HOW TO DRIVE AWAY DEPRESSION FROM YOUR LIFE

           DRIVE AWAY DEPRESSION  

Depression is the most unpleasant moment in anybody’s life. There are certain circumstances and reasons in our lives which hampers our happiness and everything we do.

Sometimes unpleasant event in our childhood, when we are not able to understand or retaliate, appears in the form of depression later in life. Many events in our lives like financial problems, stress in job, and loss of loved one or broken relationship may result in depression.

Adverse situations are very difficult to handle. But friends, at the end of the day we should move on. We should accept the life and what it presents to us boldly. We can visit a counselor for help.

People afflicted with disease like cancer, stroke, heart problem, thyroid problem, Parkinson disease may suffer from depression. It can be because of the disease or some chemical change may result in depression.

Our elderly may also feel depressed which may show up in the form of anxiety, irritation or pain in the body. Depression may be the result of some medicine taken for disease like heart, Parkinson or thyroid disease.

A depressed person is like a dead person. As he/she has no interest in life. There is always unexplained sense of sadness. It makes the person indecisive and results in lack of concentration. Depression affects our mood and behavior also. It results in irritation and fatigue. So it affects our relationships and job performance badly.

It hampers our sleep also. It results in multiple awakening at night. We sleep less or are hypersomniac. It has affect on our eating habits also. Some people eat less and others become voracious eaters. It causes pain and aches all over our body.


 It hampers our digestive system also. It results in constipation, diarrhea, acidity and gas etc. It lessens our immunity and we feel weak and lethargic.

If our sleep is disturbed and our digestive system is also affected, how can we feel happy, energetic and cheerful. So we should shed all the negativity within ourselves. As depression is a sure way which will lead us to grave.


 Life is beneficial if we are energetic and happy and doing something creative to grow ourselves fully.Sometimes forgetting ourselves and trying to make others happy gives us immense pleasure. It also shifts our attention from ourselves to others. Achieving success also boost our confidence and thus happiness.

As depressed persons are not bothered about their health and appearance. So it is of utmost importance to take care of their diet. Nutritious diet is important in any of the mental or physical disease.    

DIETARY MODIFICATION

1 Rev up your carbohydrates – Carbohydrate rich food is very beneficial for a depressed person. As it linked with soothing chemical serotonin. After consuming carbohydrates a person feels relaxed and calm. So feel good diet i.e. rice, pasta, porridge, legumes, Oats, Jowar, Bajra, should be included in the diet.

2 Vitamin B – Vitamin b are very important to relieve the symptoms of depression. Deficiency of any of these may result in depression. As these vitamins are known to be used by the body in the production of serotonin and nor epinephrine. These are feel good chemicals in our bodies. Deficiency of thiamine, riboflavin, B6, b12 or folic acid is known to be effective in various forms of depressive states.

3 Sugar – Sometimes depressed people eat more of sugary food. It gives instant sense of well being. But later on when sugar is metabolized, it results in jitters and anxiety.

4 Tryptophan – It is indicated in giving relief to depressed person. It is required for the synthesis of serotonin in the brain. It is found in protein rich food like milk, legumes, nuts, meat, egg etc.

5 Vitamin C – As depressed persons have low immunity. So vitamin c rich food or supplement can be taken. Vitamin C rich food sources are lemon, guava, orange, Indian gooseberry.

6 Vitamin D – It has been found out in studies that people who are depressed are deficient in vitamin D. So include vitamin D rich sources in your diet like milk, nuts, oil seeds and exposure to sunlight to exposed body parts.

7 Eat antioxidant rich diet – As free radicals are produced in the body as a result of normal body functions. These are harmful for all the body cells including brain. Antioxidants wipe them away from the body. So eat food rich in antioxidants ie vitamin A, E and C.

8 Consume omega-3 fatty acids – In people who consume more of omega-3 fatty acids rich food the rate of depression is found to less as compared to people who don’t consume it.

REMEDIES

Apple – Apple is rich in nutrients like phosphates, potassium and vitamin B. These all are essential for the healthy nervous system. So apple is a good choice to treat depression.

Cardamom – It can be boiled in water or tea. It gives very pleasant aroma and provides a sense of relief to the patient.

Rose Petals – Rose is very beneficial to provide relief in depression. 15gms of rose petals are boiled in 250 ml of water. This drink can be taken occasionally instead of tea or coffee.

Cashew nuts – These are rich in vitamins, riboflavin and thiamine. So these are good for toning nerves and brain. It is helpful in recharging the person.

Alcohol – Avoid alcohol, as it will cause hypoglycemia. It will result in feeling depressed and irritated.

All the junk food like biscuits, cakes, pastries, white bread, and excessive fried food should be avoided. We should provide nutritious food to the body to help our nervous system and brain work properly.

Exercise – It is very effective antidote to depression. It rejuvenates a person. It releases endorphin i.e. happy hormones. So do exercise regularly. Deepika Padukone also admitted that she suffered from depression and exercise and her love for badminton helped her lot to come out of it.

Meditation – Meditation provides clarity of thoughts. It helps to remain calm. It soothes our nervous system and creates a state of balance in the glands. So our hormones are also balanced. This creates a state of relaxation in our body.

Sleep – It is also very important. In depression sleep is also affected. We should regularize our sleep timings. Our body recuperates during sleep. All the body cells are revitalized after a good night’s sleep.

Half an hour of powerful nap in the afternoon is also beneficial to re-energize ourselves. We should not drink coffee or tea late in the evenings. As it stimulates us and disturbs our sleep. Heavy meals at dinner time can also hamper our sleep.

Eat dinner at least 2 hours before sleeping time. Do not eat sweet dishes after 7: 00 pm, as sweets also hamper our sleep. Please don’t watch screen at least one hour before going to bed. As it makes us active and alert.

These lifestyle modifications are very necessary to eliminate depression out of our lives. Counseling is also very effective to deal with depression. If the condition is severe then only we can take medications. Medicines always have side effects. It has been rightly said, Prevention is better than cure.

 Medicines can increase or decrease our weight, so we can always consult our doctor to change the medicine. Certain medicines if taken with fermented and preserved products have tyramine; can shoot up our blood pressure. We should avoid excessive tea, coffee, alcohol also. These can also interfere with medications.

Natural alternative therapies along with diet and exercise can do wonders for us. Following lifestyle modifications will really help us to be in top of our physical and mental health.