Remember To Be Mindful

Today is Mental Health Day and we want to take this opportunity to remind you to be kind to your mind. For those experiencing mental illness, they can live in an unequal world. Stigma. Discrimination. Lack of support. This day was created to draw attention to the lack of resources and normalize the importance of mental well being. Luckily, things are starting to change. The bias around some mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have improved and more people are able to get assistance they need.

Here at Erewhon, we believe that in order to cultivate true health it starts from the inside out, and it is extremely important to maintain your mental well being. It is just as important to be healthy and strong mentally as it is physically. To dig a little deeper, we sat down with our in-house naturopathic doctor Dr. Anjali to get some insight on how to better maintain a healthy mindset.

Q: How does someone know if they need to take care of their mental health?

Dr. Anjali: It’s easy to let our mental health fall to the side with today’s hustle culture. But if we don’t check in about how we’re feeling on a regular basis, we can begin to notice symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and indigestion. These are some of the more common signs that our mental health may be struggling.

Q: What are some ways we can support our mental health on a daily basis?

Dr. A: Having a daily mind-body practice (ex. Meditation, mindfulness, dance, yoga, etc) is invaluable! Consistently making time for yourself in this way can help you get ahead of any symptoms and prevent burnout.

Q: Is there anything that can help someone reduce stress quickly?

Dr. A: Smelling essential oils like lavender, vanilla and orange can help to bring down stress levels quickly since the pathway that carries scents is near our brain’s fear and memory centers. Studies showing the benefits of essential oils have been so promising that many dental offices have started using essential oil diffusers in their waiting rooms to help alleviate stress related to seeing the dentist!

Q: Are there any foods that can support or improve mental health?

Dr. A: Anything that stabilizes our blood sugar can support our mental health. That means including healthy fat (ex. Olive oil, Avocado oil, Ghee, nuts, seeds, etc.), fiber (ex. Vegetables, fruits, grains), and protein (ex. Meat, eggs, legumes) with every meal. Additionally, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support healthy brain function and mood.

Here are a few other activities we suggest to cultivate a positive mental state:

Work Out - Exercise and other forms of movement (like yoga)

to a reduction in depression and anxiety. Even if it’s just for a short amount of time, getting your body moving and breaking a sweat can help lower stress, encourage clearer thoughts and help support a better sleep cycle.

Mediation - There are

that have shown mindfulness meditation can positively impact mental and physical health. Whether it’s by reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing focus, or improving relationships, research shows mindfulness works.

Therapy - Sometimes the best way to get through a situation is to talk about it. Talking with a professional therapist

navigate tough situations and problem solve.

*Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice.

About Our Doctor

Dr. Anjali Kasunich is a California-licensed Naturopathic Doctor, founder of Mantra Natural Medicine, and in-house health practitioner at Erewhon. She is passionate about helping people understand and heal what’s causing their symptoms, and getting them back to the basics of what they need to truly heal. When she’s not treating patients in her private practice, or supporting the wonderful team and customers at Erewhon, Dr. Anjali enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, dancing, and being in her garden.