Struggling with Depression?

Depression can be a debilitating condition, affecting many aspects of one’s life. A person living with depression and/or anxiety understands how difficult it can be to enjoy life at a consistent level or to have peace of mind for even a moment during any given day. Maybe she understands what it is like to obsessively dread a certain activity in her schedule. Perhaps she feels abnormally anxious about an appointment, or maybe she feels terrified at the possibility of having a panic attack while driving there! For a select few these troubles can be managed with a drug. Why is it, however, that most who seek relief from the above symptoms find that the side-effects of medication are not worth its benefits? Or perhaps that drugs do not to have a positive effect at all. In a many cases, a drug does not represent a solution. For a majority of people, exercising, incorporating a therapeutic diet, undergoing hormone therapy (in some cases), and implementing more positive thought patterns can be the best ways to eliminate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Getting our bodies moving is an absolute key to fighting depression and anxiety! Through a healthy level of physical exertion, we can experience a perfect combination of energy and tranquility. Working-out provides our body with an opportunity to burn off excess cortisol caused by anxiety and other stressors. Additionally, exercise encourages the body to release hormone-like polypeptides called endorphins, naturally promoting a sense of contentment and well-being. This feeling cannot be found naturally elsewhere. By getting the blood pumping, we rev up metabolism and elevate ourselves emotionally as well as physically. In this way we are better equipped to take on life with a sense of confidence and accomplishment as we experience our true potential, which is often much greater than we previously thought! Getting involved with cardiovascular sports like running, speed walking, swimming, or cycling is an ideal way to increase endurance and strength. By adding elements of strength training, stretching, or meditation, we gain a genuine sense of emotional and physical health.

We really are what we eat, as the old adage goes. We must view our diet as an opportunity to feed our body what it needs to build healthy cells (of all kinds). This is our chance to aid our internal communication system in a way that will facilitate health for a wide range of bodily systems. True health is really a matter of clear and effective physiological communication. What goes into our mouths, in many cases, is what our body will use to construct and to heal, to fight disease and to age beautifully . . . or not. Emotional problems can occur when our body is missing the necessary nutrients for growth. Food is medicine, after all. A few simple changes to our diet and supplementation program can feed our body at the cellular level, giving us the extra “oomph” we need to tackle life with enthusiasm. We can truly regain motivation and health. Please ask the health professionals at Fountain of You about an appropriate diet for your individual needs.

We all experience a string of thoughts, an internal dialogue throughout the day. This is a completely normal part of our existence. However, emotional problems can arise when this dialogue becomes excessively or obsessively negative. Often, negative thoughts are not viable or realistic. This type of thought process encourages a cycle of pessimistic thinking which can affect us physically as well as mentally. We have the ability to change thought patterns through a simple form of cognitive therapy, a practice we can employ in the privacy of our own home, on our own time, and on our own terms. Primarily, we must develop the skill to recognize a thought as negative or unrealistic. We can then identify a more realistic, positive thought to take its place and diligently put it to use throughout the day. Each time we notice a negative thought taking over our internal dialog, we can replace it with the more positive one. This can realign perspective with reality.

Enveloping our lives with health, love, and positivity invites emotional and physical well-being as our body receives the uplifting messages of self-acceptance and security.