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