What is Depression: Some New Light on the Old

Blues?

Right now, 20 million Americans are in the midst of an episode of

depression.

Some have the incapacitating symptoms of what doctors call a

major depression. These symptoms usually require professional
attention because they are very severe and demoralizing. Feeling
hopeless and worthless, a person with major depression may sleep
and eat irregularly.

In the throes of severe depression, it is hard to concentrate, make

decisions, or find the energy to do much of anything. Thoughts of
suicide are common.

Depression primarily refers to a state of mind that is purely

negative, with an inclination to insufficiency and a hopeless lack of
interest to do things.

If someone has a minor depression, however, the problem is more

manageable. Experts say that people who have some minor
depression will feel lousy about themselves and lousy about their
lives, but they are managing to function at a high level.

In fact, some of the newfound ways of battling the blues are related
to what you do as well as what you feel. Here are some ways that
you can prepare your body to help prevent minor depression:

1. Put some spring in your step.

Regular exercise may be the most powerful natural antidepressant

available. It is advisable that you take a brisk walk. Exercise helps
generate the release of brain chemicals called endorphins. When
endorphin levels are low, depression occurs. Exercise also
oxygenates the brain, keeping it healthy.

How much should you exercise? Thirty minutes, five or six days a
week, at moderate intensity, is a nice level to aim for to help
prevent the brain imbalances that can make you vulnerable to
depression.

2. Nourish your brain.

Virtually any nutrient deficiency can result in impaired mental

function, including depression. To help prevent depression, health
experts recommend that people should take high-potency
multivitamins or mineral supplement. This will supply the brain with
enough nutrients in order to keep it properly functioning and, thus,
avoid some mental disorders such as depression.

3. Get enough sleep.

Getting less than eight hours of sleep, night after night, may lower
levels of the brain chemical known as “serotonin,” which can make
you more prone to depression. To sleep well, health practitioners
recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time every
day, including weekends.

Relax before bedtime, perhaps with a hot bath. And for the
soundest sleep, keep your bedroom quiet and dark.

4. Consider some alternate explanations.

Your emotions, positive or negative, are created not by situations

themselves, but by the way you interpret those situations. A very
common situation can turn into a reason for hand wringing unless
you take mental steps to prevent it.

Suppose a friend is going to pick you up so that the two of you can
go somewhere and do something fun together. Now, suppose that
time passes, and your friend does not arrive to get you. Your
feelings change, quite literally, from moment to moment. If at first
you think of your friend as being insensitive and irresponsible, you
will find yourself feeling angry at him. If you think that perhaps
something bad has happened to him, you will naturally become
concerned. If you think that this person does not care much about
you and that is why he is late, you feel rejected, lonely, even
depressed.

Although the situation does not change, and that your friend is still
delayed, you can have a whole range of feelings depending on how
you interpret that event.

For this reason, experts contend that situations are usually

ambiguous, open to any interpretation. Hence, your interpretation
helps create your feelings about the situation. Positive
interpretations lead to good feelings and enjoyment; negative
interpretations lead to bad feelings and depression. To stay on the
positive side, try to look for the positive interpretations.
Indeed, depressions can be very destructive if neglected. Hence,
the best way to stop the development of depression is to always put
a bright light on the blues and create a positive outlook in life.