The Daily Mind

Daily Steps To Mindful Living

Health

Blues or Depression? Knowing When to Seek Treatment

Mental Health, Mind

self medicate depression or not

Advances in the study of the brain have led to a greater understanding of depression. It’s not just a bad day, but a host of symptoms caused by chemical imbalances that can more deeply root the neural pathways of the brain in a cycle of depression.

Studies have shown the depressed brain can atrophy and change over time if not treated. However, recognizing when depression has set in is one of the trickier parts to overcome because the symptoms go beyond sadness. [Read more…] about Blues or Depression? Knowing When to Seek Treatment

Originally posted on July 22, 2013 @ 2:33 am

Self belief and mastering your mindset

Inspiration, Mental Health, Mind, Personal Growth, Spirit

water runner

About six months ago I took up running and have found it to be really
helpful for beating stress and improving my overall fitness. Six weeks
ago a friend of mine invited me to take part in a competitive race –
something I’ve never done before – and I accepted the challenge.
However, now that the race day is looming, I’ve been crippled with
self doubts and worries that I won’t be able to complete the distance.
During my last few runs my mindset has been terrible and I can’t seem
to silence the voice in my head that keeps telling me that I can’t do
it or that I’m too tired.

This is something that affects a lot of competitive athletes (not that
I’m saying I’m one – far from it). Overcoming a negative mindset can
make the difference between a good athlete and an award-winning one.
And not just athletes – it applies to all walks of life. Having self
belief and a positive mindset can give you the confidence to realise
your dreams and achieve all the things you want to do in life.

I’ve been doing some research into how to master your mindset, and
here are some things I’ve discovered.

[Read more…] about Self belief and mastering your mindset

Originally posted on June 27, 2013 @ 5:56 pm

Start your day on the right note

Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spirit

Previously in this blog I’ve written about the fact that I’m not a natural optimist and that I have to work hard to maintain a positive outlook in life. Well, it so happens that I’m also not much of a morning person. It’s a pretty rare day when I leap out of bed, full of enthusiasm.

So this month I’ve decided to try and change this, by making a resolution to always start my day on a good note. And so far the changes I’ve been making have been making a real difference to my state of mind, leaving me feeling happier and more upbeat. I thought I’d share them with you now.

[Read more…] about Start your day on the right note

Originally posted on March 15, 2013 @ 1:48 pm

The importance of proper breathing

Body

Most of us don’t give a second thought to the way we breathe – it’s just something that we do subconsciously. And yet proper breathing is essential to good health and wellbeing. Poor breathing can cause us to feel fatigued, reduces alertness and can increase feelings of anxiety. However, breathing correctly can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve our ability to exercise and can even help to boost our immunity.

By breathing properly we are giving our brain and other vital organs the right amount of oxygen and essential nutrients they need to function optimally. However, things such as stress, anxiety and poor posture can change the way in which we breathe.
[Read more…] about The importance of proper breathing

Originally posted on January 27, 2013 @ 10:22 pm

Simple ways to beat the winter blues

Mental Health, Mind

I don’t know about you, but I’m really not keen on this time of year. As the temperature drops and the evenings get darker I just want to hibernate until summer comes round again. But this isn’t exactly practical for six months of the year!

The term used for winter time depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) and according to research, 5% of Americans and 7% of Brits are thought to suffer with the condition. Symptoms range from sleep problems and mood swings to lethargy, fatigue and depression.


[Read more…] about Simple ways to beat the winter blues

Originally posted on November 21, 2012 @ 6:09 pm

6 steps to a better night’s sleep

Body

Did you know that an estimated 30 to 50% of the general population are thought to be affected by insomnia? And a further 10% are believed to have chronic insomnia? That’s a lot of sleepless people!

There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning all night, desperately trying to get to sleep. And the trouble is, the more you fret about not sleeping the worse the problem gets. Insomnia is a problem that troubles me from time to time, so this month I’ve been doing some research into natural ways to treat it. Here are some ideas I’ve found:


[Read more…] about 6 steps to a better night’s sleep

Originally posted on October 27, 2012 @ 4:53 pm