Hello, How are you feeling today? Bright and chirpy? Or bogged down with anxiety, stress and depression? I hope you are happy. But if recurring miseries (or “depression” as the doctors say) is occurring, take heart. Do not despair. This affects probably one or two in five, probably more. Fortunately. Most cases are transient, and many bounce back after some precipitating cause vanishes.

But it may persist. There are some easy do it yourself remedies. First, do something. A recent story in the “British Medical Journal” says that many can overcome mild to moderate depression by taking more exercise. This may seem hard, but is really easy – you simply “do it”.

If you can walk fairly briskly each day, this may be as good as mediation! If you manage this three to five days a week that is fine. The faster you go, the better. Measure your pulse rate. If you manage to reach 145 a minute, that is even better. (Normal resting rate is around 70). This is called high intensity exercise. But much milder is also helpful

Some people take St Johns Wort, available as capsules for the chemist. Do not take these with other anti depressant medication. After a few weeks, some start and feel improvement. But if simple measures fail, please see you doctor. The SSRI family can often improve outlook, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, but medical supervision is essential. Also, it takes six to eight weeks for the benefit to be felt. Talk to your doctor, not your neighbour.

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Also, for seniors seeking lovely accommodation, come visit us or your friends at lovely Vimiera Village at Eastwood.. Latest addition are the Assisted Living Apartments. Here, meals, laundry and domestic work are provided. And the terms are very liberal. Phone David on (02) 9868 7544 or email david@macf.org.au. He would love to show you around on behalf of Medi-Aid Centre Foundation which operates the village.

Your friend,