What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that comes with high emotional feelings of isolation, emptiness, sadness and hopelessness. It is normal that one be sad from what is happening around us once in a while. But, if it is not normal to feel crippled with sadness quite frequently. Most probably on a day to day basis. Depression is harmful for the mental and physical well being. It will harm the way we think. One will forget how to enjoy life and take interest in things we loved to do. Depression affects oneself and everyone else concerned about you. It can interfere in day to day activities, career and personal life.

Medical treatment for depression might involve taking antidepressants, undergoing therapies to change lifestyle habits to ensure a healthy body and mind. It is always good to be open about your feelings and get help. It is not a stigma and there are more and more people who are open about their depression and how they have tackled it. It is good to consult a psychiatrist if you feel the situation is beyond your control.

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Lifestyle Changes And Depression

Depression can cause a person to isolate oneself from the rest of the world. Understand this situation and try to spend time with supportive and positive people who love to help you out of this tough situation. Plug in exercises in your daily routine. Exercises increase production of natural antidepressants in your body. Exercise for 30 minutes three to five days a week to help you out of depression. This will keep you away from any kind of medication. Practice meditation. It engages your mind for a while and keeps it away from thinking or feeling sad. You can practice meditation using deep breathing techniques or by repeating a mantra or a phrase.

Deep breathing techniques can help you calm your mind and relieve anxiety. This will help you get better sleep. Depression can cause lack of sleep. It makes you lie awake all through the night with your mind that goes berserk with negative thoughts. Even if you sleep, you may wake up in the night and not be able to sleep again. This will lead to fatigue and more depression. So, sleep is important. You will have to follow a consistent sleep routine. Get to bed and wake up at the same time daily. Follow a calming routine before bedtime to unwind from the stress. Read a book, watch a movie, listen to music or practice any hobby to get yourself relieved of stress.

Healthy Eating And Depression

Developing healthy eating habits is good for your body and mind. Eating helps improve your mood and relieves stress. But be mindful and eat healthy. Avoid junk food and food packed with refined sugar and saturated fats. Chart a healthy diet rich in fatty acids, amino acids and complex carbohydrates. Healthy fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6 can be found in fish, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables and olive oil. Neurotransmitters are considered as messengers in the brain and they play a vital role in the mental well being of a person. Neurotransmitters are made of amino acids. A diet rich in amino acids will help improve your mental health. Meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables are rich in amino acids.

Carbohydrates produce a feel good neurotransmitter called serotonin. A balanced diet that includes carbohydrates will help the body to absorb amino acids that will help synthesize proteins. Also, carbohydrates generate glucose that charges our brain. Complex carbohydrates are found in grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges and pears. Eat healthy and maintain an average weight. Do not starve or follow a fad diet. Eat healthy and have an active social life to keep away from depression.