Back pain is a common condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. While physical factors like muscle strain or injury are often blamed, there's another contributing factor that is often overlooked - stress.

In today's fast-paced world, stress has become a common companion for many of us. Whether it's due to work pressures, personal responsibilities, or the constant barrage of information from digital devices, the effects of stress can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. However, the good news is that there are effective strategies we can employ to manage stress and cultivate a sense of balance and resilience in our lives.

From the pressures of our professional lives to the challenges of personal relationships, stress is an inevitable part of the human experience. While most of us have come to accept it as an occasional inconvenience, it's essential to recognise that chronic stress may be accelerating the ageing process, affecting our bodies in ways we might not have imagined.

For many women, the menstrual cycle comes with some discomfort and mood fluctuations. However, for about 4-14% of women, the 7-10 days before menstruation are characterised by intense emotional and physical disruptions, wreaking havoc on quality of life. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a condition that goes beyond ordinary premenstrual symptoms.

Adaptogens are substances, such as herbs, roots and mushrooms, that have been used for centuries to help the body adapt to stress. In modern alternative medicine, adaptogens are prescribed to modulate the body’s response to stressors to reduce anxiety, alleviate fatigue and improve overall well-being.

Alternate nostril breathing is a yogic breathing technique that involves breathing through one nostril at a time while closing the other nostril with the fingers. This practice is believed to balance the flow of energy in the body, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote relaxation.

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. If not managed, it can be a debilitating disorder. Luckily, there are several things you can do to decrease its effect on you.

The relationship between anxiety and gut health appears to be bidirectional. For decades, researchers have believed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety are closely linked. The symptoms of IBS can trigger anxiety, while anxiety can provoke abdominal pain, changes in bowel motility, bloating and nausea. Moreover, anxiety can influence several processes such as the gut-brain connection, serotonin signalling and gut bacteria.

Mindfulness and meditation have been increasingly popularised by health gurus, scientists, influencers and medical practitioners. Tonnes of research has emerged throughout the last decade, indicating this century-old practise can deliver a myriad of health benefits.

Sometimes referred to as the “second brain”, the gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that affect the chemical messengers, which we call neurotransmitters, that impact mental health. Some of these neurotransmitters include serotonin, GABA and dopamine, which all play vital roles in mood regulation.

When you feel overwhelmed or like your mental health is in shambles for no apparent reason, it’s time to declutter your mind. These 5 techniques are scientifically proven to improve mental clarity and promote mental health.

Stress, trauma and difficult situations are often an unavoidable part of life. Coping strategies are essential in helping you build resilience to stressful situations and assist in minimising their impact on your life.

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder characterised by an ongoing state of sadness and absence of pleasure. It may often have no perceivable cause and can affect physical health, quality of sleep and social interactions. To help manage depression, try incorporating at least one of these healing practises into your lifestyle.

The term 'stress' refers to any intrinsic or extrinsic factor that threatens homeostasis. Stress has been linked to impaired cognition, sleep disorders, accelerated ageing and increased risk of a variety of diseases. Interestingly, the way we perceive stress greatly influences its impact.

Botanically known as Withania somnifera, the herb is native to India and parts of the Middle East and Africa. It has been utilised for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a regenerative tonic to reduce stress, increase energy and improve cognition. In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means “smell of the horse”, referring to the herbs earthy scent and ability to increase virility and strength.

If you’ve been in the wellness world for quite some time you’ve probably come across the term ‘adaptogen’. Adaptogens are a group of herbs that regulate the hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands to mitigate the stress response and in turn, help us ‘adapt’ to stress - whether it be psychological, environmental or physical. So, are they legit or are they another ‘superfood’ trend?

Anxiety is fast becoming the most prevalent mental disorder in western society. Anxiety is often treated with anxiolytic medicines, both herbal and pharmaceutical. However, the first approach to treating anxiety should always be to address the diet. These 4 foods can help improve your mood, alleviate tension and even reduce your risk of anxiety.

Ever noticed your skin breaking out during times of stress? Researchers have found a significant connection between your mind and the state of your skin. 

Do you find yourself reaching for snacks every time you feel upset, anxious or stressed? Do you feel guilt and shame after emotional eating, keeping you in a vicious cycle of negative feelings? Emotional eating affects a large degree of the population and is a huge contributor to weight gain and obesity. The good news is you can take steps to heal and liberate yourself from emotional eating.

Anxiety is the number one issue people come to me with and it’s no surprise seeing as it affects 14% of Australian adults annually. Anxiety is a mental disorder characterised by fear, worry and an inability to calm down.