Over the last few years we have seen a lot of attention being put on mental issues. The increase in technology and its conveniences has brought about an escalation in depression and anxiety. We do not have to work hard physically, but we do have a lot more daily stresses than our grandparents. We drive to work and school and sit all day. A machine washes the laundry. We go to the store to buy our food, or have it delivered to our door.
All of these things are designed to make our lives easier. However, our stress levels, depression and anxiety have skyrocketed far above our past generation. Simply put, our health is declining. Could it be that all of the modern conveniences are the cause? Maybe the depression, anxiety and stress was handled more naturally then, because they moved around for the majority of their day. They were plowing, planting, tending to gardens, feeding livestock, washing and hanging clothes by hand. All day of that movement made them sleepy, so to bed early to rise early.
My Reality
We all have had some form of depression in our lives, but we have excused it away with statements like, ” I am just not hungry,” or “I want another helping of Mac & Cheese,” after having four helpings already. I understand this because I am a comfort food eater myself.
Yes, I’m guilty of this too… I used to eat three hot fudge cakes a day. I would go into the store where the bakery was. The bakers knew me by name and knew what I wanted when they saw me. I would get a fork and eat it in the car before I drove off. I had one after ate my afternoon meal and one in the evening. I did this for two years!
Further Problems
My memory was failing me and that is something I took pride in at one time of my life. I was always tired, did not sleep well and the things I loved to do were not important to me any longer. The negative thoughts built up, because I was gaining weight, not doing things that made me feel good about me. Those hot fudge cakes were giving me a fake boost from the sugar, because I was a sugar addict.
Sugar was replacing those feel good endorphins. To top it off, I was eating them alone, which was comforted me, but reinforced needing the hot fudge cakes. It was an endless cycle that I was creating. It was not until I was running up the stairs one day and was so out of breathe and felt a whole lot of things shake that did not before.
I started really taking a self-inventory! I wanted to be around for my family; I wanted quality of life. I started doing resistance training, walking and building up to interval training.
OH NO, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE! I had not done any real movement since I was pregnant with my daughter in 1993. I started making this change in 2013.
Finally, I really started to feel good about myself. I was setting and meeting small goals, which gave me a positive outlook on my life, it allowed me to deal with daily stresses, get better sleep and my memory improved tremendously.
How Did I Do It?
How Did I Do It?Running, walking, biking, swimming and kickboxing are just a few activities that helped me deal with depression, stress and anxiety. They are excellent ways to cope and balance daily ups and downs. 30 minutes a day broken up into 10 to 15 minute increments could make a difference. Start with something you like doing; set goals that are realistic, and realize the barriers that would stand in your way, so you can help yourself be the solution.
If you are ready to “Embrace, Excel, Defy” and are interested in working with Stephanie to give Life your ALL, you can contact her at 919-757-8245, by e-mail at stephaniewhittenfitness@gmail.com, or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/stephaniewhittenfitness.
