Mental Health And Bipolar Awareness

Bipolar Disorder is one of many various mental health disorders.
It has not been determined exactly what causes bipolar disorder although most experts think that it has much to do with genetics. There is also documentation that many people who have this infliction have suffered childhood abuse or some type of trauma and there is also documentation that supports the theory of patient seizures which set off the episodes of manic and depressive moods.
The symptoms are varied and different for each individual although they can generally be described as manic, hypo-manic, depressive and mixed. Many times you can find individuals who exhibit more than one type or who fluctuate back and forth between the types.
There are quite a few different types of treatments that range all the way from drug therapy such as lithium or anti-convulsant mood stabilizers to anti-depressants. It has also been suggested that many people find acupuncture to work well as an adjunctive therapy. Psychotherapy and counseling can really help and many people hold testament to that. It is in these types of stable confidential relationships that patients feel the most secure and are able to open up. This often takes time to develop into that trust but both client and practitioner must be patient and consistent. For loved ones this can be a particularly trying time as it is hard to watch your friend or relative going through this with so much accompanying doubt.
For the person who is affected, it is important to be aware of their own individual triggers for bipolar disorder. There are however some common ones to avoid. These triggers include but are not limited to stress, substance abuse, lack of sleep,and a decrease in exercise.
Stress can bring on a episode rapidly. Substance abuse is another trigger although often this is a result of people trying to self medicate. Some people find certain medications should be avoided. You will be able to tell your doctor and he/she can adjust or change the medication accordingly.It is also very important to make certain that you are getting enough sleep and to keep a regular sleep schedule. You must be very attentive to discover what your particular triggers are and to take steps to educate yourself about the illness. It is highly recommended to keep track of your moods so that you can get a better understanding of how this affects you as an individual.
One of the biggest risks and tragedies that we face with mental health issues is the risk of suicide. Bipolar disorder is one of the top statistics with all the mental health disorders out there.
A good suggestion for someone who suffers from bipolar disorder is to try journaling. I know that this can seem like an formidable task but if you try writing a little each day then you will be able to detect your slide earlier and help stop that regression sooner the next time.
You will be able to consult with your doctor in regards to what may help and you will be able to give some valuable advice to loved ones who desperately want to help but don't know how. The biggest problem when someone is manic is getting them to take their medications because they are feeling so good they don't want to change that but it is an unnatural state of euphoria. The absolute biggest thing is to keep the individual taking their medications.
If the medications that you are on are not working you must go back to the doctor to change them to something that will work better for you. While this disorder affects millions of people, it is common to feel alone while in a low episode. There are many resources and support groups where you can share your experiences. Many people who have bipolar disorder are able to live full and rewarding lives.

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Remedies and Herbs and Depression - Are Herbal Remedies Better Than Prescription Medications?

By Robert Morrison

 

More and More people are turning to Natural Herbs and Natural Remedies to help with their Depression. There is a very good reason for this which is they are sick and tired of all of the medications they have taken that didn't work. In fact for many people the medications made them feel worse!
It doesn't matter what age, race, gender or religion you are. There is a good chance that you or someone you know is depressed right at this moment. It is estimated that over 20 million in the US alone are affected by depression.
People who suffer from depression lose all hope, their self esteem goes out the window and they feel like giving up on life. When you are suffering from such a problem you are usually going to want a solution fast.
In order to find this solution most people will turn to their doctor. Their doctor is overworked and will almost never do an in depth examination to see where the underlying problem may be and instead will prescribe an antidepressant. This one event can turn a normal life upside down and put that person on a viscous cycle that may last years. They will go from one drug to the next searching for a solution that will most often never come from medications.
Remedies and Herbs Depression - Why Are Herbal Remedies Better For Treating Depression?
Natural Remedies and Natural Herbs may be the answer you are looking for to help cure depression. They usually have fewer side effects, less risk for addiction and scientific studies are now starting to back up claims that herbal remedies are equally or more effective than antidepressants when it comes to treating depression.
Different Types Of Remedies and Herbs for Depression
Three of the most popular natural remedies for depression would have to be St John's Wort, SamE, and ReloraMax. St. John's Wort is currently more popular because of the lower price. However studies of SamE and ReloraMax have recently been showing that they may work faster. All three of these remedies are preferable to antidepressants, and can be just as effective without the nasty side effects.
Remedies and Herbs for Depression are making a well deserved surge into the public eye. It's very important however, that you do more research on herbs, remedies, and depression because each individual will respond in different ways to each treatment.

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Parental ADHD Advocacy

By Mark Norris

 

Children diagnosed with ADHD face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. First, an ADHD diagnosis conjures unflattering stigmas. The labels are detestable, but a regular part of an ADHD child's life. Second, special accommodations in the classroom cause deep resentment in peers and the teachers responsible for implementing the accommodations. Most important, children diagnosed with ADHD rarely have an advocate who looks after their best interests.
ADHD advocacy is a nascent trend in the mental health industry. For years, children struggled without advocacy support while trying to cope in social environments and in the classroom. ADHD clinicians began to heed the call for advocacy, but their role was limited to medical education for parents and education personnel. National ADHD advocacy organizations have been effective in lobbying politicians for ADHD laws, especially in the areas of education and the workplace. National organizations have a macro sphere of influence, not the micro attention to detail that is parental ADHD advocacy.
Parents are the only true advocate for ADHD children. Their sphere of influence ranges from medications to ensuring education equity. While researching ADHD is a positive first step in becoming an advocate, knowledge of the condition is not enough to make an impact on an ADHD child's life. Parents must become involved and make the commitment to advocate for their child. Here are some important areas that demand parental ADHD advocacy:
Recognizing the signs
ADHD education begins with recognizing the complicated signs of the condition. By complicated, I mean that some symptoms of ADHD mirror other disorders like anxiety and depression.
The best place to research ADHD symptoms is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The manual provides a general list of 18 symptoms and the requisite criteria for making an ADHD diagnosis. Dr. Daniel Amen breaks down the 18 symptoms further by providing a detailed list of symptoms in checklist form.
Parental ADHD advocacy is ineffective if parents do not understand the basic symptoms of the condition.
ADHD clinician testing and evaluation
An ADHD diagnosis is a two-step process. Parents must make it a three-step process by carefully scrutinizing a list of clinician candidates. I recommend choosing a clinician based on your friends or family practitioner referral.
Parental ADHD advocacy involves creating a list of questions for each clinician candidate. Questions should include:

• How do you make a diagnosis?
• Do you have references?
• What is your position on ADHD medications?

Parents are usually involved in the second step of the diagnosis process, which entails the attendance of a significant other. Parents should also participate in the first step of the process. The first step is a series of psychological tests that determine if a second consultation is warranted. Parental ADHD advocacy during this step is observing how the clinician conducts the tests. Moreover, parents must eliminate any clinician who aggressively pushes ADHD medications during the first step.
ADHD Medications
The purest form of parental ADHD advocacy is understanding one fact: ADHD medications do not cure ADHD. The medications are prescribed to mitigate the symptoms. They are not a panacea, and there are other options that help children manage ADHD. The same concern for illicit drug use should be applied to the prescription of a stimulant narcotic for an underdeveloped human being.
If parents decide that ADHD medications are the best course of action, they must be vigilant when it comes to monitoring their child's prescription. Side effects occur when a child takes the wrong dosage during the wrong time of day. This usually happens at school, so parents must clearly communicate their child's ADHD medication regimen with a school nurse and administrators. They must also ensure that the medication does not fall into the hands of other children who are looking for a stimulant "high."
Above all, parental ADHD advocacy means promoting the alternative treatments for the symptoms. This may entail banging heads with the clinician. Banging heads is a good thing when your child' health is involved.
Exercise
The physical and mental benefits of a regular exercise routine far outweigh ADHD medications. Exercise is a long-term solution for rampant hyperactivity. ADHD medications are a quick fix that introduces potent chemicals into a child's system.
Parental ADHD advocacy for exercise is more about changing a child's sedentary lifestyle. Parents should encourage their children to refrain from playing video and computer games. The encouragement needs to start at a young age, when unhealthy habits are easier to change.
The ADHD establishment continually dispels the theory that too much television causes ADHD. While television does not directly cause ADHD, lying around without significant periods of exercise exacerbates the condition's symptoms. Parents are the first line of defense to prevent a sedentary lifestyle from firmly taking root in a child's lifestyle.
Diet and Nutrition
Sugar was once considered a contributor to ADHD symptoms. Once again, ADHD science seems to dispel the sugar attribution as myth. Nonetheless, a healthy diet based on nutritional components is, like exercise, an integral part of maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Parents may not have a stronger advocacy role for their ADHD children than the decisions they make about sustenance. Fast food is out. Fruits, vegetables, and fish rich in Omega fatty acids are in.
Competitive Sports
Many parents operate under the false assumption that sports participation curtails impulsiveness and hyperactivity. The energy released during a sport competition will calm an ADHD child. The problem, however, is distraction is a characteristic that ruins athletic performance.
Enrolling an ADHD child in sporting leagues is an excellent strategy to circumvent the mind numbing games played in front of television and computer screens. True parental ADHD advocacy means thoroughly explaining to the child's coach what exactly constitutes the condition known as ADHD. Most coaches are amenable to adapting their coaching style in order to promote an ADHD child's strengths.
Advocacy also means not pushing your child into a sport that he or she does not enjoy. Find the right sport and encourage the child to participate in it until they reach a level of superior performance or lose interest all together.
Education
A child's ADHD diagnosis is often the result of school performance. Teacher and administrators notice the child's distraction and hyperactivity, and bring the behavior to the attention of the parents. Parental ADHD advocacy for a child's education achievement is irrefutably mandatory.
Pay attention to how the school system makes changes to enhance your child's learning capability. Knowing ADHD laws is a start, but constant monitoring of your child's performance and persistent insistence that the school adheres to ADHD laws strengthens parental ADHD advocacy. Part of Mark Norris`s work consists of developing a strong partnership between parents and academic professionals. With the parents consent, he organizes school meetings and follow ups with them, their child and the academic team involved in the child's success. An objective and detailed portrait of the child's strengths and challenges is presented and when necessary, classroom accommodations are established.
Parents can also provide a nurturing environment at home, where one-on-one tutoring complements the instruction given in school. The ultimate strategy in parental ADHD advocacy is to instruct your child in a home school environment.
Political System
Political advocacy means becoming involved in ADHD organizations that push legislators to write ADHD friendly legislation. At the very least, involvement in ADHD organizations will allow you to stay abreast of legal status changes that affect your child.
Parent Coaching
ADHD coaching is a growing industry. Most of the attention given to this alternative method for managing ADHD is how a coach benefits adults. Parent coaching is not about mentoring your child. It is about taking courses and assimilating information from a certified ADHD coach.
Parent coaching places you in the student's role. You learn many strategies on developing your child's strengths and mitigating the more onerous ADHD symptoms. Mark Norris is at the forefront of this invaluable movement. He has developed a comprehensive site dedicated to the issue and a detailed coaching program that he implements for adults.
Four to six percent of the United States population is estimated to have ADHD. Recent trends indicate the percentages will sharply increase. Most of the increase is due to the burgeoning diagnosis rate among children. As the rate continues to rise, parents must be aware of the advocacy responsibilities they inherit as their child navigates the turbulent waters of ADHD.
Advocacy means involvement. Involvement does not happen unless you have a deep commitment for your ADHD child's progress.

Mark Norris is a certified ADHD Coach for adults and for parents with children who have ADHD. He offers coaching in English and French, via phone or webcam. His academic background includes training in ADHD coaching along with a Master`s degree in Adult Education. A college professor for the last 15 years' teaching specialized education and coaching students doing fieldwork in this academic field, Mark's courses range from communication, counselling, alternative psychological approaches to creativity enhancements and adaptation methods for families who have children with special needs.

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101 Ways To Mold Your Mind

By Jason Harrington

If you've ever tried to break a bad habit, chances are you know that it can be frustrating and seem near impossible to change something about yourself. The problem typically resides within your mindset - your subconscious belief structure that automatically governs everything you think and do.
I have struggled with personal development for years, and have the benefit of hindsight when it comes to analyzing what has worked and what hasn't. For those of you new to the idea of molding your mind, I sat down and hammered out this list of effective tactics to help create yourself in your own best image. Enjoy!
Conscious Change - For some people, the best way to initiate a major change is to start consciously - focusing on actively guiding your thoughts and controlling your beliefs until they become automatic.

1. When nobody is around - shout out what you want to change about yourself, as if you've already done it. Be forceful and emphatic and make yourself believe it. The more powerful you say something, the more you will believe it. In time, you'll truly feel like you have the power to create anything you want in your life.
2. Do affirmations right before bed - your mind is receptive and sleeping will help you internalize the information you just fed yourself.
3. To-do list with a twist - keep a to-do checklist with important tasks you need to get done for the day, but add a twist to the list by including how you want to do them. Incorporate personality dimensions you wish to instill in yourself and emulate them until they become a part of you.
4. Do affirmations when you first wake up - again, be forceful and emphatic and soon enough you will want to hop out of bed to do them because you will feel great afterwards, and invigorated to start the day.
5. Tell others about your goals and aspirations. It helps to be accountable for your successes and failures.
6. Think of someone you care deeply about who you would like to improve for. A significant other or important family member who you feel deserves the best from you. Strive to be the best you can for yourself and for them.
7. Think of someone who you can't stand... who is always outperforming you or rubbing their successes in your face. Strive to be better than them in every way you feel is important. Sometimes competition can be an incredibly potent driving factor..
8. Internalize your successes by focusing on completing small goals whenever possible. Giving yourself the occasional easy-to-do task and thinking about it like a real accomplishment can boost your perceived self efficacy and give you the added will power to tackle those hard to reach goals.
9. Reward all progress in some way - no matter how small. Be smart about it (don't binge eat to reward a successful diet week) but indulge in something you otherwise wouldn't take the time out for. Whatever suits you best - just to have something mentally to look forward to the next round.
10. Enter a competition when you're clearly not ready. Train for something. Enter a marathon or triathlon, structure a competition with a friend or coworker - do whatever it takes to give yourself a concrete reason to succeed.
11. Learn something new every day or week. Pick a random book on a topic unrelated to your education experience or work background. Encouraging the development of new mental models will help diversify your knowledge and expand your capacity for thought all around.
12. Take a free online course in something you know nothing about. Expand your horizons. Check out MIT OpenCourseWare
13. Write your affirmations out before or after you do them. It helps internalize them!
14. Record your affirmations and play them back on your iPod whenever you can for background noise.
15. Keep a "scrapbook" of images and stories related to people you look up to, things you want to accomplish or traits you want to develop in yourself. The simple act of thumbing through it every day for a minute or two can work wonders for your motivation.
16. Read success stories. Learn what successful people go through to achieve their success. Internalize it. Look forward to writing your own success story (or if you're really ambitious, look forward to having someone write it about you..!)
17. Make a "quote board" with motivational quotes. A big poster will do - read them in your downtime for inspiration.
18. Turn off the TV - do everything you can to phase out mind-numbing programming from your lifestyle.
19. Ask "Did I make the most of this day?" every night before you go to sleep. Strive to answer a resounding YES to that question - but always be honest, or it is meaningless.
20. Blog about your progress. Try to get a few readers - just having someone to be accountable to can help you keep your eye on the ball.
21. Give yourself a big reward at the end of the tunnel - something like a trip or vacation to really excite you and keep you on the path to success.
22. Try your best to stop yourself from using self defeating language or thoughts. Whenever something pops into mind, question it and extinguish it, and move onto something more positive.
23. Meditate. Even 15 minutes a day can work wonders for your mind, and prevent frustration with the minutia of everyday life.
24. Take periodic breaks from studying/working. Give yourself a five minute break every 18-20 minutes, and a 15 minute break every hour for longer sessions.
25. Remind yourself that only you are in control of your destiny in life. Nobody else. You are more than powerful enough to handle everything that comes your way. Believe it and success is yours for the taking.
26. Take action right now - stop yourself whenever you start using the "tomorrow" or "next week I will.." self-talk. Today is the deed.
27. Model your behavior after someone. I have written about this at length on my blog. It can be a powerful tool for instilling positive traits within.

Concentration - Learning to master your ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand can provide wonderful benefits in all aspects of life. These tips should help you accomplish just that, and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with your daily tasks or larger goals.

1. The best time to concentrate is after reading something that is inspiring - as you're filled with desire afterwards. Make this a habit before doing something you know needs to be done (but you don't really want to do).
2. Watch yourself during the day and make sure your muscles don't get overly relaxed or strained.
3. Get in the habit of taking deep, steady breaths instead of short, rapid ones. Think internally about how meaningful each breath is. Your steadier breathing will make for a more relaxing and productive disposition.
4. When you decide to do something, eliminate all other tasks from your mind while you're working. Thinking about other things while you're working on something will only lead to frustration and poor quality of work. And by thinking about other things you could be doing, you prevent yourself from ever having the chance at achieving "flow" state.
5. Turn off distractions when you work or study - no TV, cell phones, iPods, etc... The only truly effective distraction (don't lie to yourself and tell yourself you need TV) is not really a distraction at all - classical music from the baroque period has been shown to facilitate concentration and learning, due to its 60 bpm tempo.
6. Research shows that concentration works best in spans of about 18 minutes. Every 18 minutes, make sure to give yourself a little break (4-5 minutes) and return fresh and ready to push on when the break has passed. You'll notice the differences right away.
7. Exercising and eating right can work wonders for your ability to concentrate - more on this below...
8. Prime your mind with the help of subliminal messages
9. Get in the habit of "practicing concentration." Like anything else, it is a skill which can be learned over time. Do a concentration exercise every day for five minutes or so and soon (be patient) you will see promising results. We've included some helpful exercises, courtesy of SuccessConsciousness.com below -
10. Ex1: Take a book and count the words in any one paragraph. Count them again to be sure that you have counted them correctly. Start with one paragraph and when it becomes easier, count the words in a whole page. Perform the counting mentally and only with your eyes, without pointing your finger at each word.
11. Ex2: Count backwards in your mind, from one hundred to one.
12. Ex3: Count in your mind from one hundred to one, skipping each three numbers, that is 100, 97, 94, etc.
13. Ex4: Choose an inspiring word, or just a simple sound, and repeat it silently in your mind for five minutes. When your mind can concentrate more easily, try to reach ten minutes of uninterrupted concentration.
14. Ex5: Take a fruit, an apple for example, and look at it from all sides. Concentrate your attention on it and examine it from all sides. Devote the whole session to concentrating on it. Do not be carried away by irrelevant thoughts that arise. Stay with the apple. It could be any other fruit. Look at it and do not think about the shop where you bought it, about the way it is grown, its nutritive value etc, only about the object in front of you. Just look at it, see it, smell it and touch it.
15. Ex6: This is the same as exercise number 5, only that this time you visualize the fruit with your eyes closed. Start by performing again exercise number 5 for five minutes, and then do this one. Try to see, feel, taste, smell the fruit in you imagination. Try to see a clear and well defined image. If difficulties arise open your eyes, look at the fruit, close them again and continue the exercise.
16. Ex7: Take a small simple object such as a spoon, a fork, or a glass. Concentrate on one of these objects. Watch the object from all sides without any verbalization, that is, with no words in your mind. Just watch the object without thinking with words about it.
17. Ex8: After becoming proficient in the above exercises, you can come to this exercise. Draw a small geometrical figure, about three inches in size, such as a triangle, a rectangular or a circle, paint it with any color you wish, and concentrate on it. You should see only the figure, nothing else. Only the figure exists for you now, with no unrelated thoughts or any distractions. Try not to think with words during the exercise. Watch the figure in front of you and that's it. Try not to strain your eyes.
18. Ex9: The same as number 8, only this time visualize the figure with the eyes closed. As before, if you forget how the figure looks like, open your eyes for a few seconds and watch the figure and then close your eyes and continue with the exercise.
19. Ex10: The same as above in number 9 but the eyes open.
20. Ex11: Try for at least five minutes, to stay without thoughts. This exercise is to be attempted only after all the previous ones have been performed successfully. The previous exercises, if practiced correctly, will endow you with the ability to impose silence on your thoughts. In time it will become easier and easier.
21. Read "The Power of Concentration" by Theron Q. Dumont for inspiring prose and great additional exercises.

Subconscious Change - Sometimes accessing the power of your subconscious mind gives you the added boost you need to reach your goals and attain lasting personal change. These tips I have found most helpful and tend to make for interesting conversation as well!

1. Record affirmations on your iPod (as in the previous tip) but play them back very quietly as you drift off to sleep. Use headphones if you are comfortable enough to fall asleep with them on. Leave the affirmations on repeat for the duration of your sleep.
2. If you use your computer primarily for web browsing and don't need to run memory intense programs, then subliminal messaging software might work for you. The programs flash your selected phrases on screen quickly to be absorbed by your subconscious but not your conscious mind.
3. Select three to four videos from the Intelligent Warrior subliminal video series and watch them each in sequence, twice daily, for thirty days. You can find these powerful subliminal message videos available for download on my blog.
4. Download free self-hypnosis software online and try it out until you find something that works for you.
5. Google & Youtube often have interesting Self-Hypnosis videos. Find one you like. Bookmark it, and watch it until you see results in yourself.
6. Select one video from the Intelligent Warrior series, and watch it 5 times daily for thirty days.
7. Watch all seven videos in the Intelligent Warrior series back to back, once through each day, for thirty days.
8. Use free audio editing software to insert your affirmations in the background of some of your favorite music. It works best with instrumentals, but can be applied elsewhere as well.

Environment - For some, it's not so obvious that your environment can have profound effects on your mood and mentality. These quick tips can help you master your environment and master your mind in the process.

1. De-clutter. de-clutter, de-clutter. I can't say this one enough. Clutter in your environment leads subconsciously, and sometimes consciously, to clutter in your mind. It ignites frustration and prevents you from feeling free enough to work effectively at accomplishing your tasks.
2. Use color in your workspace. Sure, lots of bright color may not always appear "professional," but if you're working at home, that's no excuse. Use a variety of bright, bold colors to give your workspace a flare. Color is inspiring to the mind and will awaken your creative faculties without you even being aware of it. It works unexpected wonders - try it and see for yourself!
3. Curves and circles are more inspiring and are more effective at activating the mind than are straight lines and squares. Where possible, incorporate curvilinear lines and odd organic shapes in your workspace - whether it be in actual design, the layout of your things, or something as simple as your schedules and to-do lists. Oddly enough, you'll find that by doing this, and incorporating color, you will begin to naturally remember more of what goes on when you're working.
4. Leave yourself sticky-notes all over the place. Remind yourself not only of what you want to do, but how you want to do it. Remind yourself to be helpful and enthusiastic - sometimes just seeing the note will be all it takes to flip your bad mood on its side.
5. Use natural light as much as possible. If you don't have windows in your workspace, buy light bulbs that mimic the daylight spectrum. It provides less strain on your eyes, so you'll be able to focus better without the frustration.
6. Try out some feng shui.
7. Put plants in your home office or workspace. Including plants will increase the oxygen levels of the room naturally, and provide a calming, organic feel to aid in relaxation when frustration starts to bubble up.
8. Play background music - calming background music. Try classical music from the baroque period, that naturally facilitates learning and concentration.
9. Use mirrors liberally - constantly "look in" on yourself to make sure you're doing what you truly want to be doing, to guide yourself towards your goals.
10. Include a LOT of motivational pictures or quotes around your workspace. Framed photos are not only a nice touch aesthetically, but they can be used to constantly remind yourself of what you're working so hard to attain!
11. Give your room a light color - don't paint it anything dark or imposing. Dark colors will make the room feel small and bounded, and you'll find yourself often frustrated quickly and easily, or slipping often into bad moods.

Fitness & Nutrition - While many people understand that good health is important, sometimes the additional benefits are overlooked. Maintaining good habits here can have profound effects on your self esteem and your overall mindset. Don't believe me? Give it a 40 day test run and you'll never look back...

1. If you love something that's bad for you - don't eliminate it totally - just make sure to practice moderation. McDonald's once or twice a month isn't going to kill you. McDonald's every day is.
2. Work out, work out, work out! No matter where you are in life - thin/fat, young/old, depressed/happy - working out will elevate you to the next level. It's no mystery. Try it and see for yourself. Don't start and overwhelm yourself, but rather introduce a level of fitness that's appropriate for where you're starting off from. Gradually build on this base, and enjoy as you become healthier and happier.
3. Eat chocolate! No, not Snickers bars or Reeses Pieces... but dark chocolate. Try Lindt's 85% cocoa dark chocolate for a satisfying indulgence. Natural chocolate is actually good for you. It is filled with anandamides - chemical compounds found naturally in the body that elevate your mood. Great for a quick energy boost as well.
4. Drink plenty of water - make sure you're getting MORE than 8 cups a day if you want to truly see some results. If you're not drinking enough now, it may be hard to adjust at first. But within a few days to a week, you'll feel more energetic, less bloated, and ready to take on the world.
5. Get your fruits and vegetables - MORE than five servings a day is optimal if you really want to see some effects. You'll be loading up on good sugar (natural energy) and giving yourself the vitamins and nutrients you should have been getting all along. Remember - we didn't get to where we are now by eating jelly donuts and breakfast-in-a-box. Eating natural is the right way to eat, and incorporating as much natural food into your diet as possible will provide enormous rewards in the short and long run.
6. Get up and go running in the morning. If you can't run, walk. Do something that gets your heart pumping and the blood flowing early on. It will be great for your mood throughout the day (thanks to the natural release of endorphins), and chances are you'll find yourself better able to concentrate and focus right from the start.
7. Take fish oil pills to provide your body with good fats. Take more than the recommended dosage to get the best effect. Remember - they're just fatty oils, and good fats at that, so you can't go wrong by loading up. Your heart, and your brain, will thank you day after day (by working better for you!).
8. Have sex. Lots of it. If you have no one to have sex with, practice the other 100 tips. You'll likely then be irresistible to the opposite sex and have no problem with this one.
9. Take a Gingko Biloba supplement to boost your memory naturally and effectively.
10. Stretch in the morning - stretching will help you naturally feel good and feeling comfortable in your skin will work wonders for your mindset.
11. Eat lots of fish. Fish oil is great for your brain and your heart. You'll feel better and be able to concentrate better in no time.
12. Work out by lifting weights. Give yourself at least 6 weeks to see any results at all - but once your body begins to take shape you'll start to love the way you look and feel. Your confidence will shoot through the roof and before you know it you'll be itching to head to the gym. It's tough at first to overcome the soreness and "out of place" feeling, but it passes quickly - I promise!

Appearance - Not surprisingly, changing your appearance can work wonders on your mentality as well. If you aren't 100% comfortable in your skin, ask yourself "why?" Be honest. Work through it - the rewards are invaluable... self esteem is priceless.

1. Get your hair done. Not just girls, but guys too. Make sure you're well groomed and looking your best. Clean, well styled hair is one of the first things people notice about others.
2. Be nice to your skin - take care to eliminate cuts, bruises, acne, etc... The products that help for skin are countless, but the best start is proper nutrition.
3. Keep your body hair well groomed - shave and keep trimmed. Even if nobody else notices, you will - and you'll feel better about yourself for it.
4. Maintain a healthy complexion - a nice, healthy tan. If you're uncomfortable with tanning beds or being in the sun too long, try a Dove "Natural Glow" product. They work well and don't give you the orange look, but rather the healthy, natural complexion you want. Proper nutrition will give you a natural glow over time, as well.
5. Dress to impress.
6. Pay attention to detail in your wardrobe and your grooming. Your attention will get noticed, people will be impressed.
7. Buy at least one REALLY nice suit or business outfit to wear when meeting potential clients or partners for the first time. You deserve to feel as good and as confident as you'll look.
8. Get a manicure - yes, guys too. When your hands are well groomed you will feel more confident about yourself around others - guaranteed.
9. Work on your posture - stand up straight and tall (just like your mother told you). You'll look more confident, and soon enough you'll feel more confident too.
10. When in doubt, overdress. Dressing up helps you feel good, especially when you take the tips in the Fitness/Nutrition topic to heart and develop an attractive, physically fit body as well.
11. Practice projecting your voice. Whenever you find yourself home alone, read things aloud as if you were delivering a speech. Focus on annunciation and emphasis where appropriate. Soon you'll be naturally more charismatic and attention-grabbing around others.

Record Keeping/Journals - While for some people this can be a nuisance, it really can lead to profound effects in your overall personal development, especially if you're the type of person to have trouble "sticking" to something.

1. Keep a daily journal for everything - all of your random thoughts. Don't spend all day writing - that defeats the purpose. Instead, sit down every once in a while for five minutes or so and jot down your thoughts. Don't structure them or worry about appearance - just write.
2. If you want to develop a healthier mindset, keep a nutrition journal. Microsoft Excel can help with this one. Simply by paying attention to what goes in your body, you will be more inclined to control what you are eating. The result? A healthier, happier you (with the records to show others how you got there!).
3. If you're trying to get in better shape, keep a photo journal. This can be as private as you want it to be. Stand in front of the mirror with your digital camera once a week. Take a head on, and a profile picture, both flexed and un-flexed. At first, it can be intimidating and embarrassing - but within a month or two, you will be looking forward to the next picture... and maybe even showing them off to your friends and family.
4. Keep a nightly journal where you answer the question "Did I make the most of this day?" If yes, why, if not, why not? Striving for more "yes" entries and understanding what went wrong in your "no" days will help you stay on the right track to achieving the mindset you want and attaining all of your goals.
5. Write down one thing you learned each day, and review it at the end of the week. Commit everything to long term memory by internalizing it with contemplative thought and repetition.
6. Write down one thing you want to learn, each morning. Learn it that day.
7. Keep a brief time-log. Seeing how much time you spend on different tasks throughout the day can help you understand where you're going wrong (or right). Make sure you're not wasting too much time on activities that have no return!
8. If you're striving to attain any goal at all - find something in that goal that is measurable. Measure the hell out of it. Seek to improve... all the time.
9. If you're trying to mold your mind, chances are you're trying to overcome at least one or two bad habits. Every time you encounter one of those bad habits in your day, step aside and write it down. Do your best to steer yourself in the right direction, no matter what it takes. Reflect on this later, and pride yourself on overcoming your old, bad self!
10. If you're close to someone, have them jot down thoughts about you during the day as well. Sometimes, seeing yourself through someone else's point of view can help you figure out what you're doing wrong, or right, or open your eyes to things you didn't even know you should be working on improving. Make sure you choose someone who cares about you and who will not pass judgment, but rather give you an honest view of yourself when you ask for it.

Last but not least, read my Blog daily! This one speaks for itself :)

Visit Jason's blog at [http://www.liveloaded.com] to read in detail about his experience with these Intelligent Warrior subliminal message videos and provide tips or suggestions from your own experience
Thank you for reading! ~ Jason Harrington
Unleashing my Intelligent Warrior

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Harrington

That Ruins Any Chances Of A Relationship

A lot of us have been conditioned to believe that comfort foods are not good and are to be avoided. But if your comfort food is candy or junk food this holds true. Other times, however, comfort foods can be completely healthy and it's good for you to consume them. A number of foods really do raise your mood when you consume them. When you are feeling a little down and are needing an emotional boost, try a couple of these.
Eggs, you might be astonished to learn, are fantastic at fighting depression. Just make sure that you do not throw out the egg yolk. The egg yolk is the most important part of the egg when it comes to helping you cheer up. Eggs, the yolk especially, are stuffed full of B vitamins. The B vitamin family can be terrific for elevating your mood. This is because these vitamins help your neural transmitters--the parts of your brain that control your mood--work better. Try to eat an egg and feel a lot happier!
Put together some trail mix of nuts or seeds. Your mood can be improved by consuming peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. This is because these foods are rich in magnesium, which helps to boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical that tells your brain how you feel all the time. The higher your levels of serotonin, the more pleasant you are going to feel. Not just that, nuts, specifically, are a fantastic protein source.
If you wish to beat depression, try eating some cold water fish. Salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, trout, and so on, they're all loaded with omega-3 and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA are two things that raise the quality and the function of your brain's grey matter. It's true: eating a tuna fish sandwich can earnestly boost your mood.
Some grains are truly great for fighting off bad moods. Quinoa, millet, teff and barley are all really great for helping raise your happiness levels. These grains can help you feel full for longer as well, which is a mood improver. Feeling hungry can really make you feel awful! These grains can help your mood elevate because it's not at all difficult for your body to digest them. These foods are easier to digest than others which helps promote a rise in your blood sugar which in turn kicks up your mood to a happier place.
Green tea is fantastic for moods. You just knew it had to be included in this article, right? Green tea is found to be rich in an amino acid referred to as L-theanine. Studies show that this specific amino acid can essentially stimulate brain waves. This helps improve your mental focus while having a relaxing effect on the rest of your body. You already knew green tea could help you feel healthier. Now you know that applies to your mood as well!
Now you know that junk food isn't necessarily what you need to eat when you wish to help your moods get better. Try a couple of these hints instead.

Being a recoverer of mental health issues, J D Tucker has turned to writing to help others rid themselves of these problems. His depression caused him to put on a lot of weight which became a vicious cycle of depression and weight gain. He took the steps to bring himself out of this sad state by losing weight. He shares many of the natural methods he used to become the self he wanted. One of the first things he did were simple exercises to lose belly fat which helped his self esteem greatly.
Follow his blog at http://aWayToLoseWeight.com for more informative articles and free newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_D_Tucker

Turn To Food To Boost Your Mood

A lot of us have been conditioned to believe that comfort foods are not good and are to be avoided. But if your comfort food is candy or junk food this holds true. Other times, however, comfort foods can be completely healthy and it's good for you to consume them. A number of foods really do raise your mood when you consume them. When you are feeling a little down and are needing an emotional boost, try a couple of these.
Eggs, you might be astonished to learn, are fantastic at fighting depression. Just make sure that you do not throw out the egg yolk. The egg yolk is the most important part of the egg when it comes to helping you cheer up. Eggs, the yolk especially, are stuffed full of B vitamins. The B vitamin family can be terrific for elevating your mood. This is because these vitamins help your neural transmitters--the parts of your brain that control your mood--work better. Try to eat an egg and feel a lot happier!
Put together some trail mix of nuts or seeds. Your mood can be improved by consuming peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. This is because these foods are rich in magnesium, which helps to boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical that tells your brain how you feel all the time. The higher your levels of serotonin, the more pleasant you are going to feel. Not just that, nuts, specifically, are a fantastic protein source.
If you wish to beat depression, try eating some cold water fish. Salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, trout, and so on, they're all loaded with omega-3 and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA are two things that raise the quality and the function of your brain's grey matter. It's true: eating a tuna fish sandwich can earnestly boost your mood.
Some grains are truly great for fighting off bad moods. Quinoa, millet, teff and barley are all really great for helping raise your happiness levels. These grains can help you feel full for longer as well, which is a mood improver. Feeling hungry can really make you feel awful! These grains can help your mood elevate because it's not at all difficult for your body to digest them. These foods are easier to digest than others which helps promote a rise in your blood sugar which in turn kicks up your mood to a happier place.
Green tea is fantastic for moods. You just knew it had to be included in this article, right? Green tea is found to be rich in an amino acid referred to as L-theanine. Studies show that this specific amino acid can essentially stimulate brain waves. This helps improve your mental focus while having a relaxing effect on the rest of your body. You already knew green tea could help you feel healthier. Now you know that applies to your mood as well!
Now you know that junk food isn't necessarily what you need to eat when you wish to help your moods get better. Try a couple of these hints instead.

Being a recoverer of mental health issues, J D Tucker has turned to writing to help others rid themselves of these problems. His depression caused him to put on a lot of weight which became a vicious cycle of depression and weight gain. He took the steps to bring himself out of this sad state by losing weight. He shares many of the natural methods he used to become the self he wanted. One of the first things he did were simple exercises to lose belly fat which helped his self esteem greatly.
Follow his blog at http://aWayToLoseWeight.com for more informative articles and free newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_D_Tucker

Mood Disorders

We all experience shifts in our mood at times. Sometimes we may feel happy and excited, and as though everything in life is running smoothly, and going exactly to plan. At other times however, it can feel as though nothing is going to plan, making us feel sad, angry or frustrated. Experiencing these shifts in mood is usually just a normal part of day to day life. This is not the case however, for those suffering from Mood Disorders.
Mood Disorders, also known as Affective Disorders, include a number of mental health conditions that all have an underlying trait of the sufferer experiencing a mood that is usually not congruent with the situation. They include Depression (of which there are a number of different types), and Bipolar Disorder. For those suffering from Mood Disorders, their condition will continue to persist for an extended period of time, often causing significant disruptions in the sufferer's day to day life. They are commonly found to coexist with conditions such as Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Phobias.
How Common Are Mood Disorders?
Research suggests that 1 in 5 individuals will experience some type of depression at some time in their lives, and about 1-2 individuals out of 100 will experience Bipolar Disorder. Depression is more common in women; however the numbers are about the same for men and women experiencing Bipolar Disorder.
What Causes Mood Disorders?
There can be a number of factors that may contribute to their onset.

• Stressful life events or circumstances, as well as significant life changes
• Hormonal changes
• Nutritional deficiencies and poor dietary patterns
• Genetic factors
• Some medications
• Environmental pollution
• Substance abuse
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Some medical conditions
• Imbalance in brain chemistry (which may be the result of other contributing factors)

Treatment Options Available
There are many treatment options available for sufferers of this condition.

• Prescription medication. This option is treating the symptom rather than the cause. Although medication may be beneficial in the short term, it is a good idea to also explore alternative treatment options. Never however, stop taking prescription medication without first seeking the advice of your doctor.
• Therapy and counseling, eg. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy
• Alternative therapies, eg. Homeopathy, Acupuncture, EFT, Emotion Code
• Dietary changes
• A good support network
• Herbal supplements
• Relaxation techniques
• Exercise

Mood Disorders do not need to become debilitating, and the first step to getting back to leading a full and active life, is to seek the help of a health care professional that addresses more than just the symptoms of the condition, but rather, someone who takes a holistic treatment approach to you as an individual.

Are you interested in knowing more about Mood Disorders and associated conditions such as Anxiety? More information and links can be found at http://www.mymooddisorders.com/blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Lex