4 Ways To Help A Friend With Depression Love Life Again

Published

7 years ago

September 11, 2018

Uche Solomon

Depression is a serious medical condition that afflicts many people. If you have a friend who is suffering from depression, you may be unsure about what you should do to help. However, there are several ways that you can help a friend who is suffering from depression, from encouraging them to get treatment to building them up with kind words.

When a spouse, family member, or friend suffers from depression, your support and encouragement can play an important role in their recovery. You can help them to cope with depressions symptoms, overcome negative thoughts, and regain their energy, optimism, and enjoyment of life. Clinically speaking, depression can be mild, moderate, or severe in presentation.

If you know someone close to you who is dealing with depression and needs some extra support in coping with symptoms of depression, here are some tips to help your friend cope and learn to love life again!

Let Them Know They’re Important and Loved

Depression has the ability to make someone feel as though they are not important or loved. This could not be further from the truth! However, those who are dealing with depression may not be able to see this.

The most important thing that you can do for your friend is let them know that you are there, and that you care about them greatly. Although this may not settle in immediately for your friend, this type of support reminds them that their contributions are important and will help them to find the motivation to seek out options for recovery.

Even more important, you must back up this emotional support with supportive actions. If your friend needs help with anything, make sure to go out of your way to prove that they can rely on you to help them out in their time of need.

When your friend begins to see that they have the support of another person, they will begin to realize that they are worthy of love and happiness, which plays a big role in the recovery process.

Use Humor to Heal, let them smile

Laughter, they say is the best medicine. This is especially true when it comes to depression! laughing is one of the best things we can do for our health. Humor can help us heal from a number of illnesses.

laughter can actually improve your mood and lessen the effects of the symptoms that one experiences while dealing with depression.

Whenever you’re with your friend, make your best effort to make them laugh. No matter what they find funny, even if it is usually slightly inappropriate, take those jokes and use them to your advantage.

Just a simple giggle can have a huge effect on the way that your friend feels. Even if you only manage to alleviate their feelings for a second; that second can really improve their outlook of the future.

Help Them Identify and Cope With Sources of Stress

It’s no secret that stress is a significant contributor to depression. Chronic levels of stress pour cortisol into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in your nervous system and every other biological system. Stress has shown to reduce the brain’s innate ability to keep itself healthy. The hippocampus, which regulates mood, shrinks, negatively impacting our short-term memory function and learning abilities.

Stress also interrupts healthy coping strategies, which makes a person more vulnerable to mood swings. Your job is to help your loved one identify sources of stress in his or her life and brainstorm about ways to reduce it. Small tweaks to your day, like employing some deep breathing techniques, can go far in reversing the detrimental effects of stress.

Help Them build a Valuable Support System

The truth is you won’t be able to help your friend deal with everything on your own. They are going to need other people in their life to also help out. People dealing with depression need a solid support system to help them get on the road to recovery so that they can return to their happiness.

Reach out to other friends within your camp and that of your friend’s friend group and see what they can do to help your friend love life again. A person needs support in her or his life to fully recover, people who can remind them that they are not alone even though their symptoms make them feel that way.

By creating a solid support system, you will have an even easier time supporting your friend and helping to usher them back into the light.

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5 Ways To Stay Healthy This Christmas Season

Published

4 months ago

December 21, 2024

wpadminee

5 Ways To Stay Healthy This Christmas Season | fab.ng

The Christmas season is full of joy, food, and celebrations, but it can also be a time when health routines fall by the wayside. To stay healthy during the festive period, adopting mindful habits is key.

Here are five actionable strategies to ensure you enjoy the festivities while prioritising your well-being.

1. Make Balanced Food Choices

The holiday season is synonymous with indulgence. While it’s tempting to try everything on the table, opt for a balanced approach. Start meals with proteins and vegetables, which keep you full longer and stabilise your blood sugar.

Enjoy festive treats in moderation, allowing yourself small portions of your favourites without overindulging. By practising mindful eating, you can savour holiday flavours without guilt.

Staying hydrated is equally important. Drink plenty of water to counterbalance rich foods and avoid excessive sugary beverages or cocktails. Alternating alcohol with water is a good way to maintain balance during parties.

2. Prioritise Regular Exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to stop during the Christmas season. Incorporate simple physical activities like morning walks, quick home workouts, or even yoga to maintain your energy levels and reduce stress.

A 10–15 minute walk after meals can aid digestion and manage blood sugar levels. Staying active ensures you feel energised and offsets the effects of holiday indulgences.

3. Manage Holiday Stress

The Christmas season can be hectic, with endless to-do lists and social events. Combat stress by practising mindfulness and setting realistic expectations for your time.

Take breaks when needed, meditate, or engage in activities that help you unwind. Organising your tasks and delegating responsibilities can also alleviate pressure.

4. Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep is crucial for overall health, especially during a busy festive period. Poor sleep can lead to increased cravings and mood swings, making it harder to stick to healthy habits. Aim for 7–8 hours of rest each night.

Create a calming bedtime routine by avoiding screens, dimming lights, and reading a book to relax. Staying consistent with your sleep schedule will keep your energy levels high throughout the Christmas season.

5. Plan Ahead for Healthier Choices

With back-to-back events, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits. Preparing healthy snacks like nuts, boiled eggs, or fruit ensures you have nutritious options on hand.

Planning meals and snacks ahead of time helps avoid impulsive decisions, keeping your health goals on track even during the busiest days.

Enjoy the Festivities While Staying Healthy

By focusing on mindful eating, staying active, managing stress, sleeping well, and planning ahead, you can enjoy the Christmas season while maintaining your health. Balancing fun with wellness ensures you start the new year feeling your best.

If you found this article helpful, read more here.

FOOD

5 Health Benefits Of Cooking With Garlic

Published

4 months ago

December 7, 2024

wpadminee

5 Health Benefits of Cooking With Garlic | fab.ng

Garlic is more than just a flavour enhancer; it offers numerous health benefits that have been celebrated for centuries. Incorporating garlic into your meals not only enriches the taste but also boosts your overall well-being.

Let’s explore five key health benefits of garlic, emphasising why this simple ingredient deserves a spot in your kitchen.

1. Boosts Heart Health

Garlic is renowned for its heart-protective properties. It helps lower blood pressure and reduces cholesterol levels, which are crucial factors in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Allicin, a compound found in garlic, relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Regular consumption of garlic may also prevent artery hardening, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Clearly, one of the primary health benefits of garlic is its contribution to a healthy heart.

2. Strengthens the Immune System

Garlic acts as a powerful immune booster. Its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties help the body fend off infections. Rich in antioxidants, garlic combats free radicals that can damage cells and contribute to illness.

Cooking with garlic regularly can support your immune system, making it more resilient against common colds and flu. This vital health benefit of garlic makes it a natural defence mechanism.

3. Improves Digestive Health

Garlic promotes healthy digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes. Its antimicrobial properties can help balance gut flora, reducing harmful bacteria and promoting beneficial ones.

Additionally, garlic may reduce inflammation in the gut, alleviating symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Including garlic in your diet can improve overall digestive function, emphasising another essential health benefit of garlic.

4. Enhances Bone Health

Surprisingly, garlic may also support strong bones. It contains minerals like calcium, manganese, and selenium, which are vital for bone density and strength.

Some studies suggest that garlic consumption can increase estrogen levels in women, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

This lesser-known health benefit of garlic highlights its role beyond the kitchen, contributing to long-term skeletal health.

5. Supports Detoxification

Garlic aids the body’s natural detoxification process by activating liver enzymes that help eliminate toxins. Its sulfur compounds enhance liver function, enabling the body to flush out heavy metals and harmful substances more efficiently.

Regularly cooking with garlic can provide a natural cleanse, supporting overall vitality. This detoxifying health benefit of garlic underscores its importance for maintaining internal balance.

Incorporating Garlic into Your Diet

Maximise these health benefits by adding garlic to soups, stir-fries, and sauces. Crush or chop it and let it sit for a few minutes before cooking to enhance its beneficial compounds.

Remember, the health benefits of garlic are most potent when it’s used fresh and minimally cooked.

Cooking with garlic not only elevates your culinary creations but also offers significant health advantages. Embrace this versatile ingredient and enjoy the multiple health benefits of garlic with every meal.

Would you like more articles or additional tips? Check here.

HEALTHY LIVING

How To Stay Healthy While Boosting Productivity

Published

4 months ago

November 30, 2024

wpadminee

Balancing health and productivity is essential for personal well-being and professional success. Integrating healthy habits into your daily routine enhances focus, reduces stress, and increases overall efficiency.

Here’s how you can maintain good health while staying productive:

1. Prioritise Physical Health

Exercise Regularly: Physical activity enhances both physical health and mental clarity. Simple practices like taking short walks during breaks or stretching between tasks improve circulation and energy levels.

Maintain Good Nutrition: Eating balanced meals fuels your body and brain. Choose healthy snacks and stay hydrated throughout the day to maintain consistent energy levels.

Sleep Well: Adequate sleep (7-9 hours) improves memory, focus, and mood, contributing to higher productivity. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to ensure restful sleep.

2. Manage Your Energy, Not Just Time

Identify peak productivity periods in your day. Allocate complex or creative tasks to those high-energy times, and save routine work for low-energy periods. This practice optimises your natural rhythms for maximum efficiency.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management

Take Short Breaks: Regular breaks prevent burnout and boost concentration. Even a five-minute pause every hour can refresh your mind.

Mindful Practices: Meditation or deep-breathing exercises reduce stress and improve focus. Incorporating these into your daily routine fosters mental clarity and emotional resilience.

4. Create a Healthy Work Environment

Ergonomic Workspace: Arrange your workspace to support good posture and reduce strain. Use ergonomic furniture and ensure proper lighting to prevent fatigue.

Limit Distractions: Reduce noise and digital interruptions to stay focused. Tools like “Do Not Disturb” settings and noise-cancelling headphones can help create a conducive work atmosphere.

5. Foster Mental Health

Set Boundaries: Separate work from personal time. Avoid checking work emails after hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Stay Connected: Engage in positive social interactions at work. A supportive environment enhances motivation and reduces feelings of isolation.

6. Optimise Productivity Techniques

Batch Tasks: Group similar activities together to avoid frequent context-switching, which drains mental energy. This method enhances focus and efficiency.

Use To-Do Lists: Organise tasks by priority. Focus on completing high-value activities first to maximise your productivity.

By integrating these health-focused strategies into your daily routine, you can maintain physical well-being, reduce stress, and improve productivity, creating a sustainable path to professional success and personal fulfilment.