Depression affects approximately one in 10 Americans (Centers for Disease control), although it affects everyone at different levels. Depression is costly and debilitating for many, a passing nuisance for others, or a recurring down experience. No matter how it affects you, you have probably looked for an antidote or "cure" for depression.
Medication is one of the most common treatments for depression, and is pretty easy often only requiring taking one or two bills per day. Talk to your doctor about which medication is best for you. Remember you may need to try several before you find the one that works best for your body. If medication is not working for you or not providing enough relief, remember it's only one antidote. Try some of these depression killers:
Counseling: Talking out what's hurting can help you develop new ways of thinking and new ways of coping. Many people find after effective counseling they can decrease or end their use of medications.
Exercise: Instead of (or in addition to) taking medications, take your body's medication for depression. The way to activate your body's chemicals is aerobic exercise. I recommend 30-90 minutes aerobic exercise 5 days a week. You're looking for exercise that makes your heart rate go up. For example, swimming, jazzercise, aerobics classes, walking fast, running, playing soccer, etc. Find something you enjoy doing and consider varying the activity from day to day. Strength training is also beneficial. Although you won't see an immediate benefit in the first week of exercise, over time you'll find adding the body's chemicals will counter depression (and has no side effects, except perhaps weight loss).
Sunlight: If you lived in Alaska or Norway, you'd notice how many people get depressed in winter when full sunlight is available less than 4 hours a day. If you're feeling down go outside on sunny days. If you add a walk or a visit with a neighbor, you're doing two depression busters at once! If you tend to get depressed in the winter, notice how sunset gets later each day after Dec. 21. Consider getting a "sun" lamp for in your home.
Diet: Eat some depression busters. Foods that nutritionists suggest may counter depression include cashews, brazil nuts, whole grain oats, brown rice, cabbage, raw cocoa, foods with Omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and tuna), brewers's yeasts, hot peppers, and other whole grains like quinoa, kamut and spelt. Talk to a health coach or nutritionist for advise specific to your body and/or medical conditions. Or do a web search on foods that have helped others. Don't forget to avoid foods that can lead to depression like foods high in sugar or fat, excessive coffee or alcohol.
