As much as possible, seniors are encouraged to avoid using medications especially if it is not absolutely important for you to do so, that is, your life doesn’t depend on the medication you are about to take. This is because medications have their own effects on your body and may not compliment with other medications you are currently taking. If you really need to take anything for your condition, make sure that it has been approved by your doctor. In other words, don’t make the fatal mistake of self-medicating especially if you are under maintenance drug and/or taking other medications for your other health conditions.
Depression is one condition that is very common in seniors but often misdiagnosed. In reality, depression, if diagnosed at early stages can still be treated without medication, in fact, it can be avoided all together if seniors know how to detect signs and symptoms of depression. With proper education, depression doesn’t have to be ugly as it is completely manageable!
Staying socially connected is very important in treating depression without drugs. For seniors who barely go out of their homes due to varying reasons, it may be an obstacle a wee-bit hard to overcome. Add to that the technology which presented us ways to connect with our family and friends even if in actuality, you are still by yourself. That, my fellow seniors, only means that your Skyping and Tweeting don’t really help your depression and might even be triggering it more. Studies show that when you say “socially connected” in association with depression, you need to really go out or invite some friends over. This means you should really be with people – physically and emotionally. No getting around it.
The reason behind staying socially connected when depressed is that your mind and body consider depression as an infection and in order to fight it, your body will then go in hibernation mode to recuperate wherein the urge to be left alone becomes stronger. To have it known to your mind and body that there is no infection taking place, you need to expose yourself to people, mingling and connecting with them, thus you fight depression.
Adapting a healthy lifestyle will also help you fight depression. Healthy lifestyle cleanses your mind and body of negative thoughts, which leaves you feeling light and happy. Exercising, for one, releases happy hormones thus eliminating depressing thoughts. Listening to meditative music lets your mind process things in a relaxed way. Adequate sleep, on the other hand, restores your mind and body.
