In a recent government study... over 70% of people taking
anti-depressant drugs reported that they were still suffering from
feelings of depression! Huh? Excuse me... That is depressing! Depression
can be crippling... it can be 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. Although
there are ways to ease some symptoms of depression, sometimes
medication therapy is needed for a person to fully enjoy a life without
depression. However, there are some free tips that you can try if you
have the blues. 1. Talk to Someone - Counselors and
therapists can help you to sort out issues and make sense of things in
your life. If you are not comfortable with a counselor, talk to a close
friend or write in a journal. Sometimes just talking about things can
make you feel better. 2. No More 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. 3. Eat Fresh
- Eat as much fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy as possible.
The more you rid processed foods from your diet, the better you will
feel. Fresh vegetables are good for you and boost your body with
vitamins. The healthier you are, the better you tend to feel
emotionally. 4. Lighten Up - Turn on the lights, dont
sit in the dark. The more light you bring into a room, natural light is
best if possible, the better chances you have of raising your mood.
Sitting in the dark will only contribute to your depression. 5. Reduce Caffeine
- Caffeine brings you up - then drops you like a rock. It can increase
your anxiety and distress and contribute to your depression as well.
Drink more water, sodas and even fruit drinks have sugar and
preservatives that can drag you down and make you feel worse. 6. Exercise
- 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. 7. Try Meditation
- Meditation can do wonders for alieving feelings of depression. There
are various forms of meditation from conscious breathing to guided
meditation to creative imagery. Find a form that works for you and
practice. The focus and peace does wonders for a troubled spirit. 8. Get Enough 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. Reduce Sugar
- Sugar can cause serious problems, especially if your depression is
combined with anxiety. Sugar can increase your anxiety, give you a let
down when you come down off of a sugar high and it can hinder your
immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Frequent
illnesses can contribute to depression. 10. Buy a Horse
- Or even a cat. Having a pet can actually reduce your depression and
anxiety. Just the act of stroking an animal can lower your blood
pressure and calm you. If you have allergies, you can check out certain
breeds of dogs, such as Chihuahuas that do not seem to irritate and
incite allergic reactions. Copyright 2007-present: This
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