Nature's Sunshine Products est. 1972
Nature's Sunshine Products est. 1972
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Depression

Depression

When life gets full on and you’re dealing with stress, disappointments or grief, it’s normal to go through a rough patch. However, when the feelings last for an extended period of time and get in the way of everyday life, symptoms of depression can start to creep in. Victims of depression experience waves of troubling emotions and physical problems that can affect wellbeing.

Depression can be viewed as a whole-body illness, one that affects the body, the nervous system, mood and behaviour. It alters the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself and the way you react to and think about the people and things around you. Being depressed is more than “feeling down” for a day or two,  it usually continues for weeks or months at a time.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), if a person is experiencing more than 5 symptoms from the following list, then this is indicative of the presence of depression.
Depressed mood for more than 2 weeks (most of the day, nearly every day); loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities; significant changes in appetite, eating and weight gain/loss; significant changes in sleep; fatigue ; significant changes in activity; feelings of guilt and negative self-worth; reduced concentration and dark thoughts.

Seeking professional help is important and there are things you can do yourself to help manage your depression. Here are a few ideas: embark on a regular exercise regime, have good quality sleep, understand what triggers depression for you (e.g., lack of sleep, too much stress); join a support group; eat healthily by preparing unprocessed meals with a fresh fruit and vegetable focus; reduce stress as much as possible and learn relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. Also of interest in the natural medicine world is the supplemental form of SAM-e.

SAMe, also known as S-Adenosylmethionine  is a derivative of the amino acid methionine that is formed in the body when methionine combines with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the major source of cellular energy.  It helps the body produce more mood-enhancing (or “feel good”) neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. 

For those with anxiety due to a fading memory then Brain Protex offers suppoprt. This powerful formula has been specifically designed to protect brain cells from free radical damage and help sharpen mental function. It features nutrients proven in scientific studies to support impaired cognitive abilities, associated with nutritional deficiency, aging or as the result of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

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