Archive for the ‘Avoiding Depression’ Category
The Perfect “Drug” for Stress and Depression
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
A lot of people are on medications for depression. A good many people are also taking illegal drugs. A lot of people are feeling the stresses of life. Avoiding depression so you don’t have to take drugs is really important. The same goes for avoiding stress or perhaps more realistically learning how to deal with stress without drugs.
Americans take most of both types of drugs, legal and illegal that are produced and sold in the world, while they comprise only 5% of world population.
So many people want the easy out of a pill for any pain, regardless whether it’s physical or mental pain.
I have 3 siblings all being treated for depression with drug therapy.
Their lives are not easier than mine. My husband and I have experienced serious orthopedic injuries, financial problems, deaths of loved ones and pets, unemployment and the myriad of things that may cause depression. Additionally it is hereditary from both his family and mine.
But brain chemistry is more complicated than drug therapy might imply. There are things you can do to help you deal with stress without taking drugs.
Sometimes instead of taking a pill you can take a walk or a run.
We have been runners and most people who do a lot of running have experienced a runner’s high. It’s a natural detectable response that alters brain chemistry and for the better.
It’s this wonderful feeling you get after you have been running for a while and you start to get a second wind.
You feel good and you feel like you can cope with life’s vicissitudes.
We have had injuries so we have been told we can’t run any more. So we found a really steep hill that gets our heart rate up enough that we get a runner’s high without running.
You could also use a treadmill.
But studies have shown that getting outside and being in natural surroundings really help depression in addition to the exercise factor.
When we hike in our mountain area we see lots of wildlife like songbirds, hawks, owls, deer, squirrels, bears, bobcats and lots more. It is like a tour or a mini-vacation. It also helps us put things into a healthier perspective.
You get a handle on the idea that you can control some things but not everything. It’s the way things are. Maybe we were sad earlier but now we are better and enjoying something.
Our hike is also pretty strenuous. The first mile is up a 15% grade that always gets us our runner’s high. The locals call it Heart Attack Hill. Then the walk goes on an additional mile and a half. We go back to work refreshed and with an elevated mood.
It’s not always easy to get up and go when you are depressed. We have a dog to help get us going. He likes a good long hike.
It’s good medicine for avoiding depression without drugs. Same goes for dealing with stress without drugs. Every brain is capable of producing this feel good mood with exercise. Being outside helps mood, too. It’s real and it’s natural and it’s good for your figure, too.
