How to boost your energy and say goodbye to depression!

Young people, today, are inundated with caffeine ingredients. From everything to soda pop to energy bars, it isn’t hard to find! When you go down to your local convenience store, you will see highly expensive herbal energy drinks and vitamin supplemented protein bars. The price is just outrageous, to me! It’s the new sales and marketing gimmick of the 21st century. What do these new fad products do for you? They provide short-term energy boost. They are stimulants, and not the answer to a fully energized YOU! You will never feel happy about yourself for very long after it’s digested.

Another trend I see in the 21st century is the 24 hour, 7 day a week entertainment access on the boob-tube. According to the National Sleep Foundation nearly 90% of Americans stay up late just to watch TV and according to a poll research done by Consumer Reports, nearly 50% of their pollsters reported problems staying asleep, falling asleep or waking up frequently. Of the Consumer Reports study, one in five resorted to to OTC (Over the counter) or prescription strength relief.

Lack of rest causes depression

Studies conducted by The National Institute for Health and other government sponsored agencies have directly linked depression and anxiety to sleep insomnia In a layperson’s opinion, these are some things that I do to avoid lack of sleep and falling into a depressive state.

• Remove the TV from the bedroom
• Remove Computers and pets
• Write down all fleeting thoughts one hour before bed
• NO food two hours before bedtime
• Climate Control
• Hygiene

Notice I told you to write down all fleeting thoughts? Keep a diary. Tell yourself what you are worried about on paper or what you must do the following day. Your mind will begin to store those tasks and work them out during your dream state. You will feel less anxiety and a sense of accomplishment.

Exercise makes you smile with oomph!

I read an article from Mayo Clinic, written by staff members, which says,

“Exercise has long been touted as a way to maintain physical fitness and help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases. A growing volume of research shows that exercise can also help improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Exercise may also help prevent a relapse after treatment for depression or anxiety.”¹

Oct 23, 2007 Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Staff , “Depression and Anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms”, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043 (Last accessed: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:54 PM)

Their research recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise for three to five days. Ten to fifteen minutes of brisk walking in bright light for temporary relief of anxiety, stress or depression.  The research isn’t fully understood by scientist, but they all agree that our minds send out mood-stimulating neurotransmitters. Those transmitters send signals to release happy endorphins to ease muscle tension, insomnia and stress hormones called, cortisol

Getting the ALL CLEAR from your Doctor

Discuss mobility and exercise with your doctor before you do any sort of rigorous activity!  Make sure your doctor is okay with your new goal and find out what they will or will not let you do. If you are in an assisted living residential complex, work with your nurse or care giver on a new exercise project. They may even, already, have one for you to join! Paige Waehner made a very nice article research on about.com entitled, Exercise for Seniors.

She states, “No matter how old you are, exercise can improve your quality of life and you don’t have to spend a lot of time doing it to see and feel improvements. Like everyone else, seniors need to engage in cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises to stay healthy and maintain as much strength and functionality as possible.” and posts some very useful resources to get started.²

Aug 18, 2006 About.Com, Paige Waehner, “Exercise for Seniors”, http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseforseniors/a/exercise_senior.htm (Last accessed: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:54 PM)

I would like to hear about your progress! Send photos and comments me.

Tagged as: consumer reports study, depressive state, energy boost, energy drinks, herbal energy, national institute for health, national sleep foundation