weight gain and depression

I think that many of you, including me, are getting quite upset at the never-ending bad financial news that we are being barraged with daily. Two trillion dollars of retirement monies have been lost, many people nearing retirement are now looking at working (if there is work to be had) for years more, and yet, AIG execs were in some retreat last week spending over 400K dollars on lavish spa treatments, meals, exotic rooms, etc. Their CEO is now receiving a million dollars a month as a consultant...the same CEO who oversaw the demise of this huge insurance conglomerate.

As we absorb this type of news, first there is an element of disbelief, followed by anger and then depression may set in. During depressive phases, we often start reaching for high-caloric food sources as some sort of "treatment" strategy. I implore everyone reading this to recognize this pattern, and stop it in its tracks. "Destress" by trying to get more exercise or writing your congressman, senator, or whomever and tell them what you think about all of this. Do NOT allow the gloomy news to impact adversely upon your health, because as I mentioned in the past, right now your BEST investment is in YOU. Keeping your health intact will be your best response to all of this. There are things we cannot control...such as the government's complete ineptitude in having staved off this recession. You and I cannot control the greed that resulted in this lending debacle. What we can control is what we put in our mouths.