Dr. G’s BEST Depression Buster
Plenty of factors can affect your risk of developing depression—environment, chemical imbalances, hormones, social pressures, and more.
But one we rarely hear much about is a person’s genetic risk.
In reality, children born to parents who suffer from depression are three to four times more likely to develop the condition themselves.
And when you add environmental risks on TOP of the genetic factor, the fight to stave off depression can feel like you’re swimming upstream without the proverbial paddle.
If that’s you, I’m about to put a powerful paddle right into your hands.
Did you know that the more time you spend outdoors, the lower your depression risk is?
Sunlight causes chemical reactions in the body that form important substances, like vitamin D, while decreasing potentially harmful ones like the stress hormone cortisol.
But is sunlight enough to counteract someone’s genetic risk for depression?
To find out, researchers analyzed data from more than 380,000 people from 38 to 73 who were part of the UK Biobank (a database from an ongoing, long-term study started in 2016).
During the follow-up time, participants who developed depression were more likely to…
- sleep less,
- be exposed to more environmental pollution,
- and have a higher BMI.
They also had a higher genetic risk.
However, the researchers also spotted something that REDUCED the risk of developing depression—even in folks with an INCREASED genetic risk.
And that was spending an average of 1.5 hours per day outdoors.
Modern lifestyle factors put everyone at an increased risk. But if you’re facing the added genetic risk, then it’s time to head outside and soak up some healing sunshine.
Doctor’s orders!
P.S. Already battling depression? Taking THIS simple step to boost your gut health can SLASH depression symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating.
SOURCE:
“Association of time spent in outdoor light and genetic risk with the incidence of depression.” Transl Psychiatry, 13, 40 (2023). doi. org/10.1038/s41398-023-02338-0
