3 Health Strategies to Help Ease Symptoms of Depression

If you have depression, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do much of anything, let alone something that’s going to require a lot of effort both mentally and physically to accomplish. However, if you’re able to set goals to lead a healthier life, you could very well see the symptoms of your depression start to alleviate in just a very short period of time. Having a healthy body can have a big impact on having a healthy mind. So to help you get everything in your system back into proper alignment, here are three health strategies to help ease symptoms of depression.

Get Your Body Moving

Although the last thing you might be wanting to do is get up off the couch or out of bed when you’re having a bout of depression, getting active is one of the best things you can do to get yourself feeling better. Lisa Firestone, a contributor to PsychologyToday.com, shares that by getting your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes a few times a week, your body can be flooded with more endorphins and begin elevating your mood. Moving your body now can also give you more energy later, which can make it easier to start the habit of getting a little bit of exercise each day.

Sleep The Recommended Daily Amount

When you’re feeling depressed, it can be hard to keep to any kind of normal schedule. This can be especially difficult when it comes to sleep. During a hard depression, some people sleep much more than usual while others find it hard to sleep at all. However, getting your body the recommended daily amount of sleep can help pull you out of your depression. To accomplish this, R. Morgan Griffin, a contributor to WebMD.com, recommends going to sleep and waking up at the same time each morning. You should also try to avoid taking naps during the day, which can affect your nighttime sleep, and try to eliminate technological distractions when you’re trying to wind down for the day.

Watch Your Diet

What you put into your body can have a big impact on the way both your body and your mind feel. But when you don’t feel up to making healthy meals, it can be hard to ensure you’re giving your body the nutrients it needs to be ready to fight your depression. So during the times when you’re feeling particularly low, Graeme Cowan, a contributor to PsychCentral.com, suggests at least steering clear of processed foods and alcohol. Rather than indulging in these things, try eating more foods that are rich in serotonin, tryptophan, and vitamin B6, which can all help to boost your mood and regulate your normal body processes.

To ensure your physical health is contributing to your mental health during a bout of depression, use the tips mentioned above to make the necessary changes.

Leave a Reply