Resources for Sleep, Exercise and Diet
The Importance of Sleep and Good Mental Health
Good sleep is an important part of good mental health. While the relationship between sleep and mental health is not yet completely understood, studies suggest that a good night's sleep helps foster both mental and emotional resilience, while chronic sleep disruptions set the stage for negative thinking and emotional vulnerability.
Below are links that provide additional information on sleep and tips to help you sleep better:
An excellent site with practical suggestions and strategies to improve sleep:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_tips.htm
From the National Institutes of Health: In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthysleepfs.pdf
The Importance of Exercise and Good Mental Health
According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health of 1996 regular participation in physical activity appears to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance ability to perform daily tasks throughout the life span. People who exercise feel better about themselves, others and their environment.
Below are some links that provide additional information on Exercise & Physical Activity:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/exercise.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/summary.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/life/senior_fitness_sports.htm
http://www.madinamerica.com/madinamerica.com/Solutions_files/Untitled.pdf
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/62/5/633.full.pdf+html
The Importance of Diet and Good Mental Health
Like Sleep and Exercise, an individual’s diet can play a key role in maintaining good mental health. Several allergic reactions can be mis-diagnosed as mental health disorders. Additionally, if you or a loved one is taking psychiatric medications, you may experience weight gain as a side-effect which makes attention to diet and nutrition even more critical.
Helpguide.org provides comprehensive information on diet, nutrition and good mental health:
http://www.helpguide.org/topics/diet_nutrition.htm
Depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety might not be mood problems after all. As nutritionist Kelly Dorfman tells Dr. Marc Siegel, these conditions could actually be food disorders. Find out which foods could negatively affect your mood:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1013764998001/misdiagnosed-mood-disorders/?playlist_id=86904
Our friends at The Royal College of Psychiatrists have these helpful tips:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/problems/nutrition.aspx
Information about Supplements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKU0MkqNAN0
