When Your Body Gets the Blues: The Clinically Proven Program for Women Who Feel Tired, Stressed, and Eat Too Much! (Hardcover)

by Ph.D. Marie-Annette Brown (Author), Jo Robinson (Author) "At any given time, tens of millions of women are troubled by a syndrome for which they have no name..." (more)
Key Phrases: other moderately intense exercise, getting more bright light, more natural lighting environment, Body Blues, University of Washington, San Diego (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Do you feel drowsy, sluggish, tense, moody, and disinterested in sex? Do you have trouble sleeping, controlling your eating (especially sweets), and concentrating? If you answered yes to several of these questions, you may have the "body blues" (or "vegetative depressive symptoms"). Authors Marie-Annette Brown and Jo Robinson name these blues, which are caused by low or fluctuating hormones, "women's most misdiagnosed, undertreated, and mistreated mood problem." To combat the body blues, Brown, Robinson, and colleagues at the University of Washington developed "LEVITY" therapy based on three activities: increasing exposure to natural light, walking outside five or more times a week, and taking six inexpensive vitamins and minerals.

When Your Body Gets the Blues explains the causes and symptoms of the syndrome, illustrated by numerous case studies; the authors' research study and supporting science behind LEVITY therapy; the LEVITY program; and easy ways to put it into action. For example, you can double the amount of light you receive by looking straight ahead instead of at the ground when walking outside, and a see-through umbrella helps you get the benefits of natural light when walking in the rain. The program makes sense and is easy to implement. When Your Body Gets the Blues is recommended for women who are tired of being dominated by mood swings, fatigue, emotional eating, and stress. --Joan Price

From Publishers Weekly
Based on the results of a study they conducted, Robinson, who writes in the field of consumer health, and Brown, a specialist of women's medical issues, advocate a solution to alleviate what they call the "body blues." Characterized by such symptoms as weight gain, problems sleeping, fatigue and a decreased interest in sex, this condition, according to the authors, is caused by low serotonin activity. Brown and Robinson describe this as an annoying physiological condition that results from hormonal interactions occurring over a female's lifetime and whose chemical complexities are detailed at length here. Their findings from the controlled study and interviews they conducted with 112 women indicated that the "body blues" could be greatly relieved by a treatment they designed and named the "Levity Program." Consisting of bright light, brisk walking and six vitamins and minerals, these recommendations for mood elevation are drug free and virtually harmless. Walking five times weekly and getting more natural light has been suggested elsewhere by medical providers as beneficial to overall health. The suggested "antidepressant cocktail," a combination of vitamins, is available at any drug or health food store; however, the authors do promote their own all-in-one tablet. This will interest readers of alternative health literature and those who are convinced by the "body blues" theory.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1 edition (February 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157954486X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579544867
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #637,217 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch out, buying this book is habit-forming!, February 27, 2002

By A Customer

I had the privilege of attending a Body Blues workshop given by Brown and Robinson, the authors of this book. When I left the workshop, I felt better already. Having read "When Your Body Gets the Blues," several things stand out about this program:

1) It makes sense.
2) It's "do-able." (I haven't found anyone yet--no matter how busy they are--who can tell me with a straight face that they can't fit this program into their lives.)
3) It works. It's a joy to banish those bouts of "fuzzy thinking" that leave you wondering if you're losing it.

I'm fifty, and many of my friends and coworkers (some of them much younger!) have the symptoms of "the body blues." In fact, it seems that maybe 25% of my female friends DON'T have the body blues. I sent a copy of this book to one of them. She read the first chapter and said "I see why you thought I needed this. This is me!" This book is now #1 on my list of birthday presents for female friends (and the men who love them?)

I wanted to add a word about the previous reviewer's concern that the authors were hyping "their" miracle vitamin pill. One of the things that impressed me about the authors at their workshop was their integrity, and I feel obligated to set the record straight.

I think the confusion comes from the fact that Brown and Robinson's study was called the LEVITY (Light, Exercise and Vitamin Intervention TherapY) program. For their study they asked a company to produce a supplement that contained six specific vitamins and minerals in an easily swallowed tablet; these same tablets can now be purchased in stores and is called the LEVITY(TM) Mood-Elevating Formula. The authors, who understand how important it is that the program be easy to follow, recommend this product for its convenience. However, as they point out clearly to their readers, neither author benefits from the sale of these supplements. In fact, the six vitamins and minerals are all common substances and readily available, and Brown & Robinson provide readers with all the information they need to put this formula together on their own.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Body Blues-- Holistic science, March 28, 2002

By	Rita Schenck (Vashon, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

I was very pleased to find out that someone has looked at women's health in a holistic fashion. The authors have done their homework and integrated information about exercise, light therapy and vitamin therapy so solve a problem that is pervasive and brings together a whole constellation of symptoms of malaise.

The Body Blues book not only is easy to read, but it is based on real verified science-- something one rarely sees in the self-help category. As a scientist myself I especially appreciate this.

With the exception of vitamins (which can be bought at any drugstore), all the authors' recommendations can be followed at no cost to the individual. This makes it even more surprizing that the authors have refused to sell or be involved in the sale of the vitamins they recommend.

Not only holistic thinkers, but public-minded too. A breath of fresh air.

79 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Average American Woman Feels Better!, April 2, 2002

By	Kimberly E. Phillips "Book Lover" (Union County, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Being a 33 year-old, divorced professional who is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds, I am the quintessential "AVERAGE" American woman. This book was a huge success for me. I calculated my "Mood and Symptom Inventory" score over the past 6 weeks. Here's the breakdown:
Week 1: 24.5
Week 2: 35
Week 3: 39
Week 4: 35.5
Week 5: 41.5
Week 6: 45
The higher your score, the better you feel. Pretty amazing, eh? I was so tickled that I wanted to share it with you. Jo (one of the authors) sent me the downloadable Daily Journal which has been a huge help. Oh, and I, like so many others have lost 5 pounds without even trying.