Everybody feels down and out at some point in their lives, especially in today's world of foreclosures, unemployment, war, terrorism and natural calamity. Aside from not reading the news or keeping your head buried in the sand, there isn't a lot we as individuals can do to stop being depressed about the things going on around us, especially things on the opposite side of the world. But perhaps if we can physically feel better, facing up to all the bad news each day will affect us less then it does when we're feeling low. I mean, what are we going to do? Kill ourselves because terrorist fanatics hate us? Of course not, we all must keep moving forward, living our lives and going about our business, raising families or going to school and trying to make the best of what we have. If you think about it, being healthy is something we can control, so why not be as happy and healthy as possible. Here is some easy to follow advice from a panel of doctors who have their own show called, of course, The Doctors.
First of all, try to eat a breakfast containing high-fiber cereal, oatmeal would be a good one. The little packets you mix water with and toss in the microwave for two minutes are perfect, and most children love them, which gives you something to share with them and provides a good start for their school day too. To find out more about dietary fibers, you can check this page in Wikipedia , you see, the body digests fiber slowly, and consequently you'll have more energy longer into the day. With more energy, you'll automatically feel less depressed and more alert as well.
Secondly, don't drink too much coffee or chug down more then one energy drink. Studies show that too much caffeine, while it does stimulate the nervous system and gives a quick jolt, can work against us. If you're feeling shaky or get a head ache, you are drinking too much, so try to cut back. As well as the nervousness, digestive problems can also occur, myself if I have too much, I can't wander too far from a rest room. The Doctors recommend two cups of coffee per day at the most, or less then 200-300 milligrams of caffeine.
Third on the list is the recommendation that we drink more water. Being dehydrated robs our energy and slows our thinking, plus causes our mood to take a downturn, this according to researchers at Tufts University. So how much do we need? Most doctors recommend 8 to 9 cups per day, which is probably a lot more then most adults normally drink, so if you find your mind wandering off to dreamland, have a glass of water and see if it doesn't help. By checking your urine color, you can get a quick read on if you are adequately hydrated, clear or slightly yellow is what we're shooting for.
Lastly, the easiest thing in the world we can do to take our mind off our troubles and feel a bit better about things in general, is to take a walk. Studies have proven that exercise, while tiring, actually reduces fatigue, even a short amount can make a difference. A quick moving 10 minute stroll will increase your energy levels, clear your head and the results can last at least a couple hours. So if you're at the office, maybe instead of sitting and reading your book after lunch for fifteen minutes, consider walking around the block. Again, studies have shown that being outside walking will produce better results then doing the same amount of walking on a treadmill. Fresh air can do wonders right? If ten minutes is good, then twenty minutes is twice as good, the longer you can keep walking, the better you'll feel.
So to recap in one sentence, eat breakfast, not too much coffee, drink your water, and take a quick walk. Do these things and you'll feel better, and if everybody felt better about themselves, maybe the world wouldn't be in the mess its in, or am I just being naive? Right, nothings that easy.
I'm 60 years old and have been around a lot of depressed people in my life, to actually feel better myself, I had to sometimes disassociate myself from these people, that's something else to think about. Remember the old slogan, "Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?" Hanging out with pessimists and nay-sayers can turn you into one yourself if your not careful, so take a look at your friends and family if you are depressed, sometimes it isn't you, its them. By passing these tips on, you'll be helping people and that always makes us feel better. For more free tips about health and fitness, mental and physical, check out this website, Lose-Weight-Without-Dietinga , you'll be glad you did.
retired construction worker now passing the time reading and writing