| Depression is quickly becoming one of the | | | | depression, according to exercise therapist |
| biggest health problems in the world. | | | | Chris Tzar. "In the coming years, medical |
| According to a study by USA Magazine, 75% of | | | | practitioners may find themselves prescribing |
| doctor visits in the US are for stress and | | | | exercise and healthy eating habits as |
| depression related illnesses. Clinical | | | | frequently as drugs," he says. |
| depression is Australia's fastest growing | | | | |
| illness. How do you know if you are | | | | MEDITATION. |
| depressed? | | | | |
| | | | Take time out to be quiet and attend to |
| The National Survey of Mental Health and | | | | personal needs. Meditation is a way many |
| Wellbeing found that one in four women and | | | | people do this. It is easily learned and |
| one in six men suffered from depression. In | | | | takes care of the need to unwind. After |
| 20 years, depression will be second only to | | | | meditating, a few minutes rest should be |
| heart disease as the nation's biggest health | | | | taken before resuming other activities. |
| problem. Chances are, you may be suffering | | | | |
| from stress and anxiety, even depression. | | | | YOGA, PILATES OR TAI CHI. |
| Here are some of the warning signs. | | | | |
| | | | All 3 activities include movements to reduce |
| WORK STRESS. | | | | your stress levels. They can also benefit |
| | | | your fitness, balance, strength and |
| Fear of going to work. | | | | flexibility. Why not join a class today? |
| | | | Don't worry, they have beginners' classes and |
| Conflict with co workers. | | | | cater for all age groups. |
| | | | |
| Errors or loss of concentration. | | | | DIET AND NUTRITION. |
| | | | |
| Absenteeism or being physically there, but | | | | Healthy eating is an important factor in |
| doing little work. | | | | beating the blues. Foods containing omega 3 |
| | | | fatty acids, particularly fish oils, can |
| Unusual or unacceptable behaviour. | | | | reduce stress. Increased intake of the |
| | | | minerals magnesium, zinc and selenium may |
| Aggression or hostility. | | | | help. B group vitamins are very important, |
| | | | particularly if you live or work in a highly |
| Accidents or near misses. | | | | stressful situation. An important benefit |
| | | | with these nutrients is that they can |
| Trouble with customers. | | | | increase the level of serotonin [the feel |
| | | | good hormone] in the brain. |
| Feeling unable to cope with constant work | | | | |
| demands. | | | | QUALITY SLEEP. |
| | | | |
| Working more slowly or making more mistakes. | | | | High levels of stress can make you restless |
| | | | and lead to disturbed sleep. You need a |
| Poor time management. | | | | minimum of 6 hours sleep per night to |
| | | | function effectively. Lavender oil and |
| GENERAL STRESS. | | | | chamomile tea can be effective sleep |
| | | | inducers. |
| Disturbed sleep. | | | | |
| | | | PETS. |
| Lack of energy or motivation. | | | | |
| | | | Have you noticed how you feel "at ease" when |
| Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. | | | | in the company of your pet? Do you have a |
| | | | warm feeling when you see or stroke a puppy |
| Physical aches and pains. | | | | or kitten? Pets can have an extraordinarily |
| | | | positive effect on our feelings and emotions |
| Poor concentration, memory or being easily | | | | and a growing body of research has indicated |
| distracted. | | | | their benefits to our health. |
| | | | |
| Feeling that life is not worth living. | | | | Owning a pet has been associated with a |
| | | | reduced risk of heart disease and cancer as |
| Loss of interest in sex. | | | | well as a reduction in symptoms of stress, |
| | | | depression and anxiety. |
| Difficulties with home life and routine daily | | | | |
| activities. | | | | According to cancer specialist Dr Bernie |
| | | | Siegel, our body chemistry changes when we |
| Feeling easily tired. | | | | are in the company of pets. "Levels of the |
| | | | stress hormone cortisol go down, immune |
| Withdrawal from social activities. | | | | function improves and perhaps more |
| | | | significantly, serotonin levels increase". he |
| Suicidal tendencies. | | | | says. |
| | | | |
| Sadness, worthlessness. | | | | OTHER STRATEGIES. |
| | | | |
| Frequent moaning, groaning and sighing. | | | | Some of the best ways of dealing with stress |
| | | | and depression are often the simplest. |
| SO WHAT CAN YOU DO? | | | | Spending time with nature {such as a park or |
| | | | beach},spending time with friends, smiling, |
| As Richard Bach in "Illusion", so eloquently | | | | being happy, laughing, having fun and looking |
| put it: "What the caterpillar calls the end | | | | for the positive aspects of life, are just a |
| of the world, the Master calls a butterfly." | | | | few simple examples. Being grateful for just |
| | | | being alive is another. Yesterday, my wife |
| There is much you can do to reduce you stress | | | | Ros attended the funeral of a close friend |
| levels {regardless of whether external | | | | who died of cancer. She was 49. |
| stressors change}. Here are 6 of the best. | | | | |
| | | | Finally, learning to say no, simplifying your |
| EXERCISE. | | | | life and reducing your commitments, may be |
| | | | very helpful too. It may be time to nurture |
| There is growing evidence that exercise, and | | | | "you" rather than always trying to please |
| in particular strength training, should be | | | | others. |
| provided as a first line therapy for | | | | |