Written by: Cassandra Wiley, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Currently, approximately three million people in the United States suffer from depression. Globally, 280 million people have depression. The groups aged 18-25 and individuals in their 40s and 50s are depressed the most. People may be surprised since, at a younger age, you have your whole life ahead of you. However, factors like social media and pressure from parents play a role.
For the middle-aged, it is not surprising since people tend to contemplate their life; they regret poor choices and evaluate their current life situation.
The symptoms of depression are:
Fatigue
Sadness
Sleeping too much or too little
Feeling of hopelessness
Craving unhealthy foods
The latter is especially important since craving unhealthy or comfort foods can lead to food addiction and another chronic illness. Depression is a chronic illness and a disability. There are various causes of depression, for example, traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, job loss, an abusive relationship, or divorce.
There are ways to alleviate depression.
1. Exercise. The movement will increase your heart rate, thus, improving your mood and increasing energy levels. If you are getting too little sleep, exercise will help improve sleep.
2. Get adequate sunlight. Sunlight means vitamin D, which has benefits such as immunity, heart health, and strong bones.
3. Aromatherapy. Essential oils help with mood. Try adding this combination to your bath water or a diffuser:
three drops of lavender essential oil
three drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
three drops of geranium essential oil
three drops of basil essential oil
For more information on essential oils, click here.
4. Mindset. Your mindset is crucial. The people in your life, values, views, and environment all affect your persona.
5. Food choices. I mentioned that junk foods are typically a choice for those suffering from depression. However, foods like Brazil nuts, fish, oatmeal, and beans are high in selenium. Selenium provides cognitive support for healthy brain function. It also is good for thyroid health; people with an underactive thyroid may experience depression, fatigue, and weight gain. Carrots contain beta-carotene and antioxidants. They make a great food choice along with leafy greens.
If you are under a doctor's care, please continue to do so. If depression symptoms are not going away, you should seek medical intervention. Depression can lead to suicide if left untreated.
Learn more from Cassandra by visiting her website. Read more from Cassandra!
Cassandra Wiley, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cassandra Wiley is a health coach and founder of Have Faith and Live Well with Chasadah LLC. She focuses primarily on chronic illnesses such as pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Her mission is to empower individuals to lose weight and teach a new healthier approach to food to live better lives. She was successful in reversing her pre-diabetes and high cholesterol diagnoses naturally. The weight loss was an added benefit. She has helped clients change their diets and “have faith” in themselves to meet their health and wellness goals.
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