ETR Insider Report: A Natural Approach to Beating Depression
By Jessica Kurrle, ETR Marketing Associate
Clinical depression is something that runs in my family - and, like millions of Americans, it is something I have struggled with for much of my life. For the past 12 years, I have taken various anti-depressant medications, with varying degrees of success. At the beginning of this year, however, I decided to take a more natural approach and see how well I could do without medicine.
I have made previous, unsuccessful attempts to get off of prescription drugs. So this time, I made a vow to diligently take the following steps:
Eat a Low-Carb Diet: Blood sugar levels can have a powerful effect on mood, especially when they are constantly rising and falling. So I changed my diet to include more protein and healthy fats, and I have done my best to eliminate sweets and high-glycemic carbohydrates.
Exercise Consistently and With Intensity: There are lots of studies which have shown that consistent exercise, particularly intense exercise, can be very effective at lifting the symptoms of depression. I'm proud to say that I have been working out at least three days a week all year.
Get More Sunlight: We all know that a sunny day can lift our mood - and there's a physiological reason for it. Because the vitamin D produced when sunlight strikes our skin can also be a powerful anti-depressant. I make sure to get a few hours of sunlight every week by walking my dog or relaxing by the pool.
Supplement With Fish Oil: In past issues of Early to Rise, Dr. Sears, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Jon Herring have discussed the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for brain health and as a powerful preventive measure for depression. To be sure I am getting enough omega-3s, I supplement my diet every day with fish oil.
I figured that if each of these measures could help with my symptoms of depression, the combination of all four should prove even more beneficial. I have certainly found this to be the case.
Along this six-month journey of mine, there have been a few ups and downs. But for the most part, I feel great! My moods have been more stable, I am not depressed, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I am in control of my emotions... naturally.
If you suffer from depression, you'll have to make your own decision about medications. But I'm willing to bet that if you follow the steps I've outlined above, you'll feel a lot better.
______________________________
It's Fun to Know: Bat-Planes
The mechanics of bat flight have long been of interest to scientists. The bat's unique wing structure makes it one of the most maneuverable flying creatures around - and now a U.S. Air Force funded study is looking at modeling a new type of aircraft on it. Researchers believe that incorporating elements of bat wings, which consist of flexible membranes controlled by the highly refined movements of muscles and joints, would make an aircraft good at hovering, dodging obstacles, and getting through turbulence.
The project is in its early stages, but expect to see test vehicles within the next 10 years.
(Source: Discover Magazine)
______________________________
Word to the Wise: Expatiate
To "expatiate" (ek-SPAY-shee-ate) - from the Latin for "to walk or go far and wide" - is to speak or write at great length or in considerable detail.
Example (as used by William H. Pritchard in Updike: America's Man of Letters): "At the midday meal on fair day, a large one (meat loaf, boiled potato, broccoli), Mrs. Lucas, married to the man with the earache, expatiates on the difficulties of caring for a parakeet her daughter has unloaded upon her and which, let out of its cage for an airing, has escaped through the door suddenly opened by Mr. Lucas."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2098, 07-19-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
Clinical depression is something that runs in my family - and, like millions of Americans, it is something I have struggled with for much of my life. For the past 12 years, I have taken various anti-depressant medications, with varying degrees of success. At the beginning of this year, however, I decided to take a more natural approach and see how well I could do without medicine.
I have made previous, unsuccessful attempts to get off of prescription drugs. So this time, I made a vow to diligently take the following steps:
Eat a Low-Carb Diet: Blood sugar levels can have a powerful effect on mood, especially when they are constantly rising and falling. So I changed my diet to include more protein and healthy fats, and I have done my best to eliminate sweets and high-glycemic carbohydrates.
Exercise Consistently and With Intensity: There are lots of studies which have shown that consistent exercise, particularly intense exercise, can be very effective at lifting the symptoms of depression. I'm proud to say that I have been working out at least three days a week all year.
Get More Sunlight: We all know that a sunny day can lift our mood - and there's a physiological reason for it. Because the vitamin D produced when sunlight strikes our skin can also be a powerful anti-depressant. I make sure to get a few hours of sunlight every week by walking my dog or relaxing by the pool.
Supplement With Fish Oil: In past issues of Early to Rise, Dr. Sears, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Jon Herring have discussed the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for brain health and as a powerful preventive measure for depression. To be sure I am getting enough omega-3s, I supplement my diet every day with fish oil.
I figured that if each of these measures could help with my symptoms of depression, the combination of all four should prove even more beneficial. I have certainly found this to be the case.
Along this six-month journey of mine, there have been a few ups and downs. But for the most part, I feel great! My moods have been more stable, I am not depressed, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I am in control of my emotions... naturally.
If you suffer from depression, you'll have to make your own decision about medications. But I'm willing to bet that if you follow the steps I've outlined above, you'll feel a lot better.
______________________________
It's Fun to Know: Bat-Planes
The mechanics of bat flight have long been of interest to scientists. The bat's unique wing structure makes it one of the most maneuverable flying creatures around - and now a U.S. Air Force funded study is looking at modeling a new type of aircraft on it. Researchers believe that incorporating elements of bat wings, which consist of flexible membranes controlled by the highly refined movements of muscles and joints, would make an aircraft good at hovering, dodging obstacles, and getting through turbulence.
The project is in its early stages, but expect to see test vehicles within the next 10 years.
(Source: Discover Magazine)
______________________________
Word to the Wise: Expatiate
To "expatiate" (ek-SPAY-shee-ate) - from the Latin for "to walk or go far and wide" - is to speak or write at great length or in considerable detail.
Example (as used by William H. Pritchard in Updike: America's Man of Letters): "At the midday meal on fair day, a large one (meat loaf, boiled potato, broccoli), Mrs. Lucas, married to the man with the earache, expatiates on the difficulties of caring for a parakeet her daughter has unloaded upon her and which, let out of its cage for an airing, has escaped through the door suddenly opened by Mr. Lucas."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2098, 07-19-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
posted by Oak Stone at 5:50 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home