This past November, 2000, the British Heart Foundation published a statement that depression and stress at work are closely linked to the development of coronary heart disease.

The Foundation pointed out that when people are depressed they normally engage in self-destructive activities to control their depression. Unfortunately, these attempts are all risk factors that dramatically increase the risk of heart disease.

What are the most common coping mechanisms people use to fight depression?
 

• cigarette smoking, 
• 'high comfort' foods that tend to be high in sugar and far
• inactive pastimes, such as watching TV.

One of the best ways to fight depression by one's self is to engage in exercise. Even mild exercise can have a positive effect by lifting one's mood. Unfortunately, most people don't feel like exercising when they are depressed. They are more likely to choose coping mechanisms that are easy, such as the ones listed above.

As a result, it's probably a good idea to seek medical help if you find yourself depressed for any period of time. It's a disease that can be cured in a remarkably short period of time with the right prescriptions. And then you can start exercising to keep your depression under control.
 
 

Janelle Barlow, Author
Stress Manager
 
 

Previous "Stress Management Corner" pages:
 

#1	New Approaches to Job Stress
#2	If Exercise Works as a Cure...
#3	Headaches! The Most Common Complaint
#4	Eight Glasses a Day!
#5	How Well Does Zinc Work?
#6	Intense Emotions Can Kill You
#7	Sleep!
#8	Job Stress and Compensation Claims
#9	Job-Related Stress
#10	Losing Weight - It's Not Easy!
#11	Food Supplements - How Necessary?
#12	Stress and Change
#13	Depression Among the Elderly
#14	Spirituality and Your Health
#15	It's Cold Season Again!
#16	A Positive Attitude is Important
#17	Power of Laughter
#18	More Laughter and Stress Management
#19	Go for a Massage!
#20	Aspirin: That Little White Pill
#21	Aging and Self-Conception
#22	Worker Stress Increasing
#23	Back Pain
#24	Kava: The Natural Cure for Anxiety
#25	Oxidative Stress Theory
#26	Yet Another Cause of Fatigue
#27	Can Too Much Iron Be Bad for You?
#28	Tea: A Magical Potion?
#29	Sleep, Social Attitudes & Individual Needs
#30	Proof: Walking Reduces Heart Disease
#31	Anger and Heart Attacks
#32	Impact of Relaxation on Cancer
#33	The Elderly and Social Support
#34	Women and Stress
#35	The Stress That Accompanies Success
#36	Childhood Events and Adult Reactions
#37	Your Tongue Isn't Always the Best Judge
#38	Water Exercise and Arthritis
#39	Avoiding Stress on the Phone

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