The Drug-Free Way to Curb Depression and Anxiety
With an increasing amount of people suffering from depression and anxiety, this information becomes more relevant every day. It is simple and it works.
Don’t stop reading as soon as you read these next two words: DIET AND EXERCISE.
Diet
What we put into our body most definitely impacts our moods. Some things impact our moods more than others. For example, most people will be depressed and anxious the day after a night of binge drinking, whereas the uplift in mood from eating five or six pieces of fruit per day may not even be noticeable. Many great websites exist that provide advice, guidelines and recipes that will make it easier to eat healthily. Engaging the help of a Registered Dietician or Nutritionist can also be money well spent.
By not ingesting drugs or alcohol, and by eating healthy foods, most people will notice a marked improvement over how they feel mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. A nice side-benefit to eating well is that by taking better care of ourselves, we feel better about who we are, which contributes to the feeling of well-being generated directly by the change in behaviour itself.
Exercise
Exercise is a good ‘drug’ to get addicted to, and it doesn’t take long (6 weeks or so) to get there. When we exercise, all kinds of good things happen in our brain in terms of chemicals that are released that make us feel good. Exercise also helps us to sleep better, which is another contributor to winning the battle on brain chemistry. The first few weeks of any exercise routine, whether it is running, swimming, cycling or even walking, are the toughest, but the payback for sticking with it is enormous.
It is critical to commit to a certain amount of exercise per week (such as three 30-minute sessions) and then complete the workout no matter what. After about six weeks, the body starts to respond with weight loss and better endurance, not to mention the endorphines that are released during exercise.
As with a healthy diet, there is a tremendous gain in self-esteem to be had when one (a) commits to something and sticks with it, (b) sets goals and attains them and (c) knows that they are doing something that will make them healthier. Taking care of yourself feels good!
By starting small in terms of better eating habits, reduced alcohol/drug consumption and regular exercise, over time great changes will occur. A lifestyle change will begin to emerge, and with it, a dramatic decrease if not complete cessation of the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
It really does work, and anyone who struggles with depression and anxiety should seriously consider introducing exercise and a healthy diet to their life. If nothing else, it will ease the symptoms and create a greater inner strength that will better equip the individual to deal with their daily life.
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