Mental health authorities confirm that some everyday habits can in fact make one’s depression worse. Needless to say, steering clear of them at all costs is a definite must. This article will talk about some of the things that need to be avoided by those who are suffering from depression in order to keep the mental illness from being aggravated.
Being Indoors All the Time
One of the many symptoms of depression is loss of interest in everyday activities such as those that are spent outside the home. Spending most of the day inside the home is not recommendable for depression sufferers.
According to experts, individuals who are battling the mental illness could use some vitamin D, a nutrient with mood-boosting properties. The sun is the best source of vitamin D, and this is why stepping foot outside the home for a few minutes before 10 in the morning and after 4 in the afternoon is highly recommended.
Stressing Out Constantly
It’s perfectly fine to encounter a little stress every now and then. Actually, it is something that can help everyone to surmount challenging tasks as it temporarily boosts one’s alertness, cognitive power and physical strength.
Having lots of stress all the time, however, is a completely different matter. Having high levels of stress hormones in the bloodstream can cause a drop in the levels of happy hormones in the brain. With or without depression, it’s of utmost importance to keep one’s stress levels to a minimum to fend off numerous complications.
Eating Lots of Sugary Treats
Reaching for something sweet can in fact raise the levels of happy hormones in the brain — this is why stress eaters attain much-needed comfort or happiness from stuffing their faces with sweet stuff.
Unfortunately, relying on foods containing lots of refined sugar is not a good idea for individuals who are battling depression. Scientists confirm that too much sugar can actually make the mental illness worse although they do not really know why. They theorize that it has something to do with inflammation that a diet that’s high in sugar can bring.
Drinking Alcohol Excessively
Having moderate amounts of alcohol actually offers a number of heart-related perks. On the other hand, too much of it comes with a number of health nightmares, and that includes exacerbation of depression.
Many people who are suffering from depression turn to lots of alcohol in order for them to be able to attain relief. Sadly, this coping mechanism can leave them even more depressed as alcohol is a depressant. Especially when paired with antidepressants, the unfavorable effects of alcohol to the mood can become even more severe.
Sleeping Too Little or Too Much
It’s not uncommon for depressed individuals to suffer from insomnia. This is an issue that needs to be resolved promptly as lack of sleep can destabilize the mood, thus aggravating already-existing depression.
Then there are also depression sufferers who feel sleepy all day long or choose to spend the entire day in bed. This is just as harmful for them as being deprived of sleep as oversleeping can also have unfavorable effects on the mood. Additionally, it can keep them from getting sun during the day and also interacting with others.
Checking Out Social Media
According to mental health authorities, spending a lot of time on social media can wreak havoc on one’s self-esteem, which is something that can potentially trigger depression or make the mental illness worse.
This is the reason why spending a great deal of time on social media is a terrible idea for depressed individuals. It’s important to note that people tend to post only the best things in their lives and not the worst ones, and that is why it is completely wrong for anyone who has depression to think that everybody else is having a totally grand life.
