If you suffer from depression, you're probably well aware of how severely it can impact both your personal and professional life. You can't simply get over a depressive disorder without treatment — like other serious medical conditions, there are numerous physical causes to depression. You have to proactively take steps to overcome the physical causes of your depression if you want your mental health to improve.
Some of the most effective treatments for depression involve psychiatric treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Sadly, seeing a therapist on a regular basis requires a lot of time and money. If you have a busy work schedule or subpar insurance, seeing a therapist on a regular basis may be out of the question. Luckily, there are other ways you can reduce the symptoms of your depression and improve your overall mental well-being.
See Your Physician
Like other serious medical conditions, properly treating depression requires professional medical assistance. Even if you don't have the time or money to undergo weekly therapy sessions, you should still visit a physician like Tomas J Friedrich, M.D. and tell them about your condition.
Firstly, your physician will be able to perform tests to ensure that your depression isn't a side effect of any neurological diseases. Neurological diseases can be extremely serious, so you obviously need to have them diagnosed and treated before you begin taking steps to reduce the symptoms of your depression.
Additionally, your physician will be able to prescribe you the proper medication to help alleviate your symptoms. While antidepressants and other medications won't cure your depression overnight, they'll help reduce your symptoms immensely when used alongside other treatment methods.
Go Outside and Get More Sunlight
Researchers have found that people who receive an inadequate amount of sunlight are more prone to symptoms of depression. Additionally, a study led by Stanford University found that people who took 90-minute walks in peaceful, natural settings exhibited less neural activity in areas of the brain associated with depression.
Simply taking relaxing walks through the woods on a regular basis can help alleviate your symptoms of depression. Search your local area for nearby hiking trails, bike trails, or large parks where you can stretch your legs and clear your mind. You'll also get more sunlight in the process. Absorbing ultraviolet rays from the sun tends to promote the production of serotonin in your brain which can improve your overall mood and alleviate numerous symptoms of depression.
Research also suggests that being near natural bodies of water reduces stress and improves your overall mental health. If you live near the ocean, take periodic walks along the beach. If you're too far from the coast, find local nature paths along rivers and lakes. Over time, you'll find that gazing out onto the water in a peaceful environment helps clear your mind and reduce some of your symptoms of depression.
Exercise for the Mind
Exercise doesn't just improve your physical health — it also does wonders for your mental well-being. In fact, some studies have shown that exercising three to five days a week for 40 minutes per day is as effective at treating depression as some antidepressant medications.
Physical exercise releases endorphins throughout your body. Endorphins activate the opiate receptors in your brain and produce an analgesic effect. Essentially, endorphins are your body's natural happy pills. Exercising regularly keeps your body stocked with a healthy amount of endorphins and improves your overall mental well-being.
Overcoming your depressive disorder requires an extensive amount of time and dedication. While psychiatric treatments are often extremely effective, you can still alleviate the symptoms of your disorder without stepping foot in therapist's office.
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