If one always stays at home, they may become depressed.
Why do people sometimes stay at home a lot and find it easy to feel not so great, and may even tend towards depression? The psychological experts at Yafang Counseling say, first of all, we have to recognize that we are all social animals, right? Humans are naturally in need of interacting with others and expressing emotions. When you are constantly alone and lack these daily social activities, the levels of those chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy, like dopamine and serotonin, will decrease. Without these “happy hormones,” you naturally feel heavy-hearted.
Also, sunlight is important. Just think, if you can bask in the sun every day, even just for a few minutes, your body can produce vitamin D, which is helpful in maintaining a good mood. But if you stay indoors all day, not even by a window, the level of vitamin D in your body will decrease, which may affect your mood.
Moving your body is good for your physical health and your mental well-being. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and can also lift your mood. So, if you stay cooped up at home without moving around, you won’t enjoy these benefits.
The body has a biological clock that prefers stability and regularity. If you wake up, sleep, and eat at the same time every day, your body and brain will be more comfortable. But if your life lacks routine, and you often stay up late or sleep during the day, your biological clock will be disrupted, which can also have a negative impact on your mood.
So what can you do? Actually, change is not difficult. You can try setting yourself small daily goals, like going for a walk, calling a friend for a chat, or joining an interest group or community activity. These small steps can gradually help you step out of your door and reconnect with the outside world.
If you find it difficult to step out, then seeking help from psychological organizations like Yafang Counseling is necessary.
Editor: Yishan
