Strategies to Help Manage Depression and Anxiety
Depression is a serious and common mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. While traditional treatments involve antidepressant medications and therapy, there are other strategies that can be used to treat depression. These strategies often involve lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the symptoms of depression and promote mental wellness.
Diet
What you consume can have a noticeable effect on your mood and mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, essential vitamins, and healthy fats can help to reduce the symptoms of depression. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like salmon and walnuts, can be beneficial for treating depression. Eating regularly and avoiding processed foods can help regulate your mood and mental health as well.
Exercise
Regular physical activity has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression. Exercise helps to release endorphins, which are hormones associated with improved mood and reduced stress. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, such as through walking, running, weight lifting, yoga, or cycling. Exercise can also provide a sense of accomplishment, which can be a powerful motivator for improving mental health.
Stress Reduction
Managing stress levels is key for treating depression and promoting mental wellbeing. Chronic stress can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health, which is why it is important to find ways to reduce stress and create a more relaxing environment. Getting proper sleep, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and setting realistic goals can help to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Intravenous Ketamine
Intravenous (IV) ketamine is a medicine used to treat major depression and other forms of treatment-resistant depression. IV ketamine is administered directly into the veins, and its effects can be seen quickly - usually within hours. It is usually prescribed when traditional antidepressant medications haven’t been effective or tolerated, and it can provide relief from depression faster than antidepressant medications. IV ketamine works by altering the brain’s neurotransmitters in order to help regulate moods and behaviors in the brain. It is believed to reset neural pathways, synaptic connections, and other areas involved in mood regulation. This is thought to be responsible for its rapid and effective action in treating depression. IV ketamine is administered in a clinical setting by an anesthesiologist or CRNA, to ensure that the patient receives the correct dose and is monitored during administration. It may not intended to be used as a long-term treatment and patients will typically need to receive more than one round of treatment for the relief of depression symptoms. IV ketamine has been proven to be an effective treatment for major depression and other forms of treatment-resistant depression. As with any medication, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of IV ketamine before deciding if it is the right treatment for you.
It’s important to remember that depression is a serious illness that requires treatment from a mental health professional. However, these strategies can be beneficial for relieving some of the symptoms of depression and promoting long-term mental wellbeing.
At StrIVeMD Wellness and Ketamine in Chicago, Frisco/Dallas, and Miami Beach, we offer intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions to help with depression, anxiety, and a variety of treatment resistant disorders. We also focus on vitamin and hydration therapy to help with immunity and wellness that have been compromised from poor mental health. With a team comprised of physicians board-certified in adult and pediatric anesthesiology, pain medicine, and functional medicine, as well as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), we are the most comprehensive team from the nation’s best medical institutions to take care of patients of any age including adolescents and geriatric patients. We work with your mental health provider to ensure safety and effectiveness of our program. If you or someone has a mental health disease that is worsening, or fighting a chronic medical condition, please call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@strivemdwellness.com.