Relaxation: A key to longevity and increased performance in sports

An oft-overlooked area in the life of a professional athlete is their time to rest, relax, and recuperate. How an athlete relaxes has a huge impact on the longevity of their career and how long they can endure peak performance.

Here’s a look into many relaxation techniques and methods pro athletes do. Peter Max.

Breathing and meditation

Make no mistake about it, an athlete experiences just as much stress, or even more than the ordinary person. Not only does the body take a pummeling during training and games, but the mind as well is almost always spent. Breathing exercises are great for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, while meditation eases the mind and allows it to rest. Peter Max.

Physical therapy (post-game)

From massages to hot or cold compresses, physical therapy immediately after a game is a great way for the body to cool down. During games, athletes always take their bodies to the limit. All these physical therapies keep the muscles from breaking down and help the body relax. Peter Max.

Light cross-training

Basketball and football players often bike or swim when out of training. This change of pace from what they usually do is very much welcome, as it takes their minds off their primary tasks and allows the muscles of the body to do something different. Peter Max.

A few eye-opening truths about depression everyone should know

According to several global studies, as many as 350 million people struggle with depression all over the world.  And while many people get better through the support of therapists, families, and friends, far too many of those diagnosed fall deeper into the hole.  Some of those even go to the extreme and take their own lives.   Peter Max.

Image source: spectator.co.uk

Here are some eye-opening truths about depression that people should know.

Around 15 percent of teens suffer from clinical depression. In fact, most mental health experts have come to believe that depression in teens, when left untreated, has become the greatest risk factor for teen suicides.

Depressed men from ages 15 to 24 have the highest risk of suicide, according to a study.  Among the elderly, males have been known to dwell on the thought of taking their own lives more than females. Peter Max.

People suffering from depression usually have other health issues.  It’s been found that people with dementia, PTSD, and other mental health issues may just as likely to have depression as people with cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.  On the flip side, people who are healthy and fit aren’t as prone to depression as people in bad health. Peter Max.

Three out of four people struggling with mental health problems around the world don’t have the means to undergo treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  One out of three people in the world is at risk of having depression, the WHO adds. Peter Max.