Dr. Christina Bjorndal, ND - Author, Beyond the Label & The Essential Diet

12/12/2025

January 1995. Australia - age 28

on the outside I look pretty good.

On the inside, I was struggling with my mental health.

This photo was taken six months.
after my first su***de attempt. I was trying to figure out what to do with the my life as I was sick and tired of being tired and sick.

As I sit down today to write a new chapter in my next book 📕 titled “weightless: a mind, body spirit approach to weight loss“ I am at the heaviest weight I’ve ever been.

I look back at my younger self in this photo and remember someone who was stuck in bulimia, people pleasing, uncertainty, shame and terrified of gaining weight.

it’s a gentle reminder to not judge a book by its cover. it’s important to ask people what’s truly going on inside of them and not just accept what they’re showing you on the outside. Many wear the mask that they’ve got it all together, but they’re struggling with self doubt, suicidal ideation, and eating issues - ultimately they are the furthest from love for themselves that they can be..

healing ❤️‍🩹 happens when you bring compassion to the parts of yourself that you don’t like, love or accept. When you embrace all of you, regardless of the size, and walk with grace for the beauty that you are. 🩷

12/11/2025

Quote of the Week ✨
"My dark days made me stronger. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it." – Emery Lord
Holidays can be triggering. For many, navigating the holiday season can be tricky as it carries an expectation of happiness, togetherness, warmth and joy. The reality is for many, it can evoke feelings of loneliness, grief, or unease, stirring up past experiences that may be distressing.
People experience a wide range of emotions during this period. It can be helpful to remember that each person’s journey through the holidays is unique. For those that need to hear this – it’s okay not to feel joyful and merry. Your feelings are valid, and taking care of your emotional well-being is paramount. Replace emotionally activating activities with fulfilling ones and create new traditions.
Love from your close circle of friends matters most. Reach out. Connect. Give in order to receive.

12/10/2025

"The Benefit Of The Doubt"

12/09/2025

New on Substack

I just published a new article: “How to Help Someone Who Is Struggling.”
Supporting someone through a difficult time can feel overwhelming, and sometimes we’re unsure what to say or do. In this post, I share simple, compassionate ways you can show up for the people you care about.

You can read it here:
https://drchristinab.substack.com/p/how-to-help-someone-who-is-struggling?r=qvk07

12/09/2025

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — You don’t have to struggle through winter alone.
SAD is more than feeling “a bit down.” It can bring real changes in energy, sleep, motivation, appetite, and emotional well-being.
Swipe through to learn the signs, what helps, and when to seek support.
Read the full article here:
https://naturalterrain.com/a-ray-of-hope-for-the-winter-blues/

12/07/2025

In my 1 on 1 call with Marianne Williamson last week (yes! how amazing is that!) - we discussed the mental health crisis and how despite more medications available - the crisis we have been in for decades is getting WORSE - not better.

In the wake of hearing of su***des, minds consumed with suicidal ideation at all ages and having lived experience with su***de - I am sharing this article again. Love is the answer. ALL behaviour - no matter how abhorrent to you- is a call for love.

It is hard to be in the darkness with someone and as someone who has lived in the darkness most of my life - it is also hard to be the one living in shame & secrecy with the thoughts i have. It is the light and lamp of love of connection that is the cure.
Please share with someone you know - a teenager, adult, elderly person, someone living alone- connection is caring. caring is love.

A question that is important to consider is how the seeds of loneliness get planted in the first place? If we consider loneliness a w**d, we can’t simply pull the top off to remove it. We need to dig underground and get to the root of the problem. If you have any experience gardening, you will kno...

12/06/2025

Medication & Mental Health Myth
Let Love determine your healthy journey - not fear. With self-awareness, stress management, balanced hormones, nutrition, sleep, and holistic practices, it’s possible to live with minimal or no medication. Neuroplasticity allows your brain to heal and grow. To learn more, see Dr. Chris, NDs youtube video explaining psychoneuroimmunology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sabuBhSIffI
& while you are there - please subscribe!

12/04/2025

Cold and Flu Season 🦠✨
I find in today’s society, many people fear getting sick. The reasons they give vary from not having enough time to get sick to looking at any form of illness as an inherent weakness within themselves. What they don’t realize is that getting sick is actually a good thing. Why? Because it gives your immune system a chance to work. Your immune system is intricately designed as a “policing” system to distinguish between foreign and internal “invaders”. By “invaders” I am referring to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cells within our body that are no longer functioning properly, such as cancer cells. If you never get sick, then how will you know that your immune system is working for you as it should? Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating that you run out and contract deadly forms of viruses. What I am saying, however, is that getting a benign cold or flu is not a national emergency. It allows your body to form the natural defenses or immunity that it needs so that the next time it comes into contact with the same virus, it knows exactly how to take care of it. Plus, it gives you the added reassurance that your body is working as it should, naturally.

https://naturalterrain.com/what-to-do-during-cold-and-flu-season/

12/02/2025

Quote of the Week ✨

Mental health can be cyclical in nature, but this does not imply the need for constant medication to prevent further episodes. Treat the root cause early through therapy, natural treatments, habit formation, and self-care for long-term relief.