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Turn off the news and put down the financial section of the newspaper! Being bombarded by news of financial woes only makes us feel more anxious and worry more. Instead, read things that make you feel good - like the comics, your favorite magazine, or a cookbook to get some ideas to help you start investing in yours and your family's health
Get moving and get present! Studies prove again and again that exercise can help alleviate depression. And, don't feel like you have to go to the gym - get outside instead.
Go for a walk, run or bike ride somewhere beautiful and really pay attention to your surroundings: listen to the birds chirping, study the flowers and greenery you come in contact with, smell the fresh air and feel the wind on your face. Use your 5 senses to bring you into the present moment.
Or, play catch with a football or play a game of smashball, tennis, basketball or other sport that requires you to stay present and focus on what you are doing. (This is not the time to slog out 30 minutes on the treadmill or Elliptical machine while watching the news or reading the paper!)
When you are truly present and living in the moment, there's no way to worry about the future or dwell on what went wrong in the past.
Eat some good fats! Studies also show that Omega-3 fatty acids are just as effective at treating depression as pre scri ption drugs. Where and how to get them? Snack on a handful of walnuts a day, eat some wild salmon once or twice a week, and make your own salad dressing using flaxseed oil instead of olive or vegetable oil.
Watch what you drink! Stop spending money on beverages full of empty calories.
That morning latte that runs you $3-4 may also include about 300 empty calories!
Or, the large diet coke that costs $2, full of chemicals such as: additives, coloring, and preservatives that actually make you crave more sugar! Make your own teas and coffees instead, and drink more water than anything else.
Spending a fortune on bottled water? Buy yourself a water-filtering pitcher such as a Brita and drink your own filtered tap water.
These changes could save you $10 per day!
Invest in the one thing with a guaranteed return - your own health! Instead of spending money on take-out and expensive pre-packaged dinners, get cooking:
Involve the family in the preparation and clean up and enjoy some real quality time together. You can easily make a healthy, tasty meal for the family in 20-30 minutes (trust me, I teach people to do this all the time!)
No family to help out or to cook for? Make supper for yourself and enjoy leftovers for lunch instead of dropping $10 for a somewhat healthful option or spending $3 on the local fast-food joint's dollar menu. (While those options may seem affordable, they are loaded with calories and chemicals that will only make you feel worse!) Even better, invite a friend over and share the work and quality time together.
Need help learning how to do these things? Red Jen Ford can help! She's a health and lifestyle coach who works with people struggling with work/life balance issues. She teaches them how to manage their time and increase their energy such that they have happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives and can do the things they really enjoy! Contact her atjen@redjenford.com to get some one-on-one support or check out her events such as cooking classes, group workshops and farmers' market tours at www.redjenford.com/events.
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