DON'T NEGLECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, AN INTEGRAL PART OF OVERALL HEALTH AND FITNESS

The recent U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health contained some shocking statistics; Mental illness is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of lost years of a healthy life in the U.S. One in five Americans has a mental disorder. In the U.S., the cost of treating depression comes to about $40 billion a year.

How can we combat mental illness ourselves? These tips can help:

1. Be communicative. Express your feelings in a non-threatening, non-combative way to significant people in your life, including your family, friends and business associates. Don't wait for the pressure to build and then blow your top. Catch the anger or concern before it causes you stress.

2. Find time for yourself, alone, every day. Even if it's just 10 minutes in the bathtub or 20 minutes walking or working out at the gym. Spend the time in constructive ways such as meditating, listening to soothing music or just enjoying nature. 

3. Don't try and keep up with the Jones'. Seeking material things is healthy until it becomes more important than human things such as sharing time with loved ones, enjoying a sunset or catching some rays at the beach. Find work you love and do it with a happy heart.

4. Build a network of trusted friends with whom you can share ideas, joys and sorrows. Remember to give as well as to receive.

5. Avoid unhealthy relationships that make you feel "blue" or inadequate. No matter what the price, get out of these situations.

6. Do some physical activity every day, whether it be gardening, washing the car, walking or working out. Studies have shown physical exertion releases endorphins in the body that produce good feelings.

7. Share life with someone you love.

8. Be true to yourself.

Question of the Week

Question: My trainer tells me that I must do stretching exercises after working out to rid the body of lactic acid, which makes muscles ache later on. He also recommends massage. Is this advice correct?


Answer:  Lactic acid, the common organic acid found in milk and other dairy foods that have turned sour is also found in foods such as sauerkraut, pickles and beer. But the lactic acid your trainer refers to is a different form, called sarcolactic acid that is found in blood and muscles. It has been called the "acid of fatigue," because the amount of sarcolactic acid in the muscles increases when a person is tired. 

Stretching out after a workout is heartily recommended because it does prevent the muscles from "bunching up" or cramping, causing muscle aches and pains. Massage is like greasing the moving parts of an engine. It can be not only soothing to the body, it can help circulate the blood, increasing feelings of well being and easing potential aches and pains.

Check our Health & Fitness Home Page for more health tips on exercise and weight loss and just plain healthy living. And let us know how you're doing. Good luck.


The HFT Staff

NOTE: If you would like to see your question featured here, please submit to: questions@health-fitness-tips.com

Product of the Week

Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook by American Heart Association

If you're interested in being kind to your heart without short-changing your taste buds, here's the skinny from folks who ought to know: the American Heart Association. These popular heart-healthy, easy-to-make recipes have been updated and revised to provide even tastier and more varied meals for you and your family.

For more info:
Click Here

This issue sponsored by Zan-Pro, Inc.

DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE SUFFER FROM ADD or ADHD?

Zan is a natural alternative to Ritalin! Formulated, tested and distributed by Zan-Pro, Inc. This herbal supplement is an all-natural therapeutic composition for alleviating symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD. Experience the benefits of Ritalin without the adverse side effects.

For more info:
Click Here

Subscribe to the Health & Fitness Tips Newsletter by clicking here.