linked to feelings of “unfulfillment, indecision, or one’s heart not being in something” (Paul Dugliss).

    The heart is seen as the seat of consciousness, and our spiritual journey is one of expansion. Depression may ultimately be an invitation to expand and align one’s heart with higher vibrational aspects of your divinity (wholeness).

    That being said, here are some causative factors which may contribute to depressive states:

    1. Microbial and digestive imbalance (gut-brain axis) : there is a bidirectional influence between microbes and brain development, mood disorders, and nervous system. Bacteria influences the regulation of: neurotransmitters and amino acids (both which stabilize mood and feelings), inflammation, and effects of stress (HPA axis). 

    2. Antibiotics (an extension of #1): 1 round can increase the rate of developing major depression in a 12 month period  by 25%. 2 courses increase the chance of developing depression by 60%. 

    3. Pain: “People who suffer from pain for at least 6 months are 4x more likely to be diagnosed with depression. People with 2+ areas of pain are 6x as likely, People with 3+ areas are 8x as likely.” More severity in pain is correlated with worsening symptoms of depression. (Warren) 

    4. Sleep disturbance: According to John Hopkins, insomniacs may have a 10-fold higher risk of developing depression. And if people are already diagnosed, 75% have shown to have trouble falling or staying asleep. 

    5. Posture: Body language is intrinsically connected to emotions. Action vs withdrawal responses which are both somatic stress responses contribute to feeling 

    6. Energy, stress, and inflammation: literally do not have energy which results in feeling depressed. Studies have shown a high correlation between hyperactivity in the HPA axis as well as glucocorticoid receptor dysfunction (where cortisol binds). Leading to inflammation (secondary effect), which leads to increased risk of depression. 

    7. Pharmaceuticals such as glucocorticoids (synthetic corticosteroids such as ​​prednisone, cortisone, etc): can overactive the amygdala, high levels diminish memory and attention, decreases pathways for perceiving pleasure, affect neurotransmitter regulation, and they increase risk of depression

    8. Hormones: Linked to metabolism, microbiome, and toxicity as well which dysregulates hormonal balance. Reduced transport of T4 and T3 (thyroid hormones) is linked to depression. 

    9. Birth (postpartum): The massive change in one’s life which can destabilize mood and emotions–especially if there isn’t a supportive environment for the mother to adjust. There is a link to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormonal imbalance. 

    10. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies:  most common nutritional deficiencies = omega–3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are precursors to neurotransmitters (such as tyrosine). 

    11. Neurotransmitters: Such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are often associated with depression. Sunlight has been shown to influence the regulation as well. 

  • Energy moves through the air in different frequencies or waves, which can ultimately create an energy field. EMFs or EMR describe the phenomenon of (usually invisible) energy waves traveling through space. 

    EMFs stand for electromagnetic fields & EMR for electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

    EMFs and EMR come from both natural/ native (sun, terrestrial, trees, humans, etc) & manmade/ non-native (x ray machine, power lines, cell phones, etc) sources.

    Humans have adapted to native forms of electromagnetic exposures, where the impact of electromagnetic waves are actually hardwired into our body’s regulating signals. Body’s are conductive and our health is correlated to our electrical functioning– in other words, voltage matters in our tissues. 

    On the other hand, man made sources have more damagingly bioactive effects, especially because they all are polarized.

  • DNA and protein damage, disruptions in cellular electrochemical balance, loss of libido, headaches, anxiety, depression, cancer, low sperm count, fatigue, nausea, weakened immunity, sleep disturbances, seizures, arrhythmias, vertigo, leukemia, and neurological disorders. In other words, it is a form of a TOXIN or pollutant.

    The effects and amount of energy that is absorbed into tissues from EMFs relies on frequency, intensity, and exposure time. As you can imagine in the world today, we hardly ever get a break from our exposure to EMFs. 

    The central nervous system is particularly sensitive to radiation, namely because of the electrical signaling (communication and transmission) which are chiefly affected by the ionizing and polarizing effects of EMF exposure.

  • Some ways to neutralize electromagnetic radiation, oxidative stress, and reduce the absorption of artificial frequencies are:

    1. Brain and nervous system support: daily/ weekly self oil massage, shirdhara, marma therapy, acupuncture; high quality fats (grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, etc); blue- blocker glasses when on computer; red-light therapy 

    2. Support mineral status: epsom salt baths, magnesium supplement, trace mineral drops, bone broths, “electric foods” (like high quality salts, fresh fruits and veggies, electrolytes); herbal teas (horsetail, oatstraw, alfalfa, nettle, dandelion, etc.)

    3. Mitigate the over-heating effects of radiation: cold- plunge/ shower; cooling and demulcent, as well as nervine herbs; rose water spray on face

    4. Balance ionizing effects: going to ocean (lie on sand 30 minutes), walking on earth with bare feet, high quality Vitamin C (must be whole food source), salt therapy caves

    5. Harm reduction: turn off router/ wifi at night or when not in use, switch phone to airplane at night, keep plants in house and around computer, get out in nature as much as possible and touch the earth; drink, eat, and even bathe in basil infusions.

  • Wildfires blazing from coast to coast are a huge stressor on many of us. Wildfires are natural events which serve ecosystems in some circumstances, yet in recent years we are facing entirely new and irregular weather patterns across the globe. Even if we live in an area unaffected by the environmental damage, we all are confronting the emotional distress of such calamities.

    Students & practitioners of traditional health systems (like Ayurveda) are keenly aware of how our external environment influences our internal climate. We try to harmonize our daily rhythms with the sun, respect the seasonal changes of available foods, minimize exposure to toxins and processed foods and products, and so on. We recognize responsibility in our own health needs to be ecologically sustainable for the community at large.

    So if our ecological container, Mother Earth, is going through her own hormonal swings from floods to fires, how can we attune to these tumultuous times?? Luckily, no matter the changing conditions, we can manage our doshas with the age old principle of like increases like & opposites reduce.

    Let’s look at the qualities of fire in relationship to the doshas.

    • Fire is light, dry, hot, sharp, spreading, and mobile. We are in Pitta season which has most of the same qualities (since Pitta dosha also has the water element, there are some differences between sheer fire and Pitta). Generally speaking, smoke will dry out, inflame, and deplete our tissues– in other words aggravate Vata dosha.

    So, we have to hydrate, cool down, protect the body’s first line of contact with smoke (face, skin, nose, lungs), encourage gentle detoxification, & give ourselves space to process grief (associated emotion of the lungs).

    Below are 5 Ayurvedic tips to help our systems adapt to the stressor of smoke exposure, keeping our bodies balanced & hearts buoyant.

  • Our poor noses are taking the hit and the heat! The nasal mucus membrane helps to clear the air before it enters the lungs. This delicate area is at risk of being more dried out and overwhelmed with all of the particulates (particle pollution, debris, chemical compounds, etc.).

    Doing a face/ nasal steam & putting one drop of oil in each nostril in the morning and before bed will give the area a little support in snagging those particles. Ayurvedic companies like Banyan Botanicals have formulated an oil specifically for the nose called Nasya Oil— discount code HEIDRUN15).

  • What you’ll need: water, pot, and towel. Optional essential oil

    1. Boil water in a pot and pour into a heat safe bowl

    2. Place on a potholder and put down on a kitchen table 

    3. Place 1-2 drops (no more!!) in water

    4. Sit down and carefully drape towel over your head, and drape your head over the bowl, hover face over the top of the bowl (do not get face near surface of water!! It’s boiling hot! )

    5. Slowly and mindfully breathe in the vapors for a few minutes. Welcome to set timer for 3-7 minutes. 

    6. When you feel ready, lift head away from bowl, towel off face with towel, blow nose if need be. 

    7. Place 1-2 drops of Nasya oil on finger, and massage inside of each nostril

    8. Lightly massage face with facial oil or moisturizer

  • Skin & anxiety support: Whole body Self-massage 

    Our skin is seen as a respiratory organ, therefore is also connected with to the lungs functionally. Smoke has toxic materials and disruptive chemicals that our skin (and lungs) are trying to process. Self-massaging your whole body with a cooling oil like coconut oil will moisturize the skin as well as give it a protective layer. This will also calm the nervous system and help with stress reduction.

    • Slightly heat the oil in your hands before putting it on your skin.

    • Oil up before hopping in the bath or shower (don’t oil the soles of your feet if you are taking a shower), just let the warm water wash away any excess. No soap necessary. 

    • Wear natural fibers (like 100% cotton) afterwards. Wash bottom of shower/ tub with dish soap, as the oil makes the it slippery!

  • Eye Supports: Rosewater Spray 

    Oof! Our eyes can get so dry and irritated in this smoke! Here are some tried and true allies for dry and irritated eyes:

    • Organic rose water spray: welcome to mist your face throughout the day. Welcome to soak eye pads with rose water and lay down for ten minutes in evening. Will help to cleanse and cool the eyes.

    • Chamomile tea infusion: soak eye pads, lay down for 10 minutes in evening.

  • Grief Processing & Belly-heart Breathing

    Not only is the environmental devastation heart-breaking to witness but the stress on our lungs and chest area may activate stored personal grief. If you feel like crying, cry. Be gentle with yourself.

    This may be a good time to journal consistently and get those emotions out of your head and onto paper, practice gentle- yin yoga to ground in your body, and practice belly-heart breathing to feel safe enough to digest surfacing emotions.

    • Simply lay on back, welcome to bend knees and have a soft pillow under the sacrum

    • Close your eyes, place one hand on your heart and one over the navel area

    • On the inhale, breathe into the belly feeling it inflate up towards the ceiling. Follow the breath up through the ribs and into the heart.

    • On the exhale, follow the breath deflating out of the chest. Ribs knit in towards one another, belly slightly contracts pushing old air out of the lower lungs.

    • Follow this rhythm for 5 minutes, welcome to set a timer.

    • Drop the intentional breathing, and allow the breath to float through your body. Softening any thoughts, melting into the floor.

    • Turn to one side, support yourself to rise when ready.