don't be 'SAD'...

S.A.D or 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' is a recognised disorder that affects people during seasons where their exposure to UV light is severely impaired and the temperatures drop.

US statistics show that at least 5% of people suffer from this disorder, though these numbers could be as high as 20%! 

Women are 4 times as more likely to suffer as men with symptoms such as:
fatigue, irritability, depression, poor attention span, body aches, overeating, consequent weight gain and crying spells.
Treatments include:
Exposure to light - UV light allows Vitamin D to be synthesised in the body, when it comes into contact with our skin.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to Osteoporosis, Diabetes, HI Blood Pressure, Stroke, Depression, Muscle Atrophy and Gum Disease.  Vitamin D is essential for our body's absorbtion of Calcium. 
Change of location - try not to get in the habit of 'hiding' in just one or two warm rooms at home.  This is easy to fall into with less than optimal weather that can run for weeks at a time.  Changing locations usually means that you will leave the house, get some fresh air and perhaps even some sunlight (if you're lucky!).  This can help stem the feeling of being 'locked away' during the Winter months.
Stimulating Company - Go for that coffee with a friend;  meet for playgroup in the park; encourage dinner dates with friends and family.
It can feel so much more difficult to 'get around' to doing these social activities when the light has gone at 5 o'clock at night!  Make the extra effort....it will be worth it!
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements - the obvious choice is Vitamin D, but Vitamin C and the B Complex can also be helpful.  Calcium and Magnesium Mineral supplements can also help reduce symptoms.  Having said this, the best recommendation we can make is to have a professional Naturopath advise you on the best supplements for you.

sanctum can help by offering most of these options in just a single visit!
Miserable, rainy days are perfect days for getting out of the house and enjoying a massage (especially a Hot Stone Treatment!), a facial, or a treat for your feet with Reflexology.

Our new Therapist, Jess, is a qualified Naturopath and can offer professional advice on Diet and Supplements.

Even just savouring a beautiful, herbal tea at the end of your treatment can go a long way in staving off the Winter Blues!

Call now, on 6333 8833 to make a booking or for more information.

Back Online...

As of today, we are back online with both our website and our sanctum email after the better part of two weeks without.
All going well, our Server problems will be completely fixed soon and we can relax knowing people can find us online once again.
We do hope that no one was inconvenienced by this and we look forward to hearing from you all again soon!

"Houston....we have a problem..."

Just to let everyone know that, unfortunately, our website and email server has crashed and we are currently unable to receive emails and our website is offline.
We apologise if this causes any inconvenience and would just like to let you know that we are still contactable via (03) 6333 8833 or through our product line (red bamboo) email address if you need, in the meantime.
Thank you for your understanding.

Annie and the Team at sanctum

Stressed Out?

The term 'stress' refers to both positive and negative effects on our body and mind - though it's more often known as a negative issue.

Good Stress (or 'Eustress') actually helps the body by providing motivation, focus and spurring improved performance.  Negative Stress (or 'Distress'), if prolonged and undealt with, can accumulate and cause numerous issues in mind and body.

Our Nervous System plays the lead role in managing stress, and contains two divisions (the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems) that control opposing reactions and tasks in the body.  The Sympathetic controls what is perhaps better known as the 'fight or flight' reactions - those reactions that increase blood circulation (especially to the muscles), the release of Adrenalin and increased oxygen intake.  These all prepare the body to 'fight' or 'flight' in certain situations.  Ideally, you would utilise these body reactions to deal with the threat facing you and then the systems would reset themselves and return to normal.

Unfortunately, daily challenges such as; traffic congestion, difficult customers, work and family commitments, house mortage payments, bills and other common hassles can also trigger this response - only the stress is prolonged and you cannot necessarily physically fight the problem nor run away from it.
These long term stresses can cause increased levels of Cortisol, another adrenal hormone, which can lead to higher anxiety levels, impaired immune function and healing, as well as stress on the body's other organs and systems.

That Parasympathetic System controls functions in the body that are more attuned to relaxation and renewal of the body.  Conserving energy, rest and digestion are several of the functions this system manages.

Below are some ideas to help reduce the effects of stress.

Deep Breathing - simple but very effective, the act of taking a good, deep breath works on the body in a number of ways. When we are stressed, our breathing becomes shallow and quicker - this can result in poorer oxygen levels in the blood, fatigued muscles, waste build up in tissues and increasing anxiety levels even more!  By taking deep breaths, you ensure a better supply of oxygen, you use the correct muscles for breathing and can physically help some of the symptoms of stress.

Go for a Walk - by actually 'walking away' from everyday stresses, you can allow yourself to gain some perspective on a situation that you might not normally.  Things can build up and before you realise, you are feeling overwhelmed by issues that are looming large over you - taking a step back may allow you to see them as smaller, more manageable issues.  The added benefit of exercise helps the body to cope physically with stress build up.

Massage - massage can play a very large role in stress management.  Not only does it grant you the time and space to simply relax and remove yourself from a particular situation, it triggers the Parasympathetic Nervous system and can reduce production of Cortisol.  By working tension in the muscles, massage can also help flush toxin accummulation and aide the lymphatic system.  Styles such as Reflexology, Relaxtion and Hot Stone can be particularly helpful.

Feel free to contact us to see how we can help you take back your life!

feeling parched.....

For the most part, we don't tend to think of our skin as getting 'thirsty'.
It does - and this dryness can cause challenges for the long term health of our skin.
As the temperatures start cooling down for Winter, the air itself is less able to hold onto moisture, so why would our skin be any different?
We are born with a natural skin 'barrier' (acid mantle) that helps lock in moisture, but this barrier suffers in cold, dry environments and this can effect the cells and the integrity of the skin.  This can lead to outside irritants and allergens finding their way in and leading to even further breaking down of this protective barrier.

Other factors that can effect this barrier can be: people on low cholesterol diets (the skin needs cholesterol to help form the barrier), foaming cleansers/bubble baths/harsh commmercial soaps (as they can strip away the barrier exposing the skin to harmful pathogens), exposure to heavily chlorinated water and lack of balance or sufficient water in the diet.
Along with the right diet and supplements for your body, a tailored skin regime and a good moisturiser can do wonders.
The right moisturiser for your skin can help rebalance and replenish the skin - renewing and repairing.
Ingredients to look out for when buying moisturiers for dry skin are a mix of two groups of ingredients - Humectants and Occlusives.
Humectants (like Glycerin, Shea Butter, AHA's and BHA's) work by acting like sponges and attracting water into themselves.  Great in humid climates where they can plump out the skin.  In dryer climates, however, they can actually draw moisture from the skin, not to it.  This is where Occlusives come into play.
Occlusives such as Evening Primrose Oil and Jojoba Oil, are oily substances that prevent water from evaporating.  Blending these together gives your skin the water drawing and holding properties it needs.

The Mukti range has a moisturiser to suit most skins along with serums and antioxidant oils to help 'boost' the moisturiser through the cooler months.

For your body, to help deal with irritated, dry and itchy skin, sanctum has a range of full body treatments to help.  From the purifying and healing Dead Sea Mud to the soothing and nourishing Cherry Rose or Ginger Guava Moisturising Body Wraps ($105) - or even the Himalayan Salt Body Exfoliation ($45) -  there is sure to be one just right for you.

Contact us for more information.