We talk a lot about the physical aspect of health but I believe true well being can be viewed as a triangle of physical, mental and spiritual. Ignoring one of these, inevitably leads to a breakdown in the others.
A December 2008 study reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that older adults with depression had higher abdominal fat. Of most interest was that this held true regardless of whether or not the individuals were obese. In other words depressed people stored a higher percentage of their fat in the heart risk associated abdominal area.
Depression is one category some of us face, but all of us face daily stress. Dealing with stress not only causes a direct direct physical impact on the body but also sets us up for unhealthy cycles.
This is WHEE, a Daily Kos community health forum, more below.
People often respond to stress by reliance on less healthy behaviors (Edelman, 2006, p. 293). Consequently, we not only experience the direct physiological impact of our stress but also initiate a cycle which exacerbates the problem thereby exposing us to a multitude of health concerns.(Edelman, 2006, p. 272, 293). The approach of simply working harder to deal with stress is often counterproductive (Winwood, Bakker & Winefield, 2007) (Iwassaki, Zuzanek, Mannell, 2001). Stress, without appropriate coping mechanisms, not only leads to unhealthy behaviors such as inactivity and overeating, but in fact reduces productivity and stamina (Edelman, 2006, p. 293). Consequently, a program which can enhance positive stress coping through exercise and sound nutrition, gives you the double benefit of not only reducing stress but also obtaining the other health benefits associated with proper nutrition and exercise (Edelman, 2006, p. 272, 293).
While sound nutrition and exercise are often discussed here as great ways to positively cope with stress, we need to also consider such options as, spirituality, meditation, yoga, massage therapy, or simply establishing a quiet time.
Is stress sabotaging your health? How do you currently deal with stress?
Iwassaki, Y., Zuzanek, J., & Mannell, R., (2001) The effects of physical active leisure on stress-health relationships [Abstract]. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 92(3), 214-218. Retrieved from NCBI.
Edelman, C., & Mandle, C. (2006). Health promotion throughout the lifespan. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO:Mosby
Winwood, P., Bakker, A., & Winefield, A. (2007). An investigation of the role of non-work- time behavior in buffering the effects of work strain [Abstract]. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 49(8), 862-871. Retrieved from NCBI.
WHEE (Weight, Health, Eating and Exercise) is a community support diary for Kossacks who are currently or planning to start losing, gaining or maintaining their weight through diet and exercise or fitness. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are working on your weight or fitness, please -- join us! You can also click the WHEE tag to view all diary posts.
If you would like to do a diary on any health related topic, please let me know in the comment section below.
Scheduled WHEE diaries:
November 5
Thurs AM - cdkipp
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November 6
Fri AM - ???
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November 7
Sat AM - 1864 House
Sat PM - Edward Spurlock (Kessler, Ch. 21)
November 8
Sun AM - louisev Turtle Diary
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November 9
Mon AM - NC Dem
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November 10
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Tues PM - Clio2 (Kessler, Ch. 22)
November 11
Weds AM - ???
Weds PM - Edward Spurlock - Geek My Fitness: "He's the DJ, I'm the Rider"