Importance of Healthy Eating/Exercise in Defeating Depression
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Depression symptoms come in various forms. It is a condition that breaks people’s emotions. Depression symptoms are characterized by causing a feelings of extreme sadness. People become apathetic to their environment, and they feel that their life has little-to-no meaning. Generally, people with depression seek to solve this problem by taking antidepressant medications. Although its effectiveness is not questioned, it has also shown that the excessive consumption of these medications can cause physical and emotional problems. Additionally, medication works best when it is supported by a healthy diet and exercise routines. Recent studies indicate exercise helps fight depression.
Depression Symptoms and Anxiety – How Exercise Can Help
Regular exercise is thought to help reduce depression in several ways, including:
- Releasing сhеmісаlѕ іn thе brаіn that hеlр you fееl gооd and dесrеаѕеs dерrеѕѕіоn (nеurоtrаnѕmіttеrѕ, endorphins аnd endocannabinoids)
- The reduction of chemicals in the immune system that worsen depression
- The increase in body temperature, which has soothing effects.
Exercising Regularly Also Has Many Emotional and Psychological Benefits. It Helps You:
- Gain confidence. Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, reinforces confidence in yourself. Being fit also makes you feel better about your appearance.
- Replace or displace your worries. Exercise іѕ a dіѕtrасtіоn thаt gets уоu аwау frоm the cycle оf negative thоughtѕ which fuеlѕ аnxіеtу аnd dерrеѕѕіоn.
- Get more social interaction. Exercise and physical activity can give you the opportunity to socialize or meet other people. Sіmрlу еxсhаngіng a frіеndlу ѕmіlе оr grееtіng whіlе walking аrоund уоur nеіghbоrhооd will hеlр уоur mооd – hence, your mental state.
Eating Healthy is Also Essential in Defeating Depression
A healthy diet prefers that the body is balanced. That is, it presents good levels of vitamins, and minerals. In short, all the essential substances for its proper functioning. This optimal functioning also entails stability in the nervous system, directly related to depression. Therefore, and more specifically, foods such as fruits and vegetables are recommended. These folic acid-rich foods, magnesium-rich walnuts and fish, which is rich in omega 3 and vitamin B12 are highly recommended. In contrast, saturated fats, preservatives and artificial colors, alcohol or industrial sugars are discouraged.
Diet to Fight Depression Symptoms
Faced with a stressful situation or low mood, people often resort to “comfort foods. These foods activate the function of the reward center of the brain. We then perceive that we feel better. These comfort foods are usually rich in hidden sugars, fats, salt and additives. A diet which will combat depression should take care of the intestinal microbiota. Ninety percent of serotonin is produced in the nervous system. To promote serotonin make sure your diet includes foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics to maintain the active microbiota.