While professional help and medication are needed to properly address depression, these are not the only solutions to this mental health condition. Lifestyle adjustments are natural yet powerful tools that can help treat depression and improve overall well-being.
At Bella Jace Center for Health, we wholeheartedly recommend tailored lifestyle adjustments as part of our approach to providing holistic treatment plans for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
Are you looking to ramp up your treatment approach to your mental health conditions or concerns? Our psychiatrist in Brentwood, TN recommends the following lifestyle adjustments to get you started.
Aside from getting your body in shape, regular exercise eases stress and releases the body's feel-good chemicals (endorphins), which help decrease depressive symptoms. For many, exercise even works as well as antidepressants since it lowers blood pressure and promotes good blood circulation, research by the Harvard Medical School shows.
If you’re having trouble getting started with exercise, don’t pressure yourself with complex routines. Start slow and easy with 15-minute walks daily. Over time, you can increase the pace of your exercise and try other workouts such as running, jogging, cycling, or sports.
What we eat matters not just for our bodies but for our minds as well. This is why you should pay close attention to the food you eat.
Certain foods such as candies, chocolates, and sugary treats can increase a person’s risk for depressive symptoms, and should therefore be avoided by those diagnosed with depression according to a study by Harvard Health.
Diets rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, on the other hand, reduces the brain’s oxidative stress, which decreases a person’s risk of depressive symptoms.
To improve your mental health and physical wellbeing, fill your plate with natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Reduce or limit your intake of sugars, trans fat, and oil. When snacking, resist the urge to grab chips and chocolates. Go instead for healthier options such as carrot sticks, apples, and fresh foods.
Depression takes a toll on a person’s overall health with common side effects ranging from a sustained drop in energy levels to disrupted focus. Mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation are helpful in coping with these challenges, as well as reducing stress and improving mental functions.
Yoga, for instance, is a soothing technique that allows both the mind and body to release tension and ease stress. Many people turn to yoga as a means to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and regain focus.
Meditation is also a mindfulness activity that can help people with depression cope with stressors. While meditation alone cannot cure the disorder, it can change your mental approach to negative thoughts and help you stay more present in the moment.
Many people with depression experience sleep problems that are not often talked about.
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep problems can worsen depressive symptoms if not properly addressed or allowed to persist over time. Getting enough quality sleep boosts a person’s mood and helps reduce some of the symptoms of depression.
For people with depression who are having trouble sleeping, it could be helpful to observe a regular sleeping schedule or consult a therapist to address sleeping problems.
Lifestyle adjustments are powerful tools to help cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
At Bella Jace Center for Health, we take a supportive approach with renowned psychological techniques to provide holistic and alternative treatments to various mental health conditions. Our psychiatric consultations are done by licensed professionals to give the support you need when it comes to your mental health.
Schedule a consultation with us by calling (615) 846-4558 or by filling out our contact form. You can also email us at brentwood@bellajace.com to know more about our services.
