Moods come and go, that is a fact of life! If you want to keep your mood in check, research shows these support brain/body biology that can help manage depression.
Depression is linked to your biology, these are some “hacks” to help your body’s biology to support your brain. Every one of these is based on research in depression. If depression is persisting and affecting areas of your life, consider talking to a professional to pursue other options.
- Exercise until you sweat, kick in your natural endorphins
- Act “as if.” That means, continue to do what you would do if you weren’t feeling depressed. See people, make plans, wear your favorite clothes, play with your pets, go to museums. Let your mind catch up with the great things your body is doing.
- Tell someone how you’re feeling. Get support from someone. If they’re not particularly supportive, tell someone else.
- People who care may ask what they can do to support you. Try to be specific: go to breakfast, thrift shopping? Watch your children for a little while? Give you a hug? Just listen? Let them know where to start.
- Studies show Vitamin D supplementation may be useful for improving your mood
- Increase the amount of Omega-3s in your diet. If you’re eating a lot of meat, you’re likely crowding it out with Omega-6. Eat some vegetables and beans and seafood. The Mediterranean diet is a good source of Omega-3s. Look at the Mediterranean diet: what parts of that sound good to you? Studies show that the fish and seafood contain iodine and Omega-3s that help reduce depression.
- Vitamin B/folates help the neurotransmitters that carry the signals through the brain, minimizing depression.
