Viola Davis' Battle with Low Self Esteem

Dear Alice

May 31, 2013
3:45pm

Dear Alice,
Do you have some advice for someone suffering from low self-esteem? Some things that I struggle with: comparison of myself to others ("She is so *together*! Why am I not like that? What is lacking in me that makes her better?"), lack of faith in my abilities ("I'll never be as good as him at that -- I might as well not try."), lots of self-criticizing ("Why did I sign up for this class -- I should have known I couldn't handle it."), always saying yes to people or feeling like I've said the wrong thing... you get the idea. I've been feeling pretty unmotivated lately too, and I think this just adds to the problem. Can you give some advice, dear Alice?
Thanks, feeling blue

Dear feeling blue,
It seems that you have been pondering your low self-esteem for some time now, since you are familiar with many of its symptoms. You also appear to be experiencing some downtime at the moment, which can contribute to — and create a cycle of — feelings of low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and low self-worth. You are not alone in feeling the way you do. Many, many people have felt similarly.
Self-esteem is, simply, how good we feel about who we are. However, the impact of self-esteem, or the lack of it, is quite complicated and far-reaching. Linda Tschirhart Sanford and Mary Ellen Donovan, authors of Women & Self-Esteem (a great book, by the way) describe the impact of self-esteem in the following way: "Our level of self-esteem affects virtually everything we think, say, and do. It affects how we see the world and our place in it. It affects how others in the world see and treat us. It affects the choices we make — choices about what we will do with our lives and with whom we will be involved. It affects our ability to both give and receive love. And, it affects our ability to take action to change things that need to be changed."
As you can see, self-acceptance contributes to the development of a healthy self-esteem and can significantly affect how we live our lives. When we have healthy self-esteem, we are aware of our potential, know the many facets that make us unique, and we value and respect ourselves. More importantly, however, we know that our imperfections and/or inadequacies are not inherently bad; they do not define our value and self-worth. With a healthy self-esteem, we are aware that it's human to have limitations and make mistakes.
Regardless of the level of self-esteem that we may have, it's fairly common to doubt our self-worth at one time or another during our lives. It can become all too easy to compare ourselves to others. When this self-comparison is occasional, it may be beneficial. It can help us achieve goals and ideals that we admire and respect in other people. However, when self-comparison becomes more frequent, all-consuming, and makes us feel that we do not — and cannot — measure up to our perception of others, it can become self-destructive and affect the quality of our lives. Although it may be challenging, it's not impossible to start feeling better about yourself. There are a variety of ways to help you boost your self-esteem:

• Accept who you are, as you are — this includes your strengths and your weaknesses, your feelings and emotions.
• Forgive yourself for mistakes and see them as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Take time to nurture your talents and passions, i.e., reading, gardening, painting, volunteering at community organizations.
• Take pride in your achievements, big and small.
• Set realistic goals for yourself.
• Replace negative self-talk with positive, kind, loving statements.
• Know thyself and don't depend on the acceptance of others to make you feel good.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep.
• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Seek counseling or self-help/support groups.
• Make conscious, healthy choices that reflect your beliefs, values, and actions.
• If you can't control comparing yourself to others, how about focusing on your similarities with others?

This self-realization process (getting to know yourself) may help you better understand the underlying issues contributing to your low self-esteem. We all have flaws, but these imperfections do not reflect our self-worth or value. It may also be helpful to ask yourself when you began to have feelings of low self-esteem. For example, has there been a particular event or person who sparked these feelings? Is this the first time that you have felt this way, or have you always felt this way? Finally, have you considered speaking to a counseling professional or with someone you trust? If you are a student at Columbia and would like to discuss this matter with a counselor, Morningside campus students can make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services by calling 212-854-2878. Students on the Medical Center campus can contact the Mental Health Service by calling 212-305-3400. Remember that help is available when you feel that you need it.
Take care, and be gentle with yourself,

Low self esteem 2

May 31, 2013
3:34pm

Self-esteem check: Too low, too high or just right?

The ranges of self-esteem

Self-esteem tends to fluctuate over time, depending on your circumstances. It's normal to go through times when you feel down — or especially good — about yourself. Generally, however, self-esteem stays in a range that reflects how you feel about yourself overall. Consider how to recognize the extremes, as well as a healthy balance somewhere in between:

• Overly high self-esteem. If you regard yourself more highly than others do, you might have an unrealistically positive view of yourself. When you have an inflated sense of self-esteem, you often feel superior to those around you. Such feelings can lead you to become arrogant or self-indulgent and believe that you deserve special privileges.
• Low self-esteem. When you have low or negative self-esteem, you put little value on your opinions and ideas. You focus on your perceived weaknesses and faults and give scant credit to your skills and assets. You believe that others are more capable or successful. You might be unable to accept compliments or positive feedback. You might fear failure, which can hold you back from succeeding at work or school.
• Healthy self-esteem. Healthy self-esteem lies between these two extremes. It means you have a balanced, accurate view of yourself. For instance, you have a good opinion of your abilities but recognize your flaws. When you understand your own worth, you invite the respect of others.

Benefits of healthy self-esteem

When you value yourself and have good self-esteem, you feel secure and worthwhile and have generally positive relationships with others. You feel confident about your abilities and tend to do well at school or work. You're also open to learning and feedback, which can help you acquire and master new skills.
With healthy self-esteem you're:

• Assertive in expressing your needs and opinions
• Confident in your ability to make decisions
• Able to form secure and honest relationships — and less likely to stay in unhealthy ones
• Realistic in your expectations and less likely to be overcritical of yourself and others
• More resilient and better able to weather stress and setbacks
• Less likely to experience feelings such as hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt and shame
• Less likely to develop mental health conditions, such as eating disorders, addictions, depression and anxiety

Self-esteem affects virtually every facet of your life. Maintaining a healthy, realistic view of yourself isn't about blowing your own horn. It's about learning to like and respect yourself — faults and all.

Low self esteem

Self-esteem check: Too low, too high or just right?

Self-esteem is shaped by your thoughts, relationships and experiences. Understand the ranges of self-esteem and the benefits of promoting healthy self-esteem — including mental well-being, assertiveness, resilience and more.

By Mayo Clinic staff Self-esteem is your overall opinion of yourself — how you honestly feel about your abilities and limitations. When you have healthy self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and see yourself as deserving the respect of others. When you have low self-esteem, you put little value on your opinions and ideas. You might constantly worry that you aren't "good enough."
Discussions about self-esteem often are centered on children. However, many adults could benefit from improving their self-esteem. Here's how to tell if your self-esteem needs a boost and why it's important to develop a healthy sense of your own worth.

Factors that shape and influence self-esteem

Self-esteem begins to form in early childhood. Factors that can influence self-esteem include:

• Your own thoughts and perceptions
• How other people react to you
• Experiences at school, work and in the community
• Illness, disability or injury
• Culture
• Religion
• Role and status in society

Relationships with those close to you — parents, siblings, peers, teachers and other important contacts — are especially important to your self-esteem. Many beliefs you hold about yourself today reflect messages you've received from these people over time. If your close relationships are strong and you receive generally positive feedback, you're more likely to see yourself as worthwhile and have healthier self-esteem. If you receive mostly negative feedback and are often criticized, teased or devalued by others, you're more likely to struggle with poor self-esteem.
Still, your own thoughts have perhaps the biggest impact on self-esteem — and these thoughts are within your control. If you tend to focus on your weaknesses or flaws, you can learn to reframe negative thoughts and focus instead on your positive qualities.
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Overcoming Adversity Low Self Esteem

May 31, 2013

Good Afternoon Loves,

TGIF!!!!  Today's video segment is an interview with Minister Beverly Hamlin.  In this segment she discusses overcoming low self esteem.  Have a great weekend, keep pushing forward.

I am a Champion

Elements of Greatness

Greatness 2

Greatness

HELLO

Always tell yourself:  I can, I am able, I can do it, I am a positive person.

Raise your standards

Get Up

I will survive

I Declare

Dealing with depression Part 1

Double

Mind to change

The Greatest of All Time

The Unforgivable Sin

Spoken Word

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

Whe he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Still I rise

Thursday May 30. 2013
8:19am

Good Morning Loves,

Today I want to encourage you to continue pushing and don't give up or give in.  If you hang in there, things will get better.  Sunshine is right around the corner.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Maya Angelou

Personal Interview Part 3

My Personal Interview Part 2

My Personal interview Part 1

This is my personal Interview, I pray it inspires you to keep pushing forward.

ET

May 29, 2013

10:38am

Power of Believing

May 29, 2013
10:16am

Positive

Good Morning Loves,

Happy thoughts attract happy people into your life.

Happy thoughts fill your life with happiness.

Happy is an attitude.  We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong.  The amount of work is the same.  Francesca Reigler.

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.  Anne Frank

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.  Mary Engelbreit

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one.  Cavett Robert

Learn to smile at every situation.  See it as an opportunity to prove your strength and ability. 
Joe Brown
 
 
 

DON"T QUIT

May 29, 2013
9:00am

Good Morning Loves,

Stop all this talk about quitting and giving up.  We all face hardships in life but giving up is not an option.  Life is our most precious gift, live it to the fullest.  When things don't go the way you planned, start thinking immediately of a contingency plan.  Concentrate and stay focused on achieving your goal. We fall down but we get back up.  Start over and push harder.  Get advice from people who've already done what your trying to accomplish.  Don't reinvent the wheel if someone has successfully done it.  You can do anything that you put your mind but it will take hard work to get there.  Why is quitting an option, keep pushing!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!  Over the next few days I will be interviewing several people who will be sharing their testimonies of overcoming adversity!!!!  I pray these will inspire you to keep pushing forward!!!!

 

Disclaimer: This blog is my personal testimony and it's sole purpose is to educate, inspire and empower.  If you are depressed or suicidal contact a doctor immediately.

Giving

Generosity 9

Generosity 8

Generosity 7

Funny

Be selfish Be Generous

Generous store

Doing Life Generously

Be Generous

Generosity 6

Generosity 4

Generosity is necessary to survive.

Basball Fan's Generosity

Generosity 5

Generosity 3

Suzie Orman

Generosity 2

May 28, 2013
9:03am

Generosity

May 28, 2013
9:02am

Good Morning Loves,

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  Today's topic is Generosity!!!  Generosity is defined as the habit of giving without expecting anything in return.  The world is filled with people who are in need of love, joy , peace, laughter, food, finances, etc.  Today go out of your way to bless someone else.
Deuteronomy 15:10 NLT Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord you God will bless in everything you do.  

Disclaimer: this blog is my personal testimony and it's sole purpose is to educate, inspire and empower.  If you are depressed or suicidal contact a doctor immediately.

Suicide Among Adults Increasing

Suicide Among Adults Aged 35–64 Years — United States, 1999–2010

Weekly

May 3, 2013 / 62(17);321-325

Suicide is an increasing public health concern. In 2009, the number of deaths from suicide surpassed the number of deaths from motor vehicle crashes in the United States (1). Traditionally, suicide prevention efforts have been focused mostly on youths and older adults, but recent evidence suggests that there have been substantial increases in suicide rates among middle-aged adults in the United States (2). To investigate trends in suicide rates among adults aged 35–64 years over the last decade, CDC analyzed National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) mortality data from 1999–2010. Trends in suicide rates were examined by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, state and region of residence, and mechanism of suicide. The results of this analysis indicated that the annual, age-adjusted suicide rate among persons aged 35–64 years increased 28.4%, from 13.7 per 100,000 population in 1999 to 17.6 in 2010. Among racial/ethnic populations, the greatest increases were observed among American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) (65.2%, from 11.2 to 18.5) and whites (40.4%, from 15.9 to 22.3). By mechanism, the greatest increase was observed for use of suffocation (81.3%, from 2.3 to 4.1), followed by poisoning (24.4%, from 3.0 to 3.8) and firearms (14.4%, from 7.2 to 8.3). The findings underscore the need for suicide preventive measures directed toward middle-aged populations.
CDC used the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (3) to compile NVSS data on suicides reported during 1999–2010 among U.S. residents aged >10 years. Age group–specific annual suicide rates, as well as age-adjusted annual suicide rates calculated using the U.S. standard 2000 population, were based on bridged race population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Trends in age-adjusted suicide rates from 1999, when signs of an increase began (4), through 2010, the latest data available, were analyzed for adults aged 35–64 years by sex and mechanism of suicide. The three most common suicide mechanisms were firearms (i.e., penetrating injury or gunshot wound from a weapon using a powder charge to fire a projectile), poisoning (predominantly drug overdose), and suffocation (predominantly hanging). These three mechanisms and an "all other" mechanism category were used for comparisons. Data also were analyzed by age group, race/ethnicity,* and U.S. Census region.
Percentage changes in observed suicide rates from 1999 to 2010 were calculated along with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, assuming a Poisson distribution. Tests of significance of trends in annual age-adjusted suicide rates for adults aged 35–64 years across the 12-year period were conducted using joinpoint regression (5), assuming a log-linear model. This report focuses on adults aged 35–64 years because percentage changes from 1999 to 2010 in the annual age-adjusted suicide rates for persons aged 10–34 years and ≥65 years were comparatively small and not statistically significant (a 7.0% increase from 9.2 in 1999 to 9.9 in 2010 [p = 0.06] and a 5.9% decrease from 15.8 in 1999 to 14.9 in 2010 [p = 0.09], respectively). Finally, data were analyzed by state, and percentage changes in age-adjusted suicide rates from 1999 to 2010 were calculated for all 50 states.
From 1999 to 2010, the age-adjusted suicide rate for adults aged 35–64 years in the United States increased significantly by 28.4%, from 13.7 per 100,000 population to 17.6 (p<0 .001="" class="callout-pink" span="">Table 1
). The suicide rate for men aged 35–64 years increased 27.3%, from 21.5 to 27.3, and the rate for women increased 31.5%, from 6.2 to 8.1 (Table 2). Among men, the greatest increases were among those aged 50–54 years and 55–59 years, (49.4%, from 20.6 to 30.7, and 47.8%, from 20.3 to 30.0, respectively). Among women, suicide rates increased with age, and the largest percentage increase in suicide rate was observed among women aged 60–64 years (59.7%, from 4.4 to 7.0). By racial/ethnic population, the greatest increases from 1999 to 2010 among men and women overall were observed among AI/ANs (65.2%, from 11.2 to 18.5) and whites (40.4%, from 15.9 to 22.3). Among AI/ANs, the suicide rate for women increased 81.4%, from 5.7 to 10.3; the rate for men increased 59.5%, from 17.0 to 27.2. Among whites, the rate for women increased 41.9%, from 7.4 to 10.5; the rate for men increased 39.6%, from 24.5 to 34.2.
Suicide rates from 1999 to 2010 increased significantly across all four geographic regions and in 39 states.† In 2010, rates for adults aged 35–64 years were highest (19.5 per 100,000 population) in the West U.S. Census Region (Table 1). By suicide mechanism, age-adjusted rates increased for the three primary mechanisms for both men and women (Figure). Firearms and suffocation were the most common mechanisms for men (14.3 and 6.8 in 2010, respectively), whereas poisoning and firearms were the most common mechanisms for women (3.4 and 2.5 in 2010, respectively). By mechanism, the greatest increase was observed for use of suffocation (81.3%, from 2.3 to 4.1), followed by poisoning (24.4%, from 3.0 to 3.8) and firearms (14.4%, from 7.2 to 8.3) (Table 1). By sex, the increase for suffocation was 75.0% for men (from 3.9 to 6.8) and 115.0% for women (from 0.7 to 1.5) (Table 2). From 1999 to 2010, suicides by suffocation increased from 18% to 24% of all suicides for men and from 12% to 18% of all suicides for women.

Reported by

Erin M. Sullivan, Joseph L. Annest, PhD, Feijun Luo, PhD, Div of Analysis, Research, and Practice Integration; Thomas R. Simon, PhD, Linda L. Dahlberg, PhD, Div of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. Corresponding contributor: Joseph L. Annest, lannest@cdc.gov, 770-488-4804.

US suicide rates surge

US suicide rates surge, surpass road fatalities

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Published time: May 03, 2013 08:58

AFP Photo / David Mcnew

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Crisis, Politics, Robert Bridge, USA

More Americans now die of suicide than from car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disturbing statistic that some experts say points to the true depths of the US economic crisis.
From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among US citizens between the ages of 35 to 64 soared by about 30 per cent, to 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people, a jump from 13.7.

In 2010, there were 33,687 deaths from motor vehicle crashes and 38,364 suicides.

Although suicide has been traditionally viewed as a problem among the youth and elderly, the recent study, published in Friday’s issue of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows a marked rise in the number of suicides among middle-aged men and women.

The suicide rate for men aged 35–64 years jumped 27.3 per cent, from 21.5 to 27.3 per 100,000, while the rate for women increased 31.5 per cent, from 6.2 to 8.1.

Among the male population, the greatest increases were among those aged 50–54 years and 55–59 years, (49.4 per cent, from 20.6 to 30.7, and 47.8 per cent, from 20.3 to 30.0 respectively). Among females, suicide rates tended to increase with age. The largest percentage increase in suicide rate was observed among women aged 60–64 years (59.7 per cent, from 4.4 to 7.0).

AFP Photo / David Mcnew

Men were more likely to take their own lives than women. The suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000.
Suicide rates from 1999 to 2010 “increased significantly” across all four geographic areas and in 39 states. The state of Wyoming recorded the highest increase in suicides with a 78.8 per cent jump (31.1 per 100,000), while even the sunny state of Hawaii witnessed a 61.2 per cent increase (21.9 per 100,000).
As shocking as the newly released data on US suicide rates are, many believe the numbers are too low since many deaths are not treated as actual suicides.
“It’s vastly under-reported,” Julie Phillips, an associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, told The New York Times. “We know we’re not counting all suicides.”

Baby Boomer crisis

CDC officials emphasized that the Baby Boomer generation is witnessing the highest increase in suicides (A Baby Boomer is a person who was born post-World War II, between the years 1946 and 1964, when the annual birthrate increased dramatically in the US).

“It is the Baby Boomer group where we see the highest rates of suicide,” CDC deputy director, Dr. Ileana Arias, told the New York Times. “There may be something about that group, and how they think about life issues and their life choices that may make a difference.”

The rise in suicides among this group may be connected with the recent downturn in the global economy and the challenges the Baby Boomer generation must now confront.

“The increase does coincide with a decrease in financial standing for a lot of families over the same time period,” Arias said.

In 2010, the first year of economic comeback following the 2009-2010 recession, 93 per cent of all pre-tax income gains went to the top 1 per cent of the American population, which in that year meant any household earning more than $358,000.

Is financial crisis spurring suicide?

Is the rash of suicides across a broad spectrum of the American population a direct result of the wealth hoarding by the top income earners in the United States?

In a letter to The Lancet medical journal, scientists from Britain, Hong Kong and United States said an analysis of data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that while suicide rates increased slowly between 1999 and 2007, the rate of increase more than quadrupled from 2008 to 2010, Reuters reported.

"There is a clear need to implement policies to promote mental health resilience during the ongoing recession," said Aaron Reeves of Britain's University of Cambridge, who headed the research and submitted it in a letter to The Lancet.

AFP Photo / Getty Images / Spencer Platt

Reeves even suggested the Democrats and Republicans are partially to blame for not throwing a spotlight on the issue during the latest presidential campaign.
"In the run-up to the US presidential election, President Obama and Mitt Romney are debating how best to spur economic recovery, [but] missing from this discussion is consideration of how to protect Americans' health during these hard times," Reeves warned.
Meanwhile, preliminary research suggests that the risk for suicide will unlikely subside for future generations.
“The boomers had great expectations for what their life might look like, but I think perhaps it hasn’t panned out that way,” Phillips said.
“All these conditions the boomers are facing, future cohorts are going to be facing many of these conditions as well.” The study pointed to the increased usage of prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, which can be particularly deadly in large doses.
There was a significant jump in poisoning deaths, which include intentional overdoses of prescription medication. During the 10-year period, poisoning deaths were up 24 per cent over all, while death by suffocation, (including hangings) was up 81 per cent.

You are important

If you are depressed or suicidal please talk to someone immediately!!!!

Call 1-800-273-8255

Power of words 2

Dealing with negative influences

Are you bored

ET

Let's Change this!!!!

The average child receives 432 negative comments per day versus 32 positive ones.
The average child in America receives only 12.5 minutes per day in communications with their parents/caretakers. Of that time 8.5 minutes are spent correcting, criticizing or arguing, leaving a whopping 4 minutes per day for the instruction of values, morals, ethics, attitude and self esteem. LETS CHANGE THE STATISTIC

Tuskegee Airmen

May 27, 2013

Testimoniesof Black Soldiers

May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Vets

Today we honor those who sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy our freedom.

Memorial Day

May 27, 2013
9:02am

Don't stop, don't give up

Don't give up 3

Don't give up

You are loved don't give up

Girl on fire

Listen to the lyrics!!!!

Dance

God make miracles out of our mistakes

Elements

Enjoy

Zumba

Good Morning

May 25, 2013

Good Morning Loves,

Check out today's video, have a great day!!!

Exercise for Depression: How It Helps

Being physically active should be part of depression treatment, experts say.

By Matt McMillen
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Five years ago, after ending a long-term relationship, Anita became seriously depressed. It benched the once-physically active writer, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her privacy.
She stopped running and began gaining weight and falling out of shape. It was not the first time she had been depressed, and traditional therapy had not helped her as much as she had hoped. This time, she sought out someone different. She found Jane Baxter, PhD, a therapist who was able to get her moving again, mentally and physically.
Baxter, who is based in Washington, D.C., has a unique background and practice. She is a psychologist and a certified personal trainer. When Anita showed up for her first appointment, Baxter eschewed the couch in favor of a treadmill.
"She’s a mental health trainer and a physical trainer," says Anita, 46.
That combination may sound unusual, but recent research shows that exercise may be one of the best treatments for mild to moderate depression.
"Every day, there is more and more evidence," says Harvard Medical School psychiatrist John J. Ratey, MD, the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. "There are very good placebo control studies comparing antidepressants and exercise, and the effect on mood is the same."
In one 2005 study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise five days a week reduced symptoms of depression by nearly half after 12 weeks.
Although Ratey holds that exercise is an effective treatment for depression, that doesn’t mean he thinks that all patients should give up their medication or talk therapy in favor of working out.
"I’m not opposed to medication," he says. "And when someone is very depressed, you want everything going [to treat that person]."

Up and Running

Anita, who takes the antidepressant Wellbutrin in addition to the talk therapy/workouts she does with Baxter, had always been accustomed to doing intense workouts. But, she says, "when the depression hit, I had no energy."
Baxter’s program helped her regain it. Anita says her workouts with Baxter were gentle and subtle, but, crucially, they were what got her moving again. She found herself wanting to work out on her own, and she began running again; she also started lifting weights. She has lost 30 pounds in the past year.
"My work with Jane helped me get accustomed to going out and being physically active again," Anita says.
Baxter says that is a common response to her program. In fact, many of her patients join a gym and even hire a second personal trainer.
Though she also does traditional talk therapy, about half of her patients opt for the program she calls PsychFit.

Disclaimer: This blog is my personal testimony and it's sole purpose is to educate, inspire and empower.  If you are depressed or suicidal contact a doctor immediately.

You Have It In You

Helen Keller 2

Get busy overcoming your failures, fears and adversity.

Helen Keller

If Helen Keller could learn to talk while being deaf and blind, why can't you achieve your dreams? What's your excuse????

Don't Quit

Your elusive creative genius

The opportunity of adversity

Overcoming Fear

Overcoming fear

Overcome your fears by using faith!!!

Go on with your bad self

Perseverance for success

I'm getting up

Let's Go!!!

Forgiveness note

Who Am I

When life has you feeling down....

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Everything happens for a reason

What I learned about life

Pay attention, this may hep you...

This is how winners are made

Positive attitude is everything

Law of Attraction

Failure is part of success

Perservere

Feeling like a failure

May 23, 2013
3:44pm

Good Afternoon Loves,

Have you ever felt like a failure?  I most certainly have, even though I wanted to give up something wouldn't let me.  For some reason I have always envisioned myself very successful.  In fact years ago I had a dream that I was on stage giving a motivational speech in an arena to thousand of people.  No matter what my current situation was, I never accepted being average.  I've always thought that I could do better than wherever I was.  I continuously strive to be better in every area of my life.  I refuse to be average, I refuse to settle for less when I can have abundance.  Push yourself to do better than where you currently are. Work hard to improve every area of your life, you can do this.  What are you waiting for, no one will do this for you.   

Battlemind of the mind

How canI overcome depression

Bullied to Death

Think before you act

Depression help