The article’s author, psychiatry expert Dr. Wei, recommends incorporating healthy habits into daily routines because healthy lifestyle changes have been shown to reduce inflammation: To curb stress and age-related inflammation, Dr. Wei reveals that exercising is a key strategy that works. Just 2-3 bouts of exercise each week offers physical benefits, and 2-4 hours of walking lowers the risk further. It is also recommended to avoid chronic stress at all costs since it highly contributes to an influx in inflammation. To naturally boost antioxidants in the body to ward off inflammation, Dr. Wei suggests practicing yoga. This and other mind-body techniques have been shown to be beneficial in as little as 20 minutes through the breathing exercises they offer. Lastly, a proper diet should consist of anti-inflammatory foods and beverages. It’s best to avoid red meat, white bread, pastries, soda, and fried foods (not an all-inclusive list), to avoid fanning the fires of inflammation. Consume fish, nuts, olive oil, and fruits and vegetables, because these foods offer the armor needed to guard against inflammation. This article sheds new light on the relationship between depression and inflammation. Those afflicted with depression can gain a better understanding of lifestyle factors that may be triggering their depression as well as practical strategies they can use to combat depression. Over time, understanding what links these two afflictions, inflammation and depression, might lead to better treatments. For now, people who suffer from depression can find solace in knowing that researchers are hard at work to get there.
