What helps me since I have very low blood pressure (may not be safe if you have high BP) is when I am really down and depressed I dive down to the bottom of the pool and hang out for a bit. Somehow I knew this would kick out the depression and it does almost immediately. Later I learned this triggers the “dive reflex” that we share with penguins and other animals. It slows the heart rate, vasoconstricts which increases arterial blood pressure! The purpose of these combined reflexes is to conserve oxygen and to redirect blood to the brain and heart. I had also learned that cold water showers a couple of times a day is great for depression and has many other benefits. If there was a fire and I had to grab 2 of my supplements it would be the Butcher’s Broom and Licorice. Anything that constricts makes me feel a lot better physically and emotionally.
I love this advice, Jennifer! I never considered going under water before! Vasoconstriction, absolutely! I couldn’t survive without Sudafed most every day for about 3 years. Rats! We don’t have a pool or I’d be there right now! So you think the depression is secondary to lack of blood flow to the brain and heart, then? That could absolutely be right. I always considered it to be a result of brain inflammation, but since hypoxia should result in inflammation, that still makes sense. I have the hyperadrenergic form, and when we were ruling out pheochromocytoma, I remember needing to rule out licorice, too! 😉 Doe sit matter if the licorice is red or black? That black stuff is, well, kinda yuck… 😉 Thanks, Jennifer. Is it OK if all depressed folks show up at your pool? 🙂