Christine Takacs

eata

Eat Well

Bounce, Recovery, Stress /

Healthy Eating Really Helps

You know this: You’ve got to eat well to function well. Each of us have different needs when it comes to food. But there are some universal truths.

Among other benefits, good food can:

    • boost your energy
    • lower the risk of developing certain diseases
    • provide fuel to your brain
    • counteract the impact of stress on your body
    • affect mood-related body chemicals

Ironically, in times of stress just when good nutrition can be so useful to us, many of us tend to eat poorly. According to a recent survey nearly half of Americans overeat or eat unhealthy food to cope with stress. In fact, it’s not just that we’re seeking creamy comfort—our stress hormones actually give us the munchies.

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Get Professional Help If You Need It

Depression, Help /
If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. And if you’re having trouble, know that you are not alone. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of youth in America are living with diagnosable mental health issues. These numbers increase as young people enter the adolescence age brackets. Many don’t get the help they need.

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Help Others

Happiness, Kindness, Relationships /

Helping Others Helps You Too

You lug your elderly neighbor’s groceries up her steps, and you know it’s a good deal for her, right? What might surprise you is that it’s likely good for you too.
People who regularly help other people experience less depression, manage stress better, and have better health. They may even live longer! Research says;
  • Students who performed five acts of kindness a day increased their happiness
  • Providing emotional support to others significantly decreased the harmful health effects of certain kinds of stress among older people
  • People who donated money to charity got a boost in a feel-good part of the brain, as revealed in brain imaging research
Doing good can make you feel good. It might;
  • remind you that compared to some you’re relatively lucky
  • make you feel connected to others
  • help you feel needed and effective
  • take your mind off your own worries for a while
  • make you feel generous
  • add a sense of purpose and meaning to your life

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Stay Positive

Bounce, Happiness, Stress /

Put a Little Lift in Your Step

Our species’ ability to sense danger may have kept us alive, but our worry-filled thoughts can present dangers of their own. It is proven that negative thinking can drag down our moods, our actions and even our health. The opposite is also research supported: that positive thoughts make us happier and healthier. Try it!

Research about the benefits of staying positive says:

  • People who are pessimistic on average die younger than those who are optimistic.
  • People who express gratitude are generally more upbeat and have fewer physical complaints.
  • People who demonstrated negative thinking are less likely to change their unhealthy patterns.
  • People who dwell on negative thoughts actually change their brain activity and patterns to reinforce negative behaviors.
  • People who fixated on worrisome thoughts before a test performed worse than those who had a positive outlook on their task.

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Get Enough Sleep

Anxiety, Depression, Worry /

Sleep Well

There is no substitute for sleep. Our bodies and minds need it to restore ourselves to functional levels, to grow, even to learn.

Of course, it’s not easy to sleep when you’re feeling overwhelmed. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans say they lose sleep because of stress. That’s especially unfortunate because sleep combats some of the fallout of stress, and poor sleep has been linked to significant problems, including:

  • greater risk of depression and anxiety
  • increased risk of disease
  • impaired memory
  • reduced immune system functioning
  • weight gain
  • greater likelihood of injury due to accidents

Are You Getting Enough Rest?

Experts suggest that teens get at least nine hours of sleep a night. Do you?

Ask yourself;
  • Am I tired during the day?
  • Am I using caffeine or other stimulants to get through the day?
  • Do I sleep through the night?
  • Do I have trouble falling asleep?
  • Do I get drowsy in class?

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