The recent news and discussion on the connection between ill health and loneliness is sad, whilst at the same time the root of many questions. Humans are social animals. Socializing in a face-to-face manner may not only be fun, stimulating, comforting and motivational, but also necessary to sustain who we are whilst essential to support a healthy mind and body.
As we come to the end of the summer season and school begins with a long awaited excitement of seeing friends again, sharing holiday news and other celebratory moments from the last six weeks, the weather also slowly begins to get colder as the sun changes its location in the sky, and the days become shorter. This is the time when our immune system needs a little boosting to manage the change and avoid falling victim to often circulating colds and flu.
When looking at the word “bitter” there are many uses in the English language – to be bitter about something, to have a bitter taste, or to refer to the weather – It was bitter on top of the mountain. Humans are not exempt from this word “bitter” as it can also be used to describe an attitude or emotion of a particular type of person or a person’s feelings on a situation – “he is very bitter about…. “.
Reported in the BBC news headlines this morning is the fact that antidepressant use, based on a doctor’s prescription is increasing dramatically in school children. The UK has seen the fastest rise in the prescribing of antidepressants and other mind-altering drugs to children, a new study of nine countries shows. In total, there were 950,000 prescriptions issued between April 2015 and March 2018.
German Chamomile (Chamomila recucita) - we all know this flower as Chamomile tea, drunk before going to bed to relax body and mind from infusing the flowers in boiled water. Known to calm the spirit. This herb flowers profusely at this time of year creating a yellow and white carpet. Not only good for calming and relaxing, Chamomile is very effective in addressing gut issues and skin disorders.