| Depression... It May Be Gothy, But It's Not
Healthy. |
| By Miss Spider -
courtesy of gothic-life ( email )
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This past month caused alot of havoc in people's lives...
break-ups, bankruptcies, family illness, people disappearing or
dying. This and the weather are taking an emotional toll on
people. But instead of being depressed and hiding, listening to
Bauhaus or Joy Division, and drinking or eating ice cream,
maybe it's time to shake things up and try and get out of this
mood?
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| Pets |
Pets of any type can help depression and relieve stress, as well
as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and reduce risks of heart
disease. Apparently pet owners are just a healthier bunch, both
mentally and physically. Having a cat or dog can turn a cold,
empty apartment into a home. Someone will always be there
waiting for you when you turn the key and open the door. They
snuggle and lay next to you when you're watching tv or
sleeping... they demand active attention and petting, while giving
love and affection. No one should adopt a pet on an impulse,
but when you're ready to share you life.. and this IS a
commitment (dogs and cats can live up into their 20s... never
adopt a pet expecting a temporary thing. This is just as much a
commitment as having a child. They become your responsibility,
and trust you to take care of them)... there are plenty of shelters
and rescue societies with animals who need love and affection
just as much as you or I.
|
| Environment |
Colors can affect moods and feelings... You can change things in
your home or office. Try changing one or two things... buy
colored lightbulbs or throw pillows and blankets, new curtains or
rug, or get really into it and paint your walls, ceiling, or even the
windows! Here are some examples of color therapy: "Studies
have shown that when disruptive children were placed in blue
classrooms, their aggression subsided dramatically. An even
more interesting report stated that when officials in England
switched the color of bridges in London from black to blue, the
rate of suicide there decreased by 50%." [from What Is Color
Therapy?]
Black: self-confidence, power, strength
Green: soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps
those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness
Violet: suppresses appetite, provides a peaceful environment,
good for migraines
Yellow: energizes, relieves depression, improves memory,
stimulates appetite
And on another note... there's also light therapy, which is used
for S.A.D. and depression. Try some of these lightbulbs... they
have full-spectrum light that simulates sunlight and is supposed to
improve your mood and mental health.
|
| Exercise |
A Duke University study found a connection between
depression and ones physical condition. A group of 156
patients diagnosed with major depression were divided into
three groups, including one whose only treatment was a brisk
30-minute walk or jog three times a week. After 16 weeks,
60.4% no longer met the criteria for a diagnosis of depression.
So get out of the house.. go for walks, meet friends at open-air
shopping centers and browse, have lunch, go for coffee, join a
health club and strive for that thin and toned body to wear those
corsets and Jack Skellington coats! Drive a little less and walk a
little more. Go out for lunch, get away from your desk and the
recycled air in big office buildings. Go dancing! The Cure and
Neubaten are sure to lighten any mood!
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| ST. JOHN'S WORT |
Self-medication with things like St. John's Wort is not
recommended for serious depression. There are no Federal
regulations regarding labelling or potency of herbal supplements,
so the dosage and quality of herbal treatments might vary from
bottle to bottle. The LA Times did a series of reports and lab
tests on St. John's Wort and found some surprising results.
And in general, I can't recommend St. John's Wort for any
goths. One of the most frequently noted possible side effects is
light sensitivity. Cattle that fed on the plant have been known to
get blisters on their hide and die of overexposure to the sun. In
some clinical experiments, fair-skinned people in particular got
sunburns after taking twice the usual amount of St. John's wort.
Considering so many of us are fair-skinned, this sounds like an
unacceptable side effect.
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| NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES,
HYPOGLYCEMIA & VITAMINS |
Nutrition and diet can have a huge impact on your emotional
state and easily lead to depression. Changing your diet is a pain,
and giving up your favorite foods might not be easy.. but if it
means getting over depression and actually being happy again
(can you even remember what that feels like? I barely can...)
you should cut down on sugars and proteins, and really stock up
on the fruits and vegetables. You'll have more energy, you won't
be as controlled by your body, and you'll really feel better. Buy
some apples, oranges and bananas for your house. Throw some
in your desk drawer at work for quick energy, and drink more
water.
One of the symptoms of Hypoglycemia is depression (among
other things) and a proper diet and control of sugar levels can
regulate this. One clue that your depression might be
hypoglycemic-related is that the symptoms are usually worse in
the early morning after waking, and get better after being up and
around a full day.
"A particular note should be made about nutritional deficiencies
and their relationship to depression. According to the
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 'A deficiency of any single
nutrient can alter brain function and lead to depression, anxiety,
and other mental disorders.'" [from Alternative Mental Health
Online (follow this link for more in-depth info on vitamins)]
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