This week Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Christopher Pelic about healthy routines and habits to help prevent depression. Dr. Pelic is a Professor of Psychiatry, and he’s the lead physician at MUSC’s Health, Wellness and Human Performance Institute at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Healthy habits and routines can play an essential role in reducing risk of depression. Doctor Christopher Pelic is here to provide the details. Doctor Pelic is a Professor of Psychiatry and he's the lead physician at MUSC’s Health, Wellness and Human Performance Institute. Doctor Pelic what are the most important habits and routines that can help us reduce the risk of depression in our lives?
Dr. Pelic: There are several habits that have been identified as extremely important to both our health and specifically mental health. Those deemed most important include sleep, diet, and regular eating habits, staying connected with others, exercise, especially cardiovascular, and whether you consume other substances such as nicotine, alcohol, and even drugs.
Conner: And how beneficial are these healthy habits at protecting mental health and reducing risk of depression?
Dr. Pelic: A recent study in Nature Mental Health reaffirms what many people suspected for years that lifestyle factors can have a significant impact on mental health across a variety of patients, including those with a family history of conditions like depression. People who maintained most of these healthy habits had about a 50% reduction lifetime lower risk of depression.
Conner: Tell us more about why prioritizing sleep is so important when it comes to reducing depression.
Dr. Pelic: We've often heard that we should get our eight hours of sleep, and researchers have confirmed that indeed, about 7 to 9 hours are optimal for most people to protect against illnesses like depression. All too often, people cut corners with sleep. Having consistent sleep hours and ensuring that sleep conditions are optimal can make a big difference on quality sleep. Not only can it be preventative in treating conditions like depression, but a focus on sleep can also help treat patients who are already suffering from mental health conditions.
Conner: Tell us a bit more about how the use of substances can worsen our mental health, and perhaps put us at risk of depression.
Dr. Pelic: We know that substances like nicotine, alcohol and drugs, even synthetic drugs that are sold legally in vape shops in South Carolina can negatively impact anxiety and depression. We know that alcohol's a central nervous system depressant, and drugs like THCA or delta 8 THC, which mimic cannabis, which patients usually think are relaxing them, can actually make anxiety and depression worse in the long run. And people who've never smoked have a 50% lower risk of depression.
Conner: Why is regular exercise especially helpful at preventing depression or even helping to manage depression?
Dr. Pelic: A recent study actually demonstrated that physical activity was almost two times more effective in reducing depression than medication. Other studies suggest about a 10 to 20% overall reduction in risk of depression for those who exercise regularly. All of these lifestyle factors are extremely important and can often prevent depression or other mental health conditions. But sometimes folks still end up developing these conditions. In those cases, it's best to see a trained medical professional to help determine if medications or therapy are needed.
Conner: Doctor Pelic, thanks for this update about habits to help reduce risk of depression.
Dr. Pelic: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
