Feeling down? Get outdoors
So, they say a walk a day keeps your depression away. Just a small ‘dose’ of nature every day will benefit people’s mood, self-esteem and mental health, a new study by the University of Essex has shown. Surprisingly the research found that just five minutes of green exercise produced the largest positive effect.
The research by Dr Jo Barton and Professor Jules Pretty is published online (and in print on 15 May) in the American journal, Environmental Science and Technology.
Their analysis of 1,252 people (of different ages, gender and mental health status) drawn from ten existing studies in the UK, showed that activity in the presence of nature (green exercise) led to mental and physical health improvements. The activities analysed were walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming.
Beyond the mental fitness you get by getting outdoors and walking, you get the physical results as well. Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can ease you into a higher level of fitness and health. Walking is one of your body’s most natural forms of exercise. It’s safe, simple, doesn’t require practice, and the health benefits are many. Here’s more about why walking is good for you, and how to get started with a walking program.
The Mayo Clinic says, ”
Walking, like other exercise, can help you achieve a number of important health benefits. Walking can help you:
- Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol)
- Raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol)
- Lower your blood pressure
- Reduce your risk of or manage type 2 diabetes
- Manage your weight
- Improve your mood
- Stay strong and fit”
I walk at least three times a week with a friend, and I can tell you that when we miss out we just don’t feel as good. Walking just makes me feel better – even better than any other physical fitness activities. And you don’t have to stop just because the weather changes. Bundle up, bring hydration and one great item you could get is SnowTrax. SnowTrax winter traction devices are designed for people who are looking for a product that it is easy-to-use and lightweight with extreme traction. SnowTrax are ideal for anyone who would like greater stability on ice and snow. Use SnowTrax while walking to and from work, school or for any outdoor winter activities. You can buy them from Costco. I got two pairs for under $20 – and then split the cost with my friend. Always make sure you have the proper shoes for walking, or you’ll end up with sore feet. And make sure if you are new to physical activities or have any health problems that you consult your doctor before starting a new fitness program.
October 22, 2010 No Comments
Hey Brain – Where did the time go?
We forget… and that is often a sign of depression or perhaps ADHD/ADD. Stop and think about your day and how you feel. Do you feel life is just a blur of activity and you can never catch up with it? Does your loved ones complain that you don’t care about them? Do you find yourself always forgetting important occasions or do you say rude things without thinking? While most people have challenges managing the balance of their work, family and time for self, if this has been a problem all of your life, it may be something more. Often times ADHD and Depression walk hand in hand with each other. It’s easy for the ADHD mind to find a focus to get “lost” in and they become forgetful of the important things – getting far off track.
Major depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. How do you think you’d feel if you had a constant feeling of restlessness and agitation. What about if you seemed to always be procrastinating and disorganized? Wouldn’t you be a little depressed if you had trouble making deadlines? While most of us have challenges in these areas, someone with Adult ADD/ADHD has these problems constantly, in good times and in bad, and often to the despair of loved ones, and themselves.
On Monday, a report in the Archives of General Psychiatryfound that just one in five depressed adults get guideline-recommended treatment, and on Tuesday a study in theJournal of the American Medical Association found that conventional antidepressants may only really be useful for the severely depressed. (Business Week) One team of scientists in Chicago believe they have at least part of the answer. They say that the reason about half of people who need antidepressants don’t respond to available drugs is that researchers have been focusing on the wrong neurological targets. Obviously if you have ADHD or perhaps OCD issues that are causing problems in your life, and then those underlying issues are causing your depression – the antidepressants won’t do much to fix that.
So if you are feeling depressed – seek help, but make sure you bring the full story to your therapist to get yourself on track. A coach can give you direction – but sometimes it really takes the right pharmaceuticals to bring your some relief.
January 5, 2010 No Comments
