Natural Mood Elevators

Our moods depend on a complicated interplay of factors, but the truth remains that some of us are more prone to mood variations than others. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mood disorders, and those that suffer these conditions may feel they are more easily influenced by negative emotions and environmental cues. Do you cry easily during movies? Is a negative encounter at the bank likely to cause you to stress for the entire day? Do you have difficulty lifting yourself out of a depressing mood? Everyone struggles with a bad mood from time to time, but if you want to gain greater control over your mood, there are actually natural mood elevators available to you.

Natural remedies for mood elevation include B Vitamins, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, St. John's Wort, Lavender, and even sound therapies.

B Vitamins

B Vitamins are known to provide a boost to your immune system while also providing natural mood enhancement properties. Some B Vitamins are even converted into serotonin which is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is associated with feelings of happiness. Excellent sources of B Vitamins include lean meats, bananas, beans, and potatoes.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 Fatty Acids have received a lot of attention in health news over the past decade. In fact, these fatty acids are great for heart health and can help combat depression. Cold-water oily fish such as salmon, anchovies, and sardines are great sources for Omega 3 Fatty Acids, but you can also find these acids as a supplement in many products including yogurt.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is a commonly used herbal supplement for everything from a topical remedy for wounds to a treatment for depression. In fact, it has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of depression and is easily accessible at your local drug store.

Lavender

Used in aromatherapy to improve relaxation, lavender releases an essential oil that is also an effective mood elevator.

Sound Therapy

Finally, extensive research has shown that sound therapies can target brainwave patterns to improve mental states. Combined harmonics and subliminals can improve mood and motivation just by listening to the sounds. Depression may be the result of poor sleep, lack of interest in our usual activities, fatigue, or a general sense of dissatisfaction. Sound therapies help to change an individual's mood state, prevent depression, and improve motivation and relaxation.

Dealing With Problems

"A man's character was completely formed by his environment and circumstances, and that placing a man under the proper physical, moral, and social influences from his earliest years... "

-Robert Owen

When I was a child, I kept on praying and wishing that I could get everything. My mom kept on telling me that it's not easy to have it all. There was only one thing I knew before, and that is to be happy.

Of course, all of us had gone through childhood. Where playing is the only thing we knew that time. There may be time we have experienced being tripped and fell into the ground, but our wounds will be healed by just a piece of band aid or cotton balls. That's life for me when I was a child.

No problems. At the same time, I don't have to worry about anything under the sun. But everything had changed. It seems that it's impossible to turn back to the time where problems are funny thing for me. It's like weather that changed over time.

Life is not really perfect, but you can choose if you want it to be perfect. It is not about how others define a perfect life. It is you who have the power to say and be contented in what you have as well as who you are right now.

On the other hand, I do believe on the principle of Robert Owen. You cannot blame anyone or even give him praise. What we are yesterday, today, and tomorrow are the result of what's happening in our society and by circumstances where we do not have control over it. Though we can't change our current condition we are encountering and at the same time, those problems. There are some things to remember in dealing with them.

1. SOLVE YOU PROBLEM. There's no other way in dealing with your problems than to solve it. On the other hand, you cannot solve a problem by doing another problem. At the same time, don't solve others' problem. Let them do it on their own.

2. DON'T OVER FOCUS. Some people stay with their problem. Thus, making them feel burdened. Don't allow yourself to spend more time thinking about it.

3. BE PATIENT. It may be sometimes hard to deal with some problems. It will come to pass.

4. PRAY. This is the best thing you can do. Ask God to lift you up. You can't solve it alone. Allow God to help you.

The hardest part of dealing with those is that, if the problem is YOU. I hope this entry will help you.

Brain Scan Study Sheds Light On Source Of Mood Disorders

Brain Scan Study Sheds Light On Source Of Mood Disorders

People at risk of depression could benefit from earlier medical care, a brain study suggests.

Researchers have found that some people with a family history of mood disorder have increased activity in the insula cortex - a part of the brain that regulates mood - even before they become unwell.

Experts say that in future this finding could aid early diagnosis of the condition enabling people with depression to be identified before the onset of illness.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh examined a group of at-risk individuals - healthy people with a family history - and a group with no such risk. They took brain scans and recorded relevant medical details.

Researchers analysed the health of both groups two years later and found that a fifth of the at-risk group had developed major depression.

Doctors studied the original scans of those with depression and found that the at-risk group had abnormal levels of activity in the insula, even before they were diagnosed.

Researchers say that this could help them to predict who will become mentally ill in later life.

The Edinburgh team also say that this shows that dysfunction of the insula - which is used to process emotions - in high-risk people is one the major causes of depression.

The study builds on previous research, which has shown that the insula - located in the deep folds of the brain - is involved in the onset of mood disorders.

Dr Heather Whalley, of the University of Edinburgh's Division of Psychiatry said: "These findings advance our understanding of the biological processes involved in the development of mood disorders. They show that increased activation in this part of the brain differentiates individuals at high-risk of bipolar disorder who later develop depression from healthy people and those at familial risk who remain well."

The study, which is published online yesterday in PLOS ONE, was funded by a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin fellowship and The Health Foundation.

Additional

References

Citations

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our neurology / neuroscience section for the latest news on this subject.

5 Tips to Beat Depression Today

Once you've got the foundations from the Beat Depression Forever series, practice these tips to keep you focused on healing.

1. DO give thanks. Thoughts cause the downward spiral and thoughts reverse it. I often used the word "violence" when describing my deliberate thought-changes because it felt that way. It was as if a wheel in my heart was turning faster and faster in the direction of complaint, or discontent or feeling victimized. It didn't stop on its own. I had to push my thoughts in the opposite direction; namely, by counting my blessings. You don't have to feel it. You just have to do it. If you're struggling to think of a blessing, start with the air in your lungs. Give thanks that you live in a universe with endless opportunity. Give thanks that depression is not going to stay. Give thanks for your mother, sister, cousin, daughter; for the shoes on your feet; or that you have feet at all. Count your blessings like your life depended on it. You'll begin to see life in a whole new light.

2. DON'T listen to negative music. Negativity is negativity, and you DON'T need it. Songs have the power to plant seeds in your mind. Steer clear of bad seeds. Play tunes that minister life and positivity.

3. DO pray. Ask God for the power to walk in the light. Ask Him to help you change your mind and be filled with peace. Ask others to pray for you.

4. DON'T slump. One of the debilitating factors of depression is that it zaps motivation. While I was depressed I wanted to withdraw and sink into a cave. This, of course, only made me feel worse. I couldn't rely on how I felt. I had to act on what I knew to be true. Going for a walk or hitting the gym got my blood flowing and dopamine rushing. I'd start by putting one foot in front of the other. Make the phone call, walk the dog, do the dishes. As soon as you see yourself going "back to black" don't just slump into it. Get up and do something.

5. DO take good care of your body. Sleep deprivation will make anyone upset. Poor body care can leave you feeling tired, worn out, even foggy brained. Get plenty of sleep. Get some exercise several days per week. Even a thirty minute walk outside can be rejuvenating. You may need a note of discipline at the outset, but later you'll be so glad you did it. Jump in a sauna or steam room. Take a hot bath. Sweating has wonderful health benefits. It relaxes tense muscles, stimulates circulation, gets your heart pumping just enough to give a little boost to your metabolism, actually activates your immune system and refreshes your whole body. Eat whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts to boost energy levels. While low energy can drag you into a slump, vitality attracts both people and opportunities, and makes for a better mood.

I pray for heaven's touch in your heart and life today. May God send an angel to remind you that you are loved, and to give you a taste of heaven. AMEN.

Coping And Treating Depression or Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are very common problems among American adults. As a matter of fact, in a 12 month period, it is estimated that almost 7% of all US adults have a problem with depression and approximately 30% of those individuals have what will be classified as severe depression. Many of these individuals suffer in silence, feeling as if there is even nothing that can be done for their problem or being a little bit embarrassed about the fact that they have depression in the first place. To be certain, there is nothing to be embarrassed about because depression is more than feeling sad or having a case of the blues.

Depression is a medical issue and clinical depression is something that is going to need medical treatment, just as it is necessary for you to have treatment for problems such as diabetes. Although it certainly is natural for all of us to go through bouts of sadness or depression, it is unnatural for that to continue for extended amounts of time. If you are suffering with depression, you need to consider the fact that it is not only affecting you mentally, it often has an impact on you physically as well. In addition, depression is something that can affect individuals in our life that are close to us.

One of the options that you may want to consider if you have depression is taking some type of medication. There are a variety of medications that are available, some of which have shown promise in helping individuals with anxiety, depression and other mental issues. Although these medicines may work differently, most of them help to balance out the neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters, such as serotonin have an impact on the way that we feel and by balancing out our brain chemicals, it may provide an effective anxiety treatment.

Another thing that you may want to consider is seeing a qualified therapist to help you to get to the root of the problem. Although it is not fully understood why people have a problem with clinical depression and anxiety, it is often connected to some type of life events that was either depressing or very stressful. For example, we may have had the death of a loved one that caused us to become depressed and from that point forward, we were never able to shake that feeling. There may also be problems that occur from early childhood that can cause us problems and anxiety, even when we are adults.

Although there is not a cure for depression, there are things that can be done to help you to cope with the situation and to reduce the symptoms that you are experiencing in many cases. It is going to take some effort on your part, however, and it can be difficult for you to put forth the effort when you have little energy and are anxious or depressed most of the time. By seeking qualified assistance from a health professional, you can come through this type of situation successfully.