Total Health Work

A  recent study reported by MSNBC suggested that women who are sad or suffer from mild depression have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

The research also suggested that the longer a patient suffers with feeling of sadness or being depressed, the stronger the relationship with breast cancer becomes.  The research is published in the journals Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health.

The risk of breast cancer is increased by as much as 12% for women who wrestle with depression.  Another study found that these women are more than two and a half times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who are not depressed.

These findings are extremely disturbing.  One problem is that the news itself is depressing.  It seems like the unhappy souls that are afflicted with this are trapped in a vicious cycle.

One idea might be to be more proactive in taking steps to overcome depression.  Much easier to say than accomplish, I’m sure, but definitely worth a try.  Especially for the loved ones who care about these women.

Two resources I’ve seen recently are the world laughter tour, an online resource that focuses on the power of laughter to improve our health; and emotion release, a new resource for learning how to overcome mild depression and feelings of sadness.

The threat of breast cancer is a constant enemy lurking in the shadows of many women’s lives.  The fact that depression can be a contributing factor is even more unsettling.

So take what steps you can to change your mood (or help someone you love to change theirs).  The long-term effects of their unhappiness can take a bigger toll on their health than we realize.

Stay Healthy.

I saw an interesting post on the internet recently that cited a study done by the Mayo Clinic indicating that optimists tend to live longer than pessimists. 

The research began in the 1960s where groups were tested and categorized as being either optimists, pessimists or a combination of both.

Over 40 years later, researchers have revisited the study and have found that optimists have a 20% greater chance of survival than their pessimistic counterparts.

Although the study didn’t speculate on why those with a positive outlook on life are more likely to live longer, it seems obvious that optimists are more likely to be proactive in taking care of themselves and less prone to depression and other negative ailments.

This study should encourage us to take a closer look at the long term benefits of positive thinking on our health, beyond the immediate pleasure it brings.  It seems more and more evident that it is absolutely essential to stop negative thoughts and emotions before they become a habit.

Many people feel helpless when confronted with feelings of depression or sadness.  But there are a variety of programs available that can be extremely effective in helping people to change their feelings and develop habits of thinking (and feeling) more positive.  One source for this is an inexpensive book you can find on the web at http://www.changingyouremotions.com.

Whatever methods you use, it is important to start taking your thoughts more seriously and to do what you can to become more optimistic.  When you do, you’ll not only enjoy your life more … you’ll also enjoy it longer.

Stay Healthy.

The holidays can be a joyous time of year.  But for many people, the winter festivities are often accompanied by an onslaught of negative feelings and emotions that leave them feeling depressed.  Recent studies indicate that these feelings may be linked to a lack of light rather than emotional associations.

The New York Times reported recently that a condition known as "seasonal affective disorder," (SAD), may be the culprit behind much of the negativity that occurs around this time of year.  Researchers found that the waning sunlight affected the secretion of melatonin in the brain, which resulted in a decrease in energy and symptoms associated with depression.

One remedy that is being used successfully to combat the effects of SAD is the use of artificial light known as phototherapy.  Exposure to bright light has a significant impact on reducing the negative symptoms of SAD. The standard course is 30 minutes of fluorescent soft-white light at 10,000 lux a day.

If you find yourself feeling down during the holidays, you might want to try this simple, but effective, remedy to combat feelings of sadness or lack of energy.  Or you could just head off for a sunny tropical vacation. (This would be my choice if time and my budget allowed.)

Many Blessings on you and your loved ones this holiday season.

Tim

The New York Times reported recently that several studies on the mental and emotional health of people struggling with depression indicate that much of their unhappiness may be caused by perfectionism.  While they acknowledge that wanting to be good at something is usually a positive trait, when this desire is taken to an extreme it can lead to a number of mental and emotional problems.

Ironically, many of these people are PROUD of being a perfectionist in spite of the fact that it may be the root cause of their struggle with depression.

Much of their unhappiness, according to researchers, stems from their unrealistic expectations, both for themselves and others around them.  When their standards are not met, it eventually leads to emotional conflict.  This, in turn, leads to a sense of being dissatisfied and unhappy.

With today’s obsession with success and being the "best" at everything, it’s no wonder that this is affecting our nation’s health.  Not everyone can be the best at anything all the time (or even most of the time).

It sounds to me that it’s better all around to just chill out.  Learning to go with the flow of things instead of demanding that things always go your way or that you always have to be the best is not just an easier way to live, it’s a healthier way to live.

One source that a lot of people are finding helpful is a book called Changing Your Emotions.  You may want to check it out if you’re one who tends to struggle every now and then with getting rid of negative feelings.

So if you’re unhappy, you may want to ask yourself if it’s just because you’re not getting your way.  If that’s the case, let go of your expectations and allow whatever is happening to just "be." 

You might want to follow the British with their humorous encouragement to "Do you worst."  At least it takes the pressure off. 

In the meantime, be cool and stay healthy.