[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1666789234338{margin-top: -100px !important;}” paroller_image=””][vc_column width=”6\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1666785579413{margin-right: 50px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”24738″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\nMost of us can tell when our mood starts slipping \u2013 whether it\u2019s when insomnia creeps in or when feelings of agitation, anxiety or sadness increases. Some people also experience fatigue, appetite changes, a lack of desire to socialise or a loss of interest in activities they\u2019ve previously enjoyed. Should these feelings happen regularly, it can lead to a mood disorder known as \u201cdepression.\u201d It can present itself as mild and temporary in some people or be severe and ongoing, in others.<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1666789935511{margin-top: -200px !important;margin-bottom: -200px !important;}” paroller_image=””][vc_column width=”11\/12″][vc_column_text]Depression may not only arise from stressful events in our lives but can also happen if there is a family history of depression or early childhood trauma, a chemical imbalance in the brain or a change in hormone levels (for e.g. post-partum). Substance abuse, people who experience high levels of physical pain or who have a chronic illness, are all factors that predispose someone to depression. Certain thyroid problems or a Vitamin D deficiency has also been known to trigger depression.<\/p>\n
Depression can affect every aspect of a person\u2019s life, seriously impacting physical health, happiness and productivity.<\/p>\n
But can we prevent the onset of it? <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Depression is not considered preventable but once you experience a depressive episode, it could be easier to prevent another one, by making certain lifestyle and mind-set changes.\u00a0Here are a few:[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator border_width=”3″ css=”.vc_custom_1666798023368{margin-top: -5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1666748406692{margin-top: -100px !important;}” paroller_image=””][vc_column width=”6\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1666785579413{margin-right: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Manage Your Stress<\/h3>\n
Stress often leads to negative thinking, which in turn, can spiral into depression. However, it is the most avoidable cause of depression. We may not be able to control or change the stressful things and events in our lives; but we can control how we handle and manage stress. Some short-term stress can actually be helpful and motivating but prolonged stress usually requires certain coping skills. Some people cope by articulating feelings, staying focussed, doing meditation, acupuncture or changing their mindset about possible outcomes. <\/span><\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Make Dietary Changes<\/h3>\n
It may be shocking to know that high-fat and high-sugar diets have the same effect on our bodies as chronic stress! Certain foods can offer depression resistance, mainly by maintaining brain health. One category of these super foods contains Omega 3 fatty acids, like: wild-caught salmon, extra virgin olive oil, flax seed oil and nuts. Omega 3\u2019s reverse the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, which are an effect of depression. Other foods that are beneficial, are those rich in antioxidants, such as berries and colourful vegetables, which prevent inflammation of the brain cells.<\/span><\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Improve Your Sleep<\/h3>\n
\nPeople who suffer from depression often experience sleep issues. These can range from insomnia to hypersomnia (excessive sleeping during the day). A consistent sleep schedule can alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. Creating the right bed time ambience is also helpful and this can be done by limiting noise, light and electronic device use in the bedroom. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Get More Sunlight<\/h3>\n
\nOur bodies need s<\/span>unlight to produce Vitamin D – a mood enhancer. Sunlight also helps regulate our circadian rhythms, so we can sleep better. The sun\u2019s rays also trigger the production of a hormone in our bodies, called serotonin \u2013 which helps lift our mood and gives us a feeling of being calm.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Forge Healthy Relationships<\/h3>\n
\nIsolation and loneliness present risk factors for depression, particularly in the elderly. Having a good support network and healthy relationships can alleviate symptoms of depression.\u00a0<\/span>One of the key benefits of close relationships, is decreased stress and having emotional support. Close relationships have also been shown to positively impact our health by improving our immune system and helping with healing and recovery.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Get Enough Exercise<\/h3>\n
\nExercising releases chemicals in the body called endorphins, which make us feel good. Physical activity has been shown to improve nerve cell growth, which ultimately helps relieve depression. Psychologically, the act of exercising can also help distract the mind from the stressors and negative thoughts that cause depression.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1666789935511{margin-top: -200px !important;margin-bottom: -200px !important;}” paroller_image=””][vc_column width=”11\/12″][vc_separator border_width=”3″ css=”.vc_custom_1666798035822{margin-top: -5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
To sum up,\u00a0<\/span>many factors can contribute to a bout of depression and whilst we may not be able to entirely depression-proof ourselves, we can be more aware of the triggers and lifestyle changes we can make, to keep depression at bay.\u00a0Should symptoms be prolonged, the first step is to make an appointment with a mental health professional or doctor who can help diagnose your depression, test for contributing factors and discuss treatment options with you.<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Depression can affect every aspect of a person\u2019s life, seriously impacting physical health, happiness and productivity.But can we prevent the onset of it? Depression is not considered preventable but once you experience a depressive episode, it could be easier to prevent another one, by making certain lifestyle and mind-set changes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[285],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24735"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24735"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24748,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24735\/revisions\/24748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saphtt.com\/2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}