People may also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders.
Mental health authorities are still trying to determine whether schizophrenia is a single disorder or a group of related illnesses. It is a highly complex condition.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness.
When we exercise, our bodies release stress-relieving and mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. This is a natural way for us to increase our mental health. When we have the chance, exercising outside in the sunshine also helps us to increase Vitamin D which releases a mood-increasing brain chemical called serotonin.
Eating well-balanced meals, like those encouraged by the FDA’s MyPlate, also naturally helps us to improve our mental health by increasing brain chemicals associated with a balanced mood. Carbohydrates, like whole grains, increase serotonin. Protein-rich foods increase both norepinephrine and dopamine. Finally, fruits and vegetables help to feed our cells, including those that regulate brain chemicals.
Research has shown that even small amounts of sleep deprivation have a negative effect on our mood and brain function. Continued lack of proper sleep can lead to or exacerbate mental health conditions like depression. Building good sleep habits, like maintaining a regular bedtime schedule and turning off all electronics one hour before bed, can help to improve our sleep.
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