Your Health and the Media

by NUCCA Chiropractor Dr. Russell Friedman

I tuned into the Neal Boortz show the other day to catch up on current events. For those of you that may not know, Neal is a local Atlanta talk show host known for his "unpolitically correct " and abrasive style. I used to listen to Neal all the time but stopped about a yr. ago. I also used to listen to the news all the time but stopped that also. It's not that I didn't want to be informed, quite the contrary! I did and do pride myself on being knowledgeable about what's going on in the world. So you may be wondering why I stopped listenening to the news... one word, depression!

Like most Americans after 911, I found myself listening to every newscast and radio talk show waiting for the next terrorist attack. I was so concerned I listened to any news related thing every chance I got. After about 2–3 yrs. of this I found myself becoming increasingly depressed, anxious and generally angry at the world! I eventually realized, with the help of some great books on depression and self–awareness, that my constant emergence into negativity was affecting my health, family and general outlook on life!

I also started paying attention to everything I was hearing. From the people around me to T.V. and radio I was surrounded by bad news and negativity (they were all suffering from the same issues). The old adage of "Good news doesn't sell " is absolutely correct! Every other commercial touts a new drug with a list of symptoms that has the healthiest person wondering, "Could I have that?"

The news STILL has nothing positive to say and with the upcoming election on the horizon, we're in for more of the same! The world hasn't changed but I have! I am, AWARE! I now only watch news long enough to stay informed. I change the channel on the radio or T.V. when a drug commercial comes on and I no longer wonder if I have some soon to be fatal illness because I sneezed or coughed or...! I tell my wife I love her more, don't scream at my children (well sometimes… I'm only human! ) And in general, I love my life! Dare I say...I'm HAPPY! It's an amazing occurrence, one my family and some of my friends probably find annoying. Sure, I have days I struggle with the pull of negativity, but I find the longer I keep it at bay, the less it affects or bothers me.

No, I'm not secretly on Prozac; I just choose to focus on the positive things in life. As a result of my attitude change I've also noticed the people around me seem happier. We all naturally gravitate to someone or something that makes us feel good. So the next time you find yourself getting depressed about world events, the kids making a mess in the house , the traffic in Atlanta or any of those mundane things that get us so worked up in a day, STOP!, Become aware and realize that YOU and your attitude today are the creator of your tomorrow.

Dr. Russell Friedman B.S.M.E., D.C.
Board Certified NUCCA;
Director Upper Cervical Research Foundation;
Director NUCCA Board 2005;
Founder Inside-Out Seminars
Board Certified Chiropractor; 1996 Salutatorian: Phi Beta Kappa; Summa Cum Laude
Tulane University; School of Mechanical Engineering; B.S.M.E.
Private Practice: AlternaHealth Solutions
Atlanta, GA. 30328, 404-459-6603