Depression and weight gain usually go hand-in-hand. They create a vicious circle of sorts, and it’s difficult to tell which came first. When you’re depressed, weight gain happens for many reasons. Most often it’s the side effect of the meds you’re taking. It can also be due to sleep deprivation, which is a common symptom of this condition.
But the connection between depression and weight gain works the other way around, too. If you’re dealing with a lot of extra weight, it may take a leave a huge mark on your emotions. You’ll be deeply unhappy with your physical shape and often even feel sorry for yourself. This constant self-pity could lead to depression.
Tips to Reverse Weight Gain
The vicious circle that depression and weight gain form is tough to break. But where there’s will, there’s also power. Follow these tips to maintain a healthy body and get rid of the sadness.
• Don’t seek comfort in food. Depressed people turn to food whenever they’re down. Instead, try treating food as nothing more than a source of nutrition. Feed your body, not your emotions.
• Find the strength to go out every now and then. Getting out of your house is difficult when you’re depressed. But if you want to lose weight, you need exercise. A 30-minute walk around your neighborhood could be enough to do the trick.
• Give yourself time to get rid of bad habits. Many of us find it hard to move towards our goal even without depression. Add that to the mix, and your mission becomes much harder. Don’t be too hard on yourself: if you fail one day, try again tomorrow.
• Ask your doctor to prescribe another medication. Not all antidepressants increase your appetite. So if your weight gain is the result of taking meds, try some alternatives.
References
Weight Management Tips for People With Depression. URL link. Accessed 11th November 2017.
