Depression is a really hard and mysterious illness. According to brain scientists and psychologists, it’s a chemical imbalance in the brain. There’s no diagnosis, but there is treatment.
The issue is over-prescribing of brain=altering drugs as the cure. There’s no cur with prescribed drugs, it may be a symptomatic relief but it underlies the condition.
It doesn’t mean that the prescribed drugs don’t have any value. They all are marketed as a long-term solution. But they are not real.
These may cause worse effects too. But, there’s not a long-term solution for this.
Here are some ways which worked for some Quora members.
But remember that everyone has a different chemistry in the brain. This may work for some and not for some. You don’t need to take medical advice for this information.
Here are five ways to potentially reverse depression and feel happy again.
01. Dance
Dance as much as you want in any way you like.
“If ever in the life you danced like a drunk, you will come to know that dance is the best mental exercise.” said a young man about how dancing helped him.
According to the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard University, “How many of those who are ballroom dancing, doing the foxtrot, break dancing, or line dancing, realize that they are doing something positive for their bodies – and their brains? (Dancing) has such beneficial effects on the brain that it is now being used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease…”
02. Workout
Your brain can have multiple benefits by exercising.
- Stimulates the heart which in turn releases more blood. Blood flow is an important element of cognitive health.
- Releases endorphins which are potent anti-stress hormones.
- Enhances neurogenesis – or the growth of new brain cells.
All of these effects are tremendously beneficial for your overall well-being.
“Workout (is) the best way to release anger. The more angry you are, (the greater) will be your workout. And once you are done with you workout your anger will be gone and you will be more relaxed. If you talk about depression, it will motivate (you) to (go) workout.” Once again, the young man said.
03. Travel
It may little bit hard due to time constraints. But travel, simply gets away from everything.
“The other way to get rid of (depression) is to travel alone. Plan a trip to any hill station ( a town in the low mountains of the Indian subcontinent) … When you come back from the trip you will find your mind healthy.”
Go somewhere even not too far from you. You’ll surely have a healthy mind once you return.
04. Lifestyle changes
According to a former competitive runner and epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) valuable advice,
– “Vitamin therapy in which large doses of vitamin B is ingested regularly under the supervision of a doctor.”
– “Fairly vigorous exercise has been shown to release the same neurotransmitters as antidepressant medications.”
– “Reducing sugar intake and eating less processed foods including gluten.”
– “Meditation and deep breathing exercises.”
Here is another advice,
“Claims of depression cures are often used to see products that may be useless or only work for those who believe (because) a television personality or celebrity doctor says so.”
05. Ask yourself: what makes you feel happy again?
Depression is a neurochemical imbalance that requires patience, diligence, and possibly medical intervention to overcome. It needs a lot of hard work to cure. Happiness could also cure it and many people have their own way.
Here are some suggestions by the same young man:
-“Find a room alone and a mirror. Stand in the of the mirror, (stick) your tongue out and start jumping. Your mood will be light soon.”
-“The other way (is) to hangout with (friends).”
-“These are the ways that will help you with the depression.”
If you loved his solutions, we’re happy that we are heading in the right direction.