Written by Stéfanie Crevier, our newest recruit Naturopathic student at the Quebec Institute of Naturopathic Education, massage therapist, founder of the Natural Care Refuge, culinary explorer, but especially the mother of three wonderful children, Stéfanie joins our team to to share with you his favorites, his healthy recipes, his eco tips, his discoveries and his ideas to make your family life easier!
I don’t know about you guys, but with November just around the corner, it takes a major toll on my mood. I feel beaten and I would drop everything just to do… nothing, big time.
The weather is gray, as are the faces of people I cross, and when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, it’s not much better! This time of year – and the effect it has on me – consumes my energy, makes me see any project like a monster, my stress level and anxiety go up as fast as my morale goes down. But hey! I pick myself up by my boot straps, and put into practice the tips and tricks that help me get through this period and find my good old self.
Food for happiness!
There are plenty of great foods that can help us fight the blues, reduce stress and help stabilize our mood. There are those rich in omega 3, which act as natural antidepressants: salmon, tuna, vegetable oils (flax, safflower, nuts, hemp); then trace elements, which help to lower stress: nuts, seafood, beans, rice, garlic, onions; there’s also amino acids, which help fight against depression and stress: bananas, asparagus, carrots, spinach, avocados, and of course dark CHOCOLATE (min 70%), a good source of magnesium that helps our stress and ... OUR MORALE! In addition to all these great food allies, I add Land Art B-Complex Energy, a formula full of vitamin B, with Siberian ginseng extracts and guarana that improve my physical and mental performance.
Quality moments for oneself
Definitely the best way to lighten my spirits and fight depression, stress and anxiety is to do something I like… To be my own center of attention for a change. Whether it's a yoga session to work on my breathing, soothe my body and mind, or a massage to undo all the knots and tensions in my neck, or perhaps meditation, you know, the art of bringing mental activity to an end and boost energy?... It can also be as simple as taking a hot bubble bath or watching back to back episodes of a TV series I never take time to watch.In fact, the secret is to choose what we like, but we have to do it, seriously.
Quality sleep
I wish there were charging stations to fill-up my energy, as for electric cars… But there’s no such thing unfortunately, so it’s while sleeping that our body refuels. Easy, right? Of course not. It’s so hard to get a good night’s sleep with all that’s on our mind, our family and professional responsibilities and so on. Something that helps me relax in the evening and sleep better, is a delicious and comforting herbal tea. Choose the following herbs for nightly herb tea: valerian, hops, passionflower, hawthorn, linden, verbena or poppy petals.My favorite homemade recipe of the moment: ginger, lemon and valerian, which I pimp-up with Feel # 1, from Land Art. Its formula balances mood, relieves anxiety and helps you sleep. Snoozeland guaranteed!
Well, by looking at large surface stores lately, this blues period should not last too long: it seems Christmas is just around the corner! Hmm... We’ll still have to fight some stress though!
Stéfanie Crevier,
Instagram @le_refuge_soins_naturels
