This information comes from the pages of "Mental Health Matters"  a Gratiot Medical Center newsletter, April 2007. It is an excerpt from an article written by Christina Weasel PA student from Central Michigan University.

Removing caffeine from one's diet aids in relieving negative mood symptoms. Addiction to coffee and other forms of caffeine often interferes with normal moods and can aggravate depression. Caffeine is a potent chemical stimulant with psychoactive effects. Research has indicated that caffeine can interfere with our brain chemistry and , therefore, can exacerbate stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. In one study, participants who drank caffeine reported higher depression scores than those who abstained . Caffeine also depletes vitamin B6, which compound one's depressive mood.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so starting the day off on the right foot is important. It is also important to eat three well-balanced meals a day with nutritious snacks consisting of fruits and vegetables in between if needed. Try to limit intake of refined sugars and replace those foods with whole grain carbohydrates. If a well-balanced diet cannot be eaten, a primary care physician should be consulted regarding an antioxidant multi-vitamin/mineral supplement to ensure getting all the essential nutrients the body needs for optimal health.

So the challenge for your physical growth is to reduce caffeine intake and eat well balanced diet. Try it for a week and see how much better you feel.

Do you sometimes feel overly fatigued?

You need to balance your physical needs with the rest of your humanness to prevent burnout.You are a physical being.

I’m not saying you are physical beautiful. I’m simply saying you are physical. You have a body. Not many people would argue this point, but you’d be surprised how many ignore it.

Maybe due to emotional distress they neglect their physical being and needs. This body has basic needs to function properly.

Your body has physiology and chemistry, none of which is perfect in this imperfect world. Because our bodies are imperfect we have disease and sometimes need medicine or other treatment.

Some people think this is a moral failing – to need physical treatment, especially if this physical treatment involves mental health issues.

We know there is overlap between the emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual and physical aspects of people, - they can affect each other, but we need to be careful not to neglect the physical needs by calling it a spiritual or emotional problem.

If you need medicine because of a chemical imperfection in your body, then take it. A physical imperfection requires a physical treatment.

The same holds true in reverse. We need to not neglect emotional or spiritual needs by calling them physical. I’ve seen it happen both ways. Take care of your body.

Challenge it to be strong and healthy without being overly focused on it, leading to neglecting the spirit and the emotions.