My Health | Your Health

Understanding Gastric Bypass Surgery (Gastric Bypass Surgery)

2009-09-07T00:36:00.000-07:00

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery is growing in popularity. It is important that anyone who is considering this type of surgery to insure that they are ready for both the physical stresses of it as well as the mental challenge it presents. Gastric bypass surgery is a way for doctors to help treat morbid obesity. For those individuals who have serious health problems that are brought on or made worse by their weight, this surgery can be the difference in life and death. Here are some details and things to keep in mind when considering gastric bypass surgery.
First of all, it isn’t for everyone. In fact, you must be above 40 BMI in order to qualify. Some doctors will go as low as 35, though. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. This is a system that is used to compare and understand the effects of weight on human bodies as compared to their height. We know that a person with a BMI between 35 and 40 is considered morbidly obese, but that doesn’t mean someone should be very low either. There is a balance in which the body simply needs to have a certain level of fat. This is a controversial understanding in most cases. Nevertheless, this is an indicator that a person is a candidate for gastric bypass surgery.
In most cases, individuals who are candidates for gastric bypass are 100 pounds or more overweight. But, just being overweight by a certain amount is not the only thing that is considered. Individuals who would like to be considered for this weight loss will in fact need to go through a battery of mental testing. For those who eat because of emotions, gastric bypass is likely to fail. The first steps for these individuals is dealing with their specific eating disorder first. When they are successfully through them, they may then be considered a candidate. It is important to understand that once the surgery is complete, if a person can not commit to specific changes, they will not succeed at losing weight and can complicate the surgery’s outcome. Many times patients will be required to diet and exercise during a period of time prior to becoming a candidate. So, what does happen during this surgery?
During the procedure, the doctor will create a pouch out of the stomach. They will take the stomachs normal size and reduce it to mere 1-2 fluid ounces or between 30-60 mL. This is a drastically smaller size. They will lower the stomachs capacity by connecting the pouch to a point midway to the small intestine. The larger remaining pouch will be kept within the body and will be connected farther down the small intestine so that it can remain a producer of gastric juices that aid in digestion. Gastric bypass surgery does require an incision of six to eight inches. In some cases, several smaller incisions will be used instead.
What is the goal of gastric bypass surgery?
The whole point of this surgery is to limit the amount of food that a person can take in and to shorten the digestive track to allow for fewer calories to be absorbed within a person’s body. By limiting the amount of food a person can consume, they greatly reduce the amount of calories being consumed and therefore force the body to use stored fat instead. This surgery is called restrictive because it reduces your intake of foods and malabsorptive because it reduces the amount of food that can be absorbed into the body.
Most of the time, gastric bypass surgery is successful. In 2% of patients, though, it is fatal. One percent is due to complications during surgery. In many cases, the heart is already weakened from having to pump so vigorously to handle the extra weight or complications from other diseases may cause death as well during surgery. The other one percent will come within one month or so after the surgery is done. In these cases, it is often due to patients not restricting themselves properly. Patients who have this surgery will no longer be able to eat foods that are high in sugar or fat. The body can likely not handle these fast absorbing foods within their bodies.
If you would like to be considered for gastric bypass surgery, you will need to see your doctor and tell him about your situation. Not all insurance companies within the United States will actually cover this surgery unless there is medical evidence that your weight is attributing to your health. You will go through a battery of tests to determine your circumstances and to find out if you do indeed qualify. It is a life changing experience, but it is one that needs to be thoroughly thought out.
By:Travis Lawrence

Gastric Bypass Surgery

How to Treat Pimples - 4 Acne Myths Exposed (Acne)

2009-09-07T00:31:00.000-07:00

Acne

How to treat pimples is a question I am often asked and while there is no magic pill, there is hope. The first step in treating pimples or any kind of blemish for that matter is having a better understanding of acne. Understanding acne is easier said than done due to the multitude of myths circulating. Acne happens for a number of reasons but the main causes include diet, stress and hormonal imbalance.

Myth - Acne only appears on face

Acne can appear on the face, back and chest and usually are classified into pimples, nodules, blackheads and whiteheads.

Myth - Acne is an external infection

Acne occurs when the pores below the skin become blocked. Contrary to popular belief acne is an internal infection that should be treated with the proper diet.

Myth - Acne should be treated with only topical creams

Many of the so called acne cures on the market that claim to treat acne often times make the infection worse. This is why it's important to follow a good face cleaning routine along with a healthy diet. When finding a topical treatment find one that is all natural so you avoid doing more damage to your skin.

Myth - Chocolate causes acne

The great news for all you chocolate lovers is chocolate does not cause acne. Chocolate should be had in moderation. The main types of food that specifically cause acne are processed foods and foods that are cooked in oils. This is why I advise to steer clear of fast food.

These myths are perhaps the most common out of the many that still exist today. The truth is anyone can learn how to treat pimples by learning the importance of a proper diet following by a good skin cleaning routine.
By: Pamela Arsena

Acne

What Causes Acne? How Do You Get Rid of It? (Acne)

2009-09-07T00:27:00.000-07:00

Acne

ACNE, oh the word that wreaks havoc on most teenagers.... In our day in age, having a good appearance is everything, especially to young people. Being acne free is a difficult thing to achieve during teenage years, however many homemade acne treatments you read about online can help.

Doctors and researchers are no longer blaming high sugar and greasy foods as for what causes acne. It has been shown through studies that the types of food eaten seem to have little or no effect !

One of the major causes of acne is now thought to be hormone levels. Hormones found in men and women in sky rocket while in puberty and are thought to enlarge glands and increase the output of oil on your skin.

In a nutshell , acne forms when your pores get blocked , which leads to bacteria forming. Many researchers say that acne is hereditary , I for one believe it happens to everyone who doesn't take care of their skin.

There are some external causes for acne. Heavy or greasy make ups can cause acne flair ups as can high humidity for some , prescription medications may have a side effect that causes acne.

Acne can be characterized by light to moderate and severe acne. Light to moderate acne is just having blackheads and really minor acne. A severe case of acne would include cysts and nodules , That can be very painful.

Light to moderate acne can be cleared up with products at the store , however depending on how you react to it , there could be a chance it will have either no effect or even irritate your acne even more. Especially with severe acne , which I have had in the past and got rid of using the 3 day acne guide. I have my story listed on my blog , if you want to see how I did it exactly.

It is suggested that you wash at least twice a day. Never squeeze or pick the pimples/zits on your face and don't wash with a washcloth, use your hands. A washcloth can irritate the acne and make it worse.

The earlier that acne is treated, the better it will be. Getting rid of acne isn't that easy though , you need a solid guide with good testimonials so it's guaranteed to work.

Be acne free starting today !
By: Joe A Williams

Acne

Breast Cancer Information - Every Woman Should Read This (Breast Cancer)

2009-09-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer

Millions of women are affected with breast cancer all around the world. Breast cancer is growing like an epidemic and is predicted that 45,000 patients will die from breast cancer, this year. If you feel a solid lump in your breast, you must visit a specialist for consultation.

Breast cancer symptom:

Breast cancer in its early stages does not cause any pain. Unfortunately, in early stages when breast cancer develops, it does not show any breast cancer symptom. But as it grows, it can cause remarkable changes, which a woman should note. Breast cancer symptoms include thickening or lump near or in the breast, change in the shape or size of the affected breast, tenderness of nipple or nipple discharge, inversion of nipple into the breast, pitting or ridges of the breast, skin of the breast appears warm, red, swollen and scaly. A lady should visit her doctor if she persist with any breast cancer symptom.

Specialists diagnose breast cancer by any of the following examinations:
palpation, mammography, ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration, needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.

Breast cancer treatment:

Breast cancer treatment options depend on location and size of the tumor in her breast.

Various methods of breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer treatments can be systemic or local. Radiation therapy and Surgery are the local breast cancer treatments. Local breast cancer treatments are used to destroy, remove, or control the growth of cancer cells. Hormonal therapy and Chemotherapy are systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are targeted to control or destroy cancer cells all over the body. Different forms of breast cancer treatment can be prescribed at the same time or one after other.

Surgery is one of the most common breast cancer treatments. Many types of surgical interventions may be used. A surgical intervention to remove breast is called a mastectomy. An operation carried out to remove the cancer cells without affecting the size of breast is called breast conserving surgery or breast sparing.

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy: Under this breast cancer treatment specialists use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing.

Chemotherapeutic breast cancer treatment: specialists use different types of drugs or combination of different drugs to kill cancerous cells or stop them from growing. Drugs are given in cycles; a treatment period is followed by a recovery period that is again followed by another breast cancer treatment.

Hormonal therapy for breast cancer treatment is used to stop the growth of cancerous cells that affect the female hormones. This breast cancer treatment may include use of medicines, which change the way hormones work or surgery to remove the ovaries that produce female hormones.

Breast cancer treatment decisions are complex. The decisions are usually affected by the stage of the disease, judgment of the doctors and the consent of the patients.

Breast cancer pictures can be found on various websites and in medical books. These breast cancer pictures can be helpful to make the patient’s know about their cancer stage and the possible remedy if any..

Funds are arranged through various programs like breast cancer walk to spread breast cancer information among the affected and suspected people and to give them moral and economic support as well.
By:Tyson J Stevenson

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Signs - What All Women Should Know (Breast Cancer)

2009-09-07T00:16:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects women of all ages. That is why it is important to know about breast cancer signs and what action should be taken if you experience any of them. While you may experience symptoms of breast cancer, only a doctor can make the diagnosis that for sure. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

A lump, one which does not feel like the surrounding tissue, is often the first of several breast cancer signs. This is why it's important to do a regular self exam, because early detection is important. If you pay attention to breast cancer signs, you can have any symptoms investigated early on, and the sooner you are diagnosed, the more likely you are to triumph over this awful disease.

Besides a lump, some of the other breast cancer signs to look out for include changes in the sizes or shape of the breast, dimpling of the skin on the breast, or a nipple that is inverted or that has discharge coming out of it. Your doctor should be made aware of any such signs and changes as soon as reasonably possible.

Paget's disease of the breast, a disease that results in flakes on the nipple and redness of the skin, is often a leading indicator of breast cancer. As Paget's disease becomes more advanced, more symptoms become apparent. These include increased sensitivity, itching skin, burning sensations, and general pain. If you have encountered any or all of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor so that you can be properly examined to determine if you have this disease.

Sometimes other symptoms can signal breast cancer. If you have lost weight quickly and there is no reason for it, that may be a symptom. Other symptoms are unexplained fever and chills lasting more than a few days, pain in the joints or bones, and jaundice. Sometimes there are neurological symptoms as well. So all of these are things you should watch out for.

You must remember that most symptoms that coincide with breast cancer don't turn out to really be breast cancer. Although you have to take your symptoms seriously, you should not panic. What you need to do is to see your doctor, give him or her the chance to evaluate your symptoms, find out exactly what is causing your symptoms. All you have to do is get yourself checked out.

Breast cancer can strike at any age. Therefore, knowing the breast cancer signs and symptoms is very important. One of the best factors in beating breast cancer is early detection. One of the best methods of detection is the monthly self exam. One of the things that you must take note of is if your breast changes size and or shape. One thing to keep in mind is that most symptoms of breast cancer don't end up being breast cancer.
By:Stephan Grindley

Breast Cancer

Health Supplements are Increasingly Involved With Cancer Natural Treatment and Prevention (cancer natural treatment)

2009-06-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

My Health
Health supplements for preventing cancer and natural cancer treatment

There is no known single magic cure for cancer so the best advice is to do everything you possibly can to prevent cancer in the first place.

Supplementing with all 90 essential nutrients is an excellent cancer natural treatment and will ensure that your immune system is supported and your body is maintained in optimal health. For extra protection against cancer the following is a list of health supplements you should consider:

Selenium

Selenium is the king of all antioxidants and is reported to be one of the most powerful antioxidant minerals in the fight against cancer, according to Dr Gerhard Schrauzer, world authority on trace mineral research and nutrition. It is an essential cancer natural treatment.

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association backs up this finding and also reports the benefits of selenium in lowering the incidence of a number of types of cancers. Also new evidence suggests that increasing levels of selenium in the diet can protect also against damaging rays from the sun.

Recently the US FDA upheld a claim by the nutritional company American Longevity to allow the health claim that selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers and that selenium may produce anti-carcinogenic effects in the body.

A good Selenium antioxidant supplement should be the top of your list for a cancer natural treatment.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a recently discovered natural fat soluble pigment found in plants that can function in cancer natural treatment and prevention. The major food sources of lycopene are raw red or pink grapefruit, raw watermelon, and raw and processed food products containing tomatoes.
Recently (November 2005) the U.S. FDA upheld a health claim that Tomatoes and tomato-based products containing Lycopene may prevent certain forms of cancer. To read more about this you could go to the FDA website.

Antioxidant Vitamins

Significant and extensive research has been carried out on antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The US FDA has approved the health claim, that the consumption of antioxidant vitamins may reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer.

The best form of vitamin supplements is in liquid form - anyone suffering cancer or recovering from treatment may find absorption of food quite difficult and in these circumstances, liquids will always work best.

Green Tea

Green tea has been linked for some time to strong, anti-cancer effects. It is known that the tea’s anti-oxidants properties could fight harmful key molecules that cause cancer. [The Japanese have one of the lowest incidences of cancer in the world and much research is underway to further show how green tea can be used as a natural cancer treatment.]
A great deal of scientific evidence suggests that consumption of green tea and green tea extract may reduce the risk of gastric cancer and certain forms of cancer.

While the Japanese seem to like Green Tea, for many of us it is a little 'hard to swallow'. In this case, a supplement containing Green Tea may be of enormous benefit.

Fiber

Consumption of fiber may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and is an excellent and easily consumed cancer natural treatment. Gastrointestinal cancers are the second leading cause of death among all cancer patients.
There are hundreds of reliable and competent scientific studies to suggest that consumption of about 25 – 30 grams daily of dietary fiber will reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Most people don’t consume nearly enough fiber and that’s why fiber supplements should be added so that you get the adequate protection.

Shark Cartilage

Shark cartilage is another natural supplement that can help stop the formation of new cancer growths and is often contained in good quality multi-mineral and multi-vitamin complexes.

According to Naturopath and health and longevity expert, Dr Joel Wallach, shark cartilage and shark liver oil have substances that stop the formation of capillaries that feed cancer cells when they spread.

Although this is not accepted as a cancer natural treatment by conventional oncologists, Dr Wallach points out that Harvard and Yale Medical Schools have 25 years of research proving this to be the case. Dr Wallach recommends using shark cartilage at 70 grams per day if you have cancer.

Folic Acid

Folic acid may reduce the risk of breast cancer, can help prevent the horrible birth defect called spina bifida and may also help prevent a deadly childhood cancer, called neuroblastoma, in which the child is born with tumor cells, according to Canadian researchers.
It’s been known for some time that women intending to become pregnant should take folic acid supplements and this research gives women even more reason to take them.

Soy
Eating soy may stop prostate cancer. One of the main molecules (called an isoflavone) found abundantly in soy beans stops the male hormone which stimulates prostate growth. Several studies have suggested that eating soy reduces the risk of prostate cancer and a great deal of research is underway on the benefits of soy in reducing the risk of other types of cancers including breast and colon.

Diet and Lifestyle . . . for Cancer Natural Treatment

• In terms of diet for both natural prevention and treatment of cancer, you should limit your diet to fresh food, organic if possible – nothing processed.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), and vitamin C and E. Tomatoes are particularly good as a cancer natural treatment food due to the lycopene they contain

• Cruciferous vegetables have excellent cancer-fighting properties. Research suggests that cruciferous vegetables contain phyto-chemicals which stimulate our bodies to break down potential carcinogens and work by preventing the transformation of normal health cells in to cancerous cells.
Cruciferous vegetables are linked to lower cancer risk (prostate, bladder, colon, liver, lung) and include: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale

• Avoid fried foods, margarines, heated oils, burned animal fat and any other burned food (vegetable oil when heated and burned animal fat are basically carcinogenic).

• No alcohol and no cigarettes and no carbonated drinks. Research indicates that high acidity in your system provides a fertile ground for cancer cells to grow – we should strive to maintain an alkaline system.

• Drink eight glasses of water a day. Detoxify your system monthly by doing a liver flush.

• Protect yourself from strong sunlight

• Stay in tune with your body – monitor anything unusual – e.g. unusual lumps, ulcers, bleeding, extended diarrhoea, pain, change in urination or bowel habit, or moles that change in shape, colour, size. All of these factors can help prevent cancer.
By :Paul Newland

My Health
Cancer Natural Treatment

Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple (my health)

2009-06-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

my health

Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use the techniques Dr. Kuhn teaches in this article. When you are able to experience this improvement, your relationships blossom, career paths open, and people find you attractive and accessible. You deserve to have fun and joy in your life - and Cliff Kuhn, M.D. will help you do that.

In the classic Frank Capra film, It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey's mental health is overwhelmed by the difficulties of his life and he wishes he'd never been born. George's guardian angel grants his wish and takes him to a grim reality as it would've been without him. George feels nothing when he reaches into his coat pocket to retrieve the flower his daughter, Zuzu, placed there - and that's when George knows that his wish has come true...he's never been born.

Wishing she had never been born, Roberta became my patient, seeking desperately to improve her mental health. Like the fictional George Bailey character, Roberta's depression and anxiety had grown so strong as to threaten her ability to lead any semblance of a normal life. Fortunately for Roberta, she soon discovered exactly why the natural medicine of humor is one of the most powerful adjunctive treatments for improving mental health, because humor literally pours water on the fire of depression and anxiety.

Roberta is not alone. As many as 35% of all Americans suffer from depression and anxiety, the twins that make mental health elusive for millions. Your depression and anxiety is exacerbated by your seriousness - taking yourself too seriously. As we move into adulthood, we unfortunately buy into the notion that responsible and productive people must be "serious." As we make the biggest mistake of our lives and relegate our humor nature and fun to recreational activities (if we experience fun at all), we doom ourselves to all the symptoms of the corresponding seriousness that fills the void - declining health, rising stress, increased pain, lessened energy, impaired creativity, and more.

The good news for your mental health, however, is that we know how to shrink your deadly seriousness to practically nothing and reduce almost completely the sway it holds over your health, vitality, wellness, and zest. The natural medicine of humor is an incredibly powerful resource that you already possess; you've only forgotten how to use it to maximum effectiveness. You will soon discover that, while not a panacea, the natural medicine of humor is a tremendous tonic for depression or anxiety and will also supercharge other treatments because it is an amazing adjunctive medicine too!

I have distilled the natural medicine of humor, through my years of medical practice, into an amazing prescription I call The Fun Factor. Based on what I learned over twenty years ago from a terminally ill fifteen-year-old patient, I created a unique set of principles I call the Fun Commandments, then forged these Commandments into my Fun Factor prescription and have been prescribing The Fun Factor with great success for years. This report will show you how to use just three of my Fun Commandments to turn your mental health around, and gain new joy, pleasure, and appreciation from your life!

Improve Your Mental Health Using My Fun Factor Prescription

Step One: Always Go the Extra Smile

The first Fun Commandment I recommend for improved mental health is: Always Go the Extra Smile. This Commandment is doubly helpfully for depression and anxiety because not only does it provide measurable emotional and physical relief, but it also is completely under your control - regardless of your circumstances. Because smiling remains totally under your control, it can be your greatest resource for using humor's natural medicine to accelerate your mental health.

Smiling produces measurable physical benefits you can experience immediately: your stress decreases, your immunity improves, your pain and frustration tolerances increase, and your creativity soars. And guess what? You experience all these benefits even if your smile is "fake." That's right...forcing a smile onto your face perks up your immune system and lightens your mood just as readily as a genuine smile. Fake a smile and you'll soon feel well enough to wear a real one!

This is great news for your proactive stance on sustainable mental health. You have an amazing amount of pre-emptive control over your mood - you can, literally, choose more energy and happiness. The key for your use of this Fun Commandment in enhancing your mental health is to start practicing right now, so that smiling becomes an entrenched, habitual method of accessing the natural medicine of humor. If you wait to smile until your mental health has taken a turn for the worse, and depression or anxiety has taken hold of you, it will not be as effective.

Step Two: Act and Interact

Smiling leads us right into the second Fun Commandment you'll find instrumental in maintaining your mental health: Act and Interact. Humor's natural medicine works best when we are sharing ourselves and this Commandment will teach you how to capitalize on the control you've taken over your physiology and mood by smiling. Acting and interacting is now easier for you to do because you're smiling more. Not only is your mood improved, but your smile is also a pleasant invitation to other people.

My suggestion is that you solidify the power of this Commandment by setting a reasonable goal regarding the number of people you will interact with each day. These social interactions are great for your mental health, forcing you to exchange information and ideas with another person. Combined with your commitment to smiling, your interactions should be pleasant, because your heightened energy, lessened pain, and lowered stress levels are very attractive to others.

Beyond keeping you out of isolation, there is another reason why acting and interacting with the people you encounter fosters improved mental health. It allows you to avoid spiritual "flat tires." Spiritual flat tires occur when you sidestep, or avoid, an interaction that is about to happen naturally - you duck into an office to avoid encountering someone in a hallway or you don't answer the phone because you don't want to talk to the person calling. This type of avoidance drains and deletes your reservoir of powerful natural energy and siphons your mental health reserves.

Have you ever noticed that it usually takes you twice as much mental and physical energy to avoid doing a job than you would have expended just doing it? It also takes twice the energy to avoid acting and interacting with the people who cross your path because you are, in effect, saying, "I'm going to correct the mistake that nature made by putting this person in my path and I'm going to correct it by being mentally and spiritually negligent." Mental and spiritual negligence have the same effect as physical negligence (isn't it strange how you get tired if you don't exercise?). If your mental health can afford to allow this much energy to be drained, then you have a much bigger reservoir than I!

But spiritual flat tires do more than drain our energy, they are detrimental in at least two additional ways:

We miss out on an interaction with a teacher. If nature didn't have a lesson for you, that person you just avoided would not have been placed in your path. You say that the person you just avoided was a negative influence or would've wasted your time? I know we have legitimate schedules to keep, but if I am avoiding people based on my prejudgment of them, I'm cutting myself off from my greatest teachers - those very same people.
We all learn tolerance from the intolerant, patience from the impatient, temperance from the intemperate, gentleness from the ruffian, etc. I am supremely grateful for those teachers and the lessons they give me.

We create a small, nagging spiritual void of dishonesty, the kind of dishonesty that keeps us from laying our heads down with complete peace of mind each night. Our spiritual flat tire is caused by the pothole our avoidance created; it is a natural consequence, or symptom, of our spiritual dishonesty. These consequences clutter our lives with mental and emotional baggage that further drains us of our energy and vitality.

Step Three: Celebrate Everything

The third Fun Commandment which will help you use the natural medicine of humor to charge up your mental health is: Celebrate Everything. Celebrating everything may sound like a monumental task to someone who's mental health isn't up to par, but you will find this part of my doctor's orders much easier to fulfill once you start practicing my first two Commandments. In fact, celebrating everything is more than a maintenance step providing sustainable mental health. It will also become your lifestyle, the more you practice it, because you will enjoy the results so much.

How do you celebrate everything and how will this keep your mental health on the upswing? The epitome of this Commandment is found in the old joke about the boy who wanted a pony for his birthday. Instead, he found a room full of manure waiting for him. But he dove right into the dung, gleefully exclaiming, "With all this manure, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Laugh as we might, we're quick to remember that, as adults, we would never allow ourselves such "naive" enthusiasm. Why not? Do you realize what is behind such a "grown up," "mature" decision? Your deadly seriousness (taking yourself too seriously) encourages the attitude that a mature adult should not let herself be so optimistic and thus mental health is jeopardized.

We could do more than chuckle at this birthday boy's unabashed optimism - we should emulate it! When was the last time you encountered an unexpected pile of manure in your life? You had absolutely no control over the mess, right? But you had absolute control over your reaction to it and this is the key to using celebration to keep your mental health improved!

When you celebrate everything, the natural medicine of humor creates spiritual, emotional, and mental health like nothing you've felt before. You will find that your fears become much less controlling when you are celebrating everything because it no longer matters so much how things turn out. In fact, you are literally ready for anything because you are prepared to find the blessing in whatever happens.

My daughter-in-law, for example, broke her back last year. My son, who is often my model for the embodiment of my Fun Commandments, can tick off a laundry list of blessings his family has received as a direct result of his wife's "tragedy." Not that his mental health hasn't been challenged, but faced with the choice of depression and anxiety over an event he couldn't control versus finding the blessings waiting for him, he has chosen the latter.

The choice to celebrate everything is not a panacea; my son's choice did not change the reality of his wife's injury. What did change, however, was his ability to respond to the injury and, thus, keep his mental health on an even keel. Celebrating everything changes our lives because it allows us to positively control the only things we have control over - our actions, ideas, and attitudes.

There you have it. Start by going the extra smile, use your new found smiling energy and vitality to act and interact with people, and celebrate everything to maintain your positive momentum. Say good-bye to imprisonment from depression and anxiety and welcome to your new world of improved mental health!
Start Using The Fun Factor to Improve Your Mental Health...Right Now

Here are some simple, easy steps you can take right now to turbo-charge your mental health.

By: Cliff Kuhn, M.D.

my health