forever young naturally lifestyle

Have a million-dollar moment. Let your brain drift over all the things you'd do if you won the lottery. Travel, do good, live somewhere different. When you come to, ponder how you could make some of those wishes come true.

Mood swings are a disconcerting but natural hazard of the menopausal years. To lessen highs and lows, cut back on caffeine and get enough sleep: jittery nerves from sleep deprivation and copious coffee make down times seem worse. Try relaxation techniques yoga and meditation are particularly helpful.

Many herbal formulas promise relief from depression, low mood, anxiety, and insomnia. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) appears in almost all of them. Drink the tea or take 20–30 drops of the tincture daily in lots of water it tastes very bitter.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) works well for many people with symptoms of depression because it acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (the physiological mechanism used by the tricyclic class of antidepressant drugs). Consult a herbalist to find which form might suit you best and take for at least two months. Consult your doctor if taking prescription drugs, including oral contraceptives, and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight.

If a low mood is a reaction to a loss or disappointment of some kind (a specific loss such as the death of a pet or a more general sense of disappointment about life), take the homeopathic remedy Ignatia 30 c daily for short crisis periods. It is particularly suited to those prone to weeping or sighing.

Add 3–4 drops of the following essential oils to a room vaporizer to lift mood: rose, jasmine, lavender, geranium, orange, frankincense.

The brain requires oil to function well, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. Low concentrations have been linked with mood disorders, while good amounts enhance braincell receptors' ability to process and react to mood signals. Get your fill from wild salmon and small oily fish, hemp, argan, and flax (linseed) oils (rub onto the skin, too), grass-fed meat, and organic cheese.

Gaining perspective on life can be helpful when things seem difficult. One of the best ways to do this is to travel. Try a tour for like-minded people who enjoy art, hiking, or ancient history, or a backpacking adventure that lifts you out of your own mechanical existence into the lives of others.

Writing poetry is recommended by some doctors as a way to wean patients off antidepressants. One study suggested writing poetry stimulated levels of immunoglobin A. If you find words hard to conjure up, buy a pack of poetry fridge magnets and enjoy composing a line or two when reaching for the milk.

Yoga is supremely effective at calming an agitated mind. Try the pose below, or face a sofa, cross your legs, and lean forward resting your arms and head on the seat.
1 Supta virasana: kneel about 1 ft (30 cm) away from a sofa with knees hip-width apart; try to place your bottom on the floor between your feet (pile cushions beneath your bottom until you are comfortable).
2 Lie back on the sofa with back and head completely supported (add pillows where necessary). Rest for 5 minutes, breathing gently. (Avoid this pose if you have varicose veins or phlebitis.)