Fast Foods Link To Depression
How often are you using the fast-food drive-thru? Virtually everything sold there puts you at higher risk for depression and anxiety.
Most other products you find in a drive-thru are heavily processed and filled with preservatives for maximum shelf life. In other words, theyre denatured, and your body has to work excessively to digest them.
This imbalance in your gut takes energy away from higher neurological functions, because when your body is funneling a lot of energy towards digestion and wrangling unnatural, unhealthy foods, thats energy that isnt freed up for your mental reserves. Again and again, new research shows the strong connection between gut health and brain function.12
Possibly the worst thing coming out of the drive-thru are toxic, heavy fats like trans fats, which are difficult to metabolize and cause cellular damage.
The fried foods you buy in the grocery store have got to go, too. Chips, gone. Please.
Helping Whnau And Friends
Mauria ko ku painga. Waiho ko ku wheru.Highlight my strengths. Ignore my weaknesses.
Sometimes its easy to tell when someone isnt their usual self, but its a lot harder to know how to help, or even how to raise the issue with them. Dont be afraid to start the conversation. Say you have noticed some changes lately and to ask them if theyre OK.
There are many ways you can make a difference. The most important thing is to ask what they need and dont make assumptions. Listen with open ears. Be patient and hold hope for them:
- Learn about depression and anxiety especially if you havent experienced it yourself.
- Do things together and keep the person involved.
- Give practical support, like cooking a meal or looking after the children.
- Go through the self-help options in this booklet with them.
- Offer to go with them to see their health professional.
How Does It Differ From Other Meditation Styles
All meditation styles and practices overlap and build on each other. Their basic foundation is the same: to bring the practitioner insight and introspection.
There is no right or wrong way to meditate, however, the various types of meditation can enhance particular qualities. Based on your personality and needs, one type of meditation may be more useful to you than the other. The 9 types of meditation are:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Loving kindness meditation
- Visualization meditation
Focused meditation, specifically, is the practice of focusing on one single object for the duration of the practice. How this differs from other meditation styles is that it gives the practitioner something tangible to do: focus. Its almost like giving your mind an action to performlisten to this sound, repeat these words, watch this flame, etc. This is also one of the reasons why this particular meditation style is great for beginners!
One of the biggest challenges in any meditation practice is that the mind gets carried away and we lose ourselves to random thoughts. This obstacle is actually a style of meditation in and of itself called Vipassana. However, in focused meditation, we give the mind something to do so that its not simply left to its own devices. This type of meditation is beneficial for beginners and for practitioners who prefer some structure and guidance to their meditations.
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Receive Instruction From His Mouth And Put His Words In Your Heart
If you return to the Almighty you will be made well, if you remove iniquity from your tent.
Cast the gold in the dust, The gold of Ophir among the stones of the streams And the Almighty will be your gold, your silver, your wealth .
Your peace and happiness must absolutely depend on God Alone. Why?Because making your peace depend on your circumstances and/or the people around you is real suicide.
Vanity of vanities, says Ecclesiastes, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Psalm 62, 9
Yes, vanity, sons of man! Lie, sons of man! In a balance, they would rise All together, lighter than a breath .
Jeremiah 17, 5
This is what the Lord says: Cursed be the man who relies on men and makes human means the source of his strength, but who turns his heart away from the Lord. He is like a bush in the desert, and he will not see happiness coming. His home will be an arid desert, a salty land where no one lives .
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Handle On Your Household Chores
Depression can make it difficult to complete household chores, such as doing the dishes or paying bills. Depression can make you not to say thank you messages for friends, happy birthday wishes to girlfriend and boyfriend, but a pile of paperwork, the stack of dirty dishes, and floor covered in dirty clothes will only magnify your feelings of worthlessness. Take control of your daily chores. Start small and work on one project at a time. Getting up and moving can help you start to feel better in itself. But, seeing your progress in the home can be key to helping you feel better.
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Listen To Upbeat Music
I have always thought of music as food for the soul. An upbeat tune can change an atmosphere instantly and create a more positive vibe. Listening to upbeat, happy music alters brain chemistry and can improve your mood.
One study found that findings indicate that music listening impact the psychobiological stress system, which means music has the ability to lower stress and regulate mood. Both of these can help relieve some symptoms of depression.
Tip : Symptom Trigger Control
Millions of people suffer from anxiety attacks. These attacks are often triggered by other symptoms of anxiety, and cascade until they peak about 10 minutes in with a feeling of pure, unadulterated doom. Anxiety attacks are one of the most stressful and frustrating events to experience, and make it very hard to overcome anxiety.
Stopping anxiety attacks takes time and effort, and isn’t something that you can simply fight away. In fact, the more you think about trying to control your attacks, often the more you’ll worry about one coming. This might even make you more likely to have an attack. It’s the catch-22 of trying to fight panic attacks.
What you can do is control the effects of triggers, and that means that you need to get used to each symptom so that they don’t trigger panic. If you track your anxiety you may be able to identify some regular trigger points. You can do this with what’s known as “exposure therapy.” It’s best to do this in the presence of an expert, but it is also something you can try in the comfort of your own home. Let’s give an example that assumes that you get extreme anxiety that is triggered when you start to feel dizzy.
Over time, you’ll get so used to feeling dizzy and seeing that nothing terrible happens, that it won’t cause as much fear. You can then try it in other styles and intensities too, such as spinning in a circle, or spinning in a chair in a public place. The more you’re used to the symptom, the less likely it will trigger anxiety.
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Recognising Your Stress Triggers
If you’re not sure what’s causing your stress, keep a diary and make a note of stressful episodes for two-to-four weeks. Then review it to spot the triggers.
Things you might want to write down include:
- the date, time and place of a stressful episode
- what you were doing
- a stress rating
You can use the diary to:
- work out what triggers your stress
- work out how you operate under pressure
- develop better coping mechanisms
Doctors sometimes recommend keeping a stress diary to help them diagnose stress.
Why Is Dealing With Depression So Difficult
Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to take the steps that will help you to feel better. Sometimes, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like exercising or spending time with friends, can seem exhausting or impossible to put into action.
Its the Catch-22 of depression recovery: The things that help the most are the things that are the most difficult to do. There is a big difference, however, between something thats difficult and something thats impossible. While recovering from depression isnt quick or easy, you do have more control than you realizeeven if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key is to start small and build from there. You may not have much energy, but by drawing on all your reserves, you should have enough to take a walk around the block or pick up the phone to call a loved one, for example.
Taking the first step is always the hardest. But going for a walk or getting up and dancing to your favorite music, for example, is something you can do right now. And it can substantially boost your mood and energy for several hourslong enough to put a second recovery step into action, such as preparing a mood-boosting meal or arranging to meet an old friend. By taking the following small but positive steps day by day, youll soon lift the heavy fog of depression and find yourself feeling happier, healthier, and more hopeful again.
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Just How I Deal: Davids Depression And Also Anxiety Story
Working with a physician can also reveal potential hidden conditions, such as a thyroid or pituitary issue, that might be creating depressive signs but settles with different therapy. TMS & Brain Wellness uses FDA-approved and different therapies for depression if the typical best way to fight depression and anxiety method hasnt worked for you. If you have actually experienced side-effects from medication, or simply havent located the relief that you prefer, we have a selection of innovative, temporary choices for you. We offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, an FDA-approved modality for depression given that 2008.
The World Health Company claims it is the leading reason for handicap globally, but the bright side is that psychological health and wellness treatment for depression is easily offered. While therapy for depression traditionally involves drug as well as psychotherapy, a noninvasive innovation called transcranial magnetic excitement supplies new hope. Depression is a complicated mental health best way to fight depression and anxiety issue with numerous variables as well as kinds, every one requiring a distinct therapy strategy. The leading treatments for depression are healing, pharmacological, and also brain excitement therapies. The numbers are little sufficient for the difference between treatment arms not to be statistically considerable, said Wilde, noting that self-destructive habits and also ideation prevail amongst clinically depressed people.
Online Tools For Young People
- thelowdown.co.nz a website that can help you to understand and deal with depression and anxiety.
- sparx.org.nz an online game that will teach you skills to deal with what you are going through.
- auntydee.co.nz an online tool for anyone who needs some help working through problems, particularly for Pasifika youth.
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First Talk To Someone You Trust
Reach out to someone you trust krero with a friend, a whnau member, a workmate, someone at church, an elder or a health professional. They can just listen and be there for you. They may also give you advice and information, as well as practical support.
People who have been through depression and anxiety themselves can be especially helpful. There may be support networks, often run by and for people with experience of depression and anxiety in your area.
Go to mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/support-groups/ to find out more.
“My father said only weak people seek help. But I knew I needed help. Now, how I stay well is by ringing friends and family.Gillian
Drawing Painting And Sculpting
Artistic pursuits can be incredibly healing. Engagement in creative activities has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and even mood disturbances. Creative expression through art has been linked to a myriad of health benefits, from improved physical and psychological wellbeing to quality of life.
Even if youve never explored your creative side, try drawing, painting, or sculpting. If youre stumped on where to start, consider signing up for a class. We also recommend Zentangle, which is relaxing and will encourage you to expand your imagination.
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The Benefits Of Focused Meditation
In this style of meditation, what youre really doing is exercising your mental muscles. Your brain is highly affected by dedicated and concentrated meditation practice.
Scientists have performed countless studies on focused meditation and have found that active meditators have more gray matter volume in their brain and, therefore, offsetting the cognitive decline that comes with aging. So, not only does practicing focused meditation help you learn how to focus better on certain tasks, but it also improves similar functions, such as memory.
Likewise, it helps in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, which our society is currently crippled with. By settling your attention on an object, you are essentially building your ability to observe your thoughts and sensations from a place of objectivity. This allows you to detach from negative self-talk that is often the breeding ground for depression and other mental illnesses.
From a guided meditation for focus to practicing it yourself, daily meditation for focus comes with several benefits:
- Itll reduce stress
- Helps you to focus on the present moment
- Increase your creativity and imagination
- And boost your patience and tolerance for things.
Tip : Evaluate Your Diet
The idea that diet plays a key role in anxiety is overblown. A person can develop anxiety with or without a healthy diet, and there are no foods that will cure anxiety as though they are like medication.
But there is still benefit to changing your diet. Bodies that are high in nutrients and hydration tend to have better sleep, experience less discomfort, and help a person gain better energy to cope with anxiety.
On the flipside, there are some natural tools you can use to fight anxiety. For example, herbal supplements like kava can be taken as needed, and as long as you use them in combination with non-medicinal treatments, you shouldn’t start depending on them.
Similarly, you may find that your anxiety symptoms dissipate with other natural tools as well. You may benefit from magnesium supplements, for example, because magnesium is depleted during times of stress, and magnesium deficiency can lead to some very upsetting symptoms and difficulty controlling anxiety.
There are plenty of natural and healthy options to try, and you should consider talking to your doctor about them as a way to assist in your stress reduction techniques.
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How To Fight Depression And Anxiety During The Coronavirus Pandemic
How to keep your spirits up and fears down as the COVID-19 outbreak continues.
In a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation published April 21, close to have of the people polled said that their worries and stress about the coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health. Even if you didn’t already deal with anxiety and/or depression, the stress of living your day-to-day life during a pandemic is likely wearing on you now.
Haley Neidich, a licensed psychotherapist, tells CNET that it’s completely normal to experience fear and anxiety right now. It is perfectly okay to feel whatever you are feeling during this time, but there are things you can do to calm your mind and ease stress.
Coronavirus updates
“My biggest concern about the panic is the stress that it causes for each individual,” Neidich says, noting that when panic occurs, events are canceled and shelves are cleared out of necessary items which only further increases stress. “Stress and panic begets stress and panic,” she continues. “Stress weakens our immune systems, making us more susceptible to illness, which is the exact opposite of what we need right now.”
If you’re struggling with coronavirus anxiety, fear or feelings of helplessness, the tips below can help keep your spirits up. If you notice that stress is getting in the way of being able to work, take care of your family or do basic daily activities , you should seek professional help.
How Can You Help Yourself
Stress is a natural reaction to many situations in life, such as work, family, relationships and money problems.
We mentioned earlier on that a moderate amount of stress can help us perform better in challenging situations,34 but too much or prolonged stress can lead to physical problems. This can include lower immunity levels,35 digestive and intestinal difficulties, e.g. irritable bowel syndrome ,36 or mental health problems such as depression.37 It is therefore important that we manage our stress and keep it at a healthy level to prevent long-term damage to our bodies and minds.
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Ways To Reduce Stress And Ease Depression
Its very common for people suffering from depression to feel stressed, burnt out, and overwhelmed. Stress can exacerbate symptoms of depression, while depression can also fuel stress, creating a self-sustaining negative cycle that can be hard to break.
Finding effective ways to manage and reduce stress in your daily life can be an important part of depression self care. Addressing the root causes of your stress, learning to build resilience, and reducing the impact that stress can have on you all contribute to feeling more empowered and less depressed.
How are stress and depression related?
Everyone experiences stress at one point or another. However, when stress is too persistent or too significant, or when your ability to manage stress is reduced, it can make you feel overwhelmed and burnt out.
Stress can also influence your behaviors. You may not sleep well, may make unhealthy diet choices, and may skip the exercise. Stress can also make you feel irritable and exhausted, making it harder to get along in your relationships or be productive at work or school.
These feelings and behaviors can contribute to and sustain the negative cycles of anxiety and depression. While we cant eliminate stress from our lives, we can learn approaches to reduce and manage stress effectively, building resilience to help navigate lifes ups and downs.
How can you reduce stress?
Here are 7 proven approaches to reducing stress and depression:
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