Healthy Lifestyle » Depression & Stress

Keeping Out Of Back To School Sickness

borzack — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 09:03:22 +0000

This fall, classes are set to launch with a slew of illnesses threatening to cut short every student’s schooldays.

Schoolchildren in particular come down with illnesses easily because of their budding immune systems. That little kids often have poor hygiene, i.e. do not wash their hands; pick their noses frequently; and share toys, only compounds the problem. It does not help that they are exposed to other kids who have the same bad habits. Infected children carry these ailments home and subsequently pass them to the entire household.

If you want yourself and your kids to start the new academic year without a runny nose, sneezing or an itch in the throat, promise yourself to follow these tips:

Eat well

A nutritious diet is part and parcel of a near-invincible immune system. However, healthy meals can be elusive back in school, when you’re highly likely to eat on the go or patronize fastfood and frozen meals. No matter how busy you get, always plan meals dense with nutrients. They may necessitate a longer time in the kitchen but your body would be all the better for them. Remember to strew fruits and vegetables liberally around your meals to get antioxidants in addition to more energy.

Children require a nutritious diet not just for energy but also for growth and development. This means reduced intake of food with refined sugars and synthesized ingredients. Numerable researches have shown that a healthy diet can decrease ADHD symptoms, improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity in schoolchildren.

For maximum immunity, heaps of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc are in order. You can get some of these in garlic, also known as one of the most effective natural immunity boosters and antibiotics. You may get prodigious amounts of zinc from peanuts, legumes and dark meat. For added protection against viruses, consume herbs like echinacea.

KiddieBoost – a 100% safe and natural children’s immunity booster to help boost immune system health in kids and supports healthy circulation and oxygen-rich blood flow to all systems in the body.

Drink

Not alcohol but water, juices and fruit extracts. Oranges and other citrus fruits or vitamin C supplements are helpful for preventing and treating colds. Ginger root teas are quite efficacious in facilitating digestion and bowel movement.

Lessen stress

Prolonged stress can everlastingly damage your physical and mental health. Stress of any duration, on the other hand, is long-acknowledged to compromise immunity. There are several ways you can allow yourself a reprieve from stress and one of these is doing the following.

Move that body

You should know that exercise hastens the speed at which your body eliminates waste materials and consequently, germs and bacteria. Sweating in itself helps detoxify the body. If you take a brisk walk half an hour or for 10 minutes thrice a day, you would boost your immune system, drop excess weight, and improve your overall health.

Children also benefit from exercise in several ways, such as curbing their risk for obesity later in life. For this and other reasons, exercise is indispensable at any age.

By Healthy Lifestyle Blogzine

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Celebrities With Postpartum Depression

borzack — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 01:16:56 +0000

Around 13 percent of new mothers develop a serious condition called postpartum depression. This condition lasts longer than your average “baby blues.”

Fame and fortune has not exempted mothers from postpartum depression. Here are just a few celebrities who experienced depression after siring their bundles of joy:

Amanda Peet

In 2008, Peet fessed up to a “fairly serious” case of postpartum depression.

She attributed it to her “euphoric” pregnancy with child Frankie.

Brooke Shields

One of the most popular poster girls for postpartum depression, Shields made the condition a household name after sparring in 2005 with Tom Cruise. The actor-scientologist openly lambasted Shields’ use of antidepressants to treat her condition.

She chronicled her torturous passage through this condition in the book Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression. Here Shields talks candidly about her birth to Rowan; the onset of the symptoms; the diagnosis; and the subsequent therapy.

In an interview with People magazine, Shields admitted not getting treatment soon after being diagnosed. In the end, she did fight – and survived.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Far from her hardhearted character in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Howard would cry every day after giving birth. She would refuse food and verbally attack family and friends. Her husband would be at the receiving end of diatribes from Howard, whose behavior then had no precedent.

Howard shared her experience with postpartum depression in Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP newsletter.

Carnie Wilson

Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips fame went through the same ordeal after siring daughter Lola Sofia.

Wilson would cry every day thereafter over the smallest issues, she confessed to People magazine. She said the condition was indescribable, a state of mind unpredictably alternating between joy and sadness. She would constantly have feelings of inadequacy as a mother.

Courteney Cox

As she related to USA Today, the Scream 4 actress experienced postpartum depression as late as six months after delivering daughter Coco.

Cox had trouble sleeping at the time, her heart always beating fast.

A trip to the physician verified the madcap state of her hormones.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow spilled her heart out to British Vogue about her depression following the birth of Moses in 2006.

She described herself then as something akin to a robot, insensitive and harboring no maternal affections for Moses.

So far downhill was she then that today she could not reminisce intimate moments with Moses when he was three months old.

PureMother Flower Essence promotes natural mothering instincts, balanced mood and a joyful spirit of parenthood…

Kendra Wilkinson

After giving birth to Hank, reality television celeb Wilkinson would not brush her hair or teeth.

She would not even take a bath.

She would take a look in the mirror and just ponder how miserable she is.

Lisa Rinna

Melrose Place vixen Lisa Rinna became depressed after delivering her two daughters.

She even had homicidal tendencies at some point – and feared for her family as a result.

She often thought of ammunitions and using them on her family. As a precaution, she got hubby Harry Hamlin to conceal all the sharp objects and put the gun away from the house.

Marie Osmond

Even the usually sunshiny Marie Osmond is not impervious to postpartum blues.

In her 2001 tome Behind the Smile: My Journey out of Postpartum Depression, she extensively recounted her battle with the disease following the birth of her youngest child Matthew.

Valerie Plame Wilson

Extreme baby blues also extends to spies. Wilson, the famously exposed CIA operative, opened up at length about suffering from postpartum depression in a chapter of Fair Game.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Wilson would often sob hysterically and give in to anxiety and panic attacks during her depression. The former spy said her abilities to solve problems and adapt to novel circumstances were greatly impaired during this time.

Postpartum depression needs to be dealt with. Learn how!

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Indirect Causes Of Weight Gain

borzack — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:15:37 +0000

Food consumption is the most obvious reason for gaining extra weight. However, other factors like drugs and health condition could contribute to your weight gain without you noticing it. If you are having difficulty losing weight and not sure why, you may need to work on these possible culprits:

Aging

Menopause could cause fat accumulation in waist, thighs and hips. However, it is aging, not menopause and lower estrogen level, that mainly causes weight gain among women in their 40s and 50s. Aging people experience slower metabolism. Their body fat takes more time to metabolize. Failing to continue a healthy lifestyle is also a reason why older people tend to gain weight. They exercise less often, so fewer calories is turned into energy.

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Stress

When the day becomes stressful, our body adapts internally by secreting cortisol, also know as stress hormone. The result is increased appetite. This explains why stressed people are quick to reach for snacks and high-calorie foods, thus gaining extra weight.

Reduce stress with Pure Calm!

Lack of Sleep

Those who sleep late at night are likely to eat more snacks, thus increasing their calorie intake. But there is another way by which sleep deprivation can cause weight gain. People who lack sleep tend to feel hungrier when they wake up. Certain hormones that regulate appetite are activated when people lack sleep. So even if these people eat a balanced diet, they may still feel hungry and thus eat more than the normal amount of food.

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Quitting From Smoking

Those who have quit from smoking tend to gain 4 to 10 pounds. Abandoning smoking means giving up nicotine, which is an effective substance for controlling appetite. Those who quit from smoking feel hungry more often, thus they are likely to overeat. Moreover, eliminating nicotine from daily life makes taste buds more sensitive and slows down metabolism.

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Antidepressants

Twenty-five percent of people who have been using depressants for a long period of time are likely to gain weight. However, it is quite normal for some people to eat more during the start of their medication since their mood is improving, which in turn increases their appetite. If you feel that you are gaining weight due to antidepressants, possible alternatives you should opt for are natural antidepressants.

Relieves depression naturally with SAD Soother!

Corticosteroids And Other Prescription Drugs

Anti-inflammatory steroids are known to be a weight booster. Steroid-induced weight gain could be due to fluid retention, increased appetite or both. The amount of extra weight depends on the dosage of the steroids and how long the steroids are being used. Some users may also see their body fat being distributed to other body parts like face, abdomen and back of the neck.

Other prescription medicines that can lead to extra weight are antipsychotic drugs like those indicated for mood disorders such as bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. Drugs for seizures, high blood pressure, migraines and diabetes can also cause weight gain. If you feel that you are gaining weight because of any of these medications, you should try natural remedies.

Birth control pills like estrogen and progestin do not increase body weight. Women who take these pills are in fact more likely to lose weight because of nausea.

Do not stop taking prescription drugs simply because of weight concerns. Since some drugs add weight due to fluid retention, be patient as you finish your therapy. Thereafter, your weight should normalize. In the meantime, have a low-sodium diet.

Also, keep in mind that not all people have the same reactions to drugs. Some drugs can cause others to lose or gain weight, but your body may react differently. So always ask your doctors when making decisions related to prescription drugs.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS mostly affects women in their childbearing age. PCOS patients suffer from ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalances that disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to acne flareups and growth of excessive body hair. This condition is resistant to insulin. PCOS-induced weight gain is often seen in the abdomen, thus increasing the risk of heart disease.

Promote hormonal balance with Dong Quai!

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by excess level of cortisol. This hormone is responsible for weight gain and other symptoms. Cushing’s syndrome can be triggered by corticosteroids indicated for arthritis, asthma and lupus. This condition also develops when your body secretes too much cortisol. Cushing’s syndrome patients usually have the extra fat in their face, upper back, neck or waist.

Hypothyroidism

If your thyroid (the gland found in your throat) does not produce the normal amount of thyroid hormone, you would feel weak and tired, which could lead to weight gain. Lack of thyroid hormone also slows down metabolism. Weight gain is also possible when thyroid only produces the minimum hormone requirement.

Promotes thyroid health with Thyroid Assist!

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Relax And Indulge The Healthy Way

borzack — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:53 +0000

The long, busy week is over, so what is left to do? For those feeling stressed out from the entire month’s workload, consider giving yourself a healthy treat.

Here are some of the affordable ways to delight yourself while boosting your health.

Sip a Cup of Natural Tea

Although coffee shops are almost everywhere, Americans still consume a total of 2 billion gallons of tea every year. One of the main advantages of drinking tea is easing of tension. Research findings revealed that those who drink four cups of black tea every day release less stress hormone after performing a demanding task as compared with caffeinated fruit drinkers. Green tea gives the same benefits as well. So if you have time to sit down and relax, grab a cup of tea and enjoy both its taste and soothing effects.

Have a Fresh Tuna Steak

Take a break from canned foods and get a slice of raw succulent tuna steak for dinner. Revive your taste buds and nourish your body with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, the good fats that improve heart functions and store energy. What treats could be healthier and more refreshing than a nutrient-packed tuna for dinner?

Hug And Kiss to Your Heart’s Desire

Your wife is waiting for you until late night. Doesn’t she deserve a big kiss from you? Kissing your spouse as you return home from a busy work helps strengthen your marital relationship, not to mention the extra calories you would burn by giving a two-minute passionate kiss.

Watch Funny Movies

Spend a night of laughter as you watch funny movies. Research showed that laughing can reduce stress, improve the flow of blood, strengthen immunity, and normalize blood pressure. Chuckling may bring down sugar level and improve digestion as well. Surprisingly, even mere anticipation of laughter can have a stress-reducing effect. So just waiting in line at the rental shop as you read the synopsis of comedy DVDs could lighten up your mood.

Go to a Manicurist

Your hands have been working like bees as you touch type for hours or scrub the floor and dishes. So why not give yourself a manicure? Pamper yourself with a manicure and feel a renewed self-esteem. Having a manicure is an experience similar to having a message – relaxing and sensual.

Make Love

You’ve spent hours listening to meeting and cramming to meet the deadline. You missed your favorite TV shows and dinner. Isn’t sex a good way to regain your life?

Sex is a powerful stress reliever. Scientists found out that sex can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and improve self-esteem. Who says that sex is not a part of a healthy lifestyle?

Fill Your Room With Lavender Scent

Who wouldn’t enjoy lavender-scented pillows and pockets? Lavender has been used in aromatic preparations for centuries. Now, research suggested that there must be a good, healthy reason for doing so. Although the findings are not conclusive, they suggest that lavender could help relieve headaches, anxiety, sleeping difficulty and depression. If you are suffering from sleeping problem or stressed mood, you may find relief from a lavender-filled pillow or lavender-scented candle.

Indulge on Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is one of the most irresistible treats you can give to anyone. Its enticing smell and rich, creamy taste are beyond comparison. But be sure to take just an ounce of dark chocolate a day. When taken in moderation, dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol profile and blood flow.

Stretch Out

With work taking all your day’s time, you hardly have time to work out. The solution is to stretch out while watching your favorite TV show. Stretch your arms slowly and wait for 10 seconds before you change your pose. Stretching eases tired muscles and improves your range of motions and blood circulation. Furthermore, stretching fights stress.

Enjoy a Chair Massage

Although massage chairs can be expensive, it is worth your money. It is one of the few luxuries that are beneficial to your mind and body. Receiving a massage triggers your body to release natural painkillers called endorphins. Massage also reduces stress hormones, eases anxiety and strengthens the immune system.

Having a chair massage is a convenient and fast way to free yourself from a stressful environment. Chair massage costs $1 per minute. You can get chair massage at malls. Some chair massage providers also operate in office buildings.

Shop for Exotic Fruits

Excite your taste buds with tropical fruits. Spend some money on those star-shaped fruits displayed at department stores. Grab some purple berries and tiny lemons. In addition to their refreshing taste, fruits offer a lot of health benefits. Fruits make you less prone to heart diseases, cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Go Out And Enjoy Nature

Connect with nature and experience more serenity and introspection. Watch out for the flocks of birds as they return in spring, or the falling of leaves in autumn. Observe the resurgence of winter plants as the snow covers the entire ground. Take advantage of the changing of seasons and the beauty of nature to reflect and develop inner sense of peace.

Call Your Best Friends

Call your good friends during your leisure time. Do so even if you see them every day at work or neighborhood. Nurturing friendship promotes a sense of belonging, self-worth and purpose. Having friends is also good for mental health. So do not hesitate to give your best buddies a warm call during weekends, holidays or special occasions.

Move Around

Keeping yourself moving is a simple way to maintain a good mood, improve sleeping behavior, and increase energy level. It is different from a workout. Taking a short walk, playing with your kids or digging the garden would do. The important thing is to keep yourself from being sedentary. Spending ten minutes for each activity could improve your resistance against colds and improve your brain power.

Take a Restful Sleep

Recharge yourself this weekend with a long sleep. It is quite a challenge to take a nap between works, so having a full sleep at night is a priceless reward. Having a restful sleep is important to health. It prevents fatigue and conditions your mind to learn and memorize. Adults should get around eight hours of sleep every night.

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Relax, It’s Your First Pregnancy!

borzack — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:17 +0000

Are you excited to have your first baby? As a mother, you’re responsible for preparing yourself and the baby’s need for birth. Being pregnant is stressful to the mother. You become moody and irritated. You fear about giving birth. You ask so many questions to your doctor, family, and friends about pregnancy.

Physical changes occur to a pregnant woman. You gain weight and you usually experience fatigue and pain that can cause too much stress. The best way to do is to implement comfort in your daily activities to prevent pre-mature birth and to keep your baby healthy.

Physical and mental changes are not the only stressors when it comes to pregnancy. Financial need and education are also factors of stress to pregnant women. With less income, you are problematic about your hospital expenses, your needs like vitamins and milk, and your baby’s future.

Anxiety in Early Pregnancy

According to researchers, women who undergo anxiety in the early stages of pregnancy and hyperactive children ages 8 to 9 has similarities. This shows that severe anxiety experienced by the mother on the early stages of pregnancy can affect the baby’s mental health and has a great percentage of experiencing emotional disorders as he/she grows old.

The fetus inside the mother’s womb will also feel what the mother feels. So if the mother’s heart rate increases, the fetal heart rate also rises. The fetal development is a crucial stage during pregnancy. Emotional health by the mother will likely affect her baby. As much as possible, mothers should avoid severe stress.

To avoid high risk pregnancies, maintain a healthy lifestyle by taking nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, enough rest and sleep, exercise, and intake of supplements for the baby and mother.

Facts about Pregnancy and Stress

Women are able to surpass stress because of support systems like family, friends, and the health care team. Researchers believe that long period of stress in the early stages of pregnancy are likely to cause psychological effects in the baby than stress experienced in the late stages of pregnancy.

Traumatic events like loss of a loved one and serious personal problems are considered as major stressors to pregnancy. Other risk factors include your weight, age, and pre-existing health conditions.

How to Fight Stress

Our body’s system should fight against stress. The key to control stress is based from our lifestyle. One of the most important aspects of a healthy pregnancy is having the right diet. The baby consumes what you eat. Nutrients from your body will be used by the fetus for development. Take note that eating too much can’t be tolerated because you might be overweight- a factor for high risk pregnancy.

Are you used to smoking and drinking? These vices are very dangerous to the health of the unborn child. Too much consumption of alcohol might cause birth defects or pre-mature birth. Another way to avoid stress is limit traveling. Pregnant women usually are exhausted when traveling. Focus more on relaxation and getting enough rest and sleep.

Don’t forget to have a weekly check-up with your gynecologist. They know what is best and they require you to take laboratory tests for early detection of UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), anemia, gestational diabetes, and other pregnancy related conditions.

Share What you Feel

During times of distress, your family and friends are always there to comfort you. Stress in pregnancy is crucial to the mother. Have someone to talk to. Share your problems, concerns and feelings. You will surely feel relieved after sharing your concerns. Instead of worrying too much about your baby, divert your attention to other activities like reading a book, breathing exercises, or pregnancy classes.

Help From Nature

It’s crucial that first time moms maintain their physical and psychological health during both the conception and throughout pregnancy. Click here to find a comprehensive set of natural remedies to help you manage conception and pregnancy naturally and safely!

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Shyness – Tips To Boost Confidence

borzack — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:33 +0000

Are you a timid type of person?

Are you afraid to show the world your talent and abilities?

Don’t be!

Break out of from your shell and show everyone the best assets you have.

Being shy is not a mental disorder but a personality problem. A shy person is scared of social events and meeting new people. They don’t want to perform or talk in public because they want less attention. They are often self- conscious, uncomfortable, or insecure.

What Causes Shyness

Being shy can originate from childhood. Experiences from your childhood years affect what you are in adulthood. Factors for shyness include genetics, past experiences, and social encounters.

The level of shyness depends on the individual. Slight reactions like blushing can be severe to others like panic attacks that can cause heart palpitations, excessive sweating, and nausea.

People who weren’t able to overcome shyness develop phobia in groups of people or anxiety disorder. They do everything just to avoid a certain situation or event.

Help For The Shy And Timid People

There are several approaches to help shy people bring back their self-confidence. One remedy is by taking natural remedies and homeopathic methods to decrease anxiety and stress during shyness.

Herbal supplements like Lavender, Passiflora incamata, and Melissa officinalis helps the body to relax.

A homeopathic ingredient, Gelsemium, is used to alleviate sweating and shaking.

Chocolatum manages rapid heartbeat and Silica is recommended for children who undergo nervous exhaustion.

We ould recommend the use of these ready made natural remedies:

SocialFear Relief – Homeopathic remedy that relieves social fear, anxiety, nervousness, shyness and stage fright
K-OK Kiddie Calmer – Homeopathic remedy that relieves nervousness, worry, shyness and separation anxiety in children

Tips To Combat Shyness

Ask help from people you trust like your family and friends. Practice socializing by maintaining eye contact during conversations.
Know your insecurities. Is it because your fat or you find yourself ugly? Try to think positive and don’t feel ashamed of yourself.
Believe that no one is perfect in this world. Even a famous person has failures and insecurities.
Identify your talents and skills. Focus on that talent of yours and have a goal to improve it. Express yourself by drawing, singing, or dancing.
Be grateful of what you have. If you lack that self confidence, then learn to appreciate what you have in life. Eliminate the feeling of dissatisfaction.
Start a conversation by yourself first. Don’t wait for others to approach you. A simple compliment or smile when meeting new people is a great start.
Practice speech in front of the mirror. When conversing with someone, don’t make it too scripted. Go on with the flow. Sharing of ideas and personal experiences are always the best.
Find a group which matches your interest. Talking to a group with the same interest will allow you to open up your thoughts and feelings.
If you suddenly get nervous during a conversation, then make appropriate excuses by saying you need to go the bathroom or you need to get something. Give yourself time to calm down and organize your thoughts for a few minutes before you return back for a conversation.
Always be yourself. Don’t act as if you’re somebody else. Don’t be afraid to show your uniqueness to others. Your personality is a bridge in making new friends.

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Anxiety 101

borzack — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:45 +0000

Every one of us experiences anxiety. Anxiety affects your physical actions. Biting your nails, sweating or unnecessary movements during job interviews, stage performances, or first time experiences is a sign of anxiety.

Nervousness is typical to people but sometimes severe anxiety can develop to disorders.

Psychologists refer some of these disorders as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and many more.

How will you detect anxiety?

There is no laboratory test to diagnose the presence of anxiety in your body. This kind of disorder involves a person mentally; therefore, further sessions with a psychologist can help in analyzing the symptoms. Diet, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, environment, and medical conditions are some of the factors that affect you mentally causing you to experience anxiety attacks.

Why does anxiety occur?

Our body is very sensitive to situations occurring from our environment. When we encounter new things, data is transported to our brain and search in our memory if the new data matches anything. If it couldn’t find a match, our brain will send signals through chemical or hormonal changes causing our body to react to the situation. The action that took place is known as fight or flight mode. This is when a person experiences physical changes like sweating, rapid heartbeat, and shortage of breathing.

Phobias will develop if you have met negative events from the past. Example, you were bitten by a dog before, seeing a dog in the streets will activate anxiety reaction from the body. This response from the body is caused by a high level of stress hormones. This can be very dangerous to the health if not managed immediately because problems may get worse increasing the risk of death or complicated mental problems.

Remember that fear is different with anxiety. Fear is when you are aware of that certain object or situation you’re afraid of while anxiety is difficult to distinguish because you don’t know the exact cause of what you’re feeling.

How can we comfort people with anxiety?

Calm the person down if he/she is experiencing the usual anxiety. Let them relax and sit properly. Clients with disorders undergo special treatment. With continued treatment, patients will definitely recover from anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders should be treated because this can lead to severe depression affecting his daily activities such as inability to go to work or study in school. Others who try to cope up with anxiety disorders develop abusive use of alcohol and drugs. Evaluation of anxiety disorders can take for months. Psychologists attempt different methods of therapy to see if the client is reacting to the treatment.

The Different Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Psychological treatment

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This method gives clients the understanding towards their behavior about that certain fear. The client’s thinking pattern is altered to overcome his/her fear about that particular object or situation. This is done by constantly exposing that person to its fear or by continuous therapeutic counseling. After a long period of time, the client will be capable of managing his/her feelings regarding the situation.

Psychotherapy

This therapy allows client to be conscious about the development of their anxiety disorder. This is usually held in conversations between the client and therapist. Medications are sometimes given to accompany the treatment process.

Behavioral Therapy

Techniques such as using of images and relaxation activities is rendered to eliminate or lessen a person’s behavior towards anxiety.

Anxiety Management Training

Breathing exercises is taught to client to ease muscle tension when undergoing anxiety attacks. This treatment can be done individually or in groups. Support system helps the client to interact with other people with the same situation, boosting confidence to overcome their disorder. Therapists sometimes provide clients with a CD to maintain management at home.

Psychopharmacological Treatment

These are medications to reduce the tension during symptoms of anxiety. It can directly work on the chemical changes in the brain focusing on the part which causes anxiety.

Medications like Benzodiazepines

This drug allows a person to tolerate anxiety symptoms but long term use up to 3 weeks causes a person to be dependent on the drug. This drug should be limited in use because higher dosage of medications will be given if a person will be dependent on it.

Serotonergic Agents

Antidepressants also contribute to anxiety problems. Effect may take longer up to 6 weeks but manufacturers claim it doesn’t cause dependency to clients. Discontinued use of the drug can result to reduce libido levels and increased weight.

Tricyclic Antidepressants and Norepinephrine Drugs

These drugs has been use for many years but is reported to have several reactions to a person. Response of the drug can take effect up to one month of use.

Antihistamines

This is commonly used for common allergies but is also recommended for mild to moderate anxiety symptoms.

Buspirone

This medication is a form of serotonergic agent but is reported to be non-addictive. Effect of the drug is 2 to 3 weeks of use.

Neuroleptics

Medications like this are also known as tranquilizers. It has a sedating mechanism for people who experiences severe anxiety disorder such as ineffective thinking and uncontrollable physical actions.

Other therapist prescribes beta- blockers for anxiety attacks. This can reduce anxiety symptoms of clients such as rapid heartbeat. Before taking any medication, please be reminded that you consult your therapist first about the drug like its side effects chance of dependency, and when to stop taking the drug. Be sure to visit your doctor regularly.

Environmental treatment

Avoid taking stimulants like caffeine, weight reduction pills, and nasal decongestants.
Eliminate intake of alcohol as this may increase anxiety symptoms.
Take enough time to rest and sleep. Sleeping can help you relax and contributes to treatment of anxiety disorders.
Eliminate stressful activities in your daily living.
Exercise regularly. This will improve your body and health; thus, restraining adrenalin hormones from increasing.

Natural treatment

Natural remedies for anxiety disorders are much better than prescription drugs. They have no side effects and will even promote a healthy lifestyle.

Living in a holistic way

This means living your life in a peaceful, positive way. Your attitude with regards to your lifestyle is appropriate like the right diet, regular exercise, and a good spiritual connection with God. Your holistic attitude towards the environment will contribute to a better health. Meditation can also reduce stressors from the environment.

Homeopathy and Herbalists

Homeopathy and natural herbs used by traditional people of different countries are also beneficial to reduce anxiety symptoms. You can also take natural herbs like St. John’s Wort proven to be effective with equal effect to prescription medications.

We recommend these:

SAD Soother – Homeopathic remedy that relieves depression related to seasonal affective disorder
PureCalm – Works quickly to facilitate a calmed mood and soothed nerves
MindSoothe – Promotes balanced mood, emotional health and feelings of well-being
Nerve Tonic – Homeopathic remedy that relieves the effects of stress, worry and nervous tension, plus supports nervous system health
SocialFear Relief – Homeopathic remedy that relieves social fear, anxiety, nervousness, shyness and stage fright

Traditional Chinese methods and medicine

Acupuncture have been practiced for many years by ancient Chinese. This has caused dramatic changes to people undergoing anxiety disorders because of its relaxing effect to muscle tensions.

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Depression 101

borzack — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:54 +0000

A loss of a loved one or a broken relationship can lead to emotional instability. You will feel sad and troubled for a few days. But days can sometimes turn to months. If your sorrow continues for a year and still you haven’t adapted to the situation, then you must be suffering from depression.

Depression is something serious you must deal with. It interferes with your daily activities and prolonged burden will affect your mental health. If you feel alone, exhausted, and hopeless, consult a doctor immediately. You don’t want to end that happiness forever right?

Depression can happen to anyone, male or female. Research has shown that depression is likely to occur to females than males. Nowadays, a great percentage of the teenage population experience depression causing them to commit suicide. This is a shocking reality that needs attention. There is no need to worry because depression is curable.

Diagnosing Depression

Don’t wait for the situation to get worse. If you feel that you have symptoms of depression, then visit a psychologist or therapist right away. You will have a one-on-one conversation with the doctor and he/she will get a detailed history of your family’s illness and your previous experiences.

Depression can change you into a hopeless person. Your level of happiness decreases and you will lose interest of the hobbies you actively participate before. You feel that you are empty and sad for the entire day. Signs of depression include weight loss or gain, insomnia, inability to concentrate and make decisions, fatigue, physical pain, low self- esteem, decreased libido levels, and suicide attempts. Clinical depression will be diagnosed if you are involved with these signs and symptoms.

What is the Cause of Depression?

Genetic inheritance
Researchers have shown that patients with a family history of depression have a greater chance of developing the disorder.

Chemical imbalances in the brain
Hormones and neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to depression.

Unexpected life event
The hormone cortisol is responsible for the neurotransmitter that causes depression. Stressful life experiences like death and financial problems results to increased production of cortisol that decreases serotonin levels. A low serotonin level is the cause of depression.

Negative outlook in life
Perceiving life negatively can make small problems bigger. Pessimists are prone to misfortune. They think that there are no solutions to their problems. They feel hopeless and they always see themselves as a failure. Negative thinkers are prone to developing depression.

Childhood trauma
Your childhood years mold you as a person. Trauma or bad parenting during childhood is susceptible to depression in his/her later years.

How To Manage Depression?

Depression can turn your once healthy lifestyle to a disaster. As early as possible, proper treatment should be provided. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis of the psychologist.

Here are some treatment remedies you might consider:

Prescription drugs
Most doctors recommend antidepressants. Antidepressants have underlying side effects. You should choose the best option first before taking any medication. Some of the popular prescribed antidepressants are Prozac, Zoloft, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Side effects of these drugs can be very serious leading to withdrawal after discontinued use.

Psychotherapy
Therapies like cognitive behavioral is essential to clients because they provide effective treatment to patients. It deals with issues regarding depression, its consequences and cause.

Relaxation methods
Relaxation activities include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga. Relaxation will reduce tension and stress caused by depression.

Natural and homeopathic remedies
Herbal medication is always the best alternative because it has no side effects. The most common natural medicine is St. John’s Wort or Hypericum Perforatum. This is an herbal tranquilizer proven to be effective in treating depression. We recommend these natural and safe remedy:

SAD Soother – Homeopathic remedy that relieves depression related to seasonal affective disorder
Melancholy Lift – Homeopathic remedy that relieves feelings of melancholy, sadness, grief and weepiness
MindSoothe – Promotes balanced mood, emotional health and feelings of well-being
Mood Tonic – Homeopathic remedy that calms emotional outbursts and reduces mood swings

Learn to balance every aspect of your life
Here are some tips to guide you in managing depression:

Perform regular exercises. The stress hormone cortisol is reduced as endorphins are increased responsible for happiness.
Support systems. Share your problems to your family, friends, or therapist. Voicing out your worries will relieve your pain and loneliness.
Eat a balanced diet. It is important that you have enough energy consumption to replenish the loss energy from exhaustion.
Be responsible and determined. Have a plan for your life. Determination to achieve your goals will keep you on track. Be responsible with your actions.
Always be positive. Eliminate negative thoughts and be positive that every problem has a solution. Don’t lose hope.
Act normal. Don’t let depression eat you. Make the right decisions and alter your sorrow by engaging to other fun activities.
Start to make a change. Don’t be scared of changing to be a better person. Learn to motivate yourself about the good side. Reject your negative perception in life.

Depression can also be related to other disorders like anxiety, eating problems, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and drug abuse.

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The Advantage of Rehabilitation Centers In Treating Addiction

borzack — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:00:13 +0000

News often report famous celebrities and politicians going to rehab because of alcohol and drug abuse. They are confined in a special rehabilitation center exclusive with first class treatment including a spa. Being confined in the rehab for a month is very expensive because of insurance.

Success of treatment in rehab centers depend on the desire of the person involved. Not all treatment in the rehab center is effective. Therapies outside rehab provide the same effectual results equal with rehab centers.

Treatment in the Rehabilitation Center

Patients in the rehab center are detoxified. Patients are stabilized and are taught to cope up with symptoms experienced from problems such as depression.
Patients undergo therapy programs in the rehab to help them relate to their mental problems and stressful experiences in life.
Cognitive therapy. This will help patients know the main cause of their addiction. They set up goals to make alternatives that will improve their current situation.
Family therapy. Support networks are very important because this is the only way patients can open up with their problems. They are more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings to their loved ones.
Medications are given to patients to reduce abuse of drugs, alcohol, and withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors recommend a one year treatment for all patients to fully recover from addiction.

Addiction

Addiction is a behavioral problem. Treatment for addiction takes a long process. Personality is difficult to change. It needs thorough and continuous therapies for a person’s behavior towards something to improve. Determination and discipline is essential to patients because it is only through self-motivation where they can change themselves. The goal of most treatment is applying abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

50% of patients recover from rehab centers but others who experiences addiction again personally goes back to rehab for behavioral treatment. A treatment will only be a success if the patient will comply to his/her therapy schedule. Several treatments should be done every week in a span of one year.

Some rehabilitation centers are very expensive which the rich can only afford. A rehab center like Sierra Tucson costs $1,200 of treatment services a day. The center is complete with facilities like a pool, spa, and gym. Recovery activities are offered to patients as their treatment process. Inpatient care in RightStep chain is more affordable for $8,500 a month. You need to find a suitable clinic for your treatment needs. The staff, doctor, and therapists should be highly qualified and certified. Ask your doctor for recommendations on the right facility to stay in.

Most celebrities, professionals and politicians are confined in expensive rehab centers but encounters difficulty in recovery. They are prone to drinking and taking drugs because of many social events like parties, concerts, production numbers, and political promotion. It is difficult for them to neglect abuse of alcohol and drugs because they think they have accomplished everything in life. It is difficult for them to accept the fact that their addiction is their failure in life.

Qualifications for Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient care is medical treatment in a hospital, clinic, or other facility. Inpatient care is suitable for patients whose community or family are alcohol or drug addicts. This is to prevent them from being influenced to that kind of environment for proper treatment to take place. Others who are qualified for inpatient care are individuals who are homeless in an environment influenced with drugs and alcohol. But the only problem inpatient care involves is expenses for daily treatment.

Drug and alcohol addiction will just block our chance of achieving a healthy lifestyle. It is better to prevent it now than spend thousands of dollars for treatment in rehab.

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The Great Escape – Ways To Have A Stress Free Vacation

borzack — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:53:29 +0000

Are you planning for a vacation? Then be prepared and leave your worries before you take a flight. Who wouldn’t want a perfect getaway? So before you pack your bags, prepare yourself. Here are some of the problems encountered when having a vacation.

Wanted: Vehicles for Transportation

What would you prefer, a car, truck, bus, train, or plane? These are some common vehicles to choose from when traveling. Before choosing a vehicle to ride in, you must consider the date of your vacation. If it hits a holiday, then airports, buses, and trains would be jammed by travelers. So, choose a date that doesn’t hit holidays or schedule a trip months before your flight.

If you’re planning for a road trip, prepare a map or travel gadgets for directions. Make sure to be updated regarding weather conditions and traffic news as this may change from time to time. As much as possible prevent delays by taking note of peak travel hours. Remember to always put safety first. Most people drive early in the morning or late at night to prevent traffic jams. This can be very dangerous because you might still be drowsy and fall asleep while driving for seconds. The best thing you could do is play music or if someone from the family member is awake, have a chat with them.

Airport Security

Sometimes your vacation may be delayed when boarding in the airport because you might forget that bringing some things is not allowed on plane. Prohibit yourself from bringing lighters, firearms, sharp objects, athletic equipment that can be used as weapons, and liquids. Be smart enough to leave these things at home. No one has ever passed the airport without security check.

When carrying your luggage, keep all valuable items like money, jewelry, electronic in a safe compartment. Thieves are everywhere, so beware of your surroundings. Don’t trust anyone right away.

The metal detector is always there. So remove unnecessary things in your body especially if it contains metal to speed up the process of checking. Remember to put things like mobile phones, jackets, gadgets in its proper container for X-ray screening.

Don’t Deprive Yourself from Sleep

You might get to excited to travel so you tend to wake up in the morning or sleep late at night. You might be busy packing things up that you lack the time to sleep. Sleepless nights can cause stress. Another problem according to passengers is jet lag. This is caused by long distance travel that prevents you from sleeping well in another place. Recovery from jet lag takes days.

Lack of sleep can cause mood swings and irritation. Instead of exploring new places, you end up sleeping and won’t be able t enjoy your trip. Studies have shown that shortage of sleep for two hours can affect your activities. Driving and other activities like diving, biking, and hiking would be too risky for you.

Here are some tips to prevent sleep deficit:

Preparation ahead of time is a priority. Start preparing your baggage a week before your vacation. This will not consume your time and will even have time to rest the day before you go.
Try to deal with jet lag. Schedule you vacation activities at the right time wherein your body clock can manage. One helpful way is to get much sleep as possible.
Boost your activities with naps. Taking naps can save energy for further activities during the trip.
Take caffeinated drinks when necessary. Drinking coffee can keep you awake but you need at least 100 to 200 mg of caffeine for it to take effect.

Avoid Work During Vacation

Do you check out emails or accept phone calls during vacation? Then your vacation is busted! Don’t be a workaholic. You don’t need to work when you’re on vacation. That will just ruin you planned activities or your time with the family. Sometimes people have a difficult time surrendering their jobs even in vacation because they feel stressed to the demands of having their work done. Instead of enjoying the trip, they are busy using their laptops or mobile phones and do feel guilty of not working. Situations like these can cause anxiety and depression to workers.

Here are some guides to ease out the stress:

Open up with your employer. Discuss that there is time for work and time for personal life. Point out to him that office hour is for work and vacation is a time for relaxation.
Less business contact. Turn off your mobile phones and keep your lap top in the course of fun activities. Limit yourself from using the lap top or phone to one hour.
Reflect on your current job. If you feel that your job is a burden to your leisure time then think about the effects of it in your current situation- whether it has a negative or positive impact to your life.

Children on Board

A family vacation with kids contributes stress to parents especially that you have to do all the packing and preparations for them. Everything will work out fine if traveling with children is properly managed.

Follow this guideline to manage children on vacation:

Discuss your vacation with the family members. Get the opinions of each family member regarding vacation spots and activities. Sharing of ideas is important to have a concrete vacation plan. Give the kids space on their own during vacation and the couple can have a one night dinner date together. Take note of the children’s need to fulfill the best out of the trip.
Be prepared of unexpected situations. You’ll never know what will happen during your vacation. As much as possible, parents should be prepared if ever one activity is canceled. Organized alternatives in case of emergency.
Take time to unwind and enjoy. You can’t visit all the tourist spots in a certain place because it will consume most of your time. Even if you miss to visit some of the attractions, what’s important is that you have the time for relaxation. The true meaning of vacation is not only exploring but interaction, relaxation, and most of all memories together with the family.
As much as possible, leave the kids behind. Traveling with kids takes so much effort for the parents because instead of enjoying and relaxing, most of their time will be spent taking care of the kids and watching over them all the time. You can leave the kids with a relative or a trusted babysitter. It doesn’t mean that parents are being irresponsible leaving kids behind. Sometimes parents need to have some time alone together even for a few days to interact with one another leading to a healthy relationship. A happy and united couple is a base for a strong family foundation.

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