The further research convinced her that she is right.

Exercise and counseling seams so natural to combine. Even mild exercises metabolize stress hormones of cortisol and adrenaline.

Heather meets her clients at the park for a walk and talk. She noticed that her clients gain new prospective easier with this approach.

Exercise increases serotonin (the hormone of serenity and happiness) naturally. The 16 weeks long study of 4 groups of mildly depressed patients (one group took an antidepressant, one group took placebo, one group exercised at home alone and the 4th group exercised in supervised group setting.) showed no significant difference between the group taking the antidepressant and either of the exercise groups.  Exercise was just as effective as the anti-depressant. Not to overlook one small, “insignificant” fact: exercises have no side effects.

“People are under a lot of stress nowadays. But it is not the bad economy, or personal problems that make our life miserable, it’s our responses. Everybody has power and control. I teach people how to change behavior patterns and keep the body resilient to stress by regular exercise and healthy choices”

“Blaming, complaining and worry – is passive and make one powerless. Self-awareness, self responsibility, and conscious choices are power and put you in control.”

Heather Brewer, a licensed clinical social worker, runs her own practice for 3.5 years from her office close to the Wake Forest Historic downtown.

Heather Brewer can answer questions at:

(919) 349-8246

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We can not survive alone emotionally. Computers and TV shows will never be a sufficient substitution for a human contact, a touch, a smile, a whisper, an experience.

As the number of deaths from the misuse of prescription drugs are soaring and the number of antidepressant prescriptions uncontrollably climbs up (and the age of antidepressant users goes down) we should ask ourselves: What did we do to deserve it?

And the answer is: we stay at home alone, we imposed a house arrest, and we just go out for working and shopping. Less and less people attend community events, more and more hours are spent in front of a TV or a computer or a video game. We grew fat and unhappy and alone. Depressing isn’t it? No, it is not a time for a pill or an ice cream. It is a time to break free.

Annual International Festival of Raleigh is a perfect opportunity to break the habit and take some time from your busy “in front of TV” schedule to get out into the crowd.

Consider it a healthy exercise, a therapy.

Dancing and singing was originally used to build bonds among tribe members before a hunt or a war or a big celebration. So join in the dance, feel how wonderful it is to be a part of something bigger. Have fun, talk to a complete stranger, smile, sample endless national foods, shop for wonders from other countries, ask questions, and free yourself of a bad mood from self-inflicted house arrest.

The festival will take place October 2 – 4.

For more information visit Annual International Festival of Raleigh on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=86801601332&ref=ts

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Marilyn Shannon

Do you know that you can be brain dead, but you can not be heart dead? Does your breathing make you sick? Do you know that improper breathing can trigger panic?

Do you know the secret formula of life?

Event + response = outcome

Our response is dictated by our stress level. Our stress level affects our breathing that becomes fast and shallow. Our breathing affects all our organs and first of all the heart rate. Increased heart rate destroys the harmony that exists in our body and induces excessive production of stress hormone cortisone. Too much cortisone is not healthy and is hard to get out of the system. Cortisone also stops the production of DHEA, a vitally important hormone building block, dramatically decreasing our memory, immune system response and muscles flexibility

For seven years, Marilyn Shannon, a life coach and a mediator and the founder of Power of Dialogue, used HeartMath breathing technique to training clients of all ages to change the response, shift attitude, and create different emotional landscape and as a result changing the outcome.

HeartMath breathing technique helps with:

• ADD
• Stress management
• Eating disorders
• Concentration and creativity
• Addictions
• Test preparation
• Insomnia
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Intuition
• Positive emotions development

“HeartMath breathing technique helps developing ability to live the moment, to be present in the moment.”, – said Marilyn. –“It gives us opportunity to be clear, to receive the information faster, and to react appropriately.”

The sensor attached to the ear or finger measures the HRV, heart rate variability that is closely related to our emotions, and sends a reading to sophisticated software that presents heart’s beats on the computer screen.

“When you develop the balance, you can do anything. “, – Marilyn uses numerous therapeutic computer games assisting her clients with the proper breathing techniques so they can achieve their goals from concentration and stress management, to addictions and depression.

Many American hospitals use HeartMath. Our local emergency room staff at Duke Hospital, one of the top American hospitals, uses HeartMath to lower doctor’s and nurses’ stress level.

HeartMath breathing techniques is easy to learn and easy to apply even by children as young as three years of age.

Marilyn Shannon can be reached at:
(919) 362-7133
http://www.powerofdialogue.com/

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Dr. Leavitt; Picture courtesy of HTC

Know the warning signs:

* Are there changes in behavior?

- Has their appearance changed in clothing, weight, behavior

- Are there changes in sleep patterns, eating patterns

- Loss of interest in friends

- Is there an inability to concentrate?

* Is there a preoccupation with themes of death and dying?
* Are prized possessions being given away?
* Has there been an element of grief or recent loss: death, divorce, separation, broken relationship (especially for teens), a change in personal status?
* Are there changes in personality: sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive?
* Is there a lack of concern for their safety, efforts to hurt themselves?

Be aware that the greatest risk of suicide is as the depression begins to lift.

* Do not leave a person at high risk alone, not for a moment.
* Remove means for harm: Make guns and pills inaccessible.

Work towards Resilience:

- Strong family support and cohesion
- Peer support & close social networks
- Religious beliefs that discourage suicide
- Develop adaptive coping & problem solving skills
- Improve self esteem, sense of purpose

Tips are courtesy of:
Dr. Leavitt
Health Touch Chiropractic
(919) 720-3000
http://www.raleighhealthtouch.com/

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