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Depression, this topic affects so many people, from young to old, and is something we are most certainly passionate about helping others with.
At least 5% or 280 million people around the world suffer from Depression. This condition can lead to more extreme choices like suicide. Our hope is that we can give those suffering some tips and provide hope for overcoming and preventing this condition.
When a person is experiencing depression, their mood may be altered. They may feel sad, empty or irritable. They may not want to participate in activities for days or weeks. Other symptoms may include; feelings of guilt, low self esteem, change in appetite, low energy, disrupted sleep patterns, loneliness, hopelessness about the future, and worse of all, thoughts of suicide.
Anyone can experience depression. Children as well as adults can experience these symptoms. Let’s look at ways we can prevent and help with depression and its symptoms.
We believe strongly in getting up and getting moving. So, naturally our first tip is to get some form of exercise, at least 3 times per week. Whether it is walking or hitting the gym, physical activity is proven to boost your mood and give you a feeling of accomplishment.
With exercise comes a focus on diet and water intake. There is no doubt that a bad diet alone can cause issues in the body. When we put food in our body, a chemical reaction takes place. If the food is good for us, it will provide us with nutrition that will help us build helpful chemicals that nurture us and keep our brains healthy.
We should avoid foods that do not nurture us. Foods like processed foods, sweets, packaged foods, and fast foods. These foods have chemicals in them that aren’t conducive for health and healing. The goal is to focus on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and lean meats as a base for good health all around. Make sure to drink plenty of water, at least half your body weight in ounces per day.
Going along with food and water is avoiding toxic chemicals like drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. These chemicals can alter our bodies nervous system and hormones and create dysfunction in our mood and behavior. It’s best to steer clear of those as much as possible, especially when dealing with depression.
The next big tip is to get plenty of rest. Getting good sleep is crucial to proper brain function and mood. So, make sure you are getting to sleep early enough to allow yourself at least 8 hours of sleep. Depending on your needs, adjust as necessary. But the goal is to get to bed early and wake up early so you can begin the day fresh and ready to go.
Finding purpose is our next tip. We may not know exactly where we fit into life's grand design but by focusing on the previous tips, we can move closer to understanding our purpose. We believe everyone is put here to serve others in some capacity. But you also need to make sure your cup is full in order to be of service to others. So focusing on you and getting disciplined will guide you to your true purpose.
The next tip goes along with purpose and it is rooted in faith. One of the things that helps us is believing in a higher power. For us, it is Jesus. When you feel a connection with a higher power, you can lean on that power for strength when times get tough. If you are lost, start with the teachings of Jesus and go from there.
Another tip is Journaling at night, which can help YOU let go of the day's struggles and highlight what you are grateful for. Journaling can clear the mind and recenter before a new day arrives.
Get around people who are loving and supporting, there is no doubt, your mood can be shaped by the company you keep so be mindful of who you allow into your inner circle.
Meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork are all great ways to center oneself and bring a sense of peace and calm to the nervous system. We recommend a daily practice of all three which can all be done together in less than 20 minutes a day.
Last but not least, if you feel that these tips aren’t helping ease your symptoms of depression, please seek professional help. Find a local therapist that focuses on resolving depression. Do not wait, getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
We believe that if you workout, eat well, get good rest, establish a relationship with God, develop your purpose and focus on your inner peace, you can help yourself avoid depression and even overcome it.
We trust you enjoyed this blog. If you did, check out the video version on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/_nB81V361z0. Subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell to be notified when a new content comes out.
We thank you for reading and don’t forget…
YOU’RE WORTH IT!
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