Depression & Stress; Take Control of Your Health and Your Life

Did you know that a study done in the year 2000 showed depressive illness is associated with a mean average of 9.6 sick days per year, significantly more heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and back problems? Depression, like most other mental health problems, is largely under diagnosed and under treated. Even amongst those treated, only 19% in one government study were treated appropriately. Even so, the Western model of treatment often overlooks the whole person. Yes, if you are feeling sad all the time, have little motivation, ever think of suicide, or have other signs of serious depression, you should see a doctor! However, do remember that just taking a pill every day will not change your life or the kind of person you are. Behavioral/cognitive therapy may be what you need as well.

Sometimes, though, we just feel "stuck", under motivated, and bored. If your work is not your passion, make it so. Money is not everything, and material possessions do not make us happy very long. In fact, they often drag us down as we struggle to support them. In some cases, I believe poor physical health can be behind a mild case of "the blues." If you don't feel peppy, you are less likely to get adequate exercise. You may try to soothe yourself with junk foods and carbohydrates that pack on the pounds, dragging down your feelings of self worth even more. It's a vicious cycle.

Some suggestions? Everyone needs a job they love or a hobby they can look forward to after work. A home-based business can be a great tax advantage, reduce your financial worries, and get you excited about something. Fix your diet- your body cannot run properly on inferior fuel. Take a good multiple vitamin and a good antioxidant product. As you start to feel better, start an exercise program you can live with. Even a half hour of stretching will make you feel better mentally as well as physically. Find a friend with common interests and talk about things you like. Don't dwell on the negative. There's an old saying "We are taught to believe that positive equals unrealistic and negative equals realistic." Don't believe it. Explore each problem by seeking the good and bad sides. Divide a piece of paper in half, one side for positive aspects and the other side for the negative. Make yourself come up with at least 3 positive items. Retrain your thinking toward the positive and you'll feel much lighter. Stop listening to the media all day long. Take a break. Listen or read just enough to stay informed, then remember they choose that stuff because it grabs your attention, not because it's the way most things are. You can do it- take charge of your life and your health. No one else has as much to lose.

For further information, call 928-273-8576 or choltrn@msn.com.