Depression phase
It's a good time to talk about weak moments, as I'm having one of those right now. I'm not feeling on top of the world. Ok. I’m feeling a bit depressed to be honest. Issues with friends, family and/or work can sometimes become overwhelming and make you feel depressed.
Things creep up on you without you realising and then suddenly… bam! You’re really down and can’t get up. You can’t think straight and everything seems grim. Big guns need to be summoned. (Read on to find out what puts me right in 2 days AND without side effects.)
I have been comforting myself by eating a HU chocolate bar every day after lunch and now finding it difficult to stop.
That means I have started that routine so I need to break it by replacing it with something else that will also comfort me but not so harmful. That chocolate bar is meant to be for my naughty days only.
So I will now follow my usual approach in these situations to get back on track.
1-First thing to do is not to have any in the house.😊
2-I have chosen my replacement to be a Chicory drink with a bit of my organic raw milk and drops of Stevia to sweeten. But anything that comforts you and you don’t eat or drink often (and is not on the naughty list ;) will do the trick.
Then, I start taking my chosen flower essences (not to be confused with essential oils) to help shift my mindset. Actually, this is probably the first thing I do as otherwise I’m too low to do anything else.
This may take a day or two to work. In this case, I'm using Willow by Bach Remedies (to stop feeling sorry for myself) and Rescue Remedy* by Bach Remedies, which contains five different essences: Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, and Cherry Plum. Rescue Remedy is a good all rounder. At the bottom of the page you can find a description of more specific emotions and their appropriate essences.
The cool and reassuring thing about flower essences? If you take the wrong one, nothing happens. No side effects, no drama—just you, wondering if you should’ve picked a different flower friend. But if you take the right one, the effects are real. Quantum Mechanics at its best!
Here's a description of each of the five flower essences found in Rescue Remedy*:
Rock Rose – This essence is for moments of extreme fear or panic. It helps to bring calm and courage in situations where you feel overwhelmed by terror or distress.
Impatiens – This essence is for those who feel impatience or frustration, especially when things aren't moving as quickly as desired. It promotes patience, relaxation, and the ability to go with the flow.
Clematis – This essence is helpful when you're feeling disconnected, absent-minded, or detached from the present moment. It helps bring focus and clarity, encouraging mindfulness and a stronger connection to reality.
Star of Bethlehem – This essence is for emotional trauma or shock, particularly after difficult or painful experiences. It offers comfort and healing, helping to release the impact of past events and restore inner peace. It also helps you follow the right path. Think…. follow the star of Bethlehem.
Cherry Plum – This essence is used for moments of mental or emotional tension, especially when there's a fear of losing control. It promotes calmness, mental clarity, and helps in maintaining emotional stability.
Together, these essences work synergistically to help you cope with stress, anxiety, or emotional challenges and restore a sense of balance.
Willow flower essence helps you dissolve the pains of life and move forward in a graceful, flexible way. For those who resist change and have strong opinions.
Here's how Flower essences work:
Energetic Healing: Each flower essence carries its own unique vibrational frequency. When you ingest a few drops or sip a solution, your energy field absorbs the vibration, which can help align or harmonize your emotional or mental state.
Subtle Influence: Unlike traditional medications, flower essences do not have direct physical effects. Instead, their influence is more subtle, working on your emotions and mindset. They help to ease stress, anxiety, or negative feelings by altering the emotional state that is out of balance.
Frequency Matching: When you take a flower essence like Rescue Remedy, the essence’s frequency resonates with the imbalanced or negative energy within you. This interaction can help shift your emotional state, allowing you to feel calmer, more focused, or more grounded over time. The effectiveness of taking a few drops in your mouth or sipping from a bottle is essentially the same, as the energy transferred is present in the solution, and it's the regular interaction with this vibrational energy that facilitates the healing process.
How often you sip your drink with the drops in, is key. As often as possible is the ideal amount.
How I take them:
4 drops of rescue remedy or 2 drops of Willow in a flask or glass of water or herbal tea. Sip throughout the day as often as possible. When finished, prepare another one.
Even though it usually only takes 2 days until I feel ok, I will take them for a week or two and I naturally start forgetting to take them as I don’t need them anymore. But if I was going through a really tough period like a divorce, moving house, illness, a big decision to make, anything very stressful, then I would carry on taking them.
As long as I choose the right ones I will feel the difference. If you take the wrong ones it won’t harm you in any way it just won’t do anything.
Here’s a quick description of each Bach flower remedy and the emotions they help with:
Agrimony – For those who hide worries behind a cheerful mask; helps with inner peace.
Aspen – For vague, unknown fears and anxiety; brings inner security.
Beech – For critical, intolerant attitudes; fosters understanding and compassion.
Centaury – For people-pleasers who struggle to say no; encourages self-assertion.
Cerato – For those who doubt their own judgment; builds inner confidence.
Cherry Plum – For fear of losing control; restores emotional balance.
Chestnut Bud – For repeating mistakes and not learning from experiences; enhances awareness.
Chicory – For overprotective, possessive love; nurtures selfless giving.
Clematis – For dreamers who lack focus in the present; promotes grounded awareness.
Crab Apple – For self-disgust and feeling unclean; aids in self-acceptance.
Elm – For overwhelm from responsibility; restores confidence and capability.
Gentian – For discouragement after setbacks; brings perseverance.
Gorse – For deep hopelessness and despair; renews optimism.
Heather – For self-centeredness and neediness; encourages empathy and connection.
Holly – For jealousy, hatred, and anger; fosters love and understanding.
Honeysuckle – For living in the past and nostalgia; helps embrace the present.
Hornbeam – For mental fatigue and procrastination; boosts energy and motivation.
Impatiens – For irritability and impatience; promotes calm and tolerance.
Larch – For lack of confidence and fear of failure; builds self-assurance.
Mimulus – For known fears (heights, public speaking, etc.); instills courage.
Mustard – For deep, unexplainable sadness; restores inner light and joy.
Oak – For tireless overworkers who never give up; teaches balance and self-care.
Olive – For complete exhaustion and burnout; replenishes vitality.
Pine – For guilt and self-blame; encourages self-forgiveness.
Red Chestnut – For excessive worry about loved ones; fosters trust and calm.
Rock Rose – For terror and panic; instills bravery and calm.
Rock Water – For self-denial and rigidity; promotes flexibility and self-kindness.
Scleranthus – For indecision and uncertainty; enhances clarity and decisiveness.
Star of Bethlehem – For trauma and grief; brings comfort and healing.
Sweet Chestnut – For extreme anguish and despair; restores hope.
Vervain – For overenthusiasm and stress from overcommitment; encourages relaxation.
Vine – For dominant, controlling personalities; nurtures wise leadership.
Walnut – For life transitions and outside influences; strengthens adaptability.
Water Violet – For aloofness and isolation; fosters connection and warmth.
White Chestnut – For racing, obsessive thoughts; brings mental peace.
Wild Oat – For uncertainty about life’s purpose; provides direction and fulfillment.
Wild Rose – For apathy and resignation; restores enthusiasm for life.
Willow – For bitterness and self-pity; cultivates forgiveness and positivity.
——————————————————————
I take a high-quality B-complex regularly because it supports overall function, especially emotional well-being. It aids neurotransmitter production, reduces stress, stabilizes mood, eases anxiety, and boost resilience—ideal if you're feeling stressed, fatigued, or emotionally drained
Boosts Mood & Reduces Depression – B6, B9, and B12 help produce serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, preventing depression and anxiety.
Lowers Stress & Anxiety – B5 regulates cortisol, while B1 and B3 support nervous system stability, reducing stress-related mood swings.
Enhances Emotional Resilience – B2 and B6 balance homocysteine, lowering stress and agitation.
Increases Energy & Motivation – B1, B2, B3, and B5 fuel brain energy, preventing fatigue-induced low moods.
Balances Hormonal Mood Swings – B6 helps regulate mood, especially during PMS or menopause.
——————————————————————
Vitamin D3 + K2: Essential for Mental & Physical Health
Vitamin D3 is crucial for brain function, mood regulation, and mental well-being. Deficiency is linked to depression, anxiety, brain fog, and cognitive decline.
Why D3 Must Be Taken with K2 + Liposomal Form:
Vitamin K2 (MK-7 form) activates osteocalcin, helping calcium go to bones and teeth instead of arteries, reducing the risk of arterial calcification.
Liposomal Form Increases Absorption – Encapsulates D3 in fat-like molecules, making it easier for the body to absorb.
Better for Overall Health – Supports bone density, heart health, and a strong immune system
Key Benefits of Vitamin D3:
Boosts Serotonin – Supports mood, sleep, and emotional balance.
Reduces Brain Inflammation – Protects against depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Lowers Stress & Anxiety – Regulates cortisol and the body's stress response.
Enhances Memory & Cognition – Supports brain cell growth and reduces dementia risk.
Improves Sleep – Helps regulate melatonin for better rest.
How to Optimize D3 for Mental Health:
✔ Take 2000-5000 IU daily (adjust based on blood tests).
✔ Always pair with K2 (100-200 mcg, MK-7 form) to prevent calcium buildup in arteries.
✔ Use a liposomal form for maximum absorption.
✔ Get sunlight exposure (20-30 min daily) for natural D3 production.
✔ Check your levels – Optimal range: 40-80 ng/mL.
Helpful links:
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-9-16/tables/1
https://www.natureswish.co.uk/shop/flower-essences