3 Aspects of Health to Address to Improve Focus and Mental Clarity. Maybe you don't have ADHD?

You have these things to do, and it seems to take longer than you like. You are reading things over and over again and it is not only getting to be very not interesting but dreadful. Then perhaps there is a small amount of guilt that overhangs as it feels like not much is accomplished today. You might start to feel tired. The more behind you are, the less you feel like doing it. It’s not your fault. Maybe ADHD is not to blame either. Perhaps there may be some physical issues that may have been overlooked.

Candida:

Some symptoms of Candida overgrowth can include: brain fog, mood issues, fatigue, skin issues, acne, fungal eczema, scalp odors, bloating vaginal discharge, headaches etc. Other “bad” dysbiotic microbes in the gut can also affect concentration, focus and memory. In fact there are associations between increased leaky gut and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s later in life. The increased inflammation in the gut is often associated with increased microinflammation in the brain and nervous system which is a contributor to some of these conditions.

Not consuming refined carbohydrates or refined sugars is important because these foods feed candida overgrowth.

Spleen Qi Deficiency

The “Spleen” in western medicine is an organ that stores an extra reserve of blood to be used in case of an emergency (blood loss) or hypoxia. In Chinese medicine, the spleen is related to the digestive system and plays a role in the immune system. The energy of the spleen is easily depleted with mental work and even more depleted with frequent emotions of worry. So by nature of jobs, a construction worker is less likely to be spleen qi deficient than a lawyer. Worrying and overthinking weaken digestion, but the weaker the spleen qi, the harder it is to focus the mind. Another task of the spleen is to remove “dampness”. Too much dampness in the stomach can lead to feeling bloated, loose stools, nausea etc. Too much dampness in the lungs is associated with a tendency to phlegm in the chest. Too much dampness in the head is associated with brain fog, cloudy thinking, slow thinking, difficulty concentrating and feeling easily overwhelmed.

Consuming room temperature or warm foods as opposed to ice-cold drinks, ginger, cinnamon, poria and ginseng are some things that can help improve spleen health. Using the dry sauna or an infrared sauna is also helpful in fortifying the spleen system.

Liver qi Stagnation and Liver Fire

The liver is a very important organ and performs hundreds of metabolic functions, many of which involve detoxifying or keeping the toxins out of our bodies. Note that the TCM imbalances described may often be present with normal liver bloodwork such as AST, and ALT etc.

Often when there is an overload of toxins, and the system is “clogged”, TCM calls this imbalance Liver qi stagnation. It is associated sometimes with emotions of feeling stuck in life, or difficulty starting tasks. Liver qi stagnation is often associated with any type of achy pain.

Simple ways to move the liver qi is to exercise and move the body. Deep breathing, breathwork and even a message can move liver qi as well as specific herbs and supplements. When the liver qi flows, you’ll feel more energetic, focused, motivated, light and often with less aches and pains.

When there is an overload of toxins, sometimes the body creates an imbalance pattern of “Liver Fire”. Fire and heat rise. Symptoms of this include overthinking, recurring thoughts, tendency to anger or frustration, migraines and anxiety. When we use herbs such as Rehmania and others as well as appropriate liver detoxification support, many patients find that their minds quiet, they are less easily triggered and that it is easier to focus and accomplish things with less effort.

I’ve worked with adults and kids naturopathically to help with attention and improved mental function and mood. It is encouraging to see how natural therapies work well and offer an alternative to those who prefer to not take medications. I have some perceptive teenagers telling me they find schoolwork easier, and that they get better grades. Not only is it important to address the physical, spending time with patients to talk and address the mental, emotional, and energetic aspects can take progress much farther. It is beautiful to see people having an easier time with school or work, more confidence, feeling fulfilled, and able to enjoy life.

Feel free to reach out here if I can be of help. 

The information above is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease. 

Worry and Fears about Your Health Issues

Is Fear about your Health Condition Overwhelming you?

Of course, no one wants to have a health issue or have to deal with it. The physical suffering is painful, but for some, the emotional worry that comes along with it, can be paralyzing. Some of my patients tell me that no matter how hard they try, some thoughts just come and they cannot get rid of them.

-What if it gets worse?

-What if I’m going to be like this forever?

-Last time I had a health issue was a bad experience and I’m afraid it’s going to turn into that.

-What if no doctor can help me?

-Do these symptoms mean there is something wrong with me?

-I have discomfort here… what if it is this______ condition?

-what if I’m going to get worse?

Do you think these thoughts have a positive or negative impact on your outcome?

Why do we even have these thoughts? Our bodies know something is wrong and is programmed to problem Nervous System Balancing. Energy Work from the Comfort of Your Home solve and to fix. Fear is an instinctual survival mechanism, that works as a warning that something is wrong. Back hundreds of years as hunter gatherers, fear worked to alert us to survive, and run away from danger. Physical movement such as running detoxifies the “fight and flight” hormones such as cortisol.  Therefore, back in the day after people “ran”, their bodies returned back to baseline.

Today we often sit in worry without the need to physically “run”, and so cortisol stays in the system longer, giving a prolonged sense of anxiety or doom. Fear may have been an instinctual way to handle problems as a child or modeled by adults who raised you. We all want to do something to make it better, and there is a false subconscious feeling that if we think about the problem and worry, it will somehow mean you’re keeping tabs on it. And somehow control it. But this is not true.

Fear is a conversation you have with yourself that only gives you distress. Faith liberates and heals.

So how do you get out of anxiety or worry mode?

When you are at peace and relaxed there is less inflammation, your hormones are more balanced, your immune system works more optimally, it is easier to gain muscle mass, your body is more alkaline, and your body has the ability to heal faster. We all want to do something to make it better.

Sometimes not worrying feels like you’re accepting your fate and giving up. That is why it is so hard to let go. When you let go of stress, you are not resigning your goal to get better. But when you let go of stress, you are letting go of emotions that make you sick. This is what you can do. Think thoughts that make you well. It is doing something good.

Some patients are aware of everything I just said, but have difficulty controlling their thoughts. The anxiety seems to be a state that the body seems locked in. I can help you re-set your nervous system, and release deep seated emotions from certain organs or areas of the body. Many patients are amazed at the shift they feel after a session. They feel so much lighter, freer, calmer, happier and that what they need to deal with is now manageable and solvable. Some of the energy work can even be targeted to accelerate healing of certain physical conditions. Please reach out if I can support you this way, or if you have any questions how this can work for your specific situation.

“Faith and Fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You choose.”

-Bob Proctor