Uticopa Blog

Rising unemployment, negative-equity, house repossessions...is it any wonder many of us are feeling depressed and unable to cope?  According to Mind, the mental health charity, as many as one person in five can expect to suffer from a mental health problem during their lives.  With today's global financial meltdown, this figure can be expected to rise still further. So, what can be done?

First, you need to assess whether you are merely down in the dumps or actually suffering the classic signs of full-blown depression.  Certainly, if you've been feeling blue for longer than a few weeks, you should contact your GP. If you feel that you would like to talk to a therapist who can help, you may want to consider contacting registered specialists through our site. 

There are things you can do to improve your outlook on life: see below for everyday ways to help and remember, you're not alone. As many as nine per cent of the population suffer from mild to moderate depression at any one time.

If your therapist assesses you as having a mild condition, you can achieve remarkable results by following quite simple guidelines.  If it's a herbal remedy you're seeking, then you could do worse than try St. John's Wort, obtainable from most good health-food stores. It has had some spectacular results in lifting mood, but as with most medicines and herbal treatments, some patients do report mild side-effects so keep a check on yourself.

A method which definitely does not have any side-effects is good old-fashioned fresh air. On bright, blue-sky days, whatever the season, ensure that you go outside and breathe in deeply.  There is something indefinable about the great outdoors that does wonders for mind and body - and this has been proven by researchers. Dr. Paul Keller, a social psychologist at the University of Michigan, has proof positive that spending at least thirty minutes outdoors increases the good-feeling factor. Many people report a comparatively modern disorder called SAD (seasonal affective disorder), probably as a result of increasing amounts of time spent working indoors or in northern, darker climes. Certainly, there are fewer reports of the condition in those living in sunnier climes like the Mediterranean. The Vitamin D derived from natural sunlight can also be supplemented by taking margarine, fortified cereals, dairy products, egg yolk and oily fish. Additionally, for those who are unable to get sufficient natural sunshine, there is a specially-designed light box which SAD sufferers can buy. It emits far more units of light energy than ordinary light bulbs and is effective for those in front of them for at least 45 minutes per day.

If you can combine your daily dose of fresh air with regular exercise, then so much the better. It need not be strenuous to lift your mood.  In 2007, Dr. Astrid Bjomebekk from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm reported that running in the open air, in particular, stimulates the production of new brain cells and actually has the same effect as antidepressant drugs in lifting mood.
For those for whom physical exercise is difficult, there are simpler ways to help too. Get a pet, which can be marvelous therapy. Talking, laughter and improving your levels of good-quality sleep have also been proven to have a powerful effect on depression and can optimally boost mood levels.

If you are suffering from mild to moderate depression, you can lift your spirits. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet by getting five fruit and veg a day, particularly purple and orange varieties, and drink plenty of water. Get a pet, go outside, be more active and laugh with others.