THRIVE with Whole-istic Healing Co‪.‬ Namita Mahanama

If you don’t have depression, or burnout…but just are not feeling ‘yourself’, then you could be in a funk!
To be honest, I have felt like I have been in a funk in and out this year.
I have wondered if it is an energetic funk, in terms of planetary alignments/retrogrades/lunar activity. I have wondered if it is numerology based given the year we have entered into.
(1.22) I chat about what a funk is vs burnout or depression
(2.44) What does a ‘funk’ look like for me?
It varies from point to point at different times and may not be ALL at the same time! I may oscillate between them, or be more at odds with a particular point at any one time;
Feeling lost, displaced almost
Low motivation
Feeling of ‘drudgery’ and ‘same old’ again and again
‘Can’t be bothered’ feeling in particular aspects or many at the same time!
The need for ‘escapism’, more fun and joy to shake things up!
A real desire for a change, holiday, break…yet also feeling so swamped with life that I need to keep powering through until that holiday comes (though a break is excellent motivation for me to keep cracking!)
In non-commitment windows of time, I just want to BE…I feel the real need to decompress on my own, not see anyone or do anything despite needing to see them or feeling the pull of obligation to do so…
Feels flat but not specific to a reason (weather dependent definitely! Less common when it is sunny OR rainy; cloudy days without sun or rain make me feel this more)
 
(6.31) Yet, no matter what the ROOT cause or reason is, when I have felt particularly ‘stuck’ or perturbed or ‘funky’, I lean into tried and trusted measures to help ‘shift’ underlying stagnation or energy…because it is all well and good to recognize that we are IN a funk, but to DO something about it is where the REAL POWER lies!
(7.45) So, what do I do about it?
First I check in and introspect as to what is it possibly telling me?;
+boredom?
+Misalignment in a particular aspect?
+ Not listening to my soul?
+ Pushing myself too hard?
 
Then, I love to then look into what could it be a result of;
Nutrition? (too much processed foods, takeway?)
Hormones? (where am I in my cycle?)
Caffeine? (am I adrenally pushing myself by being ‘ON’ and it is making me wired, stretching my nervous system)
Exercise? (not moving my body enough? Prana ALWAYS helps me with energy and feeling clarity in my mind…yet, I need to energy to do it!)
Not doing enough GROUNDING practices (mindfulness, meditation, baths, self-massage, getting a massage, journaling, reading a book)
Over committing to activities and schedules? Saying YES when I should say NO
My habitual ‘people pleasing’ tendencies?
Is it being too bogged down with the ‘seriousness’ of life? (ALL man-made and self-inflicted!...not enough FUN or JOY?)
Is it too much of SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF? Not having a perspective beyond ‘what is’?
Is it being indoors too much vs being in the sunshine and nature? Not being around water enough?
Not spending enough time with loved ones? I ALWAYS find that spending time and laughing with family & friends (as long as it isn’t every day i.e. too much!), that sparks me into ‘life’ again!
Is my house too messy? A clean space gives me STRUCTURE and order and I THIRVE with that!
Do I not have enough help? I definitely have trouble asking for help, sometimes because I think it is easier on my own! Also, it can feel like ‘too much work’ organizing it…and others, it feels like am I worth the financial cost of it? (worthiness undertones!)
(20.30) I chat about what I do to help lift me OUT of a funk
 
I hope you take some pearls of wisdom out of this episode and that it can bring some clarity and perspective into your life and what you may be going through.
 
xx
Namita 

EPISODE 37 is a beautiful GUIDED MEDITATION centred on the practice of SELF-LOVE.
The full video episode is on our YouTube Channel.
I would invite you to sit or lie down where you are comfortable, or do this as a WALKING MEDITATION.
Delve deep into the practice as you watch and feel your heart space open.
Self-Love is a key to feeling empowered and strong.
It is a practice that I lean into often.
Enjoy xx
 

This is the final part of the series and we go through;
 
(3.31) What are NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS that are available for ANXIETY and DEPRESSION over-the-counter & considerations to make?  
 
(11.09) BEING KIND to yourself throughout the process
 
(17.49) Write a COMMITMENT STATEMENT to yourself
 
(20.25) What are some STRATEGIES to use ALSO whilst using WESTERN TREATMENTS?
 
(37.50) What is MATRESCENCE and this IDENTITY SHIFT?
 
(41.56) SUMMARY of MEDICATION as a possible PIECE in your jigsaw of RECOVERY
 
This series was designed to answer common questions and queries about this arm of treatment and I hope it SHINES THE LIGHT on it to give CLARITY.
 
Clear communication and information for me is the definition of HEALTH LITERACY and I hope that this series has provided that to you in the aspect of medications in the capacity that is available over a podcast vs one-to-one specific guidance!
 
Remember your pharmacist and doctor have a wealth of information between them; so never hesitate to ask ANY questions.
 
I hope you have gained so much from this series...
 
Hop onto www.wholeistichealingco.com for more resources and information!
 
xx Namita

SHOW NOTES
Part 2 of 3 on MEDICATIONS for PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH is all about;
(4.17) What are the considerations of PREGNANCY and BREASTFEEDING with medications?
(11.58) Although a separate topic, what are the implications of medications for HG (hyperemesis gravidarum whilst pregnant?
(17.31) What are possible SIDE EFFECTS of each class of medication?
(21.34) What is the side effects are causing a problem?
(25.53) What are possible DRUG INTERACTIONS with medications for PNDA?
(30.16) The impact of ALCOHOL with medication and the INTERPLAY
(35.09) What are some possible FOOD INTERACTIONS?
(36.20) What happens if medications DON’T work?
(38.46) What happens when WEANING OFF medication (upon doctor’s advice & consultation only)
Dive in and learn ALL about these aspects of medication if you are beginning medication or wondering HOW it fits into the scheme of treatment for PERINATAL anxiety and depression.

EPISODE 34: MEDICATION FOR POSTNATAL DEPRESSION AND PNDA PART 1 of 3
This is PART 1 of a 3-part series all on MEDICATION in the perinatal period. This episode contains;
(11.34) MY story and my WHY; lots of statistics that will blow your mind
(32.29) WHAT treatment is available for PND and PNDA?
(34.36) WHO should you see to obtain treatment?
(36.44) WHAT medications exist for PND and PNDA and HOW do they work?
(42.56) What factors are considered when choosing a medication?
(46.38) What are some MYTHS around medications?
(54.12) What should you watch out for or consider when beginning a new medication?
(57.35) What are REALISTIC time frames of medications working?
(1.00) How LONG do you need to remain on medication for?
(1.01) What should you consider in regards to the safe use of medicines?
(1.03) What if the medication does not work for you?
(1.07) What if I need medication or your partner needs medication?
(1.10) What can you say if your family or friends ask if you are on medication?  
(1.13) What can you say if you feel judgement or stigma from others for taking medication?
 
(25.48) I am passionate because of the following statistics;
1 in 5 women have PNDA
1 in 7 women have PND
1 in 10 men have PND, all of which equate to 100,000 families each year in Australia; not even factoring the pandemic impact
75% of affected women DON’T seek help UNTIL they reach CRISIS point
20% have suicidal thoughts or acts of self-harm
Suicide is one of the LEADING causes of maternal death in the first 12 months postpartum in Australia…with 1 in 4 calls to PANDA having suicidal thoughts
50 % of mothers are NOT diagnosed by a HCP (ppd.org) (with 63% of PANDA callers not have informed their health care provider)
1 in 5 were diagnosed with depression for the FIRST time in this PERINATAL PERIOD! Which to me means, that 1 in 5 families would have NO idea what is happening to them and WHAT to do!)
50% of men who’s partner has PND, will develop depression themselves (postpartumdepression.org)
The PWC report in 2019 found that PNDA has an $877 million impact annually, with a $5.2 billion lifetime impact
It was found in this PWC report that 86% of parents with children under 2 with PND were married, but face a lower probability of staying married and this to me would occur due to the immense strain of the condition on relationships
80% of women with PND will go on to have a FULL recovery…this is phenomenal!
PART 2 will continue on with...
What are the considerations of PREGNANCY with medications?
Although a separate topic, what are the implications of medications for HG (hyperemesis gravidarum whilst pregnant? Consider that this condition can impact on a mother’s well-being)
What are the considerations of BREASTFEEDING with medications?
What are possible SIDE EFFECTS of each class of medication?
What are possible DRUG INTERACTIONS with medications for PNDA?
What are the considerations with ALCOHOL whilst taking antidepressants/medications?
What are some possible FOOD INTERACTIONS?
What happens when WEANING OFF medication (upon doctor’s advice & consultation only)
PART 3 of the series will continue...
What are NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS that are available for ANXIETY and DEPRESSION over-the-counter & considerations to make? (st johns wort, gut health, chamomile etc.)
BE KIND to yourself throughout the process
Write a COMMITMENT STATEMENT to yourself
What are some STRATEGIES to use ALSO whilst using WESTERN TREATMENTS?
Nutrition
Ayurveda (massage, impact of all 5 senses on the system)
Limit alcohol and caffeine
Movement
Sleep hygiene
Meditation (link my GM’s)
Mindfulness; colouring, washing the dishes, ideas to practice it
Self-care (journal, baths, walk, haircut, new clothes)
Grounding strategies
Saying no…boundaries
Looking at work/life balance; seeing if there are areas to trim that are troubling you…trouble-shoot/solution-mode what is working and what is not/outsource what you can
Lean into your tribe…find WHO you resonate w

EPISODE 33 – ANGER MANAGEMENT
In this episode we cover;
WHAT IS ANGER?
According to Charles Speilberger, PhD psychologist, anger is ‘an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage’. It exerts physiological and biological changes when you get angry;
+ your heart rate and blood pressure go up
+ energy hormone levels increase; adrenaline, and noradrenaline.
Anger can be from external or exogenous sources; think traffic or a towards a person.
It can also be from an internal or endogenous source; think of festering over personal concerns or rehashing a trauma or event.
ARE SOME PEOPLE MORE PRONE THAN OTHERS TO ANGER?
According to APA.ORG, some psychologists believe that people who are easily angered may have a ‘low tolerance for frustration’. This can be genetic or physiological, as well as being sociocultural (where it is not accepted to show anger, so do not learn how to channel it constructively). Interesting article here; https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control
From an Ayurvedic perspective, people with a PITTA PRAKRUTI or natural constitution or a PITTA VIKRUTI (imbalance), there is the FIRE and WATER elements at play. With more heat qualities, these people tend to exhibit more anger reactions than someone with a KAPHA PRAKRUTI or VIKRUTI.
This enables understanding that on a hot day, if eating more heating VIRYA (energy) foods/spices & partaking in heating practices, that the FIRE quality will enhance. We would encourage more cooling qualities in diet and lifestyle to help bring balance and to reduce this excess fire.
I would also look into childhood and how anger was seen within the home; pushed under the rug, not expressed in a healthy way or not even allowed to show anger?
There can be learned behaviours that until NEW skills are learned to better handle emotions and reactions, that we are unable to grow and evolve.
WHAT ARE WAYS TO HANDLE ANGER?
EXPRESSING
SUPPRESSING
CALMING
What I would ask then, is to look into a few ponderings?
+ What makes you tick?
+ What factors contribute to this final blow up?
+ Is there a cyclical pattern to this anger?
+ What helps you get through it?
+ How often is it happening? Is it happening more frequently? *
+ Is it affecting your relationships at home or work? *
These can help unveil exactly WHEN and WHY it is happening, which is SO important! The * indicates that it is a great idea to seek help and look into this more before it creates more impact in your life.
WHAT STRATEGIES CAN I USE WHEN I FEEL ANGRY?
1. THE GLITTER JAR CONTAINER
2. STOP BEFORE REACTING/SPEAKING
In the moment of yelling or responding…STOP.
Breathe.
Walk away if you have to.
Then respond, not immediately and not fuelled by the immediate ANGER FIRE response.
3. HAVE A HEALTHY OUTLET FOR YOUR ANGER IN THAT ACUTE MOMENT
4. GET SOME EXERCISE/ FRESH AIR
5. DEEP BREATHING (HAND TO HEART OR ON TUMMY)
6. REPEATING A MANTRA/CALMING WORD
7. IMAGERY VISUALISATION
8. PUT ON SOME MUSIC
9. SLOW YOGA ASANAS
10. RE-FRAMING THOUGHTS
(can often be a reaction to fear, or focusing on catastrophic thinking and replace with more GREEN TEAM thoughts and rational thoughts)
Looking into your MINDSET, as certain thought processes can feel very catastrophic in the moment;
-ALL or NOTHING mindset
-CONTROL
-COMPARISON
-CATASTROPHIC thinking (Phrases like NEVER, ALWAYS)
Ask yourself
‘Will it matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 years’ time?’
If the answer is no, then let it go! Don’t sweat the small stuff!
11. CHECK IF YOU’RE HUNGRY!
12. ONCE CALM EXPRESS YOURSELF USING ‘I’ STATEMENTS VS BLAME OR CRITICISM
13. RUN THROUGH SOLUTIONS
14. USE HUMOUR TO CHANGE THE ENERGY
15. TIMING; DON’T BRING UP BIG ISSUES WHEN TIRED OR LATE AT NIGHT, OR WHILST KIDS ARE SCREAMING
16. ENSURE YOU ARE SLEEPING WELL
17. IMPACT OF FOODS FROM AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
18. IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE
19. MEDITATION
20. WATERFALL SHOWER
21. MANDALA COLOURING IN
22. JOURNAL YOUR ANGER AS AN