Everyone has, at one point or another in their life, experienced stress.  The stress may have been caused by the death of a pet as a child, a hitch in the marriage process, or being diagnosed with a deadly disease.  It is no question to those who have experienced stress that it can be a debilitating thing.  One can struggle with irritability, tension in the muscle, an inability to concentrate, and many physical symptoms caused by being stressed.

Stress is defined as the failure of the body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, characterized by a state of alarm, increased adrenaline, and exhaustion.  Being stressed is a daily part of life to most people in the world, and there are plenty of techniques that can be taken to reduce stress in one’s life, including deep breathing and meditation.

However, in addition to all of these symptoms of stress that are listed, scientists have recently found that stress may in fact have a direct link to depression.  Stress and depression have always had a sort of link, stemming from the same emotional vulnerabilities.

Depression is also a very common part of life for most people in the world.  It is not uncommon to experience depression, which is defined as a mental disorder usually characterized by a low mood and low self-esteem.  Depression may also cause a loss of interest and subsequent withdrawal from society.  Depression can be a very serious mental disorder, as it can be life-changing.  An individual suffering from depression are at heavy risk for committing suicide or ruining their life.  Studies have found that in the United States, 3.4% of people suffering from clinical depression commit suicide, and that 60% of people who commit suicide are suffering from depression.

It is interesting, then, that such a serious disorder as depression may have roots in such a common thing such as stress.  In the recent study, scientists studied young rats, bullied by older rats, and found an interesting discovery.  They determined that the stress from bullying was responsible for the death of young nerve cells, which causes depressive symptoms.  Elevated hormone levels have been found to prevent the development of or kill young nerve cells.

A few things that you can do, then, to combat being stressed and avoid depression are listed below:

1.  Breathe deeply

Taking long, deliberate, and deep breaths is a good strategy for relaxation.  To do so, make sure to sit comfortably and with a straight back.  Breathe deep from your abdomen through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth.  Keep doing so until you feel a state of relaxation.  This will keep your mind off of stressful things and relax your body.

2.  Get a massage

Getting a massage can relax the muscles and mind.  The easing of muscle spasms and pain can increase blood flow throughout your body, relieving stressful symptoms and inducing relaxation.

3.  Get a dog or cat

Go to your local shelter and choose a dog or cat as a pet.  Find a pet that is friendly and makes you smile.  Interacting with the pet can relax you and manage your stressful periods.