EMAIL A FRIEND Depression can be crippling, devastating. It can cause a person to withdraw from everyone he loves and stop doing activities that he once enjoyed. It can cause a deep despair and social isolation that is overwhelming. Victims of depression encounter memory problems, sleep disruption or a need to sleep excessively, a sense of hopelessness and an inability to join the rest of the world. Depression afflicts an estimated 19 million Americans, and they cant just snap out of it.
There are ways to ease some symptoms of depression, but sometimes medication therapy is necessary for the patient to fully enjoy a symptom-free life. However, there are some tips you can try if you have the blues.
1. Speak with Someone
A therapist or counselor can help you tremendously with sorting out issues and making sense of things in your life. If you are not comfortable with a counselor, talk to a close friend or keep a journal. Sometimes just talking about things can make you feel better. Then, go talk with a friend who can help you laugh. Laughing is great for anyone. www.admin82.cn
2. Start an Exercise Program
A brisk walk or a good workout can do wonders for your mood. As you exercise and raise your heart rate, your body releases endorphins which improve your mood. Youve heard of the runners high? Well, that is why.
3. Eat Fresh Food
Start a garden. Raise some chickens (for the eggs). Buy organic products? Eat plenty of fiber (fruits and vegetables) in order to cleanse your body from toxins and preservatives and junk from processed foods. Make sure that you consume colorful fruits and vegetables. When you are healthy, you feel more vibrant and full of energy!
4. Avoid Sugar
If your depression is connected with anxiety, you will no doubt try to eat way too much sugar. This is the worse thing that you could do. Why? Because sugar can actually increase your anxiety. Unlike , regular table sugar will make you even more tired after the sugar high, not to mention the other health detriments related to sugar and tooth decay and the immune system. admin82.cn
5. Avoid caffeine
Caffeine brings you up - then drops you like a rock. Like sugar, it will also contribute to your anxiety and depression. Try drinking at least 8 glasses of water everyday.
6. Avoid Nicotine
Nicotine is a stimulant so it will help me when I am depressed, right? No. It acts in the body much like caffeine. It can make you feel better for a short while, but in the long run, will only increase your depression. The stimulant in nicotine can increase your anxiety. Long term smoking will cause more upper respiratory health conditions and more free radicals in the body, causing the immune system to be weak, allowing for feelings of depression. Some people also feel depressed because they cannot quit smoking.
7. Meditation Helps
Meditation has been used for thousands of years to help with depression. There are ways to medite, including conscious breathing methods and creative thoughts.
8. Sleep
You don't want to get too much sleep, but having a sleep deficiency can also bring on anxiety. Try to get about 8 hours of good sleep every night.
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9. Use More Light
Sitting or working in the dark will add to your depression. Natural light is better than artificial light too. So open the windows and shutters and replace small lights and light bulbs with bigger and brighter ones.
10. Adopt a Pet
If you possibly can, get a dog or cat. Companion animals provide great help to anyone suffering from depression. Studies have shown that by just stroking an animal can lower your blood pressure and calm you. So go visit your local humane society or pet store. Don't have space for a goat or a horse? Maybe a dog, cat, ferret, gerbil, hamster, goldfish, or even a hermit crab?
