February/March 2018 79
PICTURE IT
Even if your greatest artistic masterpieces are drawings
of stick figures, there’s a therapeutic effect to
letting it all out onto paper or any other medium.
Channel your inner Jackson Pollock by throwing paint
on canvas, and you’ll come away from the experience
with more pep in your step and maybe a conversation
piece worthy of hanging over the mantelpiece.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JENINE ALFTIN; ISTOCK; SHUTTERSTOCK 13
DISH UP
A PLATE
OF JOY
Although trendy diets
may help you shed
weight and honor your
commitment to your
New Year’s resolution,
they may eventually
start to negatively affect
your mood. Eating
healthy food is not only
good for your body, it
also contributes to your
overall sense of wellbeing.
Scientists have
found that depressed
people often lack fatty
acids in their diet. Neuroscientist
Sara Isbell
explains, “Serotonin is
made from the amino
acid tryptophan, which
is not naturally found in
the body but must be
obtained from dietary
sources.” Good (and
delicious) sources include
salmon, tuna and
walnuts. A well-balanced
variety of foods in your
diet will most likely lead
to a better balance in
mood as well. n
COUNT YOUR
BLESSINGS
Pick a time every week to sit
down, accentuate the positive
and write about your blessings,
reflecting on what went right
and highlighting accomplishments
and gifts for which you
are thankful. Sometimes it
helps to pick a number—such
as three to five things—that you
will identify each week. You can
also make yourself happier and
nurture relationships by writing
thank-you letters expressing
your enjoyment and appreciation
of that person’s impact on
your life. Gratitude helps us to
relish good, deal with adversity
and build strong relationships.
So say the studies, for which
we’re grateful.
PALO ALTO ARTIST
SANDY OSTRAU