We are seeing an increasing amount of mental health issues in the wake of COVID 19. This has become such a major issue that Singapore is actually going to ramp up the number of psychologists available. Here we will look at our significant experience of working in this area for the last thirty-five years and identifying what you can do to protect yourself.
Exploring Causes and Triggers of Emotional Breakdowns
Understanding the causes and factors that contribute to emotional breakdowns is pivotal in managing its impact on mental health. Several lifestyle and environmental factors can trigger and perpetuate breakdowns. These include:
1. Poor Diet: Processed foods, excessive sugar, unhealthy fats, and food sensitivities can all contribute to chronic inflammation. Research shows that a diet high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats can aggravate stress response.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity has been associated with increased stress levels. Regular exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to reduce stress.
3.Epigenomics: Epigenomics studies involve a set of chemical modifications not encoded within DNA, which orchestrate how and when genes are expressed. In other words, the study of epigenomics explores heritable, reversible modifications of DNA and chromatin that do not change primary nucleotide sequences. Some people have biochemical and emotional epigenetic tendencies that can be triggered by nutritional deficiencies and challenging lifestyle choices and precipitate a breakdown
4. Chronic Stress: Stress triggers the release of stress hormones, which can trigger an emotional breakdown.
5. Unresolved Trauma: Unresolved trauma from early childhood can trigger potential breakdowns later on in life.
Interventions to reduce breakdown triggers and manage them:
Thankfully, we possess a range of interventions that can help reduce breakdowns. Here are some evidence-based strategies:
1. Balanced Diet: Embrace an anti-inflammatory diet comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Regular Exercise: Engaging in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week can significantly stress and support emotional regulation..
3. Correcting dysfunctional epigenomics: Doing gene testing to identify epigenetic triggers and designing a lifestyle and nutrigenomic program to address it.
4. Stress Management Techniques: Incorporate stress reduction techniques into your routine, such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and regular relaxation practices. These activities can help alleviate chronic stress
4. Adequate Sleep: Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can trigger breakdowns. Prioritize good sleep hygiene for a minimum of 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
5. Trauma Therapy: Doing emotional and psychological interventions to address the roots of this trauma.
We recently had a senior executive who developed disabling anxiety attacks. They were so severe that he would have to stop his car on the highway because he was unable to cope. By identifying his triggering factors precisely and making targeted nutrigenomic interventions and basic mindfulness techniques, his disabling condition was significantly reduced in 12 weeks.
Conclusion
Addressing causes and triggers that precipitate breakdowns is key to preventing and managing emotional breakdowns. By adopting a lifestyle encompassing a nutrigenomic regime, regular exercise, stress management, trauma therapy (if required) and quality sleep, we can improve our overall health and well-being. Let us embrace the power of self-care and take charge of our long-term health by managing our life quality effectively.
Remember, always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or implementing new interventions.
Are you concerned that you are heading towards an emotional breakdown? If you need help you can click HERE for a free assessment
https://www.healthandwellnessassessment.com/0
We are here for you at Sundardas Naturopathic Clinic.
Yours in Health,
Prof Sundardas D Annamalay
Book a private consultation today and take control of your own health.
Simply email us at admin@naturaltherapies.com to make an appointment or call+65 63236652. We are pleased to offer consultations via Zoom for online coaching clients.