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  • Learning And Communicative Strategies August 23, 2012
    Communicative strategies are systematic techniques employed by a speaker to express his meaning when faced with some difficulty and the difficulty here refers to the speaker’s inadequate command of the language used in the interaction (Faerch & Kasper, 1983:16). On the other hand, the term learning strategies has been defined as “the higher-order skills […]
  • Review: Teaching Unplugged by Luke Meddings and Scott Thornbury August 13, 2012
    by Hall Houston About 8 years ago, I read an article titled “Teaching Unplugged” by Scott Thornbury in It’s for Teachers magazine. The article described a new approach to teaching languages that de-emphasized coursebooks and other teaching materials, and stressed real communication between students. This approach was loosely based on a Danish film […]
  • Living and Working in Japan: A guide for US Citizens May 23, 2012
    Japan is a stable, highly developed parliamentary democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available, except in coastal areas of Northeast Japan still recovering from the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. Below is a comprehensive list of all the information you should read before visiting or relocating to […]
  • Experience a New Culture When you Teach English in China May 21, 2012
    The human desire to help others is an innate one. This is why, despite the negative aspects, people are still very attracted to the profession of teaching, notes Thomas Galvin. It has been regarded for centuries as a very noble job, and no doubt this will continue for centuries to come. Many teachers these […]
  • The Importance of Vocabulary Roots in AP English April 16, 2012
    The Advanced placement exams are very important for students, suggests Joseph Paul, as they look very good on the students’ report cards and also help them to get credit in certain universities which helps them to save a major portion of the tuition money demanded from students who have not cleared the exam. The […]
  • Business Translation: A Useful TEFL Sideline? April 8, 2012
    The use of translation in business is heavily underestimated and misunderstood. However translation has a big part to play in business and is rapidly becoming one of the most useful things an organisation can use to get ahead in the business world. Whether it be using in-house translators to transcribe documents, official papers […]
  • How to Judge the Quality of Language Learning Software March 21, 2012
    We all know that learning a language is a great way to enhance the look of your resume! Fortunately, there are lots of different options available to you to help you make that a reality. Out of the vast number of options available to you, the option that provides you with the most […]
  • The worst ELT interview questions… and how to answer them March 12, 2012
    Some friends of Naturegirl123 were talking about interview questions that they got. Here are some difficult ones to answer and suggested answers. What religion are you?/ Are you X religion? This could be a legit question if you’re applying to a religious school. If you have the same religion as the school, simply say […]
  • Invoice factoring as a way of financing your language school March 12, 2012
    You’re looking into alternative ways to keep the finances in order in your burgeoning language school. Why not consider invoice factoring? Please don’t think of invoice factoring as a loan because it’s actually something quite different to that: it is more correctly defined as the acquisition of a financial asset. What does that mean? […]
  • Language Classes… Heat Up Careers! March 9, 2012
    Whether you love the snow or can’t wait until the warmer days of spring, this is a time of year when we all start to get a little stir-crazy, suggests Charlotte Evans. Winter was fun back in December but now the cold temperatures and extra layers of clothing are starting to feel a bit […]

Dealing with depression in English teachers: A natural alternative?

As an English teacher living in a foreign country, can you honestly say that you are taking care of your mental health? Everyone throughout the entire world at some point experiences bouts of depression. Furthermore, many encounter depression on a daily basis. What depression boils down to is a chemical change that affects the way in which our brains function. This is a vitally important aspect of living abroad which too many of us overlook.

As we know, the brain functions as the power center of our bodies. The brain sends communication signals to the body to organize our actions through chemicals called neurotransmitters.

This depression can be the foundation of key problems in our lives, such as problems at our school and in relationships.

Importantly for us English teachers, who often are faced with highly emotional situations at work and in our hectic social lives, these neurotransmitters are furthermore responsible for our feelings. Consequently, in a person who has become depressed the chemical messages aren’t delivered ‘appropriately’ between the brain cells.  I’m sure many of us suffer from this situation, but how many of us take the time to do anything about it?

This depression can be the foundation of key problems in our lives, such as problems at our school and in relationships. Depression may even lead to sleeping disorders like insomnia or our desire for adequate food intake. Does any of this sound familiar? Have you seen such symptoms in your colleagues?

Symptoms of depression consist of:

ء         Regular sadness,

ء         Constant tension,

ء         Fluctuation in appetite resulting in enormous weight gain or loss,

ء         Troubles going to sleep or waking up in the morning,

ء         Less concentration,

ء         Not getting enjoyment from their leisure pursuits,

ء         Lack of energy,

ء         Feelings of exhaustion,

ء         Feelings of culpability or despondency, and…

ء         Thoughts of suicide.

There are numerous medications offering support to persons with depression.  On the other hand, a lot of these drugs have side effects. Fortunately, natural alternatives which act as neurotransmitter supplements are available which deliver results without the frightening side effects.

Such neurotransmitter supplements are amino acids that give support in the construction of the brain’s neurotransmitters. To maintain a healthy body in addition to having stable moods, we ultimately need hale and hearty neurotransmitters. There are natural supplements that work to enhance the production of chemicals like Dopamine and Epinephrine which provide a natural cure for depression. One such supplement is AdreCor: this is one of the natural products which acts as a natural depression tonic. In accordance with research, lack of adequate serotonin levels in the body correlates with mood disorders, premenstrual syndrome, autism, eating disorders and migraine. 5-HTP is a chemical that supports a balanced production serotonin by extensively regulating the sleep hormones melatonin and serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that improves good appetite and mood, in addition to allowing for decent sleep. 5-HTP has helped lots of people live more comfortably and appears in products like Calm PRT.

If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms listed, or recognize them in any of your teaching colleagues, consider using a natural remedy to help you improve your lives.

 

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