Sahrp newsletter February 2010

SAHRP Newsletter February 2010 

1

february 2010

NeWSLeTTer

www.sahrp.ca

SAHRP Newsletter February 2010 

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by Leanna Korevaar 

A recent major 

newspaper headline reads; 

“Depression among public 

servants Canada’s biggest 

‘public health crisis’.” 90% 

of doctor visits are for 

stress related health issues. 

Depression and anxiety 

just overtook heart disease 

for the number one cause 

of workplace absence.

Darren Lang, MBA, delivered powerful knowledge and 

practical advice for coping with stress, and the big issues 

caused by stress, to a record-breaking crowd on January 

20 in Regina.

“Stress has a hidden impact on the mind and body. Chronic 

stress over long periods of time depletes seratonin levels – 

the body’s ‘good mood fluid’,” said Darren.

Seratonin, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate mood, 

appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and some cognitive 

functions including memory and learning. Understanding 

the role of seratonin levels in stress disorders and in our 

bodies is key to escaping the stress-spiral that leads to 

crippling health issues.

In a nutshell, negative thoughts cause stress and stress 

lowers seratonin levels and mood. When our seratonin 

levels become depleted, we:

• 

Get sick more often.

• 

Think more negatively.

• 

Experience emotional disconnect from all things

 

important, such as family, friends, work, hobbies, etc.

• 

Become more agitated.

• 

Have thoughts that circle around more.

• 

Eventually experience bigger issues including sleep, 

 

mood, depression and anxiety disorders.

When we don’t realize that low serotonin levels are 

influencing our negative thoughts and feelings we go 

looking for answers. Often people point a finger at the big 

areas in their lives, like a stressful job, a conflict situation, 

or loved ones. What we don’t know is that our low 

seratonin levels can push us in the direction of blaming 

external factors beyond our control.

Also, it is important to remember that states of stress-

related anxiety and depression can be triggered by how 

we think. Since we have control over our thoughts we can 

have control over stress.

Darren offered these practical tools and suggestions that 

we all have easy access to – in our minds and at the corner 

store:

#1. Shift your thoughts

To shift your thoughts, Darren suggests you do your 

homework. This means listing three memories from your 

home life that put a smile on your face. Next, list three 

memories from your work life that make you happy. Then 

list three fun memories and three things you are looking 

forward to. When stress and anxiety start to boil over in 

your life simply pull out the list, to help shift your thinking 

in a more positive direction and turn things around.

#2. Fill your body with the raw material for 

seratonin production

Protein is the only thing your body can use to make more 

seratonin and vegetables help the conversion process. 

Eating sufficient amounts of protein and vegetables 

is critical to raising and maintaining healthy levels of 

seratonin. Supplements including vitamin B, vitamin D, 

SPeCIaL feaTure

Staying up in an upside-Down World 

Darren Lang’s Under the Radar Techniques to Beat Stress and Feel Your Best

Darren Lang, Professional 

Speaker and Trainer

SAHRP Newsletter February 2010 

3

SPeCIaL feaTure 

(continued)

Staying Up in an Upside-Down World (continued)

vitamin C and omega 3 oils (fish oil, etc.), are also critical 

for helping your body convert protein into mood-boosting 

serotonin.

#3. Get sun and exercise

Exercise and sunlight trigger seratonin production – an 

easy fix 

Staying Up in an Upside-Down World 

(continued)

in spring and summer. Since the Saskatchewan sun loses 

intensity in the fall, prairie brains don’t produce as much 

seratonin in the winter months. Some people experience 

mild Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms and 

others are devastated by resulting depression.

Simple sources for sunlight throughout the winter months 

are light boxes, available at local retailers. Light boxes sit 

on desks or counters and deliver artificial sunlight to the 

facial area where it is easily absorbed through the eyes. For 

people who aren’t able to sit for the recommended time, 

light hats are available at 

www.feelbrightlight.com.

Prescription medications and meat protein supplements 

are also available to help boost seratonin levels. Consult 

your family doctor or a naturopath to learn more about 

these options.

Darren’s Staying Up in an Upside-Down World 

presentation was inspired by a number of sources and 

a lot of personal trial and error. If you feel like you are 

caught in a stress spiral and have been there for over a 

month, please do something about it. An employee family 

assistance program or your family doctor is a great places 

to start. The following resources may also be helpful:

Books to Improve Thinking Habits, 

Seratonin Levels and Mood

You Can Be Happy No Matter What by Richard Carlson

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Fankl

Photo credit: Shutterstock

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks

10 Days to Self-Esteem by David Burns, M.D.

Self Matters by Dr. Phil

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer

The Mood Cure by Julia Ross

Serotonin by Syd Baumel

Change Your Brain Change Your Life by Daniel Amen, 

M.D.

Professional Naturopathic Resources

Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Website: www.sanp.ca/members.htm

Canadian Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Website: www.cand.ca

Dorothy Martens, Counsellor, Regina

Phone: 

 306-347-0018

Darwin Stoeber, Registered Clinical Therapist, Regina

Phone: 

306-757-2995

Email: [e-mail]

Find out how Darren can help stress-proof your group. For 

more information or to schedule Darren’s presentation for 

your workplace, please contact

 Darren Lang, Professional 

Speaker and Trainer,

 by email at 

[e-mail]

 or by 

phone at 

306-569-2433

.