| A recent survey showed that around 55% of us | | | | in the lotus position. Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong are |
| feel depressed at work and outside of work. | | | | also excellent, it is important to go to a qualified |
| There are several ways to manage depression. | | | | yoga teacher to learn the correct techniques that |
| Traditional Chinese medicine can be very effective | | | | will benefit you. |
| because it is holistic. It looks into your life as a | | | | Also try to go for long walks and most |
| whole and does not try to "cure" one symptom, | | | | importantly if you are a city dweller, try to get |
| but the improvement of your life in general. It's all | | | | out of the city and get in touch with nature. It |
| interconnected. | | | | sounds like a cliché but its not. You must |
| The first step into this treatment is the use of | | | | reconnect with nature and ultimately you will |
| pure organically grown teas, not the industrialized | | | | reconnect with yourself. Every week make sure |
| English tea, but the use of fresh plants with all | | | | you go to the country side, sea shore, for a walk |
| their natural elements intact. We highly | | | | or bicycle ride ... this is in the heart to bring |
| recommend Chinese teas. You should start with | | | | harmony to your condition. |
| Oolong tea to clean your system and Puerh tea | | | | Cut down on all dairy products, and if you can, |
| to purge toxins. Then move on to Green Tea. | | | | also cut down on red meat. Eat fresh vegetables |
| This is the least processed of the teas and | | | | with lots of garlic. You also need lots of natural |
| contains many natural chemicals such as | | | | sugar either from fresh fruits or honey; never |
| flavonoids and polyphenols that help your body to | | | | white sugar or chocolates. The other good foods |
| protect itself against many other conditions too. | | | | that can help re-balance your system are ... |
| Drinking Chinese green tea and other teas | | | | apples, pears and spinach. Let me give you one |
| properly requires the use of all of your senses, | | | | more piece of general advice for your future |
| hear the water as it mingles with the tea leaves; | | | | dietary habit; if you have to open a pack or a can |
| watch the leaves unfurl in the tea cup as it brews. | | | | to eat it don't! |
| Smell the aroma of the leaves as they infuse. | | | | I cannot stress enough how much we Chinese |
| Feel the warmth of the tea cup as you hold it | | | | Traditional Practitioners do not recommend |
| and when the brewed tea is in your mouth. Taste | | | | anti-depressant drugs. These treat only the |
| the delicate green tea flavour. Taking the time out | | | | symptoms and not the root cause. We believe |
| of your hectic schedule to do this when you drink | | | | that it is much more effective in the long term to |
| your Chinese teas will start the relaxation process | | | | restore your inner balance, which will help you to |
| - let the tea soothe you. But tea drinking is not | | | | cope with the changes that life throws at you. In |
| the only thing ... | | | | other words, holistic medicine. |
| Exercise is definitely important, as well as | | | | I fully understand the delicate nature of |
| meditation and focusing on your breathing. You | | | | depression and it's consequences in your life. I fully |
| should start with perhaps five minutes a day and | | | | appreciate you giving me the opportunity to assist |
| build up to half hour. Isolate yourself in a space, | | | | you and hope I will be able to make a difference |
| focus on your breathing, try to reduce the speed | | | | in your life. It may take a little time but I am |
| of your heart beat. You can do it standing up or | | | | certain that it can bring you good results. |