Although some people treat it like it is nothing important, depression is a serious condition. Untreated, it can affect your life tremendously, to the extent that you are not able to perform normal activities. Depression leads to mental instability, meaning that you will not be able to control feelings and emotions or even perceive certain emotions as being a lot stronger than they are and you are unable to cope. Here are some tools that will help fight depression.
1. Physical Activity
Many studies have shown that regular exercise can help you feel much better. The type of physical activity that you choose has no importance. Choose something that you enjoy doing and start slowly, perhaps with a few walks around a park. Try to train with friends or even to enroll in different courses. Having a partner in your physical activity will help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Enjoy The Sun
You may find that the sun can improve your mood immediately. There are people who suffer from depression during periods without much sun, autumn or winter. If you are part of these people, ask your doctor if artificial light therapy can help.
3. Do Not Forget The Hours Of Sleep
Depression, and sometimes treatments against it, can affect your sleep. Some people who suffer from depression sleep too much, while others don’t sleep at all. Lack of sleep can greatly affect your mood. So the solution is to have a well- established sleep. Physical activity during the day can help you sleep peacefully, but do not train shortly before bedtime. Before you sit in bed you can enjoy reading a book or listening to music. Avoid, however, reading or watching TV in bed. Don’t forget a nice, relaxing cup of tea. There are certain herbs that will help you sleep better, such as linden or peppermint.
4. Eat Healthy
No food or diet prevents or treats depression. But it has been proven that there is a connection between dieting and depression.
According to research conducted on over 2,000 men in Finland, people who eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables are less likely to develop depressive symptoms. “The study reinforces the hypothesis that a healthy diet has potential not only in the warding off of depression, but also in its prevention,” says Anu Ruusunen, who presented the results in her doctoral thesis on nutrition epidemiology.
Watch the calories, limit the amount of fat and sugar and eat as many vegetables, grains and fruits.
5. Surround Yourself With Family And Friends
A new study shows that grandparents and adult grandchildren have a strong psychological effect on one another, which can relieve the symptoms of depression.
“We found that an emotionally close grandparent-adult grandchild relationship was associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations,” said Sara M. Moorman, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and the Institute on Aging at Boston College. “The greater emotional support grandparents and adult grandchildren received from one another, the better their psychological health”.
You can take into account alternative medicine or therapies. However, consult your doctor before trying supplements or herbs. Just because something is natural, it does not mean its safe. You can try some relaxation techniques, meditation, hypnosis, massage or acupuncture. It could be a better health tips.