Depression

Depression. A 10 letter word and a feeling that most of us don't like to admit that we are having. I'm sorry to break the news to you, but everyone is probably going to experience this at some point in their life. It is not anything to be ashamed of, but you should be aware of it and seek help if need be.
I know from experience how hard it can be to admit to yourself that you are experiencing signs of depression. Most people have been there, even if it was only for a short period of time. However depression can become a serious mood disorder if it last more than 2 weeks and it can be dangerous to your health.
My AP Psychology class is learning about mood disorders right now. I know that if you are depressed then you start having negative thoughts. Also, if you get into a deep depression, then it can become a vicious cycle. You need to be willing to accept that you are depressed and realize that it is nothing that you should be embarrassed about. Once you reach this point then you can get the help you need either from friends, family members, or a professional.
I don't think that a lot of people understand the consequences that can surround a mood disorder such as depression. One of the many consequences of long term depression is disturbed sleep. Just this one problem can lead to so many other complications, such as fatigue and becoming more susceptible to sickness. If you are depressed then you are really slowed down and every day that you are depressed, you are missing out on living your life to the fullest. Depression can be treated and it should be before it goes on for too long.
I myself have recovered from depression multiple times. I never had to seek professional help because I didn't let it get that far, I just talked to family and friends. After a while of that, it made me feel so much better. If you are passed the point of getting through it only through the help of friends and family, then I strongly encourage that you find help. Like I said before, depression is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about and you need to find help before it impacts your life any further.

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My Favorite On-the-Go Breakfasts

If you are anything like me, then you are probably always in a rush to get out of the door on time every morning. no matter how early I get up in the morning, I never have time for breakfast, I am always in a rush. In the rush, you may forget the most important meal of the day, breakfast. If you skip breakfast, than you are missing out on many of its health benefits. This is why even if you are prone to running late, and you don't have time for a sit down breakfast, then you need to have a back up plan for when and where you are going to fit in your breakfast.
The great thing about breakfast is that it doesn't have to be much; it just has to be a little something that gets your metabolism moving in the morning. Keeping grab and go foods in your house can be super helpful. Anything from a banana or apple to a granola bar or an apple sauce cup. All of these items can be eaten on your way to school or work or right when you get there. They take little time to eat and will hold you over until lunch time.
Another thing that you could try is getting something ready the night before. You may not have time to stir together a smoothie in the morning (and if you do then you must really have your life together and I applaud you), but you do have time at night before you go to bed. Throw some fruit, yogurt and ice into a blender, then throw it into the fridge. In the morning you can drink it down while you are getting ready. You could also put some cereal into a bag if you are allowed to eat at your first hour class or at work. Sometimes I put some Honey Nut Cheerios into a baggie and put it into my backpack at night, that way, it is one less thing to worry about in the morning and I can have my breakfast when I get to school.
I am forced to live by both of these strategies because I am a perpetually late person every day of my life. Do what works best for you; as long as that means that you are eating breakfast instead of skipping it. Remember that it doesn't have to be anything big, just a little something to give you some energy for the start of your day.

Word Count: 419

Acceptance is Key

Bad days are unfortunately inevitable, but they do not define you as an athlete. Everybody has them and they aren't fun. But you have to know that the road to success isn't going to be easy and there are going to be days that are easier than others, it's just a fact. The best way of getting over a rough day is just accepting that that is what it was, it was just one bad day in between many good days.
So you show up to your track meet that day expecting to PR and then you get the worst time of your career. I am living proof that it can happen. Yep, yesterday I had a track meet and I was expecting so much from myself, maybe too much. I thought that I could PR, and instead my time was the slowest that I could ever remember myself getting. Days like this you may go through a few stages:
Stage 1: Tears
You are upset with yourself. So upset that you could cry, and maybe you do. It's perfectly okay, let it out. Wipe those tears away and get back up, remember that all you can do is improve for next time.
Stage 2: Rage
After you are over being upset about your time, you will probably just be mad at yourself. I know that I am. I just want to drop everything and quit. I hate that I ran slow and that I couldn't move faster. I'm just mad at the world at this point.
Stage 3: Acceptance
When you decide that the world isn't actually after you, and you forgive yourself for how you ran, you have reached the stage of acceptance. Accepting that sometimes days like this happen and you just have to work that much harder next time.
These are the phases that I go through after a bad race, maybe you don't, that's okay too. If you finish a bad race and right away accept that it is something every runner experiences then that is fantastic. However for the runners that struggle when they perform poorly, know that you aren't alone. The point is, after a race like I had yesterday, you must become accepting. It is the only way to get through the bad days. Every athlete has them, acknowledge it and move on.

Word Count: 394