“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” – Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral’s Kiss
Depression is skin deep, and it may or may not reflect with your body language. There are several kinds of depression, and they affect men and women in different ways. It is a complex mental health problem that should be recognized at an early stage before it goes spiraling out of control, Dr. Anjali Sharma, Senior Consultant in Naturopathy at Action Group of Hospitals from Delhi, India tells us how to bounce back from early signs of depression naturally.
Are you depressed?
Spot the signs of depression to help you from falling into a bottomless pit. These are the typical symptoms of depression to watch out:
- Pessimism
- Feeling of loneliness
- Lack of energy
- Feeling of worthlessness and guilt
- Lack of interest in daily routine
- Irritability
- Rise in body pain and digestive disorders
- Lack of appetite or urge to overeat
- Insomnia and or sleeping for long duration
- Suicidal thoughts
If you recognize any of these symptoms, Dr. Sharma suggests four natural ways to break out from the rut and get back your life.
Tips to prevent falling into depression:
Eat right: What you eat can have a significant impact on your mental well-being and also helps in reducing the symptoms of depression. Junk food like burgers, pizzas, fast foods and stale foods can trigger depression.
What to eat: Foods enriched with essential fatty acids, balanced blood glucose, amino acids, vitamins and minerals can help in improving the depressive mood.
Avoid drinking: When you are depressed, drinking alcohol might make you feel temporarily better but alcohol gives a depressive effect. Alcohol affects different parts of your brain and nervous system, drinking a lot further hampers the ‘feel good’ systems of the brain. So, if you are regularly drinking, it is a good idea to cut down.
Go for long walks and exercises: This combination of going out exploring the nature through long walks and exercising is the best possible way to give your body and mind enough time to release the true feelings and thoughts. Meanwhile exercising elevates the mood quickly as it can reduce the symptoms of depression.
Read further, How Exercise Keeps Depression Away
Meditation and yoga: Both meditation and yoga help in decreasing the stress and anxiety level, which can contribute to depression. Their mind-body techniques of deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation promote feelings of joy and well-being.
Check out 6 Yoga Poses To Drive Away Depression
Put on a smile (it helps), watch Pharrell Williams Happy song or simply hit the club to let loose. Life is short, shake off depression and take control of your life.
