There is plenty of information about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for your overall health; these superfoods help with brain development and protect you against heart disease, to name a few. But do you know how important they are for your mental health? The power that Omega-3s have for your mental health is seriously mind blowing and rarely discussed.
The Truth About an Alcohol and Drug Intervention and How You Can Really Get Someone Into Treatment2/12/2015 I have had a couple of people call me lately and ask me if I would do an A&E-style intervention with a loved one. My response? Absolutely not, and here is why. I woke up today in disbelief that this month is almost over. Where did it go?! It then made me wonder how everyone is doing with their resolutions a month into making them. My resolution this year is to stop yelling during arguments with loved ones as inspired by this blog. So far I've been successful, and I love being able to say that I haven't yelled yet this year! While some people are outside enjoying the weather and activities that come with this time of year, there are other people who are not having the best of times: people dealing with symptoms of depression. In fact, depression can be made even worse by friends, family members, or that inner critic that's saying, "How can you be depressed?! It's summer! You should be happy!"
Here are some tips for those of you experiencing summer symptoms of depression: Show compassion to yourself. Watch for that inner critic that tells you, "You're a loser because everyone else is having fun except you." Check your experience when your mind tries to tell you something harmful. Make sure you're paying just as much attention to all the evidence that points to how worthy and cool you are. Show compassion to others. It's easy to become short-fused with others as the temperature soars. That person who cut you off probably has bad reaction time; or, maybe they really are a crappy driver and are cutting off other people besides you. Don't assume you're the only one having a bad day - you're not. Stick to your usual depression regimen. If this includes medication, therapy, or other activities that keep you feeling inspired, keep doing them! Get outside. Preferably once a day, but if that's not where you're at, then every other day. At some point, the goal is to leave your property. Walk around the neighborhood, go to the store for milk, or take your dog to a local park. Stay connected - beyond social media. People who are going through a difficult time who reach out to a real person report feeling better over time, whereas reaching out to a name or face on a computer screen may actually make you feel worse. See Facebook Use Predicts Declines in Subjective Well-Being in Young Adults for more details. Volunteer. Due to the increased amount of activities that are happening, many people need help with events. You may even get paid for staffing summer festivals. Animal shelters are almost always accepting new volunteers. Stop fighting sleep. Your natural rhythm may get out of sync with the earlier rising of the sun in the a.m. and the later setting in the p.m. Figure out a summer sleep schedule that will work for you and stick with it. Stay hydrated. It's easy to become irritable when we're over-heated. Also, ample water helps keep our systems operating their best, which will definitely contribute to keeping your mood in check. Take your vitamins. It's common to have decreased appetite due to the heat, or to skip a full meal 'cause it's too hot to cook. Or, you may find yourself substituting your typical healthy meals for fried fish, fries, and frozen treats. Make sure you're getting proper nutrients that play a role in mood, including Omega-3s, Folic Acid, B vitamins, and Vitamin D. Take care of your hygiene. Change out of your pj's into "real" clothes. Brush your teeth. Wash your hair. Paint/cut your toenails. Shave your legs/face. Doing small things will make a big improvement in your self-perception. Find a healthy refuge from family. Summer usually equals family reunions, but not everybody's family is warm, accepting, and happy. If Uncle John's comments about your weight or lack of a significant other are pushing you to the limit, seek solace in someone who will understand, walk away to take a breather, or spend time venting in a journal. Be proactive and come up with a plan on how you will deal with judgmental Aunt Judy before you encounter her off-the-wall remarks. It is also OK to take a break from family; you are not a bad mother/father/daughter/son/grandparent/spouse etc. because you want some time to yourself. Join a support group. Check local hospitals, churches, and community centers, which often have peer support groups for grief, divorce, addictions, caregivers, chronic pain, and yes, depression. Last but not least, don't forget you can call the national crisis line 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you're a teenager and you want another teen to talk to, you can contact YouthLine Monday-Thursday 4pm-9pm (Pacific) by calling 1-877-968-8491 or texting teen2teen at 839863. |