Tip : Eat A Healthy Depression
What you eat has a direct impact on the way you feel. Reduce your intake of foods that can adversely affect your brain and mood, such as caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, and foods with high levels of chemical preservatives or hormones .
Dont skip meals. Going too long between meals can make you feel irritable and tired, so aim to eat something at least every three to four hours.
Minimize sugar and refined carbs. You may crave sugary snacks, baked goods, or comfort foods such as pasta or French fries, but these feel-good foods quickly lead to a crash in mood and energy. Aim to cut out as much of these foods as possible.
Boost your B vitamins. Deficiencies in B vitamins such as folic acid and B-12 can trigger depression. To get more, take a B-complex vitamin supplement or eat more citrus fruit, leafy greens, beans, chicken, and eggs.
Boost your mood with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.Omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in stabilizing mood. The best sources are fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and some cold-water fish oil supplements.
The Risk Of Suicide Is Real
What to do in a crisis situation
If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave them alone.
In the U.S., dial 911 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
In other countries, call your countrys emergency services number or visit IASP to find a suicide prevention helpline.
It may be hard to believe that the person you know and love would ever consider something as drastic as suicide, but a depressed person may not see any other way out. Depression clouds judgment and distorts thinking, causing a normally rational person to believe that death is the only way to end the pain theyre feeling.
Since suicide is a very real danger when someone is depressed, its important to know the warning signs:
- Talking about suicide, dying, or harming oneself a preoccupation with death
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-hate
- Acting in dangerous or self-destructive ways
- Getting affairs in order and saying goodbye
- Seeking out pills, weapons, or other lethal objects
- A sudden sense of calm after depression
If you think a friend or family member might be considering suicide, dont wait, talk to them about your concerns. Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic but it is one of the best things you can do for someone who is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a persons life, so speak up if youre concerned and seek professional help immediately!
Dealing With The Winter Blues
For some people, the reduced daylight hours of winter lead to a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder . SAD can make you feel like a completely different person to who you are in the summer: hopeless, sad, tense, or stressed, with no interest in friends or activities you normally love. No matter how hopeless you feel, though, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your mood stable throughout the year.
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What Triggers Or Causes Moving Depression
A study done by Martijn Hendriks, Kai Ludwigs, and Ruut Veenhoven has suggested that moving creates unhappiness among individuals in a number of ways. Moving creates loneliness in many because family and friends arent close by, yet you feel too exhausted and stressed to go out to socialize or to encounter situations outside your normal comfort zone. And the worse you feel, the less likely you are to engage in activities that could create happiness. Its a downward spiral that can sap your energy and motivation thats made worse by a lack of human interactions to snap you out of the funk.
Other studies done in Australia found that as many as 50% of all movers regret their decision to move. And the 2015 study by Hendriks, Ludwigs, and Veenhoven indicates movers have more unhappy days than those who stay put. Migrants may not get the best out of migration, write Hendriks, Ludwigs, and Veenhoven.
What The Research Shows
Studies show that yoga also may help people who have depression, but its effect on anxiety disorders isnât clear.
A review of studies found that people with a variety of mental health disorders who did âphysically activeâ yoga for an average of 60 minutes, once or twice a week, for about 2.5 months had fewer depressive symptoms. Yoga styles were considered physically active if they had people moving for at least half of the class time and focused on specific body movements , breathing , and/or mindfulness .
Researchers still need to learn more about how yoga reduces depressive symptoms and if specific styles of yoga and poses work better than others.
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Make The Decision: Depression Isnt Going To Win
Theres no getting away from the fact that overcoming depression is going to take action, but one of the simplest, easiest actions you can take right now is this:
Make a decision.
A firm, concrete decision that, no matter what, depression isnt going to win.
You deserve to be free from your depression. You deserve to be happy and enjoy life and you can be.
If you do nothing else as a result of reading this article, make it this:
Take out a pen and a piece of paper and write down your decision. Write down your intention to get through this period of your life, and keep that piece of paper somewhere you can see it.
You may be surprised at what a difference something this small can be. In an instant, it can transform your mindset from that of somebody who is suffering with depression to somebody who is recovering from -and ready to beat- that depression.
Coping With Depression Tip : Reach Out And Stay Connected
Getting support plays an essential role in overcoming depression. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression. At the same time, the very nature of depression makes it difficult to reach out for help. When youre depressed, the tendency is to withdraw and isolate so that connecting to even close family members and friends can be tough.
You may feel too exhausted to talk, ashamed at your situation, or guilty for neglecting certain relationships. But this is just the depression talking. Staying connected to other people and taking part in social activities will make a world of difference in your mood and outlook. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it wont mean youre a burden to others. Your loved ones care about you and want to help. And if you dont feel that you have anyone to turn to, its never too late to build new friendships and improve your support network.
Need to talk to someone?
Get affordable online counseling from BetterHelp or visit HelpGuides directory for free helplines and crisis resources. HelpGuide is reader supported. We may receive a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp through the provided link. Learn more.
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Go Bird Watching On The Kilimanjaro Safaris
One of Animal Kingdoms main attractions is Kilimanjaro Safaris, an open-sided ride that recreates the experience of going on an African safari. The safari features a range of African animals, including lions, giraffes, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, rhinos, cheetahs, African elephants, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, crocodiles and antelopes. While they might not be the flashiest draws on the marquee, the safaris also highlight ostriches, flamingos and several other species of birds.
A post shared by Walt Disney World on Oct 3, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT
The birds should be of particular interest if youre looking for a mental health pick-me-up. A 2017 study from researchers at the University of Exeter found that bird-watching can pack a huge mood benefit. Dont book your Kilimanjaro Safaris FastPass for the morning, though the study found that lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people could see in the afternoon, specifically.
Decorate Your New Space
Distractions are a great way to keep your mind busy and keep the negative thoughts at a minimum. Productive distractions are even better as you’ll be creating something that could help you in the long run. Decorating, for example, is a great way to set up your space so that it feels more like home while keeping you busy. Finding old treasures or new spaces for favourite items can bring a sense of familiarity and comfort into your home.
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How Does Moving Help With Depression
A move to a new is the perfect opportunity to start over, change the things you dont like in your life, and get the freedom youve always wanted. You can build your future without having the burdens of your old life pulling you down.
Moving to a new city will challenge you out of your comfort zone and will bring out the warrior in you. And when you begin to fight your own battles and manage to achieve what youre striving for, there will be a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, pride, and most importantly happiness. Youll gain self-confidence and will become stronger, more resilient, and more self-reliant and will be able to overcome your depression.
Whats more, moving to a new area will open new horizons before you, will provide you new opportunities, and will give you new perspectives. If you open up your mind to the new world around you, you will be able to step out of your own restricting shell and grow as a person.
The feeling of anonymity will also help a lot no one in your new city will know you as a depressed person and treat you as such. You will be able to start with a clean slate leave bad habits, bad reputation, bad memories, and bad experiences behind and find your true self.
Last but not least, when you move someplace new, everything around you will be new and exciting , so you will be filled with zeal and curiosity and your passion for life will be reignited.
The new city will renew you and your depression will disappear.
What Are The Symptoms Of Depression
The general symptoms of depression include:
- A depressed mood or feelings of sadness
- Losing pleasure or interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Appetite changes may lead to excessive weight loss or weight gain
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Exhaustion, increased fatigue, and energy loss
- An increase in purposeless physical activity
- Slowed movements or speech that is sufficiently severe and noticeable to others
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Muddled thoughts, difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Suicidal ideations or thoughts of death
However, depression affects males and females differently, and it also has various effects across age groups.
For men:
- Mood changes that lead to increased anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, and restlessness
- Lower emotional well-being as a result of feelings of emptiness, sadness, and hopelessness
- A loss of interest in their favorite activities, feeling easily exhausted, feeling suicidal, excessive drinking, drug use, and engaging in risky activities
- Reduced sexual desire and/or impaired sexual performance
- Difficulties concentrating, completing tasks, and delayed responses when conversing
- Disturbed sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night
- Impaired physical wellbeing, such as fatigue, pains, headache, or digestive problems
For women:
For children:
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What The Science Says
In 1998, researchers David A. Schkade and Daniel Kahneman, of University of Texas and Princeton University respectively, set out to discover whether it was true that life in California is always as sunny as it seems. The point of the research was to test the belief of their Midwestern subjects that their California peers were undoubtedly happier due to living in a more attractive climate and culture.
The question at the heart of their research: can moving make you happier if you move to somewhere thats more desirable?
What Schkade and Kahneman found might be surprising to anyone who has dreamed of Christmas at the beach while hunkering down through another Midwestern polar vortex. Their California subjects related similar levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with life as their Midwestern subjects, suggesting that where you live isnt really the defining factor of whether youll be happy there.
The study referred to the misconception behind assuming youd be happier if you just lived somewhere different as a focusing illusion. Easily observed and distinctive differences between locations are given more weight in such judgments than they will have in reality, the researchers note in the studys abstract. In other words: your life travels with you wherever you go, even if the place you go has better weather and more opportunities.
The Emotional Stress Of Moving: Tips To Cope And Manage Moving Stress
The very thought of moving to a new house, new neighborhood, or even a new country is exciting. Moving out of your old home and starting a new life is something that most people happily look forward to especially when they were living in dire circumstances before. But, as much as it sounds exciting, its undeniable that moving to a new neighborhood, city, state, or another country can be nerve-wracking that is called the emotional stress of moving.
In other words, moving to a new location brings a mix of intense emotions, which naturally result in moving stress. Planning to move is not going to be easy. If you want to move with less stress and settle into your new home with ease, it is best to understand and prepare well for it.
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Do You Need An Expert Occupational Therapist
We have discussed how occupational therapists and mental health treatments can help you manage depression. Do you live close to Shelton, CT areas and need an occupational therapist? Then visit Moving With Hope! We have several medical professionals including occupational therapists. We invite you to contact us today to discuss how we can help you manage your depression and live a fulfilling life.
Relocation Depression After A Big Move
Dealing with any major life event can be tough, and moving to a new place that you are unfamiliar with is no exception. Many people struggle with the idea of leaving their family and friends to start a new chapter in their lives, even if the reason for the relocation is ultimately a good one, such as starting a new job or moving to a more affordable place.
You are destined to feel many ups and downs during your relocation journey, and if you are feeling like the move is impacting your mental health, then know that you are not alone. The important thing is to prohibit these feelings from dominating your life, and you can do this by understanding what you are going through and taking the necessary steps to improve your mind frame. Here is some advice and tips for doing just that.
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Moving Gives You Time For Self
In todays workaday world, it can often be hard to take time for yourself to reflect on yourself, your accomplishments, and where you are in life. Theres never enough time, so you just keep on going about your business as usual.
This is not the case when you move. Your entire routine is disrupted, and if youre moving a long distance, youre probably going to have a long trip ahead of you, alone with your thoughts.
Moving gives us a sort of psychological breakpoint that makes it easier to think about where we are in life, and do some deep self-reflection. While deep self-reflection may be scary, it has many benefits.
You can step back from your day-to-day life, and begin to understand more about yourself positive or negative habits, toxic relationships, fears, desires, and more. Simply taking the time to understand more about yourself can be extremely valuable, and help you build a happier life and a healthier mental state.
Fall Back In Your Routine
It is very important to have a routine. For example, decide to call your parents every other day and at least one friend a week. This way you will always stay connected to your roots in some way. Go back to your old habits and sign up for that morning yoga classes or familiarize yourself with the new citys bike routes so you can get back to riding your bike.
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Taking Care Of Yourself
Theres a natural impulse to want to fix the problems of people we care about, but you cant control someone elses depression. You can, however, control how well you take care of yourself. Its just as important for you to stay healthy as it is for the depressed person to get treatment, so make your own well-being a priority.
Remember the advice of airline flight attendants: put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. In other words, make sure your own health and happiness are solid before you try to help someone who is depressed. You wont do your friend or family member any good if you collapse under the pressure of trying to help. When your own needs are taken care of, youll have the energy you need to lend a helping hand.
Speak up for yourself. You may be hesitant to speak out when the depressed person in your life upsets you or lets you down. However, honest communication will actually help the relationship in the long run. If youre suffering in silence and letting resentment build, your loved one will pick up on these negative emotions and feel even worse. Gently talk about how youre feeling before pent-up emotions make it too hard to communicate with sensitivity.