Contents
You can make lifestyle changes to overcome depression
Although it is normal to feel sad sometimes, if your depression is causing you distress, it could be a sign of something more sinister. Experts believe that depression can be overwhelming and prevent you from enjoying the things you once loved. And so, apart from seeking treatment – which includes therapy and medications, you need to make some lifestyle changes that can help you get your life back on track. Read on to find out what they are.
The more you change your lifestyle to keep your body and mind healthy, the more able you will be to face these challenges.
Depression is a common mental health condition that causes persistent feelings of sadness and changes in the way you think, sleep, eat and work. According to experts, there are many reasons why people become depressed, so it’s important to seek help to overcome the symptoms.
Doctors say that treating depression effectively means prescribing medications, taking drugs, and undergoing therapy. The more you change your lifestyle to keep your body and mind healthy, the more you will be able to cope with these challenges. Therefore, to treat depression, you need to make some basic lifestyle changes, some of which are as follows:
eat healthy
According to experts, healthy eating is the solution to most of the mental and physical health problems people face. A diet that includes all the important food groups and eliminates junk and processed food, sugar and saturated fats can easily help you improve your mood.
Eat foods rich in fatty acids – including omega-3 and omega-6 – which are easily found in fish, nut butters, avocados and olive oil to help maintain a balanced mind. According to doctors, proteins and amino acids reduce the effects of psychological disorders including depression, anxiety and distress in adults.
Exercise
Research has proven that consistent exercise 3-5 days a week helps increase your resilience to stressful stimuli without the need for any medication. It helps reduce stress, improve your mood, boost your self-esteem, and provide restful sleep.
Attention
Engaging in mental exercises such as meditation or deep breathing or repeating a phrase or mantra to achieve some kind of benefit is extremely useful for overcoming mental health issues such as depression. In some cultures, meditation is considered a way to give spiritual enlightenment that helps relieve stress and relaxation.
Control your sleep
Lack of proper sleep can wreak havoc on your mind, making you stressed and over time, becoming depressed and anxious. Doctors say that lying awake in bed at night leads to fatigue and, therefore, getting uninterrupted and regular sleep is an important part of a depression treatment plan.
Make sure you develop a calming bedtime routine that you can follow consistently to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get. Also, keep screens like mobile phones, tabs and television away from your bedroom and read something before going to bed.
Develop strong relationships
Doctors say that depression is an isolating condition, so it is important to develop the right network of friends and family members who understand and love you despite your shortcomings. Always remember that love and support can help you overcome your problems.
Stop drinking alcohol
Even moderate drinking of alcohol – such as a glass of wine or a mug of beer daily – is associated with an increased risk of severe depression. And hence, it is important to ban it completely. According to experts, excessive alcohol consumption leads to oxidative stress, neuroadaptive changes, and differences in brain structure and function, all of which are associated with mental health disorders.
Get the latest news on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines on mental health, wellness and more from around the world.