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Bust Your Bad Mood

If you've ever suffered from depression you know how serious feelings of helplessness can be.  While seeking professional help is always the best answer there are strategies you can use to help ease your symptoms.


Let your pet heal your pain.  Sometimes your pet can be a huge comfort.  Relaxing and taking care of your pet are ways to take your mind off your own problems.  Fulfilling a commitment and caring for something outside yourself can be very therapeutic. 

Remember that your mind and body are connected.  Eating smart can make you feel physically and emotionally better.  Build your diet around whole grains, fruits and vegetables while limiting fat and sugar to improve your health and stabilize your mood.  Low-Fat carbs are a way to raise serotonin levels in your brain which enhance your sense of well being.   Eat carbohydrates without protein to raise the level.  A baked potato, graham crackers, and pasta without meat are good foods to try.  Limiting your caffeine intake can ease anxiety, a common symptom of depression.  All that coffee can make you nervous and prevent you from sleeping at night. 

It's important to treat your aches and pains.  Chronic pain can cause depression, and depression can make pain worse.  Your health care team should be able to provide solutions to treat your depression and your pain.  Try exercising to curb the blues.  For some people it works as well or even better than antidepressants.  Increasing physical movement will help you feel better physically and sleep better which can also help your mood.  If you find it difficult to get yourself motivated try joining an exercise group or get moving with a friend.  This can also help you overcome lethargy, exhaustion and the loneliness of depression. 

Take time to explore your creative side.  Painting, photography, music, knitting and writing are all ways to explore your feelings and express what's on your mind.  Don't worry about the finished product, just find something that makes you happy and do it.  It may help you better understand who you are and how you feel.  If that doesn't sound like your thing, try becoming involved by volunteering with a charity or join a discussion group at a library or church to meet new people.  Doing new things can make you feel empowered. 
 

Source: www.webmd.com/