By Joe DiAngelo
Personal Training in Manhattan
7 March 2003
Mental Health
Three of the major challenges to our mental health today are stress, anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are any number of simple steps we can take in our daily lives to regain a sense of balance, feel better and live calmer more satisfying lives.
What can I do to help
treat depression?
Exercise -- Numerous studies have shown
that exercise is a very effective method for decreasing depression as it helps
to improve your mood and boosts self-confidence.
Seek professional help – Find a mental
health counselor who can help you get to the root of your depression and
facilitate recovery.
Tap into spirituality – Seek spiritual help
Nutritional Supplements
and a Healthy Mind
-
B vitamins - The B vitamins, especially
folic acid and vitamin B6, help support the clearing of the stress hormones by
the liver.
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St. John's Wort - St. John's Wort is an
herbal remedy that has been used in Europe as a treatment for mild
depression. It should not be taken with antidepressant medications,
especially SSRI's like Prozac or Celexa, anti-retroviral medications or birth
control pills.
-
Fish oil - Recent preliminary studies
suggest that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may be helpful in helping
to maintain a healthy mind. We think that reasonable doses of fish oil
supplements might be useful with mild temporary depression. Fish oil is an
excellent source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most common fatty acid in
nerve and brain tissue.
-
Folic acid - Recent studies have been
confirming the link between this important B vitamin and a healthy mind.
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