Cupidopolis

“I have been feeling really old. It does not help that I am overweight too. What can I do?”.

There is plenty that one can do today to feel and look younger. You are right in saying that being overweight does not help. However, as I said, there is a lot that can be done.

Sticking to a calorie controlled diet will aid weight loss and you will immediately start to feel better about yourself. Adding exercise to your daily routine will also be beneficial to your health and well being. This in turn will also help over all.

You will inevitable find that you have problem areas, but with cosmetic surgery today, lots can be done too. You can have procedures like botox, cellulite therapy, semi permanant make-up, electrolysis, etc. Obviously there is a cost involved with cosmetic surgery but even the smallest treatment can make you feel dramatically better. If your budget cannot stretch that far, a facial can also do the trick to helping you feel younger too.

Do bear in mind that while cosmetic surgery is an option to some, it may not be to others. It does not mean to say it is not worth thinking about. Again finance can sometimes be an obstacle, but putting extra effort to save for a treatment, will increase the psychological benefits of the treatment. I do recommend speaking to a professional before embarking on any surgical treatment. Most places such as M Medical Spa would and should have medical and professional staff as part of their team.

Depression is an intense feeling of sadness, often accompanied by lack of motivation, tears and irritability. A large percentage of us will go through some form of depression at one point or another. There are different levels of depression and different levels of treatment for depression.

The most common form of treatment is by prescription drugs called antidepressants. Antidepressants work by suppressing the hormones that make us feel depressed and sad.

Different dosages, different brands, all work differently on different people. On a high enough dosage, a person could be pretty knocked out but most prescribed dosages are a fine balance between dealing with the depression and not blocking other emotions. Often, the issues blocking other emotions are not caused by the antidepressants themselves, but a lack of motivation / disability to deal with the problem actually causing the depression.

If you are on antidepressants and feel knocked out, speak to your doctor, who will perhaps change your brand or give you a lower dosage.

Any effects by the antidepressants do wear off once use of the tablets is stopped, despite the fact that antidepressants can be seen as being addictive. This is because by being on them you can avoid dealing with your actual issues causing the depression, as well as the fact that when you come off them, the reality is still harsh and life on them is a little more simplified as your hormones are “quieter”.

There are other ways to help elevate mild depression without use of drugs and believe it or not these include behaviour therapy, dealing with the source of your depression, a little exercise (where your blood really starts pumping) and a little sunshine.

Ideally one uses more than one method to treat depression. And remember antidepressants should be prescribed by a medical practitioner (GP or Psychiatrist).

Unfortunately we all pass through loss and bereavement. It is never easy and it is always painful. But time is a great healer. Before we can begin to feel normal, we do need to go through a grieving process. There are 5 stages to getting through your grief.

1. Denial - This is when you are still in shock and cannot quiet believe that it has happened.
2. Anger - This stage you get angry about the loss. You feel that it is not fair.
3. Bargaining - Here you wish you can change places with someone else, or plea for more time. Unfortunately, most bargaining here is pointless or not possible.
4. Depression - This is when it really hits you and you feel hopeless and often useless. You often feel like there no longer is any point to anything.
5. Acceptance - This is the final stage, where you finally accept the situation and begin to continue with the rest of your life.

Once you have reached acceptance, this does not mean that you no longer feel pain but that you begin to cope and accept it. Honestly it does get easier. If at any stage, you feel you cannot cope, do speak to friends or family or a counsellor. Speaking about it is a good way to work through your grief and help you cope.

I know it does not sound realistic, but time is a great healer, I promise!

“I was in a shop and ended up getting hurt. I cannot do much till I get better and I am feeling depressed. I was told that I could sue them and get some money.”

You could get try to go to court and get Commercial Lawsuit Finance but I am not the best person to speak to. You should ideally speak to a lawyer. However, you should be aware that even if you are awarded a sum of money this might not make any difference to how you are feeling. You might wish to mention it to your lawyers, as they may be able to organise finance to fund some therapy dealing with your depression.

“I’m fat and hate myself. I am a size 24 and feel like a big blob! I was not always so big which makes it worse because I can remember what it was like to be thin. But I get so depressed all I want to do is eat!”

Being overweight can be very upsetting. But once you have decided that you have had enough of being overweight, there are steps that you can do to help combat your weight problem. There are a number of suggestions that I shall list below. These will all help towards your achieving your goal target. The more you do, the better and the faster your chances of success are.

• First of all you may want to speak to a nutritionist. They will help you choose a target weight and the route to go. You can get referred to one from your GP. Alternatively, your GP may be able to help.
• Join a gym or dance class. You need exercise. It speeds up metabolism and increases your calorie burn rate. If a gym is too expensive, grab a friend and go for a daily walk of a minimum of half an hour.
• Cut out Junk Food and Fried Foods.
• Cut out snacks or replace with Fruit.
• Reduce your carbohydrate intake (Pasta, Bread, Potatoes and Rice)
• Increase vegetable intake (without butter or dressing unless fat free)
• Keep 2 pictures handy - One of “fat” you and one of “slim” you. You can use someone else’s body with your head on top for inspiration.
• Do NOT weigh yourself more than once a week.
• Sign up to a diet club like weight watchers or Tesco eDiets.
• Make it a lifestyle change or the weight will go back on.
• Set reasonable goal targets and treat yourself (not with food) when you reach them.
• Try competing with a friend!

“My baby is always crying. I cannot stop her. She seems to be crying all day long. I don’t know what to do. She is driving me up the wall.”

First of all speak to your health visitor, midwife or gp to rule out any problems with your daughter. Then let them know how you are feeling. It sounds like you might be suffering from post natal depression. It can be managed very easily but you need to seek help. And it does get better. Honestly.

“I cannot seem to get myself to do things. I trudge along. If its the weekend, I slump in front of TV and do nothing all day. Even at work, all I seem to do is stare at my pc screen. My work is suffering as a result too. I cannot think and I feel sad all the time. I just want to crawl under the duvet and stay there.”

It sounds like you might be suffering from depression. If you have been feeling like this for a while, I would recommend talking to your GP or going to a counsellor or psychologist. Depression can take over your life.

If it is over a day or two only, you might be suffering from PMT. Eat some chocolates and curly up with a good book. A nice warm bath helps too.

Whatever you do, try to avoid alcohol or you could feel worse.