If you noticed this past Sunday we had the first sunlight in nearly 3 weeks! This prompted coffee and a hike first thing in the morning. We made our way to Dewey Hill, in Grand Haven, as the sun just kissed it’s large dune.
Taken by Rebecca Neil atop Dewey Hill in Grand Haven, MI
Naturally, the sun is something we notice if we don’t have – it’s a energy source well beyond the function it serves to this big planet. The remainder of the day included “Hello’s” from cherry strangers reminding me that we cannot deny the effects that the sun provides for us mentally, physically and spiritually.
Winter Blues, Seasonal Depression Disorder and SAD, are common name side effects that individuals can suffer from with the lack of sunlight. Could it be because of the taxing nature Winter has on us?
Circadian rhythm is the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. It responds primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment. Sleeping at night and being awake during the day is an example of a light-related circadian rhythm.—Living in Michigan, with cold and no sunshine stretching anywhere from late September to early April. Winter can be an opportunity to enjoy several winter activities…if weather permits.
However, winter is the coldest and barest season. Wet, cold, even icy weather often keeps people from coming outside for days or weeks at a time, leading to cabin fever. From early January to as late as mid-April, most public schools are in session for weeks without a decent break. Work and school tasks feel longer and harder, and even favorite activities lose their appeal.
More so, in the winter months of Michigan with an average of 163 days of sunlight per year is expected. Effects of the lack of sun or, S.A.D symptoms may appear for many. Floatation therapy can help alleviate symptoms of S.A.D, also known as the winter blues. S.A.D. can be described as a person with:
- Lack of energy
- Poor sleep
- Loss of interest in activities and relationships
- Changes in appetite
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating
The Science
Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) serotonin and may disrupt the body’s level of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood and sleep patterns. That reduction may cause depression.
Circadian rhythm decrease in sunlight in the fall and winter months may affect the body’s internal clock, leading to depressed mood.
The decrease in sunlight in the fall and winter months may affect the body’s internal clock, leading to depressed mood.
Practices that can help
Floating, while a therapy used mostly in the dark might seem counter-intuitive, has the ability to re-harness outer sleep patterns to adjust the natural daylight and can provide a Magnesium rich soak ( a common mineral deficiency with S.A.D patients.) Why this personalized practice has benefited me for such disorders, supplementation of more leafy greens with high Folic Acid, citrus fruits with Vitamin C, root vegetables for a dose of Vitamin D in soups an stews and a healthy Omega 3s fatty acids can help curb the effects of this disorder. Limiting sugar intake and upping our vitamin B-12 can also be helpful. Finally, let’s not forget about exercise! Get out in that cold, embrace the winter, sun or not – There is so much to be grateful for in our beautiful state!
It’s crazy to think we are coming up to our 5 year anniversary! Good news is, we are finally expanding! Well, hopefully…..
As some of you may know, I have been looking to find the ideal space/location that would continue to meet all the needs, wants, expectations of our clients and continue to be conducive for our future plans.
Unfortunately, two and half years of searching and I was still lacking a building and my clientele nearly tripled. With much consideration as to what my next step should be, I’ve decided to look at the big picture:
Medical Marijuana Provisioning Center
Over the last several years I have been pursuing a secondary business venture; owning a Medical Marijuana Provisioning Center. This idea sparked after I became involved in the business too business of women interested in joining this new legal industry. I had the pleasure over the course of the last four years in working with some of the brightest minds on this topic. I sat in front row, as our state developed the new legal framework of this industry.
Shortly after, I was also given a medical diagnosis of Frontal Lobe Epilepsy, a progression of a neurological disorder that left me suffering involuntary seizures multiple times daily for nearly 13 years. This diagnosis, unfortunately, left me at a dead end with only a cocktail of pharmaceuticals.
So began my own journey, I started educating/consulting individuals on the use of Cannabis Therapeutics and the benefits of this powerful plant medicine. With newfound eye-opening information, I knew that this was a key component to the services I would hopefully soon be offering for the future of Paradigm.
Connecting with the Michigan Woman Foundation
I pitched this business concept to the Michigan Woman Foundation “shark tank” after making a cut of nearly 200 applications, in March of 2017. My business concept included; a Provisioning Center, with clinically proven therapies like Massage, Floatation Therapy, Acupuncture, Psychology, Yoga, Juice Bar, and more.
My mission for the last 3 years was to try and secure that ideal property, which included attending multiple local municipality meetings, educating our elected official on adopting these news laws and creating new zoning that would allow these establishments to thrive.
As most of you know I have been involved in many facets of healthcare, I am a Licensed massage therapist of 11 years, a board-certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner. I hold a Bachelors’s in Holistic Health Science with an emphasis on Quantum Mechanics. I have spent many years reading on various topics in Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, mental health, brain/gut health, genetics, plant medicine, nutrition, lifestyle and more. It has been my passion to understand the mechanism of our bodies, mind, and spirit.
After realizing that American healthcare was no more than a disease management system. I knew I wanted to see change, raise the bar in healthcare and offer a truly unique holistic approach. My vision for an optimal life is something I believe everyone should have accessibility too as barriers are often time, very real for many individuals.
Future of Paradigm Wellness
Moving forward, I have been in conversation with the city and I’m in the final stages of approval to add on to our existing location (into the garage)- Two more treatment rooms and another float room in which we will be able to expand on other services and retail products.
As for the Provisioning center, the city of Grand Haven is looking at the end of the 2019 year before zoning ordinances are considered. This expansion would have taken all of another year if I waited and knew I needed to act now.
I need your help!
This is where I need your help! I am asking for your recommendation on offering continued services at my home office location with the added expansion. I am scheduled for public hearing this coming Tuesday, August 13th at 7:30 pm at the Grand Haven City Hall. Please make your recommendation by coming to this meeting or via email, phone and or fax to Jennifer Howland before 12 pm that day to be considered.
I am really excited to see what the future holds for Paradigm, this has been my baby for the last 5 years and stoked to see this come to fruition.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call or email me becca@paradigmwellnesshealth.com or 616-644-6227.
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