Q:
I go through periods where I am depressed for no apparent reason. My life
circumstances remain the same, but I still feel blue, and there seems to be no reason for it. It only
lasts a day or two and then disappears. How can I prevent this?
A:
Depending on your gender and age,
you may be experiencing hormonal changes that affect your moods. The best
way to regulate them is through eating a proper balanced diet and practicing
a good exercise program. Here are some specific recommendations:
1. Eat smaller meals, more frequently, and drink more liquids.
2. Avoid dairy, alcohol, coffee, sugar, and fatty foods. Excessive spicy
foods are also not recommended, but a certain amount of pungency is
beneficial. Also, you can test your susceptibility to the nightshade family
of foods by avoiding tomatoes, red bell peppers, and eggplants for a while.
3. Make a juice of fresh water chestnut, lotus root, pear, and watermelon
juice. Drink daily.
4. Make buckwheat and rice porridge with chestnuts and longan fruit
(euphoria longan).
5. Begin your day with a 20-minute brisk walk in the fresh air. Get at least
8 hours of sleep every night.
6. You may consider learning and practicing some form of tai chi or qigong
exercises, as these are very effective in balancing hormones and energy.
About
our Doctors
This month's
Ask the
Doctor question was answered by:
Dr.
Maoshing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D.
from his website:
 |