According to a new study, there are 7 lifestyle characteristics that lower the incidence of depression


The World Health Organization estimates that depression affects around 4% of people globally. That would be around 280 million individuals.

Despite the fact that depression has a hereditary component, a study appearing in Nature Mental Health suggested that lifestyle factors may be more important than our DNA.In a press release, co-author of the study and Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge said: "We've shown that a healthy lifestyle is potentially more important." Our DNA, or the genetic hand we've been dealt, can increase our risk of depression.

Researchers looked at 287,282 people from the UK Biobank during a nine-year period, 13,000 of whom had depression. Seven lifestyle practices that, when followed, lower the risk of depression were highlighted by their investigations.

a good diet.

hardly any alcohol is consumed.

absence of smoking.

a sound slumber.

Exercise.

Reduce your sedentary habits.

regular social interaction.

Based on their lifestyle, research participants were divided into three categories: intermediate, favorable, and unfavorable. "Compared to those in the unfavorable group, those in the middle group had a 41% lower risk of developing depression. The favorable group had a 57% lower risk of developing depression.


Why does depression occur?

According to the National Health Service, there is no one specific cause of depression; rather, there are several risk factors that might contribute to depression.

"Some of these lifestyle factors are things we have a degree (of) control over, so trying to find ways to improve them - making sure we have a good night's sleep and getting out to see friends, for example - could make a real difference to people's lives," Sahakian stated in the news release.

"Our not-too-distant ancestors had lifestyles that involved regular physical activity, low sedentary behaviors, abundant social interaction, healthy diets, and often low to moderate alcohol consumption," clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly told Medical News Today. Even tobacco use is a very recent phenomena. It stands to reason that the activities that have helped people survive throughout history would be essential for our general welfare. As a result, it is not surprising that research keeps showing that our departure from the healthy lifestyles our ancestors practiced would harm our general health.

What aspect of your lifestyle is most effective?

Getting a good night's sleep had the most influence on depression out of all the factors examined in the study.

Researchers calculated the proportion of each element that, when adopted into participants' habits, reduced the likelihood of depression.




A nutritious diet reduced the risk by 6%.
Alcohol drinking at a low level reduced the risk by 11%.
Smoking cessation reduced the risk by 20%.
A good night's sleep cut the risk by 22%.
By 14%, exercise reduced the risk.
Sedentary behavior was reduced by 13%, lowering the risk.
Regular social interactions significantly reduced the risk by 18%.

"We're used to thinking of a healthy lifestyle as being important to our physical health, but it's just as important for our mental health," said Dr. Christelle Langley from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. According to the press release, it indirectly benefits immune system health and metabolism in addition to improving brain health and cognition.