Most of us think we can get away with not taking care of ourselves or I'll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and the same excuse, I'll start to exercise or eat better or lose weight tomorrow.

It should not be a secret that children as well as adults need role models and look to mirror them in their everyday approaches to life's challenges and activities.

Recently I read an article which was published by a physician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that was specifically talking about how depression runs in families but also more specifically that children are affected emotional by a parent who is struggling with depression themselves.

Most people as well as medical professionals are still meeting barriers between physical health and mental health. There are no barriers, each needs to be viewed as one unit. Mental health affects physical health and the opposite is also true.

The mental health issue of depression is seen more often then not in our society today. Economical issues such as fuel prices have definitely hit us all hard in our wallets. People are worried about current finances or/and losing their jobs or keeping a job that requires them to do the work of three people and then some.

We all need to look at our current lifestyle and ask ourselves a few questions which will enrich your health and your families. Ask yourself :

Is your lifestyle healthy? If no what can you do to improve it? Do you smoke, drink in excess and gamble? Do you know the health implications? Do you feel "blue" most days and have lost interest in things you used to enjoy? Are you inpatient and get angry quickly? Do you eat from the five food groups?Do you encourage your family to do the same. Do you know what portions you and your family should be eating and caloric intake? Do you exercise 3 times a week minimally for 30 minutes and walk 10,000 steps a day and encourage your family to do the same? Do you take at least 15 minutes for yourself everyday? Do you know stress management techniques to use when you feel you face getting red or your heart racing? Does your family and are you a good example for them?

Your lifestyle does affect your mental, physical and financial health. Decide to Invest in Yourself everyday for Life.

Recognize you are an important role model for the people around you on a daily basis. You living a healthy lifestyle and practicing what you preach will generate good healthy results around you as well and foster healthy lifestyles for years to come.