DR. DOUG HADDAD & MATT DELEO'S FAST FITNESS TIPS
See their book Top Ten Tips for Tip Top Shape

Springtime marks the dawn of desire: Let the sun shine in and the stress slip out of your days
We thank our readers for taking the time to provide feedback to our monthly articles. We would like to take this opportunity to address one question that was asked last month and that is, "Would taking an additional supplement of serotonin boost up my low spirits during these colder months?" To be quite frank, SAD (or in worse cases, depression) is a condition that involves different chemicals and reactors in our body so taking serotonin supplements will not address the root of the problem. There are three primary neurotransmitters that scientists are aware of that are involved in a depressed psychological state: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Commercials on television may market specific drugs to increase serotonin levels, but serotonin is not the only contributor to one's mood levels. Keep in mind, each of us carries our own unique life experiences (past and present) with us and our environment dictates our state of mind to a significant extent, whether we realize it or not.

You've had a busy winter with shopping, holidays, visiting relatives, cleaning the house, working all day long, and what do you have to show for it, but some packed on pounds and a knot in your stomach from all of life's stresses. No need to worry so much. Worrying is for people that live around where I do in Hartford, CT (rated MOST stressful place to live in the country by the American City Business Journals). Well, apparently this stress has spread! You may be telling yourself, "I can't handle any more stress!! How can I get rid of all of these pressures that have accumulated? Where did they come from?"

Take a break for just a little bit and see what you are doing to alleviate these unwanted tensions. Many of us are working LONGER hours to handle our strains. Does this make any sense? Our fast fitness tip is to change your perspective, your view on things and perceive this culprit as something good (to an extent). Acute stress (short-term) is functionally good because it serves as a protective action and gives you that mental edge to perform at your best. Chronic stress (long-term) can have damaging effects leading to long-term problems and that is what we want to prevent and catch in its tracks. Here are some ways that you can deal with these stresses by lighting up your own life and letting the burdens of your world slip right through:

• Humor (lowers blood pressure and also burns calories, believe it or not!)
• Altruism (give your time to help others in need. This will increase your self-esteem.)
• Exercise regularly (begin an intense cardiovascular routine. Since warm weather is just around the corner and you want to look your best for the summer, the time is now to rid the stress and shed the fat. Moreover, your body will enjoy the beta-endorphins produced from such a vigorous workout!)
• Perform only one thing at a time and FOCUS on what it is you are doing in the moment. You will get more done in a shorter span of time.
• Get regular sleep. This is very important in relation to recovering from stressful situations.
• Get in a routine where you have more control over situations and greater consistency in your daily activities.

Nutritionally speaking, to bolster your mental clarity and function, we recommend such "brain-smart" foods to your liking such as seafood, oatmeal, wheat germ and other tyrosine-rich foods. Also, milk and turkey are good sources of "help you relax and snooze" foods.

We welcome all readers to write us with any special requests for specific topics for May/June. If you enjoyed reading the column, feel free to respond. We will be happy to address any questions that you may have as it pertains to this topic. We will highlight selected questions from this article in our next column.

Douglas Haddad, Ph.D. is the co-author of Top Ten Tips for Tip Top Shape and talk radio host of “THE DOCTOR DOUG SHOW” on live365.com Internet radio.

Dr. Doug Haddad and Matt DeLeo are not held responsible for any liability or losses of the use of our advice in these columns.