Depression is both a mood disorder and a mindset. While it’s common to experience feelings of sadness or grief from time to time, when those feelings are constant and begin to take a toll on your health and quality of life, it’s important to seek support.
If you or a loved one is living with depression, you’re not alone. One in ten, or over 18 million adults, are affected by depression. From postpartum depression to post-traumatic stress disorders, millions of people are both suffering and thriving. Mood disorders such as depression aren’t linear and are made up of good and bad days.
Depression Health Factors
Did you know there is no single cause of depression? Individual brain chemistry, hormone imbalances, and genetics may all play a role, but there’s more.
Other risk factors for depression include:
- low self-esteem
- anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder
- physical or sexual abuse
- chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer
- alcohol or drug use disorders
- certain prescription medications
- family history of depression
- age, gender, race, and geography
"On particularly rough days when I'm sure I can't possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100 and that's pretty good." - Unknown
Feel Good Brain Chemicals
Do you exercise?
Finding the energy to exercise when you're feeling depressed can certainly be a struggle. However, many studies have concluded the feel-good hormones released from exercise can help boost your mood naturally.
Brain chemicals like neurotransmitters, endorphins, and endocannabinoids increase your body temperature, which can have a calming effect.
"Give yourself another day, another chance. You will find your courage eventually. Don't give up on yourself just yet." - Unknown
Change Your Brain Structure
Our brains are not rigidly mapped out as scientists once thought. We know now that we can create new neural pathways just with our thoughts.
Neural pathways in the brain enable signals to be sent from one region to another. With the creation of new neural pathways, the brain can be trained to self-regulate negative thinking.
During any act or behavior, neurons in the brain branch out and connect to each other. If a behavior is repeated, the connections are reinforced. This is why negative thoughts become so strong. However, by focusing more on the positive and less on the negative, you can deepen your neural connections for positive thoughts instead.
One way to help you develop a more positive outlook is writing about positivity.
Start a journal to document all the positive experiences in your life. Set aside a few minutes each day to write about one positive experience.
"A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you." - Joyce Meyer
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