5 Natural Ways to Help Depression/Anxiety

Do you ever get depressed? Or feel anxious?  I do, and I've definitely been more depressed and anxious than usual lately.   

Thanks to Google, I'm able to self-diagnose myself with situational depression.  Don't you just love Google?

Situational depression seems to differ from clinical depression in that it is milder, situation-based and not due to a chemical imbalance. Which means that pharmaceuticals may not help.

Not to say that taking pharmaceutical drugs is bad.  If they help you..that's great.  But, if you want to try natural methods first, or for some other reasons pharmaceuticals aren't an option or don't work.. well, here are some things that help me!  I hope they help you too.

1. Exercise

This pretty much goes without saying, those endorphins are something else. 

2. Fresh Air

You get bonus benefits if you exercise outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine is SO helpful.  Even fresh air and clouds is helpful. I know this is SO HARD to do in the winter.  So, so hard. It really is worth the effort.  And definitely take advantage of those milder winter days.

3. Avoid Gluten

I know, I know...everyone says that gluten is the devil, blah, blah, blah.  However, gluten really DOES contribute to depression, even if you don't have celiac. Just try going off it for a few weeks and see if there is a difference.  I know for myself, I can eat some gluten and be fine, but if I start eating gluten on a daily basis, I start to get more depressed and anxious.   So for the most part, I stay away from it.  Not 100%, but I try to limit my gluten indulgences to once a week or less..and that seems to be enough to make a difference.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Lots of studies show the benefits of fish oil and other omega-3 fatty acids. I believe that a minimum of 1000 mg/day is recommended to fight depression.  Of course, you always want to find a super high quality fish oil.  I really love PlusEPA*.  The high EPA seems to be especially helpful for depression and anxiety. It definitely helps me.  It is a bit pricey, but in my opinion, totally worth it. 

5. Keep a Routine and Get Out Regularly

This is by far, the most important thing you can do.  Fake it till you make it.  Or something like that.  Seriously...getting out and keeping a routine and seeing friends (or even just acquaintances) is SO helpful in fighting situational depression.  I know I feel a lot worse when things like bad weather and holidays conspire to keep me home more.  I really can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping a routine and getting OUT of the house and spending time with people you enjoy spending time with.  Even spending time with people you only tolerate can be helpful. Just seeing some new faces and having some new conversation is a wonderful thing.  Do it.

On a similar note...don't forget to take the time to do things that you love.  Whether that is blogging or writing or reading or knitting or sewing or studying Mandarin Chinese...taking time for your hobbies is so important. You may not feel like writing or blogging or knitting...but once you do it, you'll feel better.  I promise. But don't hold me to that...just try it for yourself.

What about you?  Do you have any natural tips to help with depression of anxiety.  Do share! Please.  

*affiliate link.  If you buy ANYTHING through this link, I make a few pennies. I love pennies. 

I'm going to go ahead and link up with Jenna at Call Her Happy for Five Favorites.  Since we can call Jenna...happy...she may not need these tips...but perhaps some of her readers might. 

5 Things I Bought That Actually Weren't a Waste of Money

I don't know about you, but I've been guilty of making a few unnecessary purchases a time or two...Just a few (okay maybe more than a few) but every one of them is guilt-inducing.  I have a bad tendency of getting it into my mind that. I NEED something, and then hopping over to Amazon...ordering it..and then by the time it comes...I don't need it anymore.  Whoops.  But, of course, I never return it...so then I've wasted money and have this useless "thing" cluttering up my house. 

Well...here are 5 things I bought that actually WERE worth it. 

1. The Bug Zapper

This thing is awesome. I LOVE it.  We have an old house with broken screens, and as a consequence we've gotten way too many flies inside.  Enter the bug zapper...this things works wonderfully at keeping the population of flying insects down.  It catches flies, mosquitoes, fruit flies and moths.  The best part is it makes a deliciously, loud zapping noise anytime it kills another flying insect.  It just warms my heart to hear those flies get zapped to their demise.  Go ahead...report me to the SPCF (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Flies)..I don't care.   Plus, it's totally safe for kids, as there is a grate over the electronic part so a person couldn't possibly get zapped.  

2. 

Greek Yogurt Maker

We eat a lot of yogurt in this house and making our own saves A TON of money.  I used to balk at making my own yogurt, because I could never get it thick enough.  However, now that I have a yogurt strainer...I can strain my yogurt and get it super thick and creamy and delicious without any added artificial anything. You DO know that Greek Yogurt is just regular yogurt strained..right? Actually, I didn't know that until a few months ago myself.  Once you get the hang of it, making yogurt is surprisingly easy and saves A TON of money and is way healthier than the store-bought stuff. 

3. 

Epsom Salt

I just started taking Epsom Salt baths, but have noticed a big health benefit from doing so.   Magnesium is such an essential nutrient and is absorbed through the skin, so some people find that they absorb magnesium better this way. 

4. 

Frankincense Essential Oil

 If you only buy one essential oil, I suggest this one!  Frankincense is considered by many to be the "king of oils" and has so many uses. I mix it with Castor oil and dab it on anyone who has any illness, aches/pains or even just a cranky mood and it does help. 

5. 

Body Vega Fish Oil

 This product I did not actually buy, but was given my first bottle for review.  I have subsequently bought other bottles. This is a very high quality fish oil and taking fish oil is an important part of my anti-depression strategy.  The high EPA especially tends to be effective at combating depression and anxiety. Most people are aware of the health benefits of fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids, and unfortunately most people (myself included) don't eat enough fatty fish to get it from diet alone..which is why supplements can be so important.  The Body Vega brand is a good, high quality brand that is molecularly distilled to be free of all contamination. It contains a whopping 1500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids...which is higher than most other brands on the market.  I've been supplementing with fish oil for several years now, so I've tried many different brands, and I am quite pleased with this one. *

(see Heather for more 5 Favorites). 

(This post contains affiliate links.  If you click through and order ANYTHING from Amazon...I get a few pennies....doesn't cost you a thing!). 

*While I was contacted by a representative of BodyVega and offered a bottle of fish oil, the opinions stated are all my own. 

Cool Stuff

It's been awhile since I've linked up with Hallie for a Five Favorites post. so I have a lot of favorites stored up in my little brain just waiting to be spilled out onto the compute screen,

1.

The Rubba Sweepa Broom

Yes, a broom is one of my favorites. Seriously though...if you've never used a rubber broom, you are totally missing out.  This thing just picks up and grasps dirt *so well*.   It's super easy to use and you can use it to scrub, mop and sweep the floors.  It works really well on my hardwood, linoleum and tile floors.  I hate cleaning and sweeping, but this broom really does make it easier. I wouldn't go so far as to say it makes it fun, but it at least takes less effort to get more clean.

2.

The Barclay Rewards Credit Card

Gasp!  A credit card! Turn away all you Dave Ramsey fans.  I know a lot of people are really against credit card use, but I feel like if you use it responsibly (ie. don't spend more than you can pay for) it can be a good tool.  We always pay our balance off in full each month, so we never have to pay any interest or fees.   And, this particular credit card is so awesome because it gives you double rewards points on gas, food and utilities.  Which is basically 95% of the things we put on it each month.   And, even more awesome, you can use the reward points as a cash back statement credit, so you are getting some of your gas, groceries and utilities for free.  Just to give you an example, on an $88 gas purchase (big vans are expensive to fill!!!) we earned 178 points which translates to 1.78 statement credit.  So, the rewards do add up here. 

3.

Crazy Pictures Kids Take With Your Camera

It is so funny to see what they choose as subject. The following photos are courtesy of Greta.

These pictures are from the Usbourne Children's Atlas.  An awesome book the kids love to read!  Great pictures and lots of fun facts. 

This next set is from Six by Seuss, and I know I don't have to tell you how awesome Dr. Seuss is. 

I love how she artistically set up the book with the compass and the hard drive. 

Gasp!  Is what those turtles are doing appropriate for a children's book???!!!

And, since these are books...I'm waaaaaay stretching the rules here and linking up with Jessica so you can all see what we're reading...or at least what we are taking pictures of. 

4.

SPRING!!

Heidi took this!  Pretty darn good for a 12-year old with a point and shoot camera if I do say so myself. 

Because you can't appreciate the spring and the summer unless you've gone through the winter.  There is NOTHING like those first glorious warm days. I never really appreciated spring until we lived in Florida where it was always summer and never Christmas.  Warm sunshiney days are really only enjoyable once you've gone through the rain and wind and cold and snow. 

5. 

All the Good People of the World

I've seen so many instances lately of both real and virtual continuities rallying around to help those in need,   It just warms the cockles of my normally stone-cold heart.  If you've spent any time on  social media, you know exactly what I'm talking about. In the midst of unthinkable tragedy, the good people have rallied around to provide love, support and financial help to those in need. People really ARE good,                 

Future Bloggers and Book Reviewers of America

There's snow covering the roads but school is still going on here at our house.  I'm letting the future bloggers and book reviewers of American write these book reviews.

Note: There books are "below" the reviewers respective reading levels. I grabbed the Zita book at the library because I recognized the author.  The kids didn't want to read it at first, but once they started reading it, they LOVED it.   They loved it, loved it, loved it...and since I hadn't read it, I assigned writing the book reviews to Heidi.

Greta wanted to review John's books (to be read to him, he can't read that well yet), so that is what she did.

1.

Zita the Spacegirl 

by Ben Hatke (who is a good Catholic and has a daughter named Zita).

A Book Review by Heidi (age 11)

Zita the Space Girl  is about a girl who accidentally sends her friend through a space portal to the the Planet Sriptorus!  Zita has to save her friends.

I think the book was showing what friendship really is, and that everyone has a good imagination.  It kind of reminded me of Star Wars. 

It was very well-written.  The characters are almost real. The illustrations were colorful.  If you love space adventures, aliens and suspense, you will probably be one of those people who blast off so they can read it. 

P.S. Everyone should read it. 

2.

Legends of Zita

A short book review by Heidi

In this book Zita has to find her way home, except there's one problem.  Her space adventures have made her a megastar!  And to make things worse, there is a robot taking her life away.  In other words....a robotic Zita.

I love it!  You have to read it.

3.
Writer's Express

Someone gave us this book a few months ago, and Heidi took the initiative to open it up all on her own and find the page on writing book reviews and book reports.   This is a good little handy guide that young writers will find useful.  The book is divided into different sections and has different lessons, but it's not real textbooky.   The nice thing is that it includes lots of examples, which helps demonstrate the concept they are trying to teach.

4.

Fairies! A True Story

A book review by Greta (age 9)

I like this book because it is about fairies and it sort of is history, my favorite school subject. You should read it because it is a beginner reader book.  You could help your child read it as one of their first books in level three.  It is also history, so children can do history as well as trying to read it and they could double learn.  Older children who already know how to read can learn history, even though it is about fairies that are fairy tales.  I won't give it away, but it is a good book.  Children can learn and enjoy it at the same time.

I warn you, you have to have talented children in order to read it because some words are hard, like the words "believe", "fairies", "people", "dance", "children", "place", "Africa", "Ireland", "helpful", "errands" and "brownies in England". But if your child can't read you can read it to them.  It even mentions Elsie, although fairies really aren't that real it is still a true story because it is about people who think they saw fairies and it is about fake fairy photos.  That is a word in the book, P h o t o s.  That is a hard word to read for beginners, so help your kids read that word, if they are six and under.  If you read it,  I would like you to tell me if you like it. It is a short book.If you don't like it, I don't want to know. Above is a picture of it.

5.

Grizzwold

A book review by Greta

This book is about a bear named Grizzwald who lives in the woods. Some men chop down trees and there are none left. Where will GrizzWald live? The story is mostly about him trying to find a new home. I warn you ,that you may not like this book very well, but for kids around six and five, four, and three, I am sure it is a treasure.  They would like it. They should read it. But if they don't know how to read it, you can read it to them. They would like it, like I said before. It has pretty pictures with a talented author and artist who drew the pictures. Above is a picture of it.

(Linking up with Hallie for 5 Favorites and Jessica (who has a new snazzy blog look) for What We're Reading Wednesday.)

5 Favorite Pro-Life Books

Today marks the 41st anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision.

We were planning going up to D.C. for the March for Life this year, but we ended up foiled by the flu. 

Image Source

Okay, okay...the snow and the cold was  a bit of a detriment too....we're not as hardy as these folks.

This is the one time of year I write about abortion on this blog....usually I tend to shy away from REALLY controversial topics. Last year I wrote about Unplanned Joy.

This year, I'm just going to direct you a few of my favorite books that deal with the topic of abortion or life before birth or crisis pregnancy or anything remotely related to that. 

1.

Having Your Baby When Others Say No.

by Madeline Pecora Nugent

(who happens to be my mother, but nepotism played no part in the choosing of this book).

Even though this book was published almost 20 years ago, it still has relevance today.  While some of the resources in the appendix are out of date (it was written before wide-spread Internet use), the encouragement and information contained within is timeless.  Written in an easy-to-read style, it contains many short quotes and stories from countless women who have experienced crisis pregnancies.   It is written in a very compassionate and loving way towards women who are dealing with crisis and would be a great help to anyone who is dealing with a crisis pregnancy or helps women in crisis pregnancies. 

Just to give you a hint of the awesomeness contained within, I present to you my favorite quote.

M.D. does not stand for Mostly Divine. - M.P.N.

How can you NOT love a book that has a quote like that in it. 

2. 

My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis

Also By Madeline Pecora Nugent

This book is written for parents who have received a serious prenatal diagnosis...perhaps they were told that their child had a genetic disorder, perhaps they were told that their child would not live long outside the womb. Most likely there were told to terminate the pregnancy. 

This much needed book contains countless stories and inspiration for mothers who desire to continue their pregnancy and allow their child to live as long as possible....no matter how short or long that might be. 

While the stories contained within are sad...they are also inspirational..  This is a book that will touch your heart and probably make you cry...but in a good way. 

3.

Angel In The Waters

by Regina Doman
Illustrated by Ben Hatke

This is a beautiful children's book...the pictures are gorgeous and it is a great view of life before birth. 

4.

Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line.

by Abby Johnson

I checked this book out of the library and devoured it rather quickly.  It is an easy read, and is both fascinating and interesting.  It gives an interesting view point from someone who has been on "both sides".  My only complaint is that I felt the book ended rather abruptly.  Maybe because Abby Johnson's story is still unfolding, but the book felt unfinished to me. 

5. 

Abortion Rites: A Social History of Abortion in America

by Marvin Olasky

To be honest, I haven't read this book, but Ben read it and he highly recommends it, so that's good enough for me to include in my five favorites.  It is a very balanced view of the history of abortion, without any bias from one side or the other.  All stories are backed by historical evidence and written within the framework of a Judeo-Christian value system which was in place in America at the time.  I don't think this is an easy read, it is a more academic book, but if you like that thing and are interested in the history of abortion in America, this it the book for you.

Linking up with Hallie for Five Favorites and Jessica for what we're reading Wednesday.

Health, Housekeeping, Holiness, Hippos and Holmes

1.

Health

Eat for Heat: the Metabolic Approach to Food and Drink

by Matt Stone

This book is written in an extremely casual tone (warning..even contains some vulgarities) and Matt Stone is not a doctor and makes no claims as such.  That said, this book makes a ton of sense, in some ways.  It's basically a recovery book for people who have ruined their metabolisms following different health diets (paleo, vegan, low-fat, low-carb, low-calorie, eating disorders.) and rails against the commonly accepted advice to drink half your weight in water a day.  Which when you think about it is fairly ridiculous, because no other animal drinks that much water.  The gist of the book is that that you need to have the correct blood concentration for proper health (proper balance of water and salts/minerals) and that many people in the name of health are drinking too much water, consuming not enough salt and their blood is chronically too dilute which lowers their metabolism. 

Some of his advice is really crazy (he even advocates drinking SODA), but if you can get past that and see what he is really advocating (consuming fluids and foods with a proper balance of salt/sugar) it starts to make more sense, health-wise and you can implement the strategies while still following a whole foods lifestyle.

I definitely think we are a beverage-obsessed culture...coffee, tea, soft drinks, water bottles...many people find themselves unable to do anything without some sort of beverage in hand and all that fluid consumption may not be the best. 

Matt Stone advocates using your own feelings of health and wellness to gauge how much you should be drinking, instead of blindly chugging down water just to get a certain amount in each day.  Whether you agree with him or not, it's a quick, casual, easy-read and gives any health-obsessed person something to chew on.

2.

Housekeeping

No Time to Clean

I posted yesterday about cheerioes on the bathroom floor, so it seems appropriate that I'm reviewing this book today. 

I picked this book at the library on a whim and it has some good information in it.  I hate cleaning and I especially hate cleaning schedules, so this book caught my interest.

It has some really practical advice..keep cleaning supplies handy, clean as messes as they are made and ways to eliminate the need to clean and cut down on messes in the first place.  I especially like how he talks about keeping cleaning supplies handy and just cleaning whenever you notice a mess or  notice something needs doing   I like how he doesn't talk about schedules or making Saturday- bathroom cleaning day, Monday-dusting day, Tuesday-mopping day.  That doesn't work for me, instead he talks about building cleaning into your daily routine and keeping supplies handy so you can do it as you go along in daily life.  I suspect that his ideas and tips are things that people who are naturally neat and organized do anyway...but the rest of us have to be told what to do. 

For example. I think I need to buy some more small brooms and dustpans and start keeping them around the house, so we can sweep quickly when needed.  Or, I can keep magic erasers handy in every room to easily clean marks off the walls or doors whenever i notice them.

3,

Holiness

Holiness for Housewives: And Other Working Women

I'm reading this as part of a group to which I belong.  It's not something I would normally read, but so far, I am finding it to be inspiring and encouraging.  The language is a bit dated (I think it was originally written in the 50's), but it manages to be both practical and spiritual.  Overall, it is a great spiritual guide that helps you incorporate prayer into daily work

4.

Hippos

The Hiccupotamus

Switching to non-fiction now, this is a cute, fun little book and my kids love it. Even the big ones...enjoy it! And, it's fun to read out-loud, which is important to me. I hate reading boring book out-loud. 

5. 

Holmes

So...SHERLOCK  Season 3 is airing on SUNDAY!!!!!!!

I can't wait!!!

Linking up with Hallie for Five Favorites and Jessica for What We'r Reading Wednesday.

(Disclaimer: Contains affiliate links.  Buy and make me smile!)

Five Favorites: Nothing for Christmas

Have you finished all your Christmas shopping?

Have you even started all your Christmas shopping?

For the shopping procrastinators of the world (this means me), I bring you my five favorite gifts...linking up with Hallie for her Five Favorites and Mary Kate for her gift giving guide.   

1.

For the man in your life..

A gangsta fedora from Hats in the Belfry.

Isn't that snazzy?  It even comes with a little feather.  It's just perfect for the newly barred lawyer in your life. 

Don't worry, my newly barred lawyer picked this out himself, so I'm not ruining any surprises or anything.  I used to make fun of him for wanting a fedora!  But, he sure is debonair looking in it!

2.

For the pre-teen girl in your life who is getting "into" clothes.

A dress from ThredUp. ThredUp is a really cool online consignment store where you can get really nice clothes, super cheap.   And, if you go through that link up there, *you* get $10 free towards your first order and I get $10 credit.  (win, win!).  So sign up now!

3.

For the 9 year old girl who loves stories

Illustory

She's gotten one of these like every year for the last 3 years, and she still loves it!  It's her favorite present and the books she creates are very much treasured. Plus, it's really neat to see how her writing had changed and matured over the years.

4.

For your little 5-year old chess prodigy

A stuffed jaguar.  

Why?  Because I asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted a stuffed jaguar?

So that has nothing to do with chess and I was just being random. 

5.

And for the little toddler who's getting  Nothing for Christmas because she's been Nothing but bad.

Kidding, kidding.  She's actually not getting Nothing for Christmas.  She's actually getting a Diego library book that she scribbled in (see, nothing but bad).   Okay, okay...maybe a few other things too (and she's actually very good...except when she's screeching and scribbling in library books and throwing food on the ground and refusing to nap...but the rest of the time she's an angel.). 

Actually, we were thinking of fulfilling her wildest dreams and giving her a roll of toilet paper and a bowl of cat food.   Although on a more hygenic note, I like the suggestions Mary Kate has on her toddler suggestion, so we might just go with one of those. Check them out.  

Five Favorites for Babies, Toddlers, and Advent/Christmas

I haven't posted a Five Favorites in awhile, but with Christmas coming up, I though y'all might want some suggestions.  Or not...but humor me anyway.

All these links are affiliate links, which means if you buy from Amazon, click on the link and at NO COST to YOU, *I* earn like a penny.   Or, if you want to buy ANYTHING from Amazon, you can click on my link on the right (the one that says "Buy From Amazon") and if you buy something big, I might even earn two pennies I could rub together.  In fact if you do any shopping at all on Amazon, if you click that link, I earn a few pennies...and it doesn't cost YOU anything.

So, without further blah, blah, blah...here are my 5 Favorites.

1.

Peekaru Baby Wearing Vest

I LOVE taking walks and hiking and we go on walks fairly often, and I'm not about to let a little thing like 35 degree weather slow me down.   When the weather is warmer, I prefer to use the jogging stroller, but in cold weather I don't feel comfortable sticking a baby or toddler in the stroller, no matter how bundled up they are.  We are walking and moving so staying plenty warm, but the baby/toddler is just sitting/lying there and it can get pretty cold just sitting/lying there when it's cold outside.   So, I usually babywear when it's really cold, because then the baby/toddler shares in my body heat and stays warm.

Enter the babywearing vest...which is basically like a big vest that goes over both of us.  As a bonus, it covers up baby/toddler's feet and hands (since in my experience, zero toddlers or babies happily keep mittens on their hands) and from feeling her hands and feet she stays plenty warm and snug in there. 

I can wear her in front.

Or put the vest on backwards and wear the baby on my back.

Love it.

2.

Phillips Avent BPA free Natural Drinking Cup

I love this because it's NOT a sippy cup and is a good transition to teaching kids how to drink out of a regular cup.  The toddler can drink anywhere along the rim and when their upper lip touches the rim, the liquid drips out.  Now...it's not totally spill-proof, if it's thrown on the ground, or dropped or anything touches the inner rim (as is likely to happen in a diaper bag) it will leak slightly...but that is why it comes with that green top,...for traveling in diaper bags. 

It did take Elsa a little bit to learn how to drink out of it without dribbling water all down her front.   Unlike a sippy cup or bottle or breastfeeding which involves sucking action and the liquid being drawn straight into the back of the mouth for the easy swallowing, the child has to learn how to move the liquid to the back of the mouth for swallowing.  But they have to learn someday...and this cups makes it easier.  And, I like to get my kids drinking out of regular cups as soon as possible because I hate sippy cups.  We always lose them and they have a million parts that get lost or dirty and I just find keeping track of them to be super annoying.  I'd rather they learn how to drink out of a regular cup without spilling or making a mess that much earlier. 

3.

Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar

This is a fun calendar to keep track of the days in Advent.  I like that it is cloth and velcro and the kids can play with it and move the pieces around and still keep everything together.
4.

The Nativity Play Set

So all the other bloggers are posting about how they love the Little People Nativity Play Set.  We don't have that one...we have this one, which I like a lot.

We don't do any fun stuff where the wise men travel around the house and get lost or anything.  That's too complicated for me...we just set it up and play with it.

5.

Advent Sacrifices

I'm not super strict on this, but we've been trying to limit sugar/desserts/sweets during Advent.  Normally, we don't eat a lot of desserts anyway, but things always tend to slide in the fall starting with Greta's Birthday in October, closely followed by Halloween/All Saint's Day, then my birthday and then Thanksgiving.  So, I feel like Advent is a good way to get us back on track with limiting sugar/sweets.  We still eat them if we are out at a party and for special feast days (like St. Nicholas Day), but overall we're going to stay away from any cookie baking or sweet eating until Christmas.

Go see Hallie for more 5 Favorites.