Five Ways To Stay Healthy In These Stressful Times

Dear Jacques,


Without a doubt, these tough economic times can have a lot of negative effects on your body and mind, including stress, tension, anxiety, depression, weakened immunity, and illness. You may be nervous about your future because your retirement accounts have lost value. Or maybe you're concerned about your income or job security. Certainly, there are a lot of scenarios that can cause a great deal of heartache and worry right now.


But the more negative things seem to get, the more crucial it becomes to focus on the good in life-such as love, relationships, and even your health. I simply won't let worries about the economy affect my health. While it may seem impossible to stay strong, positive, and healthy during such a difficult time, it is possible-and I am going to tell you the five ways you can do it.


1. Make sure you sleep soundly at night.
Anxiety and depression can lead to sleep disturbances, and without enough sleep, your body and immune system can't function properly. To help you relax and fall asleep every night, I recommend taking 1-1.5 mg of melatonin each evening about two hours before bedtime, although you may see results using as little as 300 mcg.


2. Boost your energy reserves.
If you're feeling sluggish and worn out, there are several nutrients that can boost your energy. I recommend taking 250 mcg of vitamin B12 a day, 250 mg of L-tyrosine a day, and/or 1,000 mg of L-carnitine a day in divided doses.


3. Build resistance to illness.
Stress can lead to weakened immunity, therefore making you vulnerable to colds, sinus infections, the flu, and other illnesses. You are better off boosting your resistance to illness while you're healthy than trying to build it back up when you're sick. I recommend taking a high-quality multinutrient along with mineral-buffered vitamin C (1-2 grams in divided doses).


4. Reduce stress by exercising.
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress-not to mention lose weight and improve your overall health. I recommend going for an hour-long walk every day outdoors in the fresh air. While walking, take your mind off your worries and instead, focus on your breathing and enjoy your surroundings.


5. Stay positive.
I know that having a positive attitude can be tough, especially when everything you hear in the news is negative. But, keep in mind, maintaining a positive belief system is crucial in creating your own reality, even in the midst of a greater reality like the bad economy. So try to identify at least one positive thing every day-even if it has nothing to do with the economy. You also may want to recite upbeat affirmations to yourself, such as "I am a strong, positive, upbeat woman." In addition, nurture your relationships. Financial security may be important, but love is the true currency that you can depend on each and every day without fail.


I hope this information brightens your day. Please e-mail me at letters@drlark.com to let me know what you are doing to cope with the economic recession.


Many blessings to you,


Susan M. Lark, MD