Welcoming a new life into the world is undeniably one of the most transformative experiences a person can undergo. However, amidst the joy and wonder of childbirth, it's crucial to acknowledge that it can also bring about significant changes, both physically and emotionally, for new parents. While there is much focus on the physical recovery after childbirth, the mental health aspect, particularly postpartum mental health, often takes a back seat. At Holistic Physiotherapy and Wellness, we believe in taking a comprehensive approach to postpartum care, addressing both the physical and mental well-being of new parents.

We’ve been focused this month on how certain things slow down in winter and ways in which we can use that for restorative purposes. But at the height of the holiday season, in the midst of cooking, cleaning, and shopping, you may feel an even greater need for rest and recovery than usual.

When imbalances occur in your body, like chronic pain or disease, it can be the result of many factors. Genetics clearly play a role, as can lifestyle choices like inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, or overindulging in alcohol. Yet, there is a third factor that is less obvious and potentially far more impactful: stress.

For nearly three years now, our lives have been upended by external events well beyond our control, from a global pandemic to geopolitical strife and so many other things in between. You may have read a number of articles that attempted to articulate how you might be feeling. Were you languishing? Was your nervous system unbalanced due to a period of prolonged stress? Or did you simply feel, like I did, like a prairie dog popping up over and over again to scan for danger. It was like playing wack-a-mole!

To truly understand the incredibly complex processes going on in any part of your body, especially one as intricate as your nervous system, you would probably need a PhD in neuroscience. Assuming you don’t have that degree or the time to study for one, we’re going to use this week’s blog to give you a ‘tip of the iceberg’ glance at your own nervous system.

The holidays can be fun, joyful, and exciting. Let’s be real though - they can also be super stressful!

Especially when you feel the pressure to get things just right: To cook the perfect meal, give the best gifts, keep all the traditions going, and make that sure everyone around you is happy.

Prepping for the holidays while keeping up with your usual responsibilities at home and work gets overwhelming. Especially for those struggling with perfectionism.

Most common questions asked by the people about Occupation Therapy include:

Do you help people find jobs?

No, we do not help people find jobs. ‘Occupation’ refers to the activities that you complete in your everyday life. Anything that “occupies” your time is an occupation. We help people who are experiencing barriers to activity completion; these barriers vary drastically (disability, illness, role transition, etc.). Wow! This means the therapy we provide can vary dramatically from person to person!

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common menstrual related diagnosis in women of reproductive age. Typically symptoms first appear in adolescence, however some women begin to develop symptoms in their early to mid 20’s. Although PCOS is named after the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries, it really is a collection of symptoms.

The birthing parent is not the only one who is at risk of developing anxiety or depression related to pregnancy and childbirth. The non-birthing parent is also at risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. The stigma men experience if they struggle as a new parent is even higher than women. Traditionally men are viewed as strong and self-sacrificing. This makes reaching out for help even tougher. Janelle Daku provides fantastic suggestions on how Dad’s can bond with baby and be the involved parent he desires.

Post-partum anxiety is defined by frequent, distressing fears. Some mothers describe worrying constantly about worst-case scenarios, seeing potential risks all around them. Dr. Marnie Rogers-de Jong, PH.D., provides excellent information on the physical symptoms of post-partum anxiety, and the variety of ways to help a mom experiencing postpartum mood disorders.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “fight or flight.” It’s actually pretty helpful for understanding how people respond to stress. Especially if we can add one more word: Fight, flight, or freeze. In this article, Dr. Marnie Rogers de Jong describe three common stress responses and their potential effects.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. I wanted to mark this day by highlighting how COVID-19 has impacted women’s well-being. While there’s no doubt that men are struggling too, research suggests that women have been hit hard by the economic, social, and emotional challenges of the pandemic.

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Kim Deschamps discusses how to begin practicing mindfulness.

Dr. Madolyn Linka describes the importance of self care and how it has been integrated into her life through the practice of Yoga.

Lindsay Olver discusses mindfulness and bringing awareness into our day.

If your mind and body are craving these above foods, it’s a good sign it needs support. Dr. Stephanie Liebrecht, Naturopath talks about eating healthy this holiday season.