Feeling Blue?

[Kathianne]

Too many thoughts of yourself? Get off the computer and go to a park!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/e...oods-for-real/

New research suggests nature walks are good for your brain

In the past several months, a bevy of studies have added to a growing literature on the mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors. That includes recent research showing that short micro-breaks spent looking at a nature scene have a rejuvenating effect on the brain — boosting levels of attention — and also that kids who attend schools featuring more greenery fare better on cognitive tests.

And Monday, yet another addition to the literature arrives — but this time with an added twist. It’s a cognitive neuroscience study, meaning not only that benefits from a nature experience were captured in an experiment, but also that their apparent neural signature was observed through brain scans.
...

[NightTrain]

Good idea, but usually I'll see people sitting on the bench surfing the net with their phones!

[Kathianne]

Good idea, but usually I'll see people sitting on the bench surfing the net with their phones!

I wonder how many folks in your neck of the country suffer from depression compared to more populated areas? Seems like a natural follow up study.

[Jeff]

I wonder how many folks in your neck of the country suffer from depression compared to more populated areas? Seems like a natural follow up study.

I would think in NT's area there would be a lot less with the beautiful scenery, maybe it's just me but when I look around and see beauty I automatically feel better.

[Kathianne]

I would think in NT's area there would be a lot less with the beautiful scenery, maybe it's just me but when I look around and see beauty I automatically feel better.

Indeed, same with GA and AZ too!

[tailfins]

Too many thoughts of yourself? Get off the computer and go to a park!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/e...oods-for-real/

Nice reminder! For me a headache is the red flag that my mind is racing too much / too long.

[NightTrain]

AK has the highest suicide rate in the nation, according to those in the know... but I think that's because of the native kids out in the villages with absolutely nothing to do except turn to alcohol or worse, until their depression reaches critical mass.

There's also the "Seasonal Disorder" where the lack of sunshine in the dead of winter supposedly makes people depressed. It's never affected me, but I've heard people claim they get blue during the winter and they'll bitch about it being dark. I'm naturally a happy person for the most part, so I have no understanding as to why people get that way for no reason and I have to check myself from telling them to 'Cowboy Up'.

I don't know. I've always believed being depressed was a choice. If you dwell on something you have no control over, it's a waste of time and unhealthy. I think depression stems from a person not realizing that. I try to focus on things I do have control over and improve them. Obviously there are cases of chemical imbalance that cause depression, but I think a large number of depressed people are dwelling on things they shouldn't because it's fruitless. Everyone gets bummed out from time to time over events that happen in life, and that's natural, but I think all of us have the capability to guide our thoughts in a healthy manner.

Make sense? I'm certainly not a shrink but those are my thoughts on the subject.

[Jeff]

AK has the highest suicide rate in the nation, according to those in the know... but I think that's because of the native kids out in the villages with absolutely nothing to do except turn to alcohol or worse, until their depression reaches critical mass.

There's also the "Seasonal Disorder" where the lack of sunshine in the dead of winter supposedly makes people depressed. It's never affected me, but I've heard people claim they get blue during the winter and they'll bitch about it being dark. I'm naturally a happy person for the most part, so I have no understanding as to why people get that way for no reason and I have to check myself from telling them to 'Cowboy Up'.

I don't know. I've always believed being depressed was a choice. If you dwell on something you have no control over, it's a waste of time and unhealthy. I think depression stems from a person not realizing that. I try to focus on things I do have control over and improve them. Obviously there are cases of chemical imbalance that cause depression, but I think a large number of depressed people are dwelling on things they shouldn't because it's fruitless. Everyone gets bummed out from time to time over events that happen in life, and that's natural, but I think all of us have the capability to guide our thoughts in a healthy manner.

Make sense? I'm certainly not a shrink but those are my thoughts on the subject.

I wasn't thinking about those long dark winters, yes I have read that it bums a lot of folks, although I have to agree with you NT, I believe we all get depressed at one point or another but it is how we react to it that makes the difference.