Good Social Relationships Have A Positive Impact Your Physical Health

While we know that diet and exercise play an important role in our physical wellbeing, new research is showing that our social life has a tangible effect as well. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Renmin University in China conducted a study examining the association between a participant’s physical measurements and the quality of their social relationships.  The possible link they found? Stress. 

One of the professors who led the study noted that good social relationships reduce the daily stresses of life. So, cultivating good relationships are one more preventive measure we can take. If you’re a teen or senior it’s good to have a large social group and if you fall in the middle, you’ll opt for smaller close relationships. In the end, however, everyone can do themselves good by cutting down on relationships that cause strain and choosing ones that bring fulfillment. 

Navigating the treatment of depression

After a diagnosis of depression, you may receive lots of ideas and advice on how to treat it. However, some generally recommended methods may not be effective for you. Here are three commonly suggested treatment methods. Probably the most effective method in the treatment of depression is talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy. This type of therapy works well as it stops the cycle of isolation that can occur by encouraging people to confront the beliefs and behaviors that lead to social isolation and depression. The best way to find an effective therapist is to have a doctor refer to a therapist as a credentialed therapist will most likely give you the best support.

A mental health care plan may help make talk therapy more affordable. And ongoing review with your doctor maximises the likelihood of overcoming depression.

Antidepressants can be another effective type of treatment especially when talk therapy has not been effective. However, medication really only works when it is well managed by a physician. This means that you have the correct dosage for your needs as too high or too low a dosage can have problematic side effects. If a medication is not working for you, always consult a doctor before making changes to the dosage of that medication.

Finally, you may have people recommending diet and exercise to help with your depression. While some research suggests that a good diet and fitness routine can help with your depression, there has been very little research about how to use diet and exercise as an intervention to treat your depression. Instead, consider changing your diet and exercise, but use it in addition to talk therapy and/or antidepressants. For further information about these types of treatments consult this link.