K.D.Therapies

01/10/2025

21/09/2025

Support your mental health during the darker months!

The days are growing shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. More darkness invites quietude and introspection—but it can also lower our mood. We produce less vitamin D and serotonin, and more melatonin (the hormone of darkness). Our cortisol levels change. In some cases, we can feel more sadness, anxiety and depression.

It becomes a feedback loop.
Less serotonin = more vulnerable to stress/anxiety
Stress/anxiety = body produces even less serotonin
Over time → fatigue, low mood, harder to regulate emotions

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Can reduce anxiety (as effectively as some meds)
- Calms the nervous system
- Woelk & Schläfke, 2010

Rose (Rosa × damascena)
- Can significantly calm the fight-or-flight response
- Haze, Sakai & Gozu 2002

Citrus Oils
- May reduce antidepressant needs
- d-Limonene boosts dopamine + GABA
- Komori, 1995

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
- May reduce cortisol + blood pressure
- Great for evening relaxation + sleep
- Hwang, 2006

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
- Helps lower anxiety + depression compared to placebo
- Supports deep, restoring sleep
- Ghazizadeh et al. 2021

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin_
- Can calm & gently sedate the nervous system
- Ito & Ito, 2011

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
- Reduces mental fatigue + burnout
- Varney & Buckle, 2013

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
- Calms the amygdala (brain’s fear/anxiety center)
- Works in a way similar to diazepam
- Saiyudthong, 2015

*
These are just a few examples! There are many essential oils that can help uplift us.
---> What are some of your favorites to use during the darker months?

*
Abridged references (let us know if you want the unabridged list!)

Ghazizadeh et al. (2021). Phytotherapy research
Haze, S., Sakai, K., & Gozu, Y. (2002). Japanese journal of pharmacology
Hwang, J.H. (2006) Taehan Kanhoe Hakhoe Chi
Ito K, Ito M. (2011) Journal of Natural Medicine
Komori, T., et al. (1995). Neuroimmunomodulation
Saiyudthong et al. (2015). Natural product research.
Varney, E. & Buckle, J. (2013). The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Woelk, H. and Schläfke, S. (2010) Phytomedicine

10/09/2025

❤️❤️❤️

09/09/2025

❤️

07/09/2025

Monday the 29th of September in Newtownards.

Loneliness & Mental Health: an evening with AWARE NI, the Royal College of Psychiatrists & South Eastern Trust Service User Consultant. Link to sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-about-loneliness-mental-health-tickets-1659480162839?aff=oddtdtcreator

Date: 29 September 2025 from 6:30pm-9:00pm in the Dusty Millar room of the Blair Mayne Wellbeing & Leisure Complex at 1 Dairy Hall Lane in Newtownards. Hope to see you there.

17/08/2025

♥️

14/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GaCdj88ZK/

Register by emailing below

📧 Email: info@insulawellbeing.co.uk
📞 Phone: 028 9189 8182
🌍 Website: www.insulawellbeing.co.uk

20/06/2025

♥️♥️♥️ Natural Aromatherapy Anti aging Facial ♥️♥️♥️

A 2023 study explored how Helichrysum italicum essential oil and its component neryl acetate affect human keratinocytes—the cells responsible for skin regeneration. They found that...

- It Helps Wounds Close Faster: Helichrysum oil significantly sped up wound closure after just 6 and 24 hours—even at very low concentrations (0.03%–0.06%).

- It Boosts Collagen Production: Helichrysum increased production of key structural proteins like collagen-I, fibronectin, and laminin. Essential for strong, smooth, resilient skin!

- It Calms Inflammation: The oil reduced pro-inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8—supporting the skin’s healing process without triggering excess irritation.

- It Supports the Skin Barrier: Helichrysum oil downregulated genes involved in skin barrier damage. It also boosted hydration by increasing proteins and genes involved in water transport and moisture retention.

- Rich in Antioxidants: The oil’s phenolic compounds offer antioxidant protection—fighting oxidative stress that can delay healing.

Researchers think helichrysum oil activates a special skin receptor (PPARδ), which plays a key role in processes like ceramide production (ceramides are like the glue that hold skin cells together) and skin cell renewal.

The oil increases certain fats and proteins that are found in higher levels in younger skin but naturally decline with age. This means it helps restore some of the functions that aging skin starts to lose, like hydration, elasticity, and defense.

As we get older, our skin doesn’t renew itself as quickly. Helichrysum oil and neryl acetate seem to slow down unnecessary cell growth while speeding up the process where skin cells mature and become part of the protective outer layer, essentially helping your skin function more youthfully.

*
NOTE: There are many species of helichrysum. This study was specifically on Corsican Helichrysum italicum. The oil from Croatia typically has a lower neryl acetate content, but is still excellent for the skin. Helichrysum bracteiferum, Helichrysum splendidum, and Helichrysum gymnocephalum are not as rich in neryl acetate.

*
→ Save this post to your natural healing toolkit!
*

Lemaire et al. (2023). Neryl acetate, the major component of Corsican Helichrysum italicum essential oil, mediates its biological activities on skin barrier. PloS one, 18(3), e0268384.

04/04/2025

Irritability is the first sign your polyvagal state (nervous system) state has changed. The best part is: you can help your body go back into ventral vagal (a parasympathetic state.) Eat fat or protein— it’ll stabilize your blood sugar. Then move your body, a brisk walk is the quickest and most accessible way. You have much more control over your mood and emotional state than you know

17/03/2025

We spent a wonderful morning with Lorraine from Peace by Piece Counselling NI in the beautiful countryside of Greyabbey, a truly healing session exploring an Equine experience with these beautiful, gentle, empathetic and intelligent horses, a very safe space was provided to explore emotions and feelings, highly recommended, if you think that this is something that could help you reach out to Lorraine ♥️💚♥️

26/02/2025

Great job opportunity

⭐️⭐️ WE ARE HIRING⭐️⭐️

If you or somebody you know would be interested in joining our award winning team , please see ad below and apply within or at vikkimac83@icloud.com