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Depression Tricks

Depression is a serious mental condition that can affect anyone. While most bouts of depression are mild and can be resolved without treatment, some people deal with prolong or chronic depression that requires medical intervention. There are several tricks to help you beat depression, ranging from medication to natural therapies.

  1. Physical Fitness

    • Exercise helps depression because physical activity stimulates brain activity, causing your body to up its production of pleasure hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. Beginning a regular exercise routine can fight depression naturally. Even if you're busy, scheduling 30 minutes of exercise daily can make a huge difference in your mental health. Effective exercise routines include aerobics, jogging, biking or swimming.

    Sunlight

    • Certain types of depression such as seasonal affective disorder often develop during winter's shorter days, when exposure to adequate sunlight can be hard to come by. Improving your mood can be as simple as getting enough sunlight. Keeping your curtain and blinds open in your home, or enjoying outdoor activities such as exercise or yard work, can brighten your mood and help you combat depression episodes.

    Herbal Remedies

    • A low supply of serotonin also brings on chronic depression. Unless you stimulate the production of this brain chemical, depression can continue for months. Several herbal or natural remedies are available to help ease depression and promote a good mood. Health food stores carry products such as St. John's Wort, Sam-E, omega-3 fish oils and L-tyrosine, which can stabilize your moods and increase serotonin. Experiment with these products to see if you notice a difference. Consult a doctor first if you're taking prescription medications. Use these supplements as instructed.

    Prescription Medication

    • Severe depression may not respond to natural remedies. In this event, it's best to consult a doctor for advice on how to treat your depression. Doctors can best diagnose your condition and recommend an effective treatment plan. Several prescription medications are available for the treatment of depression. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Paxil and Prozac, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

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