Improving Quality of Life

Vitamin D and Depression

2011-09-25T22:28:00.000-05:00

Like many of you I am very skeptical of all the new drugs being pushed for nearly every ailment we face.

Many of these drugs cause a myriad of side effects, in some cases you have to ingest other medication simply to counteract the side effects.

Depression treatments are no different, I recently heard a commercial about adding one anti-depressant medication with another anti-depressant. The side effects listed on the commercial were numerous and some were very serious.

I wish to submit to you that a Vitamin D deficiency can cause depression.

"Vitamin D and depression symptoms were assessed in 441 overweight and obese people¹. In a randomised, placebo controlled fashion, subjects were then given either 20,000IU or 40,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo for one year. Depressive symptoms were then reassessed over the course of a year.

Prior to treatment, those subjects with vitamin D levels less than 40nmol/L reported greater depressive symptoms. Among the two groups given vitamin D there was a significant improvement in depression scores measured one year later. No such changes were reported among those receiving a placebo.

The researchers concluded that there appeared a relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and symptoms of depression with those subjects supplemented with high doses of vitamin D experiencing improvements in depressive symptomatology."

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is either created in the body or ingested.
Vitamin D is mainly created in our bodies by exposure to the Sun's rays, UVB to be exact. Alternatively, it can be produced by exposing lanolin to UVB rays and the refining it into a pill form for supplement use.

Between 80 and 90% of our Vitamin D3 levels are created by UVB rays and the other is eaten in dairy type foods. Vitamin D3 increases calcium absorption and decreases calcium loss through urination.

How Does Vitamin D help My Depression?

To keep things simple I will illustrate the process in the image below. The image shows how Vitamin D is converted to L-Tyrosine then to L-DOPA and lastly Dopamine.

Dopamine is used to create the neurotransmitters Nor-epinephrine and Epinephrine; they can alter our mood, focus, drive, and many other essential bodily functions.

You can see when UVB rays interact with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) that L-Tyrosine is produced, which requires vitamin b6, copper, and folic acid to create L-DOPA to Dopamine and so on.

So If you are not getting enough vitamin d also known as cholecalciferol, then you are hindering the production of L-Tyrosine and in turn lowering Dopamine levels that you need to synthesize Epinephrine and Nor-Epinephrine.

Simply put, if you are low on Vitamin D it will likely cause a mood change among other bodily issues such as muscle pain and fatigue.

Vitamin D and its uses

Preventing and treating Rickets
Treats Osteoporosis
Treats High Blood Pressure
Treats High Cholesterol
Treats Diabetes
Obesity
Muscle Weakness
Rheumatoid Arthritis
COPD
PMS
Bronchitis
Asthma

Studies have shown that a more sedentary, indoor lifestyle can cause Vitamin D levels to decrease in the body.

In this video, a doctor from the Mayo Clinic reports his findings about Vitamin D and Pain.

After watching the video I felt somewhat relieved, I have had muscular pain that I could not seem to remedy, however I felt certain it was a vitamin or mineral issue, not a full condition as of yet.

References
Jorde R, Sneve M, Figenschau Y, Svartberg J, Waterloo K. (2008) Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial. Journal of Internal Medicine. 264(6):599-609.

Vitality with Vitamin C

2011-09-18T22:57:00.000-05:00

As a kid with a cold I remember my Dad feeding me Vitamin C chewables or two glasses of orange juice.

Aside from treating the common cold I haven't thought about the vitamin.

Recently I was traveling and an infomercial came on over the radio. This Doctor was promoting his Vitamin C mineral blend. I felt myself reaching for the radio knob when he began to describe the benefits of Vitamin C.

Here are some of the known benefits he discussed:

Removes heavy metals such as Mercury and Lead
Heals arterial lesions
Can prevent certain cancers along with heart disease
Required for building collagen
Aids in the product of neurotransmitters and hormones such as dopamine
Relieve muscular pain due to chronic inflammation
Prevents cholesterol from oxidizing in the bloodstream
Repairs blood vessels and with vitamin E increased arterial elasticity

Essentially Vitamin C scavenges harmful elements from the body, whats even more fascinating is that Vitamin C can prevent many ailments and most definitely prevent future ailments.

An article published in "Nutrition and Metabolism" said the following:

"Reuven Zimlichman and other researchers from the Wolfson Medical Centre, Israel, studied 70 patients from the centre's hypertension clinic.

"Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk (smoking and drinking) factors," said Zimlichman.

"It also improved glucose and lipid metabolism and decreased blood pressure," he added. These findings were published in Nutrition and Metabolism."

The study showed the even individuals that smoke and drink alcohol saw arterial elasticity and blood flow improvements over placebo.

Note: They used Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Co-Enzyme Q10, and Selenium together.

What is fascinating to me is the fact that many animals such as cats and dogs produce their own Vitamin C. The human body does not produce Vitamin C, so we must ingest 60 to 90mg per day to prevent scurvy.

Research is finding that 60 to 90mg is far too little and that we really need approximately 4 to 5 grams per day incrementally. So 2 grams in the morning, 1 gram at lunch and another 1 to 2 grams near bedtime.

Before starting a new Vitamin C regiment, I would consider reading this article about government dosage requirements and come to your own conclusion.

Personally, I plan on increasing my Vitamin C intake and monitoring my blood pressure, energy levels, mood, and body aches to see if this creates a measurable improvement to the quality of my life.

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Law of Attraction

2011-09-15T23:36:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered that it is possible to attract whatever it is you seek in life? Let’s imagine for a minute that you have a goal that is very meaningful to you, but you have been experiencing trouble along the way. What is happening?

We first need to understand what the Law of Attraction is and how it applies to our daily lives.

The Law of Attraction: A metaphysical New Thought belief that "like attracts like", that positive and negative thinking bring about positive and negative physical results, respectively.

Here is another way to look at it:

“…you attract into your life whatever you think about. Your dominant thoughts will find a way to manifest.”

So if you focus on the fact that you need money instead of thinking and speaking as if you already had all that you want or need, you are then placed in scarcity.

Scarcity begets scarcity; if you mope around and think about how bad of a deal you have you cannot manifest abundance in your life.

Think about it, have you ever been around someone like that? It’s like wearing a wet and cold blanket. Guess what, that person is probably experiencing a scarce social life.

On the flip side, if you set your end result clear in your mind and concentrate on already having attained your result, you will find that you will manifest your goal.

Obviously you must stay focused on the end result, speak as if you were already wealthy or slim.

This presumes success; that’s powerful, that is making it very clear to your conscious and sub-conscious mind that you have already won the game. By doing this you eliminate fear and doubts that hold you back from experiencing your dreams.

My Experience

A little over a year ago I became determined to start a web business and I began moving forward toward my goal. I realized that financially it would be difficult to get my venture off the ground.

However, I stayed focused on my goal and had faith that my business would thrive one day.

Shortly thereafter, I was "in the right place at the right time" so to speak, and an opportunity to not only gain more experience with web designing but also gain the tools I needed at a price much closer to what I was willing to spend appeared.

Thanks to the faith I had in my ability to both succeed and move forth in the field I wanted to work in, I am now making my dreams come true.

Visualize the end result of what you want and not the process...often times your manifestation will happen in ways you did not expect.

The Experience That Changed My Life

2011-09-11T14:47:00.003-05:00

I often think back to a certain experience that changed my life. Reflecting on how that experience molded my perceptions and motivation. I have no doubt that if it weren’t for this wake up call, life would be much different for me today.

I want to share this experience with you because it was the fuel for this blog and to re-invent my life.

The Asphalt Seminole Experience

Backdrop

This is a deeply personal story that I hope impacts you in a positive way. Before I tell you what happened it is important that you know what was happening in my life prior to this event.

Back in the fall of 2009 I was disgruntled and jaded. Life wasn’t working out like I thought it would.

I’m sure no one else has felt like that...

My marriage was not going well, financially we were stretched, I was often away from home on work trips, my relationship with my son and other family was deteriorating.

To top it all off, I was turning into an alcoholic and the only part of my life I felt good about was my work. I prided myself on being able to solve complicated problems quickly.

I had always planned on being a successful equities investor, work from home, and establish a strong business and live happily ever after.

None of that had happened and I was beginning to think it never would.

With that said, let me share the experience that pushed me out of my "zone" and sparked the energy and focus I now enjoy. I named my experience after the ship I was sent to service:

Asphalt Seminole

It was December 19^th 2009, I had driven to Savannah, Georgia to meet a ship and repair a few problems they had with their Cargo Monitoring System.

One of the repairs needed was to replace the older cargo monitor PC with a new pc. I had estimated I would need 2 maybe 3 hours to do this successfully with software setup and all.

The foreign crew gave me 1 hour as they had just finished properly ballasting the ship. They were loading hot Asphalt into the cargo tanks and needed the computer system back online ASAP.

Foreign ships use 220 volt outlets for everything. I had an adapter that I used for my laptop, which can handle different voltages. I got in a hurry and used it for the new pc.

All I remember was the instant I plugged in the new PC I heard a POW!

Smoke began to pour out from the computer; I remember the whole room smelled of burnt electrons and the Chief Officer giving me a “What the hell?” look.

That wasn’t even the worst part! The old PC was still plugged in to the same power strip and it just cut off. I tried frantically to restart the old PC, plug it into other outlets…anything just to get back to square one!

Nothing worked, now we were loading the ship blind and it was my fault. I felt like I had just sunk the ship.

By this time the Romanian Captain walked in; let’s just say he let me know what he thought of me…

Panic began to set in. I could feel the muscles in my face tighten and my mind raced for a solution; do I give the crew my work laptop so they get through the load? Am I going to lose my job over this, etc...?

Meanwhile the Captain was informing me that my employer would be responsible for any delays, to the tune of $20,000 a day. He and various crew members began yelling in a different language.

I had to get out of that room for a few minutes and regroup. I walked outside and tried to call my boss. I didn’t notice before, but it was around midnight; I was on my own and this thing wasn’t going to fix itself.

I started checking the outlets in the control room to see if they were still working, and discovered the main outlet the old pc was on wasn’t hot.

We got the ships electrician to come in and help. He discovered a blown fuse that was actually in the receptacle… swapped a new fuse in and Presto! The old pc came on and ran like nothing had happened…whew!

Words can’t describe the relief I felt in that moment. Fear had swelled in my mind and now that pressure was released.

I nursed my wounded pride and finished the other work that was needed. I left the vessel in the early hours of the morning and drove to the hotel.

Unable to sleep, I decided to write my boss an email explaining what had happened hoping for leniency. Finally I calmed down enough to get some rest.

The Drive Home

On the drive home I was definitely emotional. I was disgusted with myself. I had about 8 hours to contemplate my life, the decisions I’ve made, and the effort I put in.

I was fed up with not living at my potential, not being the husband and father I set out to be. That immense amount of frustration is what pushed me to look for answers.

I embraced a new conviction; I would never again let myself go like I had. I was determined to change; I decided to live life at another level.

The commitments I made that day were forged into my psyche. I re-dedicated myself to my family, and really get clear about what outcomes I wanted.

Nearly two years later I still push myself with a new level of passion, it has made all the difference.

I have learned until you get to a certain level of dissatisfaction, you won’t make a lasting and meaningful change to your life. It’s so simple, why didn’t I see this before? Regardless, I am glad to have snapped out of it, even if I needed a little nudge.

AGRX4YQKWW8N

Get Money (Part 2) Willpower: How it affects your work

2011-09-09T01:08:00.000-05:00

Get Money Series Table of Contents
Get Money (Part 1) The foundation of wealth
Get Money (Part 2) Willpower: How it affects your work

Welcome to Part 2 of my Get Money series. I decided to focus this article on improving your income through the job you already have. There is a common thread among those that claim success in whatever they do, getting wealth, mountain climbing, or any arduous endeavor, it is willpower.

What is Willpower?

Think about it, willpower is the force or the drive that keeps you moving forward when everything in your environment tells you to quit. When we say someone is strong willed we mean it's nearly impossible to change their mind about something. How does this effect us while trying to attain wealth or get money in our bank account? How can I apply willpower in a productive and useful way?

In order to make more money at your existing job you need to be worth more than you make. That means that you have to push yourself to be more productive and focused at work. That isn't easy, especially if you are caught up in a routine or you are exhausted from the never ending demands of life.

If you are really going to break through, you must exert willpower. The problem is that only lasts for a little while, willpower is great for getting started but it isn't enough to finish the race. You must set a new standard for what you will do at work and gradually discipline yourself to follow through.

How to use Willpower

So lets say you are a cashier at a fast food restaurant and you notice after the lunch rush that the dining area has become dirty. Meanwhile, you haven't had a break since you clocked in and you are getting tired. So now you have a choice, clean the lobby or go on break. Which do you choose?

If you did clean the lobby what impact would it have on your wages? Lets face it, most workers do just enough to get by without getting fired, the bare minimum. Because this is so widespread managers often have low expectations of their workers, they don't expect you or me to take initiative and clean that lobby prior to a break.

By stepping up and looking around for things that need to be done or done better and then doing them you have increased your value. Keep in mind doing a little extra once in a while isn't going to cut it. Compete with yourself, realize that even though taking out the trash now seems petty in the grand scheme of things, it matters to your boss.

Perspective

Lets think of it another way, If you don't have the willpower to simply wipe a couple tables and carry out some trash, how in the world are you going to succeed in the long term? How will you get money or attain wealth if you are unwilling to step it up a little? Athletes train hard for years just for the chance to compete, that's hard, that requires determination.

Through focus and a willingness to go above and beyond you will become an essential part of your team and you will begin to notice advancement opportunities open for you at your job.

You have to work anyways, why not give it your all? It could be the difference between getting paid or the unemployment line.

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Get Money (PART 1) The foundation of wealth, your emotions.

2011-09-06T23:14:00.000-05:00

Get Money Series Table of Contents
Get Money (Part 1) The foundation of wealth
Get Money (Part 2) Willpower: How it affects your work

In order to get money, get financial freedom or wealth it is my belief that you need to start with a solid launch pad, a strong foundation. I am not talking about a budget or a savings plan; I am talking about your emotional health regarding money. In my experience people tend place a price tag on themselves, it usually is far lower than what it could be. It is my goal to identify these beliefs and change them.

In a western culture we often do not grow or raise the bulk of our food, we work and money then in turn buy our food. So subconsciously or heck even consciously money = food, hence money = survival. I think it is safe to say we all want to eat, so it is probably also safe to say we all want and need money.

Throughout my life, money has had an emotional role. Let me explain, when I was broke and needed gas or food, the LACK of money = pain and embarrassment to me. I allowed my lack of money to define me as being less worthy than if I had an abundance of money.

By allowing myself to link my lack of financial wealth with my identity, I sabotaged my own success. Sub-consciously I felt that being broke is who I am, therefore cutting off ideas or situations that would create abundance.

My goal is to get you to see money as a thing, something that you are detached from emotionally. I believe this will give you the freedom to playfully create wealth without large concern over the outcome.

Definition of MONEY

mon·ey

noun, often attributive \ˈmə-nē\

plural moneys or mon·ies

: something generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment: as a : officially coined or stamped metal currency b : money of account c : paper money

a : wealth reckoned in terms of money b : an amount of money c plural : sums of money : funds

: a form or denomination of coin or paper money

In ancient times, wealth could be defined as stored grain, your herds of livestock, children, spices etc...

Money and wealth is not the same thing, money is an accepted medium of exchange and wealth is the sum of all your food and possessions.

If we understand what money actually is, how does that change our perspective about getting money, saving money, investing money, or even giving money away?

Instead of seeing money as something that will make your dreams come true or something you need to get your Gulfstream, why not see it as something you could have more of if you wanted to but it isn't necessary to enjoy life.

Have you ever noticed that when you doing good financially people seem to always buy you lunch or invite you to a bar for drinks and they pay, not you...even though you could pay?
Conversely, have you also noticed that when you are broke and hungry nobody is usually offering free lunches or shots of "Cuervo"?

At some level the lack of money affects us psychologically and we carry that around with us. People pick up on that vibe. Usually they stay away. Consider this in your own life; I suspect you can find truth in this.

The point I am making here is that if you dwell on the fact that you are broke you will telegraph that scarcity by the way you carry yourself and by the conversations you have. A feeling of scarcity will become self-fulfilling.

Another factor that can hinder your finances beliefs that if you are rich you are bad.
Consider this: In the Bible the Apostle Paul tells Timothy "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." What does Paul mean by this?

He is saying that if you are obsessed with money and acquiring more you are in trouble. He is not saying that if you are wealthy and don't love your money you are evil. See the difference?

You can have very little money and be consumed by acquiring it or you can be wealthy and not love money at all.

It is so important to emotionally let go of money and regard it as a tool. This is the foundation for my follow on series "Get Money".

Get Money (Part 2)Willpower: How it affects your job

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How to Improve Your Social Life

2011-09-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

Improving your social life is probably far easier than you thought. As human beings we all long for meaningful relationships, whether it is friends or a partner. It's my belief a strong social life will greatly improve the overall quality of your life as a whole.

Here are 6 simple steps to help guide you and your new social life.

1. The most simple tip that I have personally used to expand my social life is to make small talk with cashiers or waiters / waitresses. This is probably the easiest way to overcome any fears of rejection that could be lingering sub-consciously.

This is a tremendous tool to exercise you social skill muscles. All you have to do is make a quick comment about something going on right then. It could be a bad joke about your hair or something as simple as the weather.

I am not suggesting a full blown conversation at first; keep it simple to start with.

2. Occasionally read newspaper articles, blog posts, watch a popular TV show etc...

It is important to have a few topics of interest in your mind to give you some social ammo if a conversation is trying to go stale.

3. Go to weddings and birthday parties. Make sure you make at least casual conversation with one person you don't know. Just introduce yourself, or get a friend to introduce you. Once you break the ice you won't want to stop.

4. Become involved in a sport. This serves two purposes; you get to improve your physical appearance which always helps your social life. It causes you to be on a team, being on a team can boost your self confidence and certainly will put you around people you may not know.

Heck even a bowling league is a good place to meet new and strange…..people.

5. Really make it a point to let the other person talk a little more than you do. Nearly everyone, me included, loves to talk. The problem is it’s hard to get anyone to listen :)

6. Make it a point to start remembering people’s names that you bump into on occasion. This has always been a hard one for me. But the effort is worth it. It works for salesmen and will work for us.

If you put any effort into these 6 steps, I am positive you will see results. The key is to stick with it after you begin to see results.