Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a medically recognised form of clinical depression that strikes during the darker winter months. Although not fully understood, it is most likely caused by shorter daylight hours which cause shifts in the body’s biological clock and hypothalamus.

From time to time we can all suffer from a dose of what might be called the ‘winter blues’ and feel a bit down, lethargic or generally under the weather. But for some people SAD is a seriously disabling illness with a wide range of symptoms that can totally and utterly disrupt their lives. Read more…

Usually when you want to create a soothing, relaxing atmosphere in the house, lighting up a burner or plugging in a vaporizer is the preferred option. But it is not always possible to use a burner in some locations, so having alternative techniques to diffuse your essential oils can come in really handy.

Fortunately, there are lots of easy ways you can enjoy the wonderful benefits of natural fragrance around your home, and you could even use these techniques at work too. Just be sure you check its okay with your boss first!
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Have you ever entered a room whilst in a perfectly normal and happy mood, and immediately felt an emotional change come over you? The feeling is unmistakable and may vary from just feeling a little uncomfortable right through to experiencing the irresistible urge to flee the room.

Perhaps a heated argument had taken place there earlier, or something much more sinister might have happened many years ago, but either way you got the message and no mistake. This is not as uncommon as you might imagine and there are many documented cases of how people’s lives were saved by taking decisive action after experiencing such feelings.
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Every thought and emotion affects your health. A holistic health approach encompasses treating the whole person: the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Traditional cultures have known for thousands of years that these aspects are intimately connected. Every food we eat, every thought we entertain, every emotion we feel and every interaction we experience impacts overall health.

Many blame their health problems on genetics, a virus, toxins in the air, and stress. While these factors can contribute to illness, very often problems result from a lack of fundamental health-enhancing qualities such as responsibility, a strong will, family support, passion, a balanced lifestyle and a knowledge of good health. Without these, whatever modality is chosen becomes just another pill to be taken and discarded when symptoms disappear.
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If you are as disappointed as I am with the summer weather right now, you may be thinking about jetting away to a warmer climate. But many of you already know from experience that flying can still be quite a stressful experience. The hassle of just getting through airport security and queuing at the check-in is enough to raise anybodys blood pressure!
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Stress is the curse of living in modern times and it seems almost impossible to escape from. And despite what some people might say to the contrary, just about everyone suffers from stress at some point during a typical working day. The problem is, if we experience stress continually it can take a heavy toll on our mind, body and spirit.

In recent studies experts have determined that heart disease is linked to anger, and irritability is linked to mental stress. Too much stress can cause the blood flow to the heart to become restricted (cardiac ischemia) which can lead to a heart attack.
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Towards the end of May, some 3 to 4 million people in Britain will begin to suffer the return of red, itchy eyes, a runny nose, persistent sneezing attacks, headaches, and for some sufferers, serious breathing difficulties. If you are one of the unfortunate 15% to 20% of sufferers in the UK, this time of year signals the return of your annual nightmare known as the hay fever season.
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It was recently estimated that in the United Kingdom more working days are lost each year through back problems than through any other physical ailment. Around 90% of the population experience back pain at some point in their lives, and a huge proportion of working adults suffer some form of back pain every year. I suspect that this percentage would apply to most people in the western world.
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This weekend many people around the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ, and Easter Sunday on the 23rd is considered to be one of the most holy of days in the Christian calendar.

For Christians, the Easter message is one of hope and life everlasting. It recalls that Christ rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, symbolising death, rebirth and the immortality of life. In other words; out of suffering, something new and wonderful can be born. It can just be a bit of a bumpy road.
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As is often the case at this time of year here in the UK, we seem to be suffering from a deluge of flu, sore throats, coughs and colds. Almost every other person that you speak to has either just got rid of a cold, or they are coming down with one.

And many have noticed that over recent years these viruses seem to be getting stronger, taking much longer for the body to eliminate. Several friends have commented that after a week of sneezing and coughing, they had then suffered many weeks of chestiness that they couldn’t seem to shift.
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