10 Careers With High Rates of Depression 2

Artists, entertainers, writers

These jobs can bring irregular paychecks, uncertain hours, and isolation.

Creative people may also have higher rates of mood disorders; about 9% reported an episode of major depression in the previous year.

In men, it’s the job category most likely to be associated with an episode of major depression (nearly 7% in full-time workers).

“One thing I see a lot in entertainers and artists is bipolar illness,” says Legge. “There could be undiagnosed or untreated mood disorders in people who are artistic…. Depression is not uncommon to those who are drawn to work in the arts, and then the lifestyle contributes to it.”

Teachers

The demands on teachers seem to be constantly growing. Many work after school and then take work home.

In many areas, they learn to do a lot with a little.

“There are pressures from many different audiences—the kids, their parents, and the schools trying to meet standards, all (of which) have different demands,” Willard says. “This can make it difficult for teachers to do their thing and remember the reason they got started in the field.”

Administrative support staff

People in this field can suffer from a classic case of high demand, low control.

They are on the front line, taking orders from all directions. But they are also at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of control and “everything filters down,” according to Legge.

They can have unpredictable days and may not be acknowledged for all of the work that they do to make life easier for everyone else

Maintenance and grounds workers

How would you like to be called on only when something goes wrong? That’s essentially what maintenance people deal with each day.

They also have to work odd hours, seasonal or varied schedules, and frequent night shifts. They are often paid little for a tough job that can include cleaning up other people’s messes.

“There is also higher turnover. In terms of co-workers, they are often isolated, and it can be dangerous work,” Willard says.

Financial advisors and accountants

Stress. Stress. Stress. Most people don’t like dealing with their own retirement savings. So can you imagine handling thousands or millions of dollars for other people?

“There is so much responsibility for other people’s finances and no control of the market,” Legge says. “There is guilt involved, and when (clients) are losing money, they probably have people screaming at them with regularity.”

Salespeople

People who work in sales are No. 10 on the list, though there are a whole host of reasons why the job could contribute to depression.

Many salespeople work on commission, meaning you never know exactly when your next paycheck is coming. They may travel, and have to spend time away from home, family, and friends.

If they work independently, benefits may also be limited.

“This uncertainty of income, tremendous pressure for results, and long hours” can make for a high-stress occupation, Legge says.

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10 Careers With High Rates of Depression 1

Jobs and depression

By Tammy Worth
Some jobs are more depression-prone than others.

Here are 10 fields (out of 21 major job categories) in which full-time workers are most likely to report an episode of major depression in a given year. But if you want to be a nurse (No. 4), it doesn’t mean you should pick another profession.

“There are certain aspects of any job that can contribute to or exacerbate depression,” says Deborah Legge, PhD, a licensed mental health counselor in Buffalo. "Folks with the high-stress jobs have a greater chance of managing it if they take care of themselves and get the help they need.”

Nursing home/child-care workers

Personal-care providers top the list, with nearly 11% of people in this field reporting a bout of major depression. (The rate is 13% in the unemployed; 7% in the general population.)

A typical day can include feeding, bathing, and caring for others who are “often incapable of expressing gratitude or appreciation…because they are too ill or too young or they just aren’t in the habit of it,” says Christopher Willard, clinical psychologist at Tufts University and author of Child’s Mind.

“It is stressful, seeing people sick and not getting a lot of positive reinforcement.”

Food service staff

Ranking just below professional-care workers are the people who are serving the food at your favorite local digs. Wait staff often get low pay and can have exhausting jobs with numerous people telling them what to do each day.

While 10% of workers in general reported an episode of major depression in the past year, almost 15% of women in this field did so.

“This is often a very thankless job,” Legge says. “People can be really rude and there is a lot of physical exertion. When people are depressed, it is hard to have energy and motivation—when you have to be on, it is difficult.”

Social workers

It’s probably not a huge surprise to find social workers near the top of this list. Dealing with abused children or families on the brink of every imaginable crisis—combined with bureaucratic red tape—can make for a demanding, stressful job that’s often 24-7.

“There can be a culture that says that to do a good job, you have to work really hard and often make sacrifices,” Willard says.

“Because social workers work with people who are so needy, it can be hard to not sacrifice too much to the job. I see that happen a lot with social workers and other caring professions, and they get really burned out pretty quickly.”

Health-care workers

This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and other professions that attract people who might end up giving a lot without saving a little for themselves. Health-care workers can have long, irregular hours and days in which other people’s lives are literally in their hands.

In other words, the stress can be off the charts.

“Every day they are seeing sickness, trauma, and death and dealing with family members of patients,” Willard says. “It can shade one’s outlook on the whole that the world is a sadder place.”
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Say Yes to a Party Dress

Shiny dancers

Vibrant prints, standout sequins, velvet ruffles—we found eight festive dresses that will make you pop and your figure rock.

Sequins and metallic fabrics can be super-flattering. The rich color and simple cut of this plum sparkler (left) elongates your figure, while the A-line cut and mixed print with darker color on bottom (right) slims your lower half

Best dressed

Nothing’s more flattering (and comfortable!) than curve-skimming draped jersey. If you’re fair, go for a bright shade like orange; those with medium and dark skin look great in desaturated colors like beige or ivory.

Retro charm

Hot in the '50s, in the '80s, and this holiday season, a full-skirted frock works on almost every body type. If you're bottom-heavy, it hides flaws; if you've got a boyish figure, it creates a perfect hourglass.

Cocktail ready

This season's bright colors are surprisingly easy to wear. This blue dress highlights your narrowest spot (a few inches above your waist). And the raspberry-pink velvet print is festive but not fussy.

Pop art

Since bold patterns look best on simple dress shapes, this cap-sleeve sheath is the perfect complement to gorgeous oversized roses. Plus, the fitted fabric has spandex that sucks you in for a so-thin look.

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The 'Wich That Wows: 5 Healthy Sandwiches You'll Love

Better than sliced bread

When’s the last time a healthy sandwich made your heart race?

When it’s dinnertime but you crave breakfast:

Waffle Eggwiches

Ingredients: Olive oil, Canadian bacon slices, eggs, egg whites, chives, pepper, multigrain waffles, reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, pure maple syrup

Calories: 379

Smoked Salmon-Wasabi Tea Sandwiches

When you’re having the girls over:

Ingredients: Avocado, wasabi paste, lime juice, white bread, smoked salmon, red onion, chives, sesame seeds, and wasabi sesame seeds

Calories: 239

Tomato Stacks

When you long to think outside the (bread) box:

Ingredients: Olive oil, bell peppers, garlic clove, reduced-fat sour cream, horseradish sauce, Olive oil cooking spray, egg whites, panko, heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula

Calories: 94

Mini Grilled Chicken Clubs

When you crave something classic but light:

Ingredients: Zucchini, garlic clove, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, chicken cutlets, salt, pepper, small sandwich rolls, small tomato

Calories: 233

13 Simple Sandwich and Wrap Recipes

Shrimp Tartines with Slaw

When you want less bread and more filling:

Ingredients: Mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, one shallot, dill pickle relish, tarragon, large shrimp, olive oil, salt, pepper, one baguette, packaged coleslaw

Calories: 192
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7 Healthy Chicken Soup Recipes

Soothing soups

Can chicken soup really fight a cold? Maybe! Research suggests that serving yourself a steaming bowl of soup may actually help.

In fact, any soup (as well as hot drinks) can loosen congestion and help keep you hydrated when you're feeling under the weather.

While they're no ironclad cure, these seven flavor-packed chicken soup recipes can still help you get back on your feet fast.

Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

The veggies and hearty noodles in this homemade soup pack some filling fiber into the warming dish. Opting for whole-wheat noodles will add even more. While sodium is still high in this recipe, stirring up your own pot cuts down on the amount typical store-bought brands have.

Ingredients: Chicken, poultry seasoning, thyme, celery, egg noodles, carrot, green onions, parsley, chicken-flavored bouillon granules, pepper, bay leaf

Calories: 204 per 1 cup

Chicken Noodle Soup With Spinach

Leafy greens like baby spinach are a great source of immune-boosting vitamin C. Flavorful Parmesan cheese and zesty nutmeg will please even the stuffiest of noses!

Ingredients: Olive oil, garlic, chicken broth, chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg, tubetti pasta, baby spinach

Calories: 252 per cup

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Light cheese and a flour-and-milk mixture keep this soup creamy but surprisingly low in fat. Wild rice, a whole grain, adds an earthy flavor and a host of vitamins and nutrients to the dish.

Ingredients: Wild rice, onion, garlic, chicken broth, baking potato, milk, flour, cheese, chicken breasts, pepper, salt, parsley

Calories: 280 per 1 1/4 cups

Chicken and White Bean Soup With Greens

Beans are packed with protein and fiber to help keep you full when you’re feeling under the weather. Kale and spinach offer a host of feel-better vitamins and nutrients. Plus, using rotisserie chicken means you seriously cut down on prep time, because who wants to stand in the kitchen when you’re sick?

Ingredients: Olive oil, leeks, garlic, carrot, chicken broth, rotisserie chicken, rosemary, cannellini beans, kale, spinach, salt, pepper, parsley

Calories: 209 per 1 1/3 cups

Southwestern Chicken Soup

Thanks to the rice and beans, this hearty soup is full of protein and fiber. Cilantro and lime provide a southwestern flare, while avocado adds a creamy texture that’s rich in heart-healthy fats. Enjoy the dish with plain tortillas or baked tortilla chips.

Ingredients: Onion, garlic, chicken broth, rice, cumin, Great Northern beans, rotisserie chicken breast, cilantro, pepper, salt, tomato, avocado, lime

Calories: 274 per 1 2/3 cups

Tortilla Chicken Soup

Whip up this Mexican-style soup when you can handle a little heat: Chile and jalape�o peppers can loosen congestion and have you breathing easier in no time. Opt for light sour cream to cut down on fat. You can stir in pieces of baked corn tortilla chips for a savory crunch.

Ingredients: Peanut oil, chicken thighs, chicken breast, onion, celery, garlic, chicken broth, corn, chili powder, cumin, canned tomatoes, canned green chiles, pickled jalape�o pepper, corn tortillas or tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro

Calories: 394 per 1 1/2 cups

Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

This soup is low in fat and full of vitamin C, thanks to spinach, a nutrition powerhouse. Plus, ginger can help relieve achy muscles. When you’re feeling up to it, don’t be afraid to get creative with additional toppings and mix-ins for new flavor combinations.

Ingredients: Ramen noodles, canola oil, ginger, garlic, chicken broth, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, chicken breast, pepper, scallions, baby spinach

Calories: 293 per 2 cups broth, 1/2 cup spinach, and 1/2 cup noodles
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4 Secrets to Never Getting Sick

Kick the cold

By Jeannette Moninger

Ever wonder why you always seem to come down with a life-interrupting virus this time of year, while other women you know sail through the season sniffle-, cough-, and ache-free?

We canvassed the research and talked to top experts to uncover these key, study-backed secrets for staying well, even when you're surrounded by germs. The docs' number one tip: Get the flu vaccine, ASAP. Then, follow these simple steps to boost your virus protection even more.

Make friends with fresh air

Common wisdom has it that staying indoors, where it's warm and toasty, is easier on your immune system than being outside in the cold. Problem is, being inside puts you in close constant contact with other people—and their germs.

Not only does escaping into the fresh air give you a break from all those germs circulating inside, but going for a stroll can actually boost your immunity. "Exercise leads to an increase in natural killer cells, neutrophils, and monocytes, which ultimately increases immune function," says Ather Ali, ND, MPH, assistant director of Complementary/Alternative Medicine Research at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

Relaxation fights off colds

There are a trillion reasons why taking time to chill out might be the last item on your to-do list. But here's why it should be a priority: "Being stressed will increase your susceptibility to catching a cold," says Ali. That may be because, over the long term, it leads to the ongoing release of stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids.

These impede your body's ability to produce cell-signaling molecules called cytokines, which trigger a disease-fighting response from your immune system. "You're also less likely to take care of yourself—get ample sleep, eat right, exercise—when you're stressed," says Ali, which is crucial to upping your immunity.

Clean hands are everything

Cold and flu can spread all too easily through touch. Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, and make sure to master the art of hand-washing. Soap and water remain your most effective tools there, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Germs can grow on bar soaps, so use the pumped kind—or better yet, a hands-free dispenser and choose regular soap over antibacterial. Lather for a solid 20 seconds before rinsing, and make sure to dry thoroughly (but not on your germy clothes!): "Damp hands are far more likely to spread bacteria than dry ones," says Dana Simpler, MD, a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

The magic bullet

An occasional restless night is nothing to worry about, but a continuous lack of zzz's can hamper your immune system's ability to function. Though experts often say that sleep requirements vary by individual, a 2009 Carnegie Mellon study found that anything short of seven hours nearly triples your odds of catching a cold—and that means seven straight hours, with no middle-of-the-night wake-ups.

"For many of us, the only quiet time we have to think through things is when we're lying down at bedtime. Unfortunately, problem-solving in bed interferes with sleep," says Leslie Swanson, PhD, a sleep specialist at the department of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
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Naturally Gorgeous Hair Makeovers

Hairstyles made simple

Want a fresh look for fall? These women did, too, so we asked star stylist David Evangelista, owner of the David Evangelista Salon at the Cornelia Day Resort in New York City, to tweak away. One ground rule: The cuts had to be truly low-maintenance. Check out the amazing results.

Libby Sentz, 35

After I let go of my long hair, I felt a sense of liberation. And it’s so wash-and-wear. In fact, blow-drying turns it into a frizzy mess.”

The backstory: “Being a dancer, I never wore my hair down because it was so big and heavy—and it made me sweat more,” Libby explains. David agrees: “We needed to lose about 10 inches since all this hair was robbing her ringlets of bounce and pulling down her features.”

The update

A chin-length bob with long, angled layers adds much-needed sass and exposes this dancer’s long, graceful neck. Colorist Gary Wagner gave Libby’s hair a chestnut base, then wove in subtle auburn highlights throughout her top layers.

Her go-to styling aid Ken Paves Healthy Hair Curl Balm ($30)

Vennie Lau, 34

This cut saves me 15 minutes in the morning. I just shampoo, rub in a little styling wax to enhance the texture, and go.”

The backstory “I’m starting my own interior design firm, and I wanted a cut that’s stylish and mature,” she says. David’s take: “Before, her hair was shapeless and dragged down her pretty facial features.”

The update

David cut off 9 inches to create a shaggy (and low-fuss) textured crop with short layers in back and longer ones in front. Colorist William Simon applied a clear gloss—a mix of cuticle-sealing silicones and conditioners—to amp up shine and enhance Vennie’s natural shade.

Her go-to styling aid Bed Head Wax Stick ($17.95; professional salons)

Kimberly Lenny, 28

"My new look is stylish yet practical. I can blow-dry for a more polished effect or keep it a little wavy by air-drying it.”

The backstory “My father called my old style—or lack of style—‘surfer hair,’” Kimberly says. “I think my level of effort was apparent.”  David pointed out that she has a strong jawline and didn’t need to go too short. “If the ends fell near her cheeks, they’d add unwanted fullness,” he says.

Top Pro Hair Styling Products for Under $10

The update

David took Kimberly’s length up 4 inches to just below her chin, then added angled layers. And colorist Eugenia Iordache-Cabrera lightened Kimberly’s dirty blonde hair to a sunnier hue.

Her go-to styling aid Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Mist ($2.49; drugstores)
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