Someone Who Cares…

Another reason to love Dr. Seuss. When we visited the Dr. Seuss Museum a few weeks ago, there was lots of evidence that Dr. Seuss knew what was important in life. Here’s another example. Let’s all be someone who cares so that things get better.

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Freedom for All is More Important Than Power

We visited the Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield, Mass. a few weeks ago. I knew I liked Dr. Seuss. Since at least 1958, he knew what is important:

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Supporting Businesses with Sustainable Practices: Black Hog Brewing Co.

 

I found another great company on the right track with recyclable products that do not add to our plastics problem: Black Hog Brewing Co.

And the beer is original and great. I loved the Ginga’ Ninga, a pale ale brewed with fresh ginger. Even the can is beautiful!

And, in addition to the great beer, they use recycled and recyclable plastic six pack rings.

 

Love it! You should too. Check out their various craft brews, locations, and store availability at their website: https://blackhogbrewing.com.

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Five Ways to Feel Less Anxious and More Balanced

A version of this post first appeared here at Attorney at Work.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In life, especially in some careers and homes, so much of what we must handle can be conflict-ridden, time-sensitive and serious. Add to that our political environment of hatred and our regular news cycle of death and destruction. Is it any wonder that so many of us suffer from depression and anxiety?

One way to combat anxiety and feelings of depression is to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a kind of chemical messenger that helps the brain function. More specifically, serotonin is a “feel good” neurotransmitter and a mood stabilizer that boosts feelings of wellness and balance. When serotonin levels are optimal, you are able to think more clearly, act rather than react, and address stressful situations with calm and clarity. If you have low serotonin levels, you may suffer from anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, agitation or lack of focus.

There’s medication called SSRIs that increase levels of serotonin in the bram, and many of us take it. I took an SSRI for four years. Now that my circumstances are very different than when I started that medication, I wanted to try life without it. Note that I was always functioning and never had thoughts of harming myself, so this was a reasonable pursuit for me. If you are taking SSRIs or any other medication for anxiety or depression, do not stop your medication without discussing it with your doctor. Medication can be necessary for some people and some circumstances. 

I stopped by SSRI about a two months ago. The journey has not been easy. Fortunately, there are ways to naturally increase the serotonin levels in the brain to reduce the negative effects of low serotonin levels. By focusing on these, my life without an SSRI is working. Here are five ways to naturally increase serotonin levels.

1. A Healthy Diet

A healthy, balanced diet is important for optimal serotonin levels. In particular, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, pineapples and complex carbohydrates (like fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains) increase serotonin levels. It is also important to limit added sugars because sugar disrupts normal chemical reactions in the brain, which can inhibit serotonin processing and production. Supplement your healthy diet with B vitamins, fish oil, holy basil, rodiola and L-tyrosine, all of which help the brain produce more serotonin.

2. Exercise and Body Work

Exercise is medicine — not just for your body, but for your brain. The most effective way to increase serotonin levels is with exercise. There are no side effects, and it always works. As little as 30 minutes of brisk walking three times each week will help.

In addition, body work methods including massage, acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology relieve stress and boost serotonin levels.

3. Grabbing Sunlight

Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the winter months when there is much less sunlight. This is because the brain has less serotonin when there is less sunlight. Spend at least 15 minutes each day in the sun. Go for a walk before work or after lunch, or sit by a sunny window on the commuter train. You can also purchase a light box for your office or home.

4. Using Your Mind

Thinking about past happy experiences, or looking at photos of those experiences, can boost serotonin levels. The same is true for keeping a gratitude journal and daydreaming about happy times. Spending time with loved ones and doing talk therapy with a trusted therapist are also great ways to get out of your own head and allow serotonin in. And a regular meditation practice (as little as five minutes a day) gives the brain space to relax and produce serotonin.

5. Taking Two for Well-Being

Ideally, you’ll work the above tips into your daily and weekly life to increase and sustain your serotonin levels. But as a gift to yourself, try to take one day each month for a mental health day. As my friend Vanessa Price advised in “A Matter of Time,” take two days if you can. Use the first day to catch up on stuff. Don’t let your colleagues or clients

know you are working so that you have time to handle existing tasks without new tasks being added. Then use the second day as a true day off to boost your serotonin levels by finding some peace and mental clarity.

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