We are a full week into the new year, but if you haven't hammered out a resolution for 2014 there is still time to make such a commitment. If you are prone to anxiety or depression, taking steps to get the help you need and provide much-needed nutrition for the mind may be the best thing you can do for yourself. We certainly live in a stressful time, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 10 adults in America suffers from depression.
Natural compounds like omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin have been repeatedly shown to enhance overall brain health and boost mood, and while this is certainly no substitute for the care of a physician, you may find that the simple act of taking control of your nutrition and nourishing your mind can be incredibly empowering. A recent study also revealed that making time to meditate may also help you fight the most paralyzing aspects of anxiety and depression.
"A lot of people use meditation, but it's not a practice considered part of mainstream medical therapy for anything," said John Hopkins University assistant professor Dr. Madhav Goyal, a senior researcher involved with the study. Dr. Goyal and his colleagues analyzed 47 clinical trials on anxiety and depression and found that practicing regular meditation boasted comparable benefits to certain antidepressants currently in use.
Though this discovery doesn't mean that individuals who are undergoing treatment for depression and anxiety should give up on their prescriptions and embrace meditation instead, it does further emphasize how the choices we make each day can affect our health for the better.