We all know how important it is to take time for ourselves, whether it be with a yoga class, a short walk in nature or just sitting in silence for a few minutes. That being said, for most people, making time to prioritize our well-being is much easier said than done.

At Deep Root Medicine, the single biggest complaint we hear from patients is that they’re unable to turn off their minds. It’s understandable though, isn’t it? We live in a time where people are as emotionally attached to their phones as they are to friends and family. Stress is seen as a trophy of sorts – to be stressed is to be working, to be accomplished, to be constantly on-the-go, etc. While that kind of work ethic and ambition is valued by society, it’s not nearly as important as what’s happening beneath the surface. After all, we’re all human. We have the same basic needs and, more often than not, the same breaking points. We’re all susceptible to things like fatigue, stress, depression and anxiety, and it’s critical to understand how one can exacerbate the other.

The Root of the Problem

Fatigue can take many forms, and, fortunately, there are a few simple questions that can help people suffering from fatigue get back on track to a healthier, more rested life. However, more serious conditions, like anxiety and depression, can also cause fatigue and low energy levels, and all of them are made even worse by stress. For this reason, it’s important to have an open conversation with your health provider about how you’re feeling. Having Google at our fingertips is great for a number of reasons, but, sometimes, self-diagnoses miss the bigger issue at hand.

Our goal at Deep Root Medicine is to get to the root of the problem. If a patient is able to recognize they are fatigued, we want to honor their self-awareness and simultaneously help them find out the reason why.

We want to empower our patients to make use of the energy they have. This way, patients can actually do what they want, rather than feel ashamed of what they can’t and spiral even further into their depression or anxiety.

Stress: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As we mentioned earlier, stress exacerbates many health problems, but not all forms of stress are created equal. Let’s not forget, diamonds are made under pressure! That being said, when it comes to negative forms of stress, such as workplace stress causing you to feel burned out, management is key.

Mediation, even for just fifteen minutes a day, is recommended for all Deep Root patients regardless of why they come in for a visit. Admittedly, it can be agonizing at first, but the purpose is to allow your mind the opportunity to rest the same way you (hopefully) let your body do every night when you sleep. The beauty of meditation is it can be done any time, any where, and is therefore perfect even for the most packed of schedules.

In addition to suggesting meditation for all our clients, Deep Root offers a range of services, including acupuncture treatments and massage. To be perfectly clear, getting acupuncture or a massage will not erase all of your problems. Your stressors will still be there for you once you get off the table. The difference will be that you are relaxed and had an opportunity to restore your mind, allowing you the necessary energy to re-strategize and tackle that next hurdle, whatever it may be.

The Bottom Line

Stress is a part of life – anyone who tells you otherwise is sorely mistaken – but that doesn’t mean you have to let it take you hostage. There’s nothing wrong with working hard. There’s also nothing wrong with being stressed out or fatigued or having depression or anxiety. You can work as hard as you need to, but it’s important to remember to take a breath in between Point A and Point Z.

Deep Root Medicine was founded on the principle of using balance as resilience. When we say balance as resilience, it’s doesn’t mean striving to achieve balance as much as it means remembering that balance is already within us. With every inhale we make and exhale we take, we’re already moving toward a life lived more fully.

For more information to help manage your stress or remember your balance, book an appointment with Pete at Deep Root Medicine.