10 tips to reduce depression
The effects of depression can be be very harmful to those who suffer from it, not to mention those around them. Many times, depression may cause a person to spend less time with others, and to spend less time doing things that they once enjoyed doing. Depression is not good on your health! Those suffering from depression may face memory problems, sleep problems or a need to sleep excessively, a sense of hopelessness and an inability to join the rest of the world. As depressing as it may seem, there are around 19 million Americans who suffer from this. It could be due to a death of a loved one, a divorce, not being able to forgive someone, or just because you are overweight. Some feel depression as a result of learning that they have a health condition such as breast cancer, Endometriosis, Diabetes, Myasthenia Gravis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, or some other. College students can also feel depressed when classes are not going as they would like them to.
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
Marriage counselors, church patriarchs, school counselors, and life coaches can be very helpful. If you do not feel comfortable speaking with a counselor, talk to a close friend or write in a journal.
2. Exercise
Some daily exercise can really boost your mood and energy. Aerobic exercise will raise your heart rate, boost your metabolism, and allow the body to naturally release mood enhancing endorphins.
3. Eat Fresh
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. Sugar will also 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.
5. Cut 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. It acts in the body much like caffeine. It can make you feel better temporarily, but in the end it will only add to depression in several ways. The stimulant in nicotine can increase your anxiety. Smoking also tends to make a person more prone to upper respiratory illnesses and illness can increase you depression.
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
Sleep deprivation can cause depression and anxiety. Too much sleep can also contribute to depression and anxiety. The average adult needs between six and nine hours of sleep a night. Each individual has different needs, but this is a good guideline.
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
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?
Spencer Hunt is a glyconutrient consultant who has used glyconutrients to help people with Alzheimers, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or to just have more energy
http://www.ifoundhealth.com.
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