How to Beat Depression

Every year, millions of Americans, and countless millions more people across the world, report symptoms of depression. Depression can be triggered by certain events like spending time around toxic people, job loss, death, sickness, and the overall state of the world. All you have to do is imagine how prolonged lockdowns and separation from friends and family during the pandemic affected people’s mental health. Now, there are reports of war in Europe and other troubles to get you down. Fighting off depression is a constant battle for many people.

Not only do bad news or certain environments trigger depression, but chronic depression is a disorder that impacts plenty of people. For them, even when things are good or there is nothing obvious that might trigger depression, they are still stuck in a cloud of depression. It can affect eating habits, the desire or ability to interact with others, work performance, sleep cycles, and much more.

Lately, depression, and mental health overall, have been getting more attention due to the number of people affected. People from all walks of life are interested in fighting back against the symptoms of depression to help people live happier and healthier lives.

If you or someone you love struggles with depression, here are some tips that you can use to beat depression and overcome negative symptoms associated with the disorder.

Getting Fit to Fight Depression

We know now that mental health and physical health are intricately woven together. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder or a marathon runner to be mentally strong, but feeling good about the way you look and maintaining good energy levels do wonders to alleviate depressive symptoms. When you exercise daily, you sleep better, likely will eat better, and you’re pumping your body full of endorphins that lift your mood.

Even building the habit of a daily walk can have a great impact on your mental health. If possible, give joining an exercise class a try. You’ll get the social benefits of being around people doing the same thing as you while you exercise, so it’s like a bonus effect.

Talk to a Medical Professional

It’s normal to feel sad from time to time. Everyone gets down on occasion. Problems arise when symptoms persist or become progressively worse. If depression is affecting the way you feel, how you interact with others, and your performance in any aspect of your life, then you may want to talk to a medical professional. Whether it’s meeting with a therapist to figure out how to avoid triggers and develop coping mechanisms, or getting medications that help you manage symptoms, you have options.

Identify What Triggers Depression

You don’t necessarily have to meet with a therapist to find out what causes your depression. Take notice of who you are around, what you’re doing, and where you are before you experience symptoms. This will help you pinpoint what’s causing the depression. As you get older, you need to fiercely protect your mental health. If that means cutting off relationships with toxic people (even family), quitting an overly stressful job, or staying away from places with bad memories, you need to do it. Avoiding depression triggers will go a long way to preventing symptoms and keep you out of a funk.

How Peptides Affect Depression

Semax, for example, is a peptide known to stimulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, in the brain. BDNF regulates the setting in of depression, so increasing the levels of BDNF in the brain is believed to help alleviate or prevent symptoms of depression. Much more research needs to be done on how Semax performs as an antidepressant, but the effects of taking Semax are minimal and are generally much less disruptive to mood and physical health than many SSRIs that people take to treat depression. Semax is not yet FDA approved for human use. More research is being done to determine future medical possibilities.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Too often, depression forces people in on themselves. They tend to be reclusive, and some people with depression remove themselves from social circles because they feel ashamed of what they’re going through. They feel like it’s a road that they have to walk alone. When you start to feel depressive symptoms build, you should feel comfortable reaching out to people you care about who can be there to support you. Being social and spending time with people you love is a terrific remedy for depression.