How Can You Cope With Or Lessen Your Symptoms Of Depression?

Depression occurs when the levels of chemicals in the brain, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, drop so low. These brain chemicals are responsible in controlling mood and emotions. It goes to mean that when you have them in sufficient amounts, you exhibit a happy mood; else, you become sad.

There are factors that can cause the levels of these brain chemicals to dip. Environment factors, everyday stresses, and medications can all interfere with how these brain chemicals transmit signals to the brain.

The point is, if you want to cope with depression, then your primary goal should be to maintain the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These can be made possible by taking:

B-vitamins. The B-vitamins are very important in preventing and treating depression. Vitamin B3 or Niacin, Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid and Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine especially are directly involved in controlling and regulating mood. Meanwhile, Vitamin B1 or Thiamine, Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin all help in reducing the symptoms and complications of depression such as lack of energy and anemia.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid boosts not just your immunity but also serotonin production, helping greatly in controlling depression.

Medications. If you are suffering from moderate to severe depression, your doctor is likely to prescribe mood-lifters, along with psychotherapy. But these medications are formulated with chemicals and so they have to be taken with extreme caution. They also come with a variety of side effects.

Now, while these vitamins take care of the general problem, there still comes the need to reduce the symptoms of depression. After all, these vitamin supplementation and medications do not work overnight, but over a period of time. Following are some of the most common symptoms of depression and how you can beat them:

Feeling of sadness. Beat the blues by:

Watching a comedy film on DVD. Although you can watch a movie in a movie theatre, I suggest that you do it at home. Why, because the dark surroundings in the theatre can further dampen your mood. When watching a movie at home, keep the lights on and the curtains up to let the sunshine in. It helps a lot.

Reading a good book. Something inspiring and funny at the same time will put a smile to your face.

Being around little children. Children find happiness in very little things. Being around them can make you realize and appreciate the wonders and beauty in small things.

Malnutrition. Some people are too depressed to eat. If depression gets in the way of your desire to eat, here are some helpful tips:

Take small but frequent meals.

Begin your day with a good meal, composed of pure fruit or vegetable juice, a piece of toast, and tuna which is high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, the essential fatty acids that improve brain function.

Avoid high-fat and fried foods, and foods with caffeine. These are heavy on the stomach, reducing digestive function.

Snack on something light and healthy in between meals. Vegetable sticks make great alternatives to French fries or potato chips.

Drink at least 10 glasses of water everyday.

Sleeping problems. Most people with depression cannot get to sleep. If you happen to have this problem as well, the following tips can be of some help:

Take a warm, relaxing bath (preferably one that's infused with lavender oil or chamomile oil) before you go to bed.

Have a glass of chamomile tea after dinner. Besides helping with your digestion, chamomile tea also helps to relax you.

Play on soft music.

Avoid watching TV or anything that is stimulating to the senses.