Am I going to be okay?
Most cases of depression don’t get nearly as dire as some of the things we’ve talked about. For most people, a little bit of therapy and a round or two of medication can help immensely. You may need to take medication for a long time. That’s okay, too. People with diabetes have to take insulin for a long time. There’s nothing wrong with it. It can just be frustrating, sometimes. Famous, successful people from Buzz Aldrin to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have struggled with depression in their lives. Just because depression can make you feel hopeless doesn’t mean that you are hopeless. You have options. There is help. There is hope.
Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor via Unsplash.
Did you know...
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!