depression

American army officials have released information that there have been 117 reported cases of suicide in 2007, a 13% increase over 2006.

Army officials said that 115 troops committed suicide in 2007, an increase of 13% over the 102, of 2006. Previous figures estimated 121 suicides, but many of these are still under investigation and some have been attributed to other causes. Most of these came amongst officers on active duty, the National Guard and reserve troops.

Available army records since 1990 show that 2007 has been the worst year. Amongst previous years 102 in 2006, 85 in 2005 and in 2004, 67 officers gave up their lives.

The war related stress is being held responsible for the growing suicides in the army. Through the 5 years that the Iraq war has been on and the 7 years old war in Afghanistan, the stress levels amongst the troops has sky-rocketed.

A new US study and a six year long research has found that smokers are 41 percent more likely to suffer from depressiondefine than their non-smoking peers.

Researchers from the University of Navarra and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and the Harvard School of Public Health in the US conducted study on 8,556 subjects who were university graduates with an average age of 42.

The study, published in Spanish health journal Medicina Clinica, found that more participants who smoked were diagnosed with depression during the study.

Lead author, Professor Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, project director from the University of Navarra says, “A significantly higher risk was found for smokers when they were compared to non smokers, whereas an inverse association was found for ex-smokers who had quit smoking more than 10 years ago.”

“This study supports an increased risk of depressiondefine associated to smoking.”

During the study scientists found that the current smokers who were initially not depressed were diagnosed with the disease by a doctor. They also found that a percentage of the participants who were not diagnosed with the illness indicated that they were taking antidepressant drugs over the research period.

If the pace of life threatens to spin out of control, a minute or two is often all it takes to calm down. Here are 7 simple ways to chill out and recharge.

Do nothing

At least once during the day, take five or ten minutes to sit quietly and do nothing. Focus on the sounds around you, your emotions and any tension in your neck, shoulders, arms, chest, etc. Regain a sense of control – and ease stress.

Laugh out loud

Keep something handy that makes you laugh. It could be a collection of your favorite comic strips, or a funny e-mail from a friend or family. You could even take a few moments to think about watching your favorite comedy serial.

Tune in

When you face a daunting task, play soothing music – be it classical, country or jazz. Whatever music feels most calming to you is the one that’s most likely to help ease stress. At work, you can use the CD drive on your computer to keep the music ready.

Think happy

Focus on someone or something you care deeply about for anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes. Alternatively, picture a scene from a peaceful vacation. A phrase that makes you feel positive about yourself and the world can also work.