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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety).

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Doesn’t time fly? I can hardly believe that once more a querulous cohort of GCSE students are being ushered begrudgingly into sports halls up and down the country with the weight and expectations of their parents resting heavy upon their slender adolescent shoulders.

I remember only vaguely at this vantage point my own GCSE experiences, perhaps it was the heady self assurance of youth, or the lack of expectation from my parents but I don’t remember it being a particularly big deal – but perhaps that is only with the benefit of hindsight. What I do know now is that in the interceding years there has fomented an atmosphere of rank terror and ever mounting pressure. Yes it is true, the students of today stand poised to enter and inherit a very different world and job market than the carefree days of yesteryear but even still the lunacy that accompanies the rhetoric around the importance of exams does perhaps pinpoint quite why we’ve seen the largest surge in diagnoses of anxiety, stress and depression amongst our youth ever.

So this is my antidote to that. All of this, all of the pressure, the expectation, the terror, is white noise, a buzzing fly for the thousands of you for whom these exams represent either the crowning glory of your academic life or a nasty gut punch after toiling for the last two years for what will feel like no good reason.

It may feel like the fate of the universe depends on your GCSE performance, but it really doesn’t. It’s all going to be okay. It’s important to remember that no matter what happens with your GCSEs, it remains a stepping stone and nothing more. A sort of gateway exam as it were. Obviously some of the recent and ongoing changes from alphabetical to numerical have thrown up confused and mixed messages and for many who are possibly university bound, the boundaries that were once so simple differ magnificently from one university to another. Hopefully though this will force schools to look at university entry and offer advice earlier than usual. With certain institutions and courses stipulating what now constitutes a grade C when in old money it was pretty obvious, it may be you’ll need to revise your plans and either do a resit or re-examine where you want to study post A levels. The same is true for certain HNDs, BTECs, Internships etc. who may have minimum requirements in English and Maths but what that shakes out in new money is somewhat subjective.

Your results when they filter through, squatting at the end of the summer holidays like a spectre at a banquet will necessarily impact the choices you make next, but, and it’s an important but – good or bad, nothing is permanent. As much as it feels like the most important thing in the world right now, as long as you’ve done well enough to keep your options open you’ll be just fine. My business partner is one of the smartest people I know, BA from Durham, MA from Warwick, PhD from Columbia, he had lousy GCSE results comparative to his ability and pretty unremarkable A levels if we’re getting into finger pointing. Equally, people I went to school with who performed astonishingly at GCSE level were middle of the pack come A level. As worried as you might be you are only ever really judged on your highest level of accomplishment, so as long as you do well enough to not close down avenues, things will work out just fine if you apply yourself and move forward in a positive fashion.

So no matter whether you’re the big winner or the wooden spooner come results day, try to hold on to the fact that it is, comprehensively, not the end of the road, just a bump in it. You can do resits alongside A levels or BTECs etc, you may need to slightly adjust certain plans to accommodate your new circumstances but you should never submit to feeling like a failure, nor should you be too smug. It all shakes out in the wash and if you know where you want to be, I guarantee if you apply yourself then your GCSEs are just business as usual.

The post Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety). appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Eczema and Depression: How to Help Your Skin and Mind

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By Laura Dolgy (bio below)

Living with eczema can be both physically and emotionally draining, not to mention it can really wreak havoc on self esteem and self love. But did you ever stop to think that perhaps negative thoughts are limiting you from truly healing?

This week we look at the connection between eczema and depression, as well as some of the necessary steps needed to change your mindset to more positive thoughts.

Please keep in mind that we are in no way medical professionals. If you are experiencing depression or severe eczema, please make sure to seek medical advice immediately.

A recent survey by the National Eczema Association found that more than 30% of eczema sufferers have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Although the connection between eczema and depression is still unknown, there are some ideas as to how depression can develop in those suffering from eczema.

First things first, if you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms, please consult a health care provider as soon as possible.

  • Feeling sad, empty and/or anxious
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Lost of interest in hobbies or other activities
  • Decreased energy, feeling tired more often
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Restlessness, unable to sit still
  • Problems sleeping
  • Weight change
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Eczema can be really tough to handle emotionally and physically. Make sure you have a support group, friends and family to talk to about your skin health and mental health.

Stress & Relaxation

If you didn’t already know, one of the most common triggers for eczema is stress. When the body experiences stress, it goes into a flight-or-fight mode and responds by increasing stress hormones, which in turn can wreak havoc on anyone’s body and immune system. Stress eventually suppresses the immune system and can cause an inflammatory response (like eczema) to occur.

The problem with stress is that although it can trigger eczema initially, having eczema can trigger stress as well, thus creating a vicious cycle of symptoms. Both eczema and stress really do go hand-in-hand. Although it’s very difficult to completely eradicate stress as a trigger, there are many different approaches that can be taken to control your stress and therefore possibly control your eczema trigger. Learn more about Eczema and Stress.

One way of dealing with heightened levels of stress or eczema and depression is learning to relax more. Although this is easier said than done, there are a variety of activities out there that can help both your mind and body relax. Here are just a few:

  • Meditation
  • Yoga/Tai Chi
  • Exercise
  • Reading
  • Dancing

Obviously what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to find an activity that you’ll be able to stick to and that you also really enjoy.

If your little one happens to be suffering from eczema, make sure to check out our blog post: 8 Ways to Relieve Stress in Children with Eczema.

Positive Mindset

Aside from healing through managing stress, many eczema sufferers have also found that positive thinking can also heal as well. Some researchers believe that positive beliefs may alter the immune system, therefore turning off the stress trigger and promoting relaxation.

Thinking positively can also stimulate the body’s natural endorphins, which in turns can promote a healthier mood and generally positive mental health.

Being in a constant state of negative energy can cause negative effects on the body, causing the body to react in a flight-or-fight behavior that is activated by stress. Unloving thoughts towards your body or your general state can actually have adverse reactions and can in turn cause the sympathetic nervous system to create a stress response.

To learn more about shifting that negative energy and finding a new mindset while suffering from eczema, make sure to check out Prime Physique Nutrition’s Abbi Lai’s e-book: The Power of Thoughts: How Mindset Shifts Can Eliminate Eczema.

Eczema and Gut Health

If you’re suffering from eczema, then more than likely your gut health is suffering too. Did you know that bad gut health can actually affect the brain and that distress can actually affect the gut?

Recent studies and research have shown that the gut acts as a second brain. In fact, this organ is lined with cells that look identical to those in the brain and also functions with hormones that are seen in the brain like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

With eczema, the gut becomes affected due to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that in turn causes inflammation. This inflammation can cause distress for the brain and can possibly result in mental health issues like depression.

To understand more about the brain and gut connection, make sure to check out our blog post with Dr. Robin Miller, author HEALED: Health & Wellness for the 21st Century and medical reporter on NBC: Eczema and Gut Health: A Connection Between Brain and Body.

Looking for more guidance?

We recommend also reading 6 Inspiring Tips for Living with Eczema Based the Power of Trust & Acceptance for some powerful advice from life coach Marieke Bosch Larose.

Lastly, check out this great webinar below from the National Eczema Association by Dr. Jennifer Moyer Darr. It’s a powerful overview of all the ways eczema can impact our life and how to make changes so that eczema doesn’t consume you.

For information on healing eczema naturally, see our page Start Here for Eczema Relief.

Are you suffering from eczema and depression? Tell your story in our comments section below!

Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.

The post Eczema and Depression: How to Help Your Skin and Mind appeared first on itchylittleworld.com.

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Natural Remedies For Depression

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Depression is a devastating and complicated illness. Any relief that we can get from oppression may help us a great deal in the long run. Natural depression remedies often don’t remove our depression completely but combined, these remedies can be very powerful. We list the top five remedies below from which you may find great relief. You can implement them in conjunction with any treatment you are currently on, though it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor.

Beneficial fats in fish are proving to be therapeutic for the depressed brain. A our brains require these beneficial fats to be healthy and a fish oil supplement can be a powerful tool to improve our brain health. Find a fish oil supplement that is high in the long chain omega-3 fatty acids “EPA.” In depression clinical trials, researchers administer high levels of EPA to the research subjects. Many researchers recommend that people take between two and four grams of EPA daily.

Vitamins may fight depression. In the winter time, vitamin D may be a powerful tool in fighting depression. If you live in northern latitudes and get very little sunlight on your skin in the winter, you may be deficient in vitamin D and a supplement may improve your brain health. If you are older, you may be deficient in vitamin D 12 or in folic acid. Supplements of these vitamins may improve your brain health. Most people also get an energy boost from a B complex vitamin. Consider adding this to your daily regimen.

Food itself is critical in fighting depression. Foods high in the beneficial omega-3, in vitamin D, or in the B complex vitamins may improve your brain health. In the book “Rebuild from Depression,” the authors actually analyze data from a database of over 5000 foods and identify its highest in nutrients that fight depression. Give the book a look, add some of these foods (such as fatty fish) to your diet, and you may get some relief from depression.

Sleep is critical in the fight against oppression. If you do not get enough sleep, you will increase the level of inflammation in your body. Inflammation causes depression, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. You need sleep to be healthy. It may be worth it to take a sleep aid on occasion when you were under a great deal of stress. Talk to your doctor about this possibility.

Exercise can be a powerful tool to combat depression. On your good days, and exercise to your regimen and you may find that you have an increasing number of good days.

Alexander V. Martin is a natural health advocate and helps at the foods for depression website and supports the Rebuild book on foods for depression. Find out more about depression foods today.

Depression in kids

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It is an undeniable fact that depression afflicts millions of people every single day and that includes youngsters. Possibly, some individuals don’t recognize this fact given that youngsters are usually viewed as leading stress-free lives since all they need to do is study, eat, as well as play. This is a wrong notion since a child’s life can also be very stressful which can bring about depression in a lot of children worldwide. Generally, grown ups believe that “temper tantrums” are ordinary for youngsters particularly when they do not get what they desire.

Various kids do likewise cry a lot particularly when those who have sensitive personalities. There are those children with disruptive behavior as a result of their playfulness and curiosity. These are quite typical behavior and happens to youngsters from all race, sexual category, or creed. The difference lies when certain behaviours like persistent sadness or recurring occurrence of disruptive behavior is manifested more often than not. This results to disputed school work and socialization with buddys. Kids who constantly hit playmates for no reason are suspect of having depression. There is also a probability that such behavior can be an underlying symptom of ADHD.

Youngsters behave in a different way from grown ups because they do not have well-developed defense mechanisms yet. They demonstrate behavior as it is, cry when unhappy or yell when angry as seen by teachers. It’s important then that parents give attention to such behavior to determine if the kid is already depressed. Several kids are vocal about their feelings especially fearful ones and ask questions from grown ups. Certain kids get depressed every time a loved one dies like a grandparent.

Kids are as well afflicted by immediate changes like shifting to a new school or town. Parents must support their young children in adapting to life’s changes. Divorce of mom and dad is typically a stressful situation in a kid’s life that can result in depression. On the other hand, certain kids conceal their feelings and show irrational angry behavior. Parents must quickly see changes in their kid’s behavior because kids ordinarily have a regimen.

Depression in young children could be recognized by the following symptoms: They eat at a certain time change in appetite, withdrawal from play periods, inexplicable frustration, change in sleep patterns, bad concentration, inability to perform regular tasks just like playtime, unexpected hate from hobbies, exhaustion and so on. Whatever the cause of depression is, grown ups should seek fast professional therapy to reduce trauma in childhood.

For more info visit depression help & depression