Every year an estimated 16 million people suffer from depression.
Being sad is a real threat to our lives, most of us try to avoid sadness at all cost. Depression isn’t one of those conditions you can just shake and run from. It is more than just a bad day or feeling blue. Depression has an ability to grab hold of your life, pull you down, and keep you in a constant state of grasping for hope.
But there is hope!
Recognizing symptoms can help you become aware of depression in your life or the life of a loved one:
- Loss of energy
- Change in sleep
- Change in appetite
- Pulling away from normal activates
- Feeling hopeless/purposeless
- Suicidal thoughts
- Not interested in normal activates
There are a variety of things that can cause depression. Your family history and genetics, drug or alcohol abuse, life changes, traumatic events, even medical circumstances.
Though there are many causes we can’t control, there are some things you do have the power to control. Your lifestyle habits can have a big impact on depression. Here are a few areas we explore with our clients:
- Physical activity (engage in activities you love that raise your heart rate)
- Regular sleeping patterns
- Healthy food plan
- Blood analysis to check for vitamin/mineral deficiencies
- Time spent with friends/family
- Journaling
- Church/volunteering
