National Depression and Anxiety Awareness Month October 2010

National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month October 2010

Well it's that time of year again when Depression and anxiety are on the agenda and you see many more news items about Depression and anxiety.

Boy times have changed in the last few years. Suffering from depression and anxiety is no longer the completely taboo topic it once was, with scores of media personalities opening up about their struggles with Depression and/or anxiety helping raise the issue for the rest of the population.

I would like to think that in some small way, no matter how small that I helped decrease the stigma around depression and anxiety with the 6 part Documentary I made that aired on TV a while back. It was about the importance of being open about having depression or anxiety - as doing so can help with recovery rather than trying to hide and suppress what is really going on in your life. I certainly found it helpful when I finally admitted that I had depression after keeping it a secret for many years.

I have been able to overcome the depression I had - in part due to no longer worrying what other people think. In fact I am writing a book on the topic and the other little known strategies I used to overcome depression. There are so many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to being well and staying well. I look forward to being able to share my findings with others in due course.

Beyond Blue CEO Leonie Young tells us, "Around one million people in Australia live with depression and a further two million have an anxiety disorder, yet less than half seek help. So it's important to encourage people to talk openly about their mental health." National Depression and Awareness Month is a great initiative to tackle the issue. If you or anyone you know struggles with Depression or anxiety then check out these websites for more info.

Beyond Blue and Mental Health Victoria or the National Institute of Mental Health in America

 

Don't suffer in silence! There is hope. Be well.

Claire McFee Author and Creator Organize Your Life Organizers

'Are you Spent?' ie: OVERWHELMED?!

I read a great article a while ago by journalist Maria Lally about the phenomenon of being "Spent". Being diagnosed as being 'Spent', basically means you are exhausted, overwhelmed and just running on empty.Sounds familiar anyone!?

A Book has even been written about it, by Dr Frank Lipman called "Spent? End exhaustion and feel great again."

Lipman had countless patients come to him who, even after a full 8 hrs sleep were tired and unable to achieve what they normally would in a day.

Lipman's research found that a big contributing factor - especially to women in the West, was not being in tune with Nature. Simply going to bed when it gets dark - yep - very early in Winter and getting up to natural sunlight in the morning, can make a massive difference to our sense of Wellbeing. Lipman goes onto say "Our DNA isn't in sync with Modern life, and our energy levels, sex drive, waist size and mood are paying the price."

Thankfully Lipman suggests some less extreme ways - apart from going to be at 5.30 over Winter (!) to get back in sync with nature and ourselves to be able to feel 'normal' again. These include but aren't limited to:-

* Going on a Technology Detox
- Daily exposure to phone (especially portable home phones, ot just mobiles) and computers overstimulates and affects our sleep patterns.

* Eat protein for Breakfast

* Deal with Bad Digestion (I have Lemon Juice every morning which helps kick start my otherwise problematic Digestive System.)

* Downsize your Workout

For more info you can check out his website @ www.spentmd.com


Cutting down on your 'stuff' can also lighten our mental load too, reducing the chances of becoming officially 'Spent'. Factoring in some all important 'Me Time' is also vitally important to your Wellbeing as well.

To read an article on Organizing better Wellbeing click here.

Claire McFee Author
Organize Your Life

Anxiety & Depression Awareness Month & "RU OK DAY"

It is Mental Health Week this week and Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month during October. Here is the link to Beyond Blue and Depression Alliance for more info that may help you if you or someone you know has Depression.

There is also a great Special 'Day' coming today in my region, called the R U OK DAY

Our Local Community has just had a whole "All will be well" Week, which has brought forward an R U OK Day morning Tea tomorrow that I am going to. In the past when I have struggled with Depression - the difference it makes when someone bothers to ask if you are OK can be profound. To feel like someone cares enough to ask means a lot.

So I encourage you to ask the Question of a friend, or colleague or whoever you notice are not themselves. A little bit of Kindness goes a long way - even during our busy lives we can all fit in a bit more kindness to those around us. What a great idea!!


Happy Organizing
Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Organizers