Mood disorders like depression affect a lot of people during their lives. This has to do with the fact that mental wellbeing has a direct connection with brain chemistry, and that brain chemistry can change. If the body lacks enough of the chemical messengers that are known as neurotransmitters that are in good working order, people can begin to experience stress, pain and can feel sad or depressed. There are quite a few different ways to achieve mental wellbeing, including those that utilize medication and/or therapy. Read on for a few tips on how to improve your own mental wellbeing by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is a natural depressant, and because of this, it’s best to stay away from it if you’re feeling depressed or sad. If this is an issue for you, places like Northbound exist to help you – both with the alcohol and with the depression. You can also flush the alcohol out of your body by not drinking it and by drinking water instead. This allows your body to recover while it also gives your brain a break.
Get Out
When it comes to depression, you can help yourself by finding out what makes you happy. For a lot of people, this might be something as simple as going outside. Exercise is also helpful, and you can do both of these things simultaneously. It doesn’t matter if it’s something as small as walking around the block or something as adventurous as rock climbing; endorphins will be released. These are neurotransmitters that are used by your body to attack things like sadness, pain, and stress. Try to get outside for a minimum of half an hour each day.
Sleep on It
In today’s society where we’re fixated on moving the needle and our productivity levels, it’s no surprise that most of us don’t get enough sleep. That said, adequate sleep is critical for a mood boost and mental wellbeing. The best thing to do is to establish a sleep ritual. Try to go to bed around the same time each night and picture things that engender a feeling of rest and peace. Things that can help with this include putting on lotion, taking a warm shower, lighting a candle, and listening to some relaxing music or sounds.
Friends
When someone is sad, they don’t tend to feel very sociable. That being said, when you’re feeling down, it’s critical to attempt to refocus some of your energy on more positive things and get out of both the house and your head. We all have at least one or two good friends who can help boost your mood with a bit of socialization. Humans have a tendency to strive for meaning and relationships with others. Seeing or talking to your friends can instantly bring you more compassion, laughter, joy, and connection when you’re depressed.
Brain Food
When you’re struggling with your mental health, what you eat is incredibly important. There are foods that can boost your mood while also making your body stronger and giving it more defense against disease. When you eat things that are low in cholesterol, sodium, trans fats, and saturated fats, you’re actually giving yourself more of a shot at recovering from illnesses, be they mental or physical.
We all have times when we’re sad, and you’re no different. It’s best to know what to do in the event that sadness turns into something deeper before it happens. If you cut out the alcohol, get enough sleep, eat right, get out, and enjoy some time with your friends, you’ll begin to feel better.
