"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine."
It's scientifically true. Laughter is theraputic.
Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he:
"By beholding we are changed."
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
In depression it's easy to worry, dwell on your pain etc. Much as I hate the cliche there is power in positive thinking. That's what the phillipians verse is about. While some people seem always upbeat & positive the person in depression must be very deliberate & willfull about seeking out the positive & choosing to dwell on it. At first it's hard work.
The other biblical SOP health principals diet, exercise, water, fresh air, sunshine etc have a major impact on depression as well.
Some forms of depression are treated with light box therapy. Sunshine is God's light box therapy.
Exercise seems very difficult to do when depressed. In depression you feel you have no energy, it's difficult to just function & even appear to cope. However studies have shown the benefit in exercise in depression. There are some benefits in the short term as demonstrated by short term studies, but even more significant benefits in the long term.
In a Duke University study of 156 patients with major depressive disorder they were divided into three treatment groups. Group 1 exercise only, group 2 medication only, group three medication & exercise. They were tested and evaluated at baseline (before beginning treatment) at 4 months of treatment & then 6 months after treatment ended (it ended at the 4 month testing) At 4 months all three groups had improved signficantly and comparably across the board.
However at the ten month mark (6 months after treatment ended) the exercise group had a much lower relapse rate than the medication group, because they kept exercising....
"Exercising on one's own during the follow-up period was associated with a reduced probability of depression diagnosis at the end of that period (odds ratio = 0.49, p = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals with MDD, exercise therapy is feasible and is associated with significant therapeutic benefit, especially if exercise is continued over time."
Psychosom Med 2000 Sep-Oct;
Water - Most of the body is made of water yet most of walk around mildly dehydrated because we don't drink enough. Dehydration effects the brain.
Fresh Air - proper breathing. Oxygen is also very important to brain function. Fresh air is invigorating. Stale air is dulling. Many of us are chest breathers. This is improper. Physiologically the chest can't expand much because of the ribs. On the other hand the diaphram is mobile & meant to allow for the expansion of the lungs. If you're breathing right it's the abdomen not the chest that moves. Snug clothing however restricts breathing & teaches us to breath wrong.
As for diet, nutrition of course plays a major part in our mental/physical wellbeing. Additionally food allergies or sensitivities play a major role in making us feel bad. We need to pay attention to what we're eating (& how we're eating) not just eat it because we like it, it's quick & easy or even because it's good for you. What's good for one isn't necessarily good for another.
One other important thing.....
If someone is already on anti-depressants, one should never ever recommend that they just quit & go cold turkey natural. Because of the chemical actions they have on the brain, abrupt withdrawl can have dangerous consequences. However they can practice each of the things above while on the medications & they can work with their Dr tapering down the dosages and stopping the medications as these longer term lifestyle changes take effect helping them to be both mentally & physically healthier.
Kate
