Fight depression the natural way suggests Nancy Farrell – it not only helps with the depression but may reduce chances of developing an alcohol misuse problem, as well. The following is a guest post by Nancy Farrell, a freelance writer and blogger on child abuse, human rights, divorce and crime-related articles and  regular contributor to the criminal justice degrees. Questions or comments can be sent to: nancy.farrell13@gmail.com.

Fight Depression and Reduce the Chances of Alcoholism the Natural Way by Nancy Farrell

Depression and alcohol abuse typically go hand-and-hand. It can go either way: a person who is sad or depressed may reach for the bottle to self-medicate; or someone who drinks heavily may then in-turn fall into a deep (or deeper) depression. This is because according to researchers, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant; this means that it acts as a sedative and slows down both the body and the mind which although can temporarily alleviate the feelings of anxiety and sadness, can intensify or bring on the feeling of sadness just as easily.

Alcoholism is a serious disease. Fortunately there are several (and natural) things that people can do in order to help combat depression in an effort to prevent you from ever being tempted to turn to alcohol as a form of escape. Disclosure: those who suffer from “clinical depression” may not benefit from the suggestions listed below and may need to seek professional help to acquire prescribed medication.

Change Diet. The easiest way to battle depression and other mental illnesses is to make sure that the most important organ in your body, your brain, is in tip top shape. You may not realize it but your diet can play a huge role in establishing the health status of your brain and can help alter your mood. With that said, consuming a diet heavy in the following foods can help one combat depression:

• Omega 3-Fatty Acids—Your brain, which is comprised of 60 percent of fat, needs the omega 3-fatty acids found in salmon, sardines, almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds to help create vital brain nerve cells that help maintain mental health and the overall functionality of the brain.
• Protein—Foods that are high in protein, such as lean chicken/turkey, avocados, and almonds have dopamine, a chemical that helps with the brain processes, including the ones that control our emotional responses (happy vs. sad).
• Water/Antioxidants—Both water and foods that are loaded with antioxidants, such as berries, oranges, lemons, plums and pineapples, can help wash away harmful free radicals found in the body. If your brain is exposed to these free radicals, the damage can be severe and may lead to not only depression, but dementia and some cancers as well.

Exercise. Keeping your body active for at least 30 minutes day can be highly beneficial in maintaining mental health and fighting depression in more ways than one. The first is that exercising boosts your neurotransmitters and allows more oxygen to travel through your muscles and your brain. This can help you rationalize and think more clearly. Exercising also allows the body to build more endorphins in the body. These are special “happy” chemicals that can help improve one’s mood. If you choose to exercise outdoors you may see even better depression-fighting results. This is because according to the Institute of Mental Health natural sunlight can reduce the signs of depression.

Take a Cold Shower. Lastly, switching your water temperature from warm to cold when taking a shower may just help prevent depression, according to researchers. In short, researchers argue that cold water can help the brain produce more natural norepinephrine—a chemical that helps us remain in control during stressful situations. This chemical is often found in most anti-depression medication.

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Lisa Frederiksen

Author | Speaker | Consultant | Founder at BreakingTheCycles.com

Lisa Frederiksen is the author of hundreds of articles and 12 books, including her latest, "10th Anniversary Edition If You Loved Me, You'd Stop! What you really need to know when your loved one drinks too much,” and "Loved One In Treatment? Now What!” She is a national keynote speaker with over 30 years speaking experience, consultant and founder of BreakingTheCycles.com. Lisa has spent the last 19+ years studying and simplifying breakthrough research on the brain, substance use and other mental health disorders, secondhand drinking, toxic stress, trauma/ACEs and related topics.

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