8 natural treatments for postpartum depression
Eat well.
Poor eating habits can throw your system out of whack.
In a 2010 study printed in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a diet of processed or fried foods, refined grains, sugary products and beer was associated with higher odds of depression or anxiety disorders.
“Getting adequate nutrition helps a great deal, and that means eating at regular intervals, and ingesting body-building and health-enhancing kinds of foods instead of fast foods and sugary things,” Sanford says.
To make this easier on yourself, keep food simple and convenient: Cheese sticks and whole-grain crackers, handheld fruit, cut-up vegetables, yogurt and instant oatmeal can keep you out of the drive-through line.
Experts also recommend avoiding caffeine, which can make your mood worse. “A lot of younger moms will drink a bunch of diet sodas or coffee to keep themselves awake and alert, and it’s actually fueling their anxiety,” Sanford says.
The same goes for alcohol, which is a depressant and can decrease serotonin, a mood-regulating chemical in the brain.