There are key areas in our everyday life that determine our mental health. Do you live in a pleasant surrounding and neighborhood? Do you love your job and relate well with your colleagues? Do you have a good relationship with your family and friends? Are you on a healthy diet? Do you have a clean bill of physical health? If the answers to the above questions are not all YES, you are bound to be depressed at some point in your life.
Major causes of depression are as a result of lack of one or a couple of those key areas in life. For instance, history of emotional or sexual abuse, some medication could also be a cause – e.g. drugs used to treat high blood pressure -, conflict with family or friends, death or loss of someone, substance abuse, underlying serious illness e.g. cancer or a tumor, major events like starting a new job, graduation, getting married etc, social isolation from friends and family and lastly genetics.
By genetics, I mean you may have history of depression in your family. It may not make sense but yes, depression could be hereditary. Being depressed means you have chemical imbalance in your brain.
For your well being, focus on the five key areas. Eat well, exercise, keep your friends and family close. Talk to them about your condition, you will be surprised about how supportive they will be. Read self-help and motivational books.
Allow me to quickly jump into nutrition. Certain foods are not advisable for consumption by people diagnosed with depression. Since they are bound to worsen the condition:
- Milk and dairy products – Milk contains high levels of insulin and growth hormones which have been linked with breast cancer. Take milk in moderation or substitute intake with green vegetables and soya products which are also rich in calcium.
- Meat – Processed meat is full of saturated fat, growth hormones and antibiotics. These can affect moods.
- Snacking – avoid oily or fried snacks, take raw veges, fruits, nuts and seeds instead.
- Avoid sugar and caffeine– Sugar will may give you a quick sugar rush and elevate your mood in the short-term but prepare yourself for the inevitable crash. Caffeine affects moods too, it provides a burst of energy, which then drops down dramatically.
- Alcohol makes moods worse. Heavy drinking is associated with depression, mood swings and bipolar disorder.
When choosing what to eat, don’t ask yourself “What will this taste like?” Rather, you should consider “How will this make me feel?” Natural foods don’t lead to cravings or over-indulgence. If it was made in a factory or comes out of a packet, you shouldn’t be eating it.
When I was diagnosed with depression I was in denial. I did not want to share it with my family ‘cause I basically keep to myself. I don’t know what the deal is with solitude but I play it so damn well. Focus on doing what you love or what makes you happy. The medication I’m on slows down my metabolism so I have been adding weight. Now I watch what I eat and go for a jog in the morning.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. –Buddha