Archive September 2018

Is it all ‘old wives tales’?

A person’s health is strongly influenced by their diet. Slogans such as ‘you are what you eat’ help emphasise the importance of thinking about our food. Furthermore, where it comes from. For generations our ancestors have used the saying ‘everything in moderation’. Unfortunately, many ignore the ‘old wives tales’. However, these phrases originate from someone’s experience. They tend to have a significant element of truth. Sometimes we only need to think about the words to realise what they mean.  Consider the moderation example.  Maybe it is common sense that an excess of anything could be damaging to our health. However, can diet help with depression?

One aspect of the age of research in which we are currently living is that more often than not these phrases, suspicions or best guesses of our ancestors are being proven empirically. As written here, by The Independent newspaper, the Mediterranean diet is now being linked with prevention of depression. Whilst the exact ‘old wives tale’ relating depression and extra virgin olive oil escapes me, I remember since my childhood much talk about this diet ‘being good’ but no-one really knowing why.

Or can evidence prove what people have known for centuries?

As evidence for a particular diet goes, this is a fairly small scale study. There is a long way to go before we are adopting the Mediterranean way of life, however it is a start. In the meantime, maybe we should all check in with some of those phrases we remember and wonder what truth they may hold for us today. For the time being, it appears that the answer to ‘can diet help with depression?’ is a tentative ‘yes!’.

If you have enjoyed reading this post, please have a look at my home page and the rest of my blog. I offer counselling sessions, based in Fishponds (BS16) and central Bristol (BS2), at a pace that feels comfortable and safe.

Unfortunately, there are many suicides around the world. Nearly three quarters of all suicides in the UK are from males, especially those in their late forties. However, whilst every death is ‘one too many’, the BBC report here that numbers are at their lowest since 1981. Male suicide rates are falling – this good news is very welcome. However, as a population more work is required to raise awareness of male mental health. In the past, society has dictated that men should ‘put a brave face on’ and ‘bottle-up’ strong feelings. Challenging this belief is a starting point to reduce male suicide.

If you are struggling, the Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 on 116 123 (UK and Ireland), jo@samaritans.org or their website.

If you have benefited from reading this post, please have a look at my home page and my blog. I offer counselling sessions, based in Fishponds (BS16) and central Bristol (BS2), at a pace that feels comfortable and safe.

Recently, a study published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) observed that about one fifth of the world’s population are not getting enough exercise. Notably, in the UK this figure rises to one third! Click here to find out more from The Independent. Importantly, the benefits to physical health are manifold and outlined very well in the article. However, there is no comment on the benefit of exercise and mental health.

It is worth bearing in mind that there is plenty of evidence supporting the link between physical activity and mental health. The NHS give some great pointers here. From personal experience, I would also recommend activity that is appealing and within your abilities. Activity can be a great way to mentally reset yourself and help to put things into perspective.

If you have enjoyed reading this post, please have a look at my home page and the rest of my blog. I offer counselling sessions, based in Fishponds (BS16) and central Bristol (BS2), at a pace that feels comfortable and safe.