The Mental Health Benefits of Leisure Travel

By Audrey Daniels 

For the economically disadvantaged community on both kids and adults alike, the mental health benefits of leisure travel presents vast significant and social improvement in their mental health outlook. Leisure travel brings about greater personal impact for the individual versus the person who has not travelled.

Being able to get away and relax creates a wonderful sense of euphoria and excitement. Leisure travel is very important in reducing the amount of stress on both adults and children and even more so on those on a lower income scale. The quality of life is drastically improved, along with personal growth, fulfilment, and a higher self-esteem. As the disadvantaged person's amount of personal travel increases, their depression and despondency decreases. Access to luxury travel increases an individual's intellectual pleasure, reduces inherent poverty as it increases improvement in self-esteem and financial control.

Personal travel provides individuals with the opportunity to improve social skills, increases an individual's personal involvement in social groups and settings, while significantly establishing positive interaction of social bonds with friends, family and community. With low-income families and individual's maiden journey into cultured events, i.e., museums, operatic and classical concerts within a leisure and not 'forced' framework, children especially feel a full sense of worthiness, acceptance and excitement to expand even more into such activities.

The mental health benefit associated with leisure travel creates a sense of social identity and belonging. Leisure travel plays a major and important role in improving social skills in children, especially over a prolonged sense of time. Children of parents who made it a family mantra and duty to introduce them to various locations and destinations are far more likely to go on to be far better socially adjusted adolescents and adults. They tend to be much calmer, more outgoing, feel more secure in various settings, while a child or adult who did not travel, generally feel like a fish out of water in unfamiliar territory.

The association brought about with leisure travel brings on a personal feeling of accomplishment and self-motivation. Those personally associated with children and adults who suddenly find themselves the recipient of a first time vacation, see firsthand the exciting benefit that travel brings. They see the returning journey to relax, unwind and take it easy has also rejuvenated and reconnected them to their inner self as wonderful proof as to what vacationing can do. Travel helps those individuals to maintain a healthy balance of inner self worth. That is why the wealthy always make leisure travel an integral part of their health and wellness outlook.

For those on the lower end of the spectrum and primarily because of limited income, many inner city and rural living adults and children have had little to no access to travel and vacation resources. The rate of participation is very limited; this shapes the feelings and outcomes with regard to such activities. Most just either stay home or visit with nearby friends and/or family. With today's economy in such a slump, it is more important than ever for families and individual's to find ways to kick back and relax, away from such obvious options.

It is quite necessary to increase one's personal time away, even including time alone to improve individual social well being, helping to transcend poverty. Understanding the need for disadvantaged people to get access to leisure travel is very critical to understanding one of the dire problems facing African-American, Latino and underprivileged white communities mindset. Without having gone beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhood or state lines, many socially perish for lack of financial resources to access outside of it.

            "As a child sees, he does."

It is very important that children experience all aspects of travel and personally realize how much fun and excitement it brings. Children who travel quite frequently as opposed to children who do not, grow into happy, independent, well-adjusted adults who continue to travel. Both generally grow up to either repeat their love, excitement and independence of travel or their aloof and indifferent feelings onto their own future children.

Celebrating new-found culture and personal wellness is possible once an individual has traveled outside of his or her 'comfort' zone. It is imperative for one's own psychological well being to be able relax, enjoy and fit right in with any given surrounding. Travel tends to bring about a positive attitude in and transcends the personalities of those who have the ability to do so. It is a transformation that for some is almost indescribable, like seeing sub tropic cloud formation, blue green water or plants and animals not native to their own region. The euphoric feeling of relaxation is so overpowering that they want to travel again and again to keep feeling that contentment. Leisure travel reflects the beauty and frailty that is the human experience.

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Audrey Daniels is an aspiring writer and die-hard "vacationista" changing perceptions about leisure travel, one trip at a time. Her website is: http://www.referralvacationing.com

She can be contacted at Audrey@ReferralVacationing.com

A Healthy Diet Helps With Depression

By Phillip Lopez 

Some may think that there is no relation between what you eat and the state of your mind. This is a misconception, depression can actually be avoided, or at least lessened, by a healthy and nutritional diet. Aside from a physical benefit, there is a mental and emotional benefit to this type of diet as well.

The source of one's depression could come from a number of different factors. It is advised that you seek the help of a certified or licensed profession for proper medical advice.

Take a second and think of fuel for your body similar to a car or any other machine runs on gas, oil, etc. The quality of what you put into that machine is 100% related to its performance and lifespan. I know this because I've seen the effects of having a car (and body) that has been either running on cheap products or hasn't been tuned up or given an oil change in quite some time. Is it crazy to say that if you often eat the wrong types of food (burgers, pizzas, soda, etc.), this will affect your physical body followed by your mental and emotional state? I think not.

A More Colorful Plate = Better Mood

You may have heard the saying: "The more Colorful the Plate, the Lower the Weight." This saying is also relevant if you want to rid yourself of depression as well as shed a couple of pounds. Not only does a diet full of processed and sugary foods make you fat, it also affects the way you feel. Sadly, the Standard American Diet or ironically the "S.A.D." is full of just that.

You Are What You Eat

As generic or cliche as it sounds, you really are what you eat. Also, it is of no surprise that the healthier the diet = less amount of mood swings or depressive states. In order to delay the effects of aging, keep in mind that studies and research show that diets that are filled with the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals produce an adequate amount of serotonin, a mood-enhancing chemical, while the latter will lead to a shortage.

How to Relieve Stress and Enhance Your Mood 

As both a mood stabilizer and a neurotransmitter, serotonin is a chemical that helps with easing your stress, depression, and anxiety. With that said, there are a few types of foods that can help give a boost to the amount of serotonin flowing through your bloodstream:

Fruits: Some may be surprised by this but fruits like sour cherries, pineapple, bananas and plums are excellent for lifting your spirits. Also, cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that comes from serotonin. It is discharged when it is dark and helps with your circadian rhythm (sleep cycle).

Protein: Tryptophan is an amino acid found in turkey which raises the production of serotonin in one's brain. Naturally, turkey is also a mood enhancer. It is not alone however, eggs, seafood, whey protein, and beef all help in raising serotonin levels as well. One caveat is that you should try to eat meats that have either been grass-fed, pasture raised, or hormone raised products.

Additionally, you should add nuts to your diet because they too enhance the production of protein. On top of that, they also have selenium in them which is a chemical that is scarce in many a depressed patient. Legumes and lean meats should also be added to the list of foods containing selenium.

One should note that eating snacks filled with sugar can stymie the manufacturing of serotonin. Therefore, it is beneficial to substitute sweets or other processed goodies with their counterpart, whole and natural foods. Lean protein and stuff you'll most likely find without a bar code on it like fruits and nuts.

Carbohydrates: A good number of carb sources in one's diet will raise your serotonin level and help with depression-related issues. You'll want to add some whole grain bread, white and sweet potatoes, and some pasta (in moderation, of course).

Dairy: These foods will also make you feel much less stressed. Milk and cheese are both filled with mood enhancing chemicals and will also boost serotonin levels.

Nutrients That Keep You Depression Free

Beta Carotene

This pigment is found primarily in carrots but also found in broccoli, apricots, and cantaloupe. It can also be quite an aid in ridding yourself of depression.

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits are another food that is excellent for staving off depression. They are abundant in vitamin C, here are a few of the main citrus fruits:

Limes
Oranges
Grapefruit
Vitamin E

Vitamin E has a few benefits, one major one is being a huge factor in immune system processes and of course, aiding in preventing or alleviating depression. Wheat germ nuts, vegetable oils, and seeds all have vitamin E in them.

Change the Way You Eat and Increase Your Level of Activity

A nice healthy combo of complex carbs mixed with veggies and fruits can be a huge aid with either depression or any moods swings, period.

Ensure that you avoid any snacks that are processed, usually there are packaged (see cookies, chips, etc.). Also, focus on adding fish to your diet and consuming fresh produce on a regular basis.

It's like clockwork, when you fix your diet you will more than likely begin to exercise a lot more often. This will only help with being less depressed and putting you in a great mood.

Note that the more you exercise, the more your body will begin to manufacture more endorphins which is another hormone that will better your mood. It's complementary, exercise and a good diet will make you feel much better than a sedentary lifestyle.

In fact, there are studies done where the results showed that individuals who incorporate a routine of healthy eating and exercising do not need to take any anti-depressants or any mood-enhancing drugs. It's simple, cut the bad stuff out of your diet and get your heart rate up with some kind of physical activity on a regular basis. This way, you don't have to rely on expensive and sometimes harmful prescription drugs to make your body operate the way it can naturally.

For more free weight loss and general health tips visit: http://www.stubbornweightlosstips.net
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Gratitude Is a Magnet

By Laurindo Santos 

Gratitude is a powerful tool that we all should be putting into practice in order to be able to improve all aspects of our lives (Health, Money, Relationship... ). It's just a matter of being happy with our actual condition, even if it's not yet what we really want. We have to commit ourselves to cultivate this important habit.

From my few lessons about Economics, I learned that "Men's necessities are unlimited". - Thus we are likely to spend our entire lives always searching for "more";

Today I own what yesterday was a mere dream, but tomorrow I'll be struggling to get something new, instead of really enjoying what I now have. In fact, if it were possible for us to buy an Island, soon we would be trying to buy a Helicopter to fly in and out... then a city, a country... and we would continue to hold the "spring" till we were able to govern the Universe.

We all have an astonishing power to attract more of whatever it is that we are manifesting gratitude for.

However, every single day we complain about not having the car and/or the house of our dream, about not having enough money to enjoy those systematically postponed vacations. You name it, we moan about it.

In our effort to get as much as we can, we forget to manifest gratitude for what we have already acquired. Is it a bicycle, a car, a house? And what about our health, kids, and family as a whole?

Again, take a moment to think about even obviously simple yet fortunate things; like being able to properly feed your family, the water you drink countless times a day and the air you breath every single second of the day. Do you feel blessed? You should do, that's for sure.

Also show gratitude for being an intelligent person. In fact, God offered you his most powerful creation; your Brain.

Do you want to experiment with the power of Gratitude? Whenever you feel too lazy to start a task, pretend that you have already finished that same task. Take time to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, then suddenly and without really realizing it, you'll be already in progress, and finally feeling better about yourself.

At this point, our conclusion is that gratitude creates a sense of happiness, thus helping us to manage difficult situations, such as this:

- It was Sunday, and early in the morning I woke up suddenly with a lot of people in front of my house, all of them talking out loud at the same time. After a long week, I felt that I deserved a good rest that morning. My first reaction was to go outside and ask them to stay away from my door; however, a light shined in my head - Well, I live in such a beautiful place. Thus, it's normal that people pass by, stop for a while to enjoy the landscape, and of course spend some time chatting with their friends.

This helped me feel better.

An important thing to remember is that a state of gratitude actually helps us to save money. And the reason is simple; as soon as we learn to appreciate whatever it is that we have, our desire to buy new stuff is dramatically reduced, and at the same time, we start converting ourselves into a "money magnet".

Have you manifested gratitude today? If not, go ahead and do it right now.

Three Mistakes People Make When Trying to Find Their Passion

By Barb Brown

It is a worthy endeavor when a person is willing to pause in their life and really seek out what feeds their soul. A person's journey on the road to discovering their passion may be a fairly simple and straightforward one, or it may be more complex and confusing. Neither journey is wrong, but there are some simple mistakes you can avoid to make the journey easier. Here are three things to avoid -

Making It Too Logical

Some decisions are best made in your head, logically. But some choices need to be made from the heart. If you think about it, most people don't find inspiration in their head, but rather feel the emotion somewhere closer to the heart. Making the decision to find your passion may feel somewhat daunting; you don't want to make any mistakes. So, you plan it out and "decide" what your passion is instead of truly finding your passion.

Finding your passion is best when it is a heart felt journey. Give yourself time, gather your courage, and use meditation, experimentation, trust, and emotion. You will know you're on the right track when you feel excitement in your entire body, mind and soul - that is your passion.

Getting Stuck in Fear

Buddha said "there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." Fear can hold us back in so many ways: fear of making a mistake and making the wrong choice can paralyze us from moving forward. But being held back by fear, waiting for a safe and clear answer, is a disservice to your soul. So many times a "mistake" is really just what we need to learn an important lesson. I don't believe there are wrong choices, just different life lessons with each path. It's all part of the journey; you must begin somewhere. Why not begin right now, from right where you are.

Trying to Figure It Out All by Yourself

Any journey is more difficult alone, and we all have voices of doubt that we must fend off. In your efforts to find your passion, you would do well to have a companion, such as a mentor, coach, or guide. There are wonderful resources, coaches, and mentors out there, especially on the Internet. Many have taken their own passion journey already. There are also groups you can join to explore your passion around adventure, books, travel, and much more!

To begin your passion exploration, you will need to be willing to start with a blank slate. Avoid looking back; there is no need to look at the past and mistakes you may feel you have made. Start with a few simple questions. "What am I good at?" "How do I enjoy spending my time?" "What stirs my soul?"

Don't be surprised by fear and doubt in this process, just be willing to acknowledge those emotions, and send them on. Be patient with the process. It is a journey after all. A worthwhile journey, first to your heart and then on to your passion, happiness, inspiration, and joy.

"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." - Arthur Buddhold

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Barb Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor, certified Life Optimization Coach, and a certified Nutrition Advisor. Her own journey to find her health, purpose and passion in life has inspired her to help others. Barb's most recent book, "Total Body Health and Wellness," explores the basics of good health, which she believes must include tending to the body, mind, and spirit. To help others find their direction in life, an important element for a healthy mind and spirit, Barb offers a free Personal Passion Action Plan at [http://www.livetheinspiredlife.com]http://www.livetheinspiredlife.com. This free guide is available to anyone who is ready to explore the question of "what's next in my life journey?"

Bringing The Passion Back To Your Life

By Dr Kate Siner

You have probably heard me say this a bunch by now but your life is what you make it. If it is lacking passion then, it is your job to bring it back. Sometimes, this requires a mental shift. Sometimes, this requires taking action to create more of what we want in our external life. A little of both can go a long way.

Recognize that passion wears different faces:

Pay attention to what a passionate life really means to you. Maybe it looks different in different parts of your life. Maybe passion at work looks different than passion with your lover, or passion about a topic. How do you know you are passionately engaged with each aspect of your life? Write it out so that you can clearly see when things are what you want them to be.

Be vulnerable:

It is hard to feel passionate when we are under lock and key. If we are afraid to be vulnerable, we lose out on feeling connected to ourselves and really known by another person. Sometimes, showing love and showing joy can be as vulnerable or even more than when we need to show weakness. Are there places where you have a hard time being vulnerable? How can you open up those parts of your life?

Clean up your messes:

Baggage weighs us down and holds us back. When we live with a lot of unresolved stuff it stops us from being present and passionate in our lives. What grudges are you holding onto? What pain from your past is it time to let go of? Find a way to clear your past so that you can be in the present.

Let go of limiting beliefs about what is fun and what is not:

Work is not fun. Vacation is fun. Even if we don't totally buy into that idea the vestiges of it -like I was mentioning in my note- are there nonetheless. If we think more about an attitude of passion or joy instead of an experience giving it to us then we might be a lot happier. What does an attitude of passion or joy mean to you? How can you cultivate it?

Express your anger:

Anger and passion are on the same continuum. If you have totally shut down your anger, it will be very hard to experience a passionate life. This does not mean that you should be ranting and raving all the time. It just means that if you tend to say that you "never get angry", you might want to take a look if what you are really saying is you don't let yourself feel angry or that you are actually being apathetic.

Make time for it:

Everything important deserves its time. If you want more of something in your life, make a point of scheduling time to bring more of it in. Just by answering these questions and making some quick changes you will see a passion infusion in your life.

How long has it been since you leaped out of bed and excitedly entered your new day? Have you stopped thinking that was even possible? Being passionately connected to our lives is possible and here are some practical ways to do it. Join along with special guest Sexual Empowerment expert and thought leader, Amy Jo Goddard as they discuss ways bring passion to every area of how you live on this weeks Real Answers Radio. http://ctrnetwork.com/profile/RealAnswers

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Dr. Kate Siner has been called, " A true visionary leader who advocates for a much needed shift in the world today." With a PhD in Psychology and rich personal story, Dr. Kate Siner is the perfect one-two-punch that has facilitated transformational work for thousands of people around the world. Dr. Kate Siner has been on NBC, ABC, Fox, and other major networks speaking on fulfillment and success. She's been featured and quoted in numerous journals and magazines, is an author of the soon to be released collaborative book "Soul of Success" with Jack Canfield and is winner of a "2015 RISBJ Women to Watch Award" for excellence in entrepreneurship. http://www.katesiner.com