Everyone gets into a funk now and then. Perhaps you are feeling stressed out, or you are disappointed at recent events. You may even feel a bit blue because of your hormones or body chemistry. Usually, these feelings do not last for very long before you are feeling positive again.
But for some people, it is harder to pull out of a blue mood. They may experience these feelings more frequently, and over longer periods of time. When this happens, these blue moods are not only uncomfortable, they can affect your health.
Bad news about bad moods
A number of studies have linked depression and bad moods with an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, people who are depressed are four times more likely to suffer from fatigue. Physical pain, such as headaches, back pain, and abdominal pain, is also a common symptom of depression.
According to a study at Kansas State University, you are more likely to become sick if you hold a negative mood for a longer period of time. Extroverted people tend to be more positive and can shake a bad mood more quickly, making them less likely to become ill.
In fact, an optimistic outlook helps to boost your immune system. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that an optimistic mindset helps people to weather stressful events, such as surgery or illness. Conversely, people with a more pessimistic attitude tend to have a reduced immune response to the stressful situation.
Is it just a bad mood?
If you do find yourself in a bad mood frequently or for a long period of time, it is possible you may be depressed. What’s the difference between depression and a passing blue mood? A depression involves your thoughts, mood, and body. It affects every aspect of your life, including the way you eat or sleep, how you see the world, and how you feel about yourself. A clinical depression of this nature can make you feel powerless and immobilized.
Depression may include some of the following symptoms:
1. Persistent sadness and anxiety
2. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
3. Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
4. Feelings of fatigue and loss of energy
5. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
6. Insomnia, waking in the early morning, or oversleeping
7. Loss of appetite or weight gain due to overeating
8. Contemplated or attempted suicide
9. Restlessness or irritability
10. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a depressive disorder, it’s important to get treatment. A clinically depressed person cannot simply “get over it.” They need help.
Managing moods and treating depression
If you or a loved one is depressed, the first step is to schedule an examination with a physician so they can rule out any physical causes. They can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist if necessary. There are also numerous support groups that can help you on your path to recovery.
Whether you are suffering from a temporary blue mood or you are depressed, try the following methods to improve your outlook:
1. Exercise – A recent study at UT Southwestern Medical Center shows that even low-intensity exercise several days a week can reduce symptoms in cases of mild to moderate depression. A moderately intense aerobic program reduces the symptoms by an average of 47 percent after 12 weeks.
2. Eat a balanced, healthy diet – It is always important to support your body nutritionally.
3. Meditate – In recent years, several clinical trials have shown that meditation is an effective way to manage and reduce stress. Meditation can take many forms, but the primary goal is to relax and focus your attention.
Remember, if you are depressed, these methods are not a substitute for proper care. Seek help if you think you are depressed.
Minh Nguyen, D.d.s.
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/how-do-feelings-affect-your-physical-fitness-64288.html
Easy points if you're between the age 13 and 20
?
All I need you to do is reply with your gender, age and answers- for example:
Hey guys,
I have a big “community involvement” project to do for my Women’s Studies class. For this project, I am trying to collect information about how the media affects women. Below you will find the survey which shouldn’t take long at all and your answers will be confidential (I will not be using or sharing names/personal info in my project or with anyone). It will also be very helpful/interesting if some guys took this survey too
Female, 17
1. a
2. b
3. c
4…
Feel free to email if you have any questions and I would love some feedback/comments!
Thank you for your help!
SURVEY
1. Women’s portrayal in the media is an issue that needs to be taken seriously.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
2. The media portrays women in unrealistic images.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
3. The media (movies, magazines, TV, etc.) portrays women in a negative perspective.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
4. The media focuses too much on the physical aspect of women.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
5. The media focuses on the physical aspect of men as much as it focuses on the physical aspect of women.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
6. Society pressures women to be thin.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
7. Do you worry or obsess about your body not being small, thin or good enough?
a) Yes, I think about it all the time
b) Yes, sometimes
c) No, I am usually satisfied with my body
d) Not at all
8. Do you avoid wearing certain clothes because they make you feel fat?
a) Yes
b) No
9. Have you ever disliked your body?
a) Yes, I still do
b) Yes, but not anymore
c) No, never
10. Do you exercise or diet because you feel too fat or not thin enough?
a) Yes, regularly
b) Yes, sometimes
c) Yes, because I want to stay in shape, not because I feel too fat
d) No, but I do feel too fat
e) No, I don’t worry about that
11. Have you ever suffered or known someone that suffered from an eating disorder or feelings of negative body image?
a) Yes
b) No
12. If yes, which eating disorder was it?
13. FOR WOMEN: The North American media’s portrayal of women’s body image (runway models, fitness models, actresses, etc.) has an effect in the way you feel about your body.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
14. FOR WOMEN: (related to number 13) Is this portrayal positive or negative?
a) Positive
b) Negative
15. FOR MEN: The North American media’s portrayal of women’s body image (runway models, fitness models, actresses, etc.) affects the way you see women.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neutral
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
16. Do you believe that the North American media’s portrayal of the women can have a negative effect on the development and self image of young women today?
a) Yes
b) No
17. If yes, how could we improve this issue or raise awareness?
Thank you for taking the survey
1C
2C
3C
4B
5D
6B
7B
8A
9B
10C
11B
12N/A
13C
14 A&B (I think both)
References :
Male 14
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. B
9. B
10. C
11. B
12. N/A
13. N/A
14. N/A
15. B
16. A
17. Make a book about it! :p
References :
Female, 17
1. B
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. A
6. A
7. C
8. B
9. C
10. E
11. A – I know someone
12. I think she has anorexia
13. C
14. B
15. For men … so skip
16. A
17. Maybe stop the use of photoshop imaging to drastically make a celebrity thinner. There have been many instances where this has happened. I remember reading it on Yahoo’s home page a while back.
References :
Female, 13
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. b
5.a
6. b
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. e
11. a
12. bulimia
13. d
14. b
15. (n/a)
16. a
17. Have parents be more involved to help them understand.
References :