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