| Dr. Sam Robbins

Man’s Best Friend – Loyal & Unconditional Love

Dr. Sam Robbins — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:05:50 +0000

As some of my readers may know, I just LOVE nature and animals. So, here are some heart-warming pictures of loyalty and unconditional love. There’s something to be learned here for us “humans” – imagine if you treated your loved ones (friends, family, partners, etc.) with a little more loyalty and unconditional love… rather than criticism and judgment?…

Something to think about (and hopefully DO), wouldn’t you agree?

Oregon Sandcastles — in 6 hours!

Manuel — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:21:06 +0000

This is pretty amazing… what a person can do with nature… in just a few hours.

The competition starts with the tide going out. The judging must be completed before the tide comes in and washes the work away. That gives everyone about 6 hours. Some pretty fancy work for such a short time, wouldn’t you agree?…

Ways to Naturally Increase Your Dopamine Levels

Dr. Sam Robbins — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:11:03 +0000

I’m not exactly an advocate for antidepressant drugs. Not with all of its damaging side-effects and serious risks to your health. However, I certainly understand – and endorse – you taking steps to relieve your depression, anxiety, and/or any sleep difficulties you encounter. One healthy approach is to naturally raise the dopamine levels in your brain.

What is Dopamine?

Dopamine is described as a natural hormone in your brain – a hormone that plays an important role in stabilizing mood, emotions, and controlling stress and anxiety, as well as sleep patterns. It also affects the decision-making process and helps curb cravings.

In this way, it’s associated with our ability to experience pleasure; having higher amounts of dopamine also aids our social functioning by helping us feel more relaxed and in control. So raising your dopamine levels is a good thing, and will likely help you feel better.

The good news is that there are many ways to naturally raise your dopamine levels. Let’s explore them. Here are a few ways you can do it:

Eat more bananas – ripe ones, that its.
Ripe bananas produce dopamine quinine, which is a naturally-occurring type of dopamine. Note that the brown parts of the banana have the highest concentrations.
Aim to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants.
This is important because free radicals reduce dopamine levels, whereas antioxidants get rid of free radicals. The majority of vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants, but there are some that are chock-full of it, such as cranberries, blueberries, artichokes, strawberries, and prunes. Go on, make a fruit salad!
Try switching to decaffeinated coffee.
Although caffeine temporarily increases the neurotransmitters in the brain, the spike is followed by a sudden drop that can make you feel a lot worse. Also, aim to limit your intake of alcohol to a maximum of one drink per day, since alcohol hinders the proper functioning of dopamine.NOTE: Instead of drinking coffee for energy, there’s a better way for increasing your energy levels naturally…
Eat more nuts.
Some of the best are raw almonds, sunflower, walnuts and sesame seeds. Sprinkling nuts on salads is a great way to include more nuts in your diet.
Cut down on sugars and saturated fats.
These foods will not only present issues to your health, like raising the risk of heart attack and obesity, but they also reduce dopamine levels in your bloodstream. Although we’re not saying you can’t enjoy your favorite foods, it’s always helpful to try a few substitutions like using olive oil or brown sugar instead of canola oil and refined sugar.
Lastly, use supplements that give you a dopamine boost.
One great formula is found in a clinically-proven product called ProVanax®. It contains key ingredients in specific extracted dosages, offering a concentrated dose of the amino acids that are naturally found in a healthy brain.The feedback for ProVanax® has been outstanding and since the product has been around for years, you know it works and it’s safe!

ProVanax - The All Natural Solution

As Gus (a customer of ProVanax) says:

I purchased the product mainly due to its mood-elevating qualities. BUT, surprisingly, in addition to my happier mood, my concentration is so much better. My thought process and memory has really improved a lot over the past couple months of use. I don’t forget little things like my keys, phone numbers, name, etc. as much. I thought I was going insane for a while and actually was a little concerned that maybe I’ll one day get Alzheimer’s. But wow … I feel normal and human again and most importantly, NOT OLD!

Like it does for Gus, natural herbs and amino acids WORK and are suitable for 90% of the population.

But don’t take our word for it – try ProVanax® for yourself!

Get Some Sunlight: How Light Influences Your Mood

Dr. Sam Robbins — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:47:34 +0000

Have you noticed how a sunny day, or the first morning light striking your window leaves you feeling hopeful? And when you look out the window and take it in, do you feel suddenly energized, like the sun’s rays has struck a bolt of unexpected optimism right through you? And when the weather changes, darkening, all that optimism goes right out the window from where it came.

Well, you’re not alone. There’s an established link between feeling low and overcast weather. A lack of light has a direct effect on your mood. According to various findings, sunlight acts as a natural mood enhancer, which serves to boost productivity – and some say, creativity. That’s because when light is detected, you don’t produce as much melatonin; instead, serotonin (its jollier hormone) steps in to elevate your mood.

For many years, researchers have examined the relationship between weather and temperament, noting that some people are more susceptible to weather changes than others. Those who are more vulnerable to experiencing a low mood during the cold, dark winter are said to have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

What You Can Do

To get around this, experts recommend taking steps to strengthen the brain’s resistance against mood changes in the winter, such as making sure to listen to “feel-good” music, exercising, meditating, or revisiting vacation photos – whatever lifts your mood. This helps you build resiliency to emotional clouds brought on by bad-tempered weather.

When the sun is out, however, you should take the opportunity to recharge your batteries. That is, shut down your computer and go out in the sun. (Wearing sunscreen, of course, and not baking into a crisp.) Getting a little sunlight is a natural way to store up on your serotonin, and instantly feel better. When summer is here, you have no excuse but to take advantage of it.

Oh, and speaking of natural ways to feel good, have you taken your ProVanax today? If you haven’t, hop to it.

And we’ll see you next time.

The Latest Findings of Why Anxiety/Depression Drugs are Not Good for You

Dr. Sam Robbins — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:03:31 +0000

Some people suffering from major depression report that antidepressant medication relieves part of their symptoms. (Then again, so do a lot of other tactics, like sitting out in the sun.) However you choose to look at it, though, antidepressants are far from a safe remedy and it certainly does not address the underlying problem or provide a lasting solution.

In fact, antidepressants have serious side effects and may very well put your health — and, in MANY cases, your life — at risk.

The side-effects of antidepressants are well known; they include:

Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Increased risk for stroke
Added risk for diabetes type 2
Impaired immune system
Headaches
Muscle and joint pain
Heart disease

Uterine and stomach bleeding
Increased anxiety
Loss of sexual interest
Dizziness
Loss of coordination
Crying spells
Increased risk of suicide

And that’s just a few “concerns.” I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to take something that has been shown to INCREASE the risk of suicide. After all, the reason you’re taking the medication in the first place is to feel better and more optimistic!

Recent studies have also shown that antidepressants are linked with an increased risk of heart disease in men, as it can thicken artery walls.

Antidepressants: Effective?

Several studies have arrived at the conclusion that MOST of the response to antidepressants could also be achieved with a placebo. And only a few of the most severely depressed showed ANY kind of response to antidepressants.

It is also a well-documented fact that antidepressants are COMMONLY mis-prescribed. For those who fall into the group of people who have been mis-prescribed psychiatric drugs, please be aware that being made to try different options is a surefire gamble with your health.

Why Not Try Something Safe & Natural, First?…

Even if you feel you absolutely need drugs, wouldn’t it make sense to try different, safer options that do not threaten your health? Why not try NATURAL remedies?

ProVanax - The All Natural Solution

Herbs like St. John’s Wort, Phenibut, and Valerian Root have been PROVED to be highly effective. Following from this logic, we combine the best and most effective ingredients in precise dosages into one clinically-proven product called ProVanax®.

This product has been around for years, proven to work for hundreds of thousands of people and has received excellent reviews. In fact, here’s what one user, Steve who has been dealing with depression and anxiety as well as sleep difficulties on-and-off for most of her life has this to say:

Having suffered from depression most of my life, I’ve been treated with many antidepressant and anxiety medications. I was literally a walking pharmacy. [Since being on ProVanax], everything in my life has improved. No more depression. Concentration has improved. No more anxiety and I have been a consistent user of ProVanax from day one and can’t imagine my life without!

Like it does for Steve, natural herbs and amino acids WORK and are suitable for 90% of the population. Don’t gamble away your health. Try natural ingredients first. Try ProVanax® risk-free today and experience the benefits for yourself!

It’s a WIN-WIN situation.

10 Simple Steps To Lower Your Stress Levels – Naturally…

Dr. Sam Robbins — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:28:07 +0000

I think most people know that anxiety, depression, worry and sleep problems are often triggered by stress or a stressful even, wouldn’t you agree?… Now, you can’t always control the OUTSIDE world, but you certainly can control the INSIDE world – what goes on inside your head and in your body.

Remember, stress is stress – but the MEANING you give to any “stressful situation” is ultimately what defines how BADLY the stress affects you, your body and your life.

Below are some simple steps to help you “manage” your stress and change how “it” effects you! To get you started, here are some helpful tips that you can incorporate into your daily routine:

Try to get up a little earlier than usual.
This will give you time to ease into your morning routine, as opposed to scrambling to feed the kids, make your way through traffic, and gulp down a cup of coffee before arriving at work. Enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the sunrise or listening to some good music for a few minutes, can have a lasting impact on the rest of your day.
Expect the best, but plan for the “worst”.
Plan for eventual mishaps, such as losing your keys. Make extra copies of your house and car keys and place them where you easily find them. This can reduce the stress associated with looking for lost items.
Move more… “Motion, creates emotion!”
Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. When going short distances, walk or ride your bike instead of driving.
Eat healthier.
Replace unhealthy food choices with healthier options like ordering salad with lemon juice, or fresh fish and vegetables. When we’re stressed we tend to grab whatever is in front of us, but this can lead to many problems, such as weight gain and health issues.
Eat slowly and enjoy your food.
Try not to eat lunch at your desk. Instead, find a more relaxing spot if only for a 15 or 20 minute break. Share lunch with friends or co-workers… Put on some good music (iPod or Smart Phone) and enjoy your food.
Give…
Treat yourself to something nice, like a massage. Alternatively, do something nice for others on a whim. You could bring bagels or muffins to the office one morning, for example – the response you get can lift your mood, even if only for a few hours.
Forgive and forget it (REALLY do it!)
Practice forgiveness by not dwelling on something that recently happened. For instance, if someone was rude to you, try not take it personally. Instead, conjure up a memory of someone that was pleasant or neutral. Forgiving the mistakes of others also helps you forgive the mistakes in yourself.
Set limits.
Knowing when to say “no” to additional responsibilities reduces the risk of burnout. Instead, put your best effort into your present responsibilities, try to delegate tasks whenever possible, and resist the urge for perfectionism.
Stretch at work.
Sitting all day behind a desk is just HORRIBLE for your body. Twist side from side to side. Bend forward. Turn your head to stretch your neck. This helps keep your body flexible, giving you an added energy boost. Take a 5 minute break for every hour you work behind your desk.
Enjoy the sun.
Get some rays early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Sunlight has a pronounced, calming effect on your mood. Sitting by a window facing the sun for just 10 minutes a day is one great, proven way to lift your spirits.

As you can see, reducing stress and its effects on your mood and well-being is possible with a few simple tactics. They make up the type of lifestyle changes that can have a marked effect on your mood.

“Is There An Easier Way?…”

Even though the above is fairly easy to implement, it does take time for these steps to become a HABIT. But, people always want an “easier way” to do things.

Well, another simple yet extremely EFFECTIVE approach is to use natural ingredients that are proven to help reduce stress. Pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the fact that natural ingredients DO WORK.

For example, did you know that Valium® is made from Valerian Root and Aspirin is made from White Willow Bark?…

However, since pharmaceutical companies make money from nature, they find what works in nature, change it, make it “synthetic,” add in a bit of addictive qualities, patent it, charge a massive mark-up to them and create a drug.

At the very least, natural ingredients and herbs are your FIRST solution, and in most case, your best solution!

ProVanax - The All Natural Solution

One clinically-proven product that has been around for years is ProVanax®. It contains many key ingredients which are known to reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The feedback for it has been amazing and since the product has been around for years, you know it works and it’s safe!

Tonya Johnson says it best:

I was under a lot of intense stress from my job and I was almost losing my mind! I was stressed out, had anxiety, my mouth was dry, and the minute I walked into the office I was ready to almost fight. I wanted to take this product because (A) I wanted CONTROL over all my weird feelings and (B) because I was just ready to start crying all the time.

The first day, I took 2 pills at 7 am and when I walked into the office, I was totally happy, in control and very pleasant – VERY different than how I usually am. We even had a board meeting that would usually piss me off, but instead, I was calm, cool and collected. But don’t take my word for it – try ProVanax® for yourself

“Where are YOU going to be in the future?”

Dr. Sam Robbins — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:44:56 +0000

A friend of mine forwarded me these pictures in an email a few weeks back. The reason I’m showing you these, is not because of politics, or to say anything negative OR positive about the US, Japan or anyone else.

But, the point is on a PERSONAL level.

When I saw these pictures (just make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom…), later I thought to myself “Hmm… where am I going to be a year from now?… 5, 10, 20+ years?”

I want you to ask yourself this same question. Relationships, financial or health – are you going to get ACTIVE and change your life, or just let it “fall apart” (as it has in the below pictures of Detroit)?

And trust me, money can be made and lost – but your health is not something for you to ignore. Are you going to allow yourself to get fatter, become unhealthier, let your insides (heart, lungs, arteries, muscles) get weaker and weaker?

At the end, it’s up to YOU. Just don’t make silly, “lazy” excuses because at the end, YOU are the only person who loses or wins!….

Hiroshima, Nagasaki in 1945 – After an atomic bomb….

NOW – 65+ Years Later….

Detroit, US – 65+ Years After Hiroshima….

Again, the point of this email is NOT political, but PERSONAL. Where are YOU going to be in 1, 3, 5, 10+ years? And honestly, it ALWAYS starts with your health – both physical and mental.

I hope you’ll utilize this newsletter to hopefully MOTIVATE yourself to make a positive change, rather than “feel sorry” or make a “lazy excuse”.

Remember, change happens in an instant … a split second. Let me know your thoughts below, I do read them all. Thanks!

With sincere appreciation & warmest regards,

Dr. Sam Robbins

10 Great Tips To Live By!

Dr. Sam Robbins — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:26:01 +0000

If you know me by now, then you’ve realized just how much I love nature and animals. And, even though this is a “health” newsletter, I think a BIG part of being healthy is to be as close to “natural” and “nature” as you can be.

Anyway, here are 10 Great Tips to live by - any time of the year, all year long. Wouldn’t you agree?…

1. Stay Out Of Trouble…

2. Aim For Greater Heights…

3. Stay Focused On Your Job…

4. Exercise To Maintain Good Health…

5. Practice Team Work…

6. Rely On Your Partner To Watch Your Back. Take Your Time Trusting Others…

7. Save For A Rainy Day…

8. Rest & Relax…

9. Always Take Time To Smile =) ….

10. Realize That NOTHING Is “Impossible”…

Well, there you have it – some “food for thought”… Something to ponder, something to improve, something to CHANGE! At the very least, hopefully I got to put a smile on your face =)

Do a friend a favor and pass along this page to them and help put a smile on their face too…

With sincere appreciation & warmest regards,

Dr. Sam Robbins

Amazing (and real) street art from “Chalk Guy”. Enjoy!…

Dr. Sam Robbins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:16:57 +0000

I love nature and art. In a previous newsletter, I showed you some amazing pictures of nature. In today’s issue, I present to you - “Chalk Guy”.

Everything you see on this page was done on the street some where, a side-walk, a mall, anywhere “Chalk Guy” had an open space to work his magic with nothing buy his hands and simple coloring chalk.

Pay close attention to detail, size and the 3-D effects…

“Chalk Guy” is the man on the right….

Giant Butterfly – It really is a big one…

Fishing – This one you can really see the 3-D effects.

Frog & Lily Pads

Helicopter – Amazing detail of both the city & 5 guys…

Rafting – I love the 3D effects on this one.

Giant Garden – Amazing use of color & detail.

Shark Attack

Whale

“Chalk Guy” Reflection

There’s a lot more, but I’ll save the rest for another day. I hope you enjoyed it. Share it with a friend and put a smile on their face too ….

With sincere appreciation & warmest regards,

Dr. Sam Robbins

“If this is Earth, what’s Heaven like?…”

Dr. Sam Robbins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:06:49 +0000

Here are some truly amazing and real pictures of nature, from around the world. We live in a society where we are always on the run, stuck inside, behind a desk and computer. That’s just not normal or “natural” … it’s not LIVING!

Now, this may not be as good as the “real thing”, but I hope it inspires you to at least go outside, “stop & smell the roses” at some point this week (maybe even right now) and enjoy what nature has given to us for FREE!

A Lavender Farm & Lonely Tree

The Beauty of Antarctic

Autumn in Germany

Neuschwannstein, King Ludwig ‘s Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Disney Castle

The Edge of a Glacier…

A Perfect Getaway

Mirror of a Mountain

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

A Comet… Make a wish…

Tundra

The Moon & Star on Earth…

I hope you enjoyed it. Share it with a friend and put a smile on their face too ….

With sincere appreciation & warmest regards,

Dr. Sam Robbins