Adjusting diet, exercise, and sun exposure can all lead to a better mood
In modern lifestyles, an increasing number of people are troubled by depression. According to "U.S. News & World Report," experts believe that depression is a chronic illness, and besides medication, there are other ways to treat it.
Stephen Ilardi, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Kansas, led the study. In the research, one of the methods he used was to have participants take a daily dose of deep-sea fish oil capsules. After persisting for a period, the mood of patients with depression significantly improved. Researchers stated that food plays a crucial role in regulating people's mood. Fish contain a special fatty acid that is related to the "happy hormones" in the human brain, and fish oil is rich in this fatty acid.
=Ilardi analyzed that the 21st-century lifestyle is the main culprit for the increase in depression, as depression rarely occurred in primitive societies. He tried to treat depression using a communal approach. During the 14-day treatment, patients with depression had to engage in at least 35 minutes of aerobic exercise every two days; get at least half an hour of sun exposure daily, and sleep for 8 hours every night. This method proved to be highly effective. Researchers analyzed that adequate exercise has a positive effect on mood, and continuous sweating exercise can reduce depressive symptoms, with effects comparable to antidepressant drugs; regular sun exposure helps improve seasonal affective disorder, and a good night's sleep can boost a person's spirits. Researchers also pointed out that participating more in family activities, gatherings with friends, reducing time spent alone and thinking, and learning to distract oneself can all have a certain effect in alleviating depressive emotions.