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We all feel gloomy, down or a little depressed at times. And while something works differently for everyone as a remedy, there are a number of activities that make our brain lighter. ‘Natural antidepressants’, then? Behavioral scientist Sheehan Fisher prefers to call them “dopamine drugs.”
Before we start talking about the so-called ‘natural antidepressants’, it is not unimportant to distinguish between actual depression and gloomy thoughts. Depression requires a different approach, but the ‘mood boosters’ discussed in this article are generally good for mental health.
‘Natural antidepressants’, does that exist?
Health platform Fortune Well asked Sheehan Fisher, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, about the “natural antidepressants” thing. A list is circulating on social media. ‘Sun, good sex, the forest, the sea, meditation, breathing, strength training, good friends, cardio training, walking and nutritious food’, would do our mental state good.
Nature’s Anti-Depressants
· The sun
· Good sex
· The forest
· The ocean
· Meditation
· Breathwork
· Weight lifting
· Good friends
· Zone 2 cardio
· Walking 8-10k steps
· Nutrient dense foodsAnything else you’d add?
— Dan Go (@FitFounder) June 23, 2023
Fisher emphasizes that someone with depression or more serious mental illnesses won’t just get rid of their problems with a hike through the woods. “But in general, including those struggling with mental health issues, nature, social engagement, exercise or sex can all be a positive support for mental health. It can also help reduce the risk of developing depressive symptoms. ”
When do you need professional help?
Finding out whether or not you have depression can be quite difficult. You can recognize depression by the following symptoms:
Feeling of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness Persistent tiredness Trouble sleeping Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy Feeling worthless Decreased appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
Do you recognize these kinds of complaints and do they last longer than two weeks? Then you may be struggling with depression. Fisher suggests that people with concerns about this make an appointment with their GP, a psychologist or psychiatrist to talk about it.
Dopamine drugs for better mental health
According to the behavioral scientist, the term antidepressants fits better in the medical and clinical angle. It is, of course, a medicine. That’s why Fisher prefers to use the word ‘dopamine drugs’, which activate the happiness hormones in your brain and body. In other words, simple activities or behaviors that give you a quick amount of dopamine. There are more happiness hormones, including serotonin and endorphins. Metro previously wrote about the ‘doors’ towards these different happiness hormones.
The behavioral scientist explains that dopamine is an important substance, but cannot always solve depression. “However, these ‘mood boosters’ can influence your mood and remedy depressive symptoms. In addition, they also support our overall well-being.”
Mood boosters in your life
In addition to the above list, Fisher adds a number of things that reduce gloomy thoughts. “Enough sleep, enough hydration, a positive outlook, and finding purpose and community,” says the assistant professor.
According to Fisher, the trick is to apply these kinds of habits regularly in your life. He even warns that you should not neglect this kind of activity, even when times are tougher. “Know which habits have a major positive impact on you and learn how to always apply them. Even if the environment changes.”
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Respond to article:
Are these activities “natural antidepressants”? And does that work?
2023-06-30 14:06:34
#activities #natural #antidepressants #work
