Natural Mood Stabilization
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So many people struggle with the stability of their mood it's a wonder any of us actually succeed. This doesn't mean we're supposed to be Stepford friends, wives, sisters or mothers, smiling and happy throughout the day (though some pharmaceutical advertisements might have us believe otherwise). On a healthier level it simply means that, as with other areas of our lives, when we feel we are not out of control in our emotional lives, we just feel better about everything.
Stabilizing your mood means you can avoid a roller coaster of emotions during the day -- you don't have to wake up depressed and then get completely ecstatic during the office party, only to become irritated and practically enraged during the commute home on the subway, or in your car, or on your bike or footpath.
Stabilizing your mood improves your self esteem, you feel you can handle anything that comes up because you won't become so upset that you feel practically paralyzed. Your relationships grow as people begin to really depend on you and not worry about catching you in one of your darker or angrier or trickier moments.
Please keep in mind that I am fully aware that for some people, pharmaceutical assistance is not only helpful, but absolutely necessary to keep their chemistry in tune, I am simply offering some natural suggestions in addition to these prescriptions or, in some cases, as an alternative to try.
* A lot of exercise -- We all think so highly of getting thin, but what we put on the shelf or view as a pesty step-sister is the benefit of mood stabilization as a bonus of exercise. Even if you never lose a pound (which you will, believe me) exercise for mental health is one of the best aspects of jumping on that bike or treadmill. You can release rage, pent up frustration, sweat out hours of feeling victimized, over analyzed, criticized or punished; you can express yourself, listen to the music of your choice, punch a heavy bag, meditate. Your brain chemistry actually changes when you work out and certain studies have shown that for people with severe depression, regular and consistent exercise often works better than anti-depressant medication.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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Aromatherapy is my holistic way to treat my mood change and other conditions. I use genuine medical therapeutic grade essential oils which I purchase from companies based in AZ. The balancing is amazing/awesome and wonderful!
January 11, 2011 - 3:51pm(Comments edited by EmpowHER moderator to remove commercial references. )
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