Depression Busters

We live in a fast-paced environment with changes happening at the blink of an eye. We are submerged into extreme expectation, living in a lightning rat race. No wonder, most of us are stressed and depressed. Depression if not immediately corrected can lead to serious psychological problems.

Most people fight depression with food. Psychologists have a lot of explanations about the connection of food to depression.  Regardless of the connection, using food as depression buster is counter-productive and counter-intuitive.  When people are depressed they are more likely to eat more and eat more of the unhealthy foods like junk food. This leads to being overweight and unhealthy.  Eating to overcome depression only results to gaining weight. Gaining weight only serves to intensify the depression and add to feelings of worthlessness.

Depression can be easily addressed by simple depression busters. Depression busters are designed to make us feel good and look good.

Sleep
Lack of sleep magnifies the effects of depression.  You need to get enough undisturbed sleep of about 6 to 8 hours each night. You need to sleep at the right time which is by 9 p.m. and until at least 5 a.m. which is the time when the body repairs itself. Sleeping beyond this time will not make you feel rested.  You also need to try at least 15-30 minutes of catnap during the day.

Meditate
Meditation reduces stress and helps us sleep better. When you meditate, you clear negative thoughts from your mind. Develop the habit of meditating for at least 10 minutes a day. Find a quiet place and sit down, close your eyes, take slow deep breathes and just shut your mind from the environment and stop thinking.

Eat Right
Eat the right kinds of food especially when your depression pushes you to devour food. Instead of junk food devour depression buster fruits and vegetables like apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, peaches, blueberries, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, and tomatoes.

Drink Right
Research says that dehydration can lead to depression. Remember, how bad you felt during a confrontation but felt better immediately after drinking water? Drink to a minimum 8 glasses of water a day. Water is not only a depression buster but for your health and good skin too.

Exercise
Exercising takes your mind off from worries. You don’t have to take strenuous exercises; 15 minutes daily walk in the park is good enough to make you feel better. When we are physically active our brain secretes endorphins, a chemical that makes us feel good.

Let the Light Shine
Whenever possible get your sunlight vitamin. Take your walks in the morning so that you get exposed to sunlight. An environment of sunshine takes the blues away.

Smile Regimen

You may not feel like smiling but just put on a smile. A smile will change your mood. Try smiling the moment you wake up. This will immediately condition your mind to tell you that you are happy. This is the body and mind connection. When you smile, the mind is conditioned to feelings of joy and happiness.

Wear Bright Colored Clothes
The clothes we wear can affect our mood. Dark clothing tends to increase the effects of depression. Color can stimulate positive feelings; red is a live and energy color. Buddhist monks do not wear orange robes without a reason. Orange and other vibrant colors create a vibrant energy field.

Prolonged stress can signify that depression may not be too far. Practice above simple steps to keep depression at bay in our depression-inducing environment.