Many people believe that depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, and in particular, a deficiency in serotonin – our ‘feel good hormone’. The textbook medicine approach is to prescribe anti-depressants to increase brain serotonin. This works for some people; but it does nothing for others. Why? Because...
Nutrients to nurture your mind and decrease depression
Food is more than sustenance. Eating well feeds your body, soul, and brain. In fact, what you eat can significantly affect your mental health, and even decrease depression, researchers advise. The reality is though, no matter how clean you eat, nutrient deficient soil, pollution and imported food have resulted in...
Blue Monday: a starting point for year-round conversations
December and January can be hard. Really hard. The third Monday of January marks Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Though these months are supposed to be a time of festivities, there are a number of factors that can contribute to this wintry sadness. Christmas puts everything...
How Osteopathy and Kinesiology overcame one man’s battle with anxiety
Anxiety had become George’s way of life for over five years, but it was his rising blood pressure and heart palpitations that brought the 46 year old to IMI. Recognising George’s health issues were interconnected, our naturopath identified and treated the various lifestyle factors that were affecting George’s health. She...
Restore tranquillity of mind and spirit using Traditional Chinese Medicine
Hong Kong is a vibrant and exciting city, with a fast pace of life. It is challenging. Pushy crowds, hot and sticky weather, noisy construction, dirty air and long working hours, mean life can feel topsy-turvy. I remember meeting Tracy, a 41-year-old woman who after living in Hong Kong for...
Postnatal depression: it can strike at any time, but sharing experiences allows women to help each other – an article featured in South China Morning Post
Melissa Shadforth, IMI’s Integrative Counsellor talks about the challenge of post-birth depression and stress which can hit at any time, even years after giving birth.
Are you on the brink of burnout?
It’s all over the news: WHO officially announced burnout is a workplace disease. We’re not surprised: we’re treating an alarming number of professionals suffering from stress, anxiety, insomnia, and ultimate burnout every week. Burnout can have dire consequences – your career, home life, mental wellbeing and physical health can all...
Depression and anxiety: you don’t need to suffer in silence or alone
Have you or your loved one experienced difficulties with depression and anxiety? Are you aware of some of the signs: unable to remember things or concentrate; find it difficult to sleep or sleeping too much; feeling tired all the time; no energy or emotion about anything; avoiding activities you usually...