Depression: A lot of people struggle with... - No Smoking Day

No Smoking Day

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Depression

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A lot of people struggle with depression or anxiety when quitting, it's sadly par for the course for them. Of course there is the obvious reason, letting go of something that most have thought as being a major coping and comfort mechanism. But I think that nutrition and vitamin deficiency plays a huge part and adding just a few supplements and maybe improving ones diet a little can bring relief relatively quickly.

The supplements to maybe look into are: Vitamin B complex , Magnesium, and 5-HTP. Some other one's that help are St. Johns Wort, Kava kava, and in the winter time Vitamin D. Improving one's diet is huge, too, adding more raw foods. Eating oatmeal can be super calming, too. Poor diet, smoking, and drinking make the body very acidic and it's the perfect breeding ground for disease. Just small changes can make a huge shift but if one wants to do just one thing, I'd say get a good Vit B complex. (vitamin code raw B complex is the best one I've tried).

The psychological letting go takes some time, it takes reprogramming of ones thinking and learning new coping strategies. One of the best coping strategies being exercise. Most folks on here that have maintained their quits easily have started some form of exercise. Of course there are tons of other stress relieving strategies that can help with depression and anxiety. Tons of info online but one thing talked about a lot on the forum is 'knowledge is power'. The more informed one is, the easier to move through the stages of a quit.

We all know that we should exercise and eat better..... it's hard to do sometimes, especially when feeling depressed or anxious... but the point is that there are things that can make things easier. Hope something in here is useful for someone struggling.

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nsd_user663_50109 profile image
nsd_user663_50109

Bananas are very good for anxiety too.

I take vit B12 complex and magnesium. Garlic omega fish oil. An tbh only noticed a difference for a few weeks now back to feeling like dirt again.

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nsd_user663_4121

now back to feeling like dirt again.

Are you doing any form of exercise? How are you sleeping? Getting good sleep is huge and sometimes in the beginning of a quit that's a bit off for a while... regulating sleep patterns can really help. Also reducing stress as much as it's possible.... oatmeal at night time is calming and helps sleep.

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nsd_user663_51711

Karri...a woman after me own heart re sweets preparation.

I have wanted lots and lots of fruit and fruit drinks, and stuff like sardines on toast.. and these really did not figure much in my diet before not smoking. I've taken to having a milky drink before bed.....I am convinced that helps me nod off. Now fancying Marmite on toast for goodness sake. I NEVER want that stuff normally.

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nsd_user663_50109

Are you doing any form of exercise? How are you sleeping? Getting good sleep is huge and sometimes in the beginning of a quit that's a bit off for a while... regulating sleep patterns can really help. Also reducing stress as much as it's possible.... oatmeal at night time is calming and helps sleep.

Ye I run and do yoga. Always have done yoga and Zumba. Wii fit when I smoked . I sleep well tbh it's like I Carnt get enuf I would slept all day if I could.

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nsd_user663_4121

Ye I run and do yoga. Always have done yoga and Zumba. Wii fit when I smoked . I sleep well tbh it's like I Carnt get enuf I would slept all day if I could.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, Shelly, and this is just a phase you've got to get through. Keep up the exercise and keep looking into natural ways to increase serotonin in your body.... foods are good, like bananas but also some other supplements like 5 HTP, St. John's Wort, Gabba, or SAMe.... I hear SAMe is quite effective.... I often go on amazon (.com) and read the reviews, they most often don't ship to the UK but the reviews are good.... I've seen folks on here go through the same thing, so keep your head up, you'll be fine :)

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nsd_user663_4121

Now fancying Marmite on toast for goodness sake. I NEVER want that stuff normally.

Marmite has tons of Vitamin B and your body is craving it.... most likely you're very deficient. Most people are. Here is some info to read about Vit B deficiency.

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nsd_user663_50109

Marmite has tons of Vitamin B and your body is craving it.... most likely you're very deficient. Most people are. Here is some info to read about Vit B deficiency.

The doctors are testing me for a b vit deficiency and other test. The results will most proberbly b back tomora

nsd_user663_51711 profile image
nsd_user663_51711

Oh thanks for that article Bella. Blimey, I would say I can relate to 3/4 of that list, so you may well be right. Marmite it is then.

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nsd_user663_50109

I love marmite and have eaten it daily for years. I didnt even know until Bella mentioned it that its full if B vitamins.

Looks like quitting smoking opened up some good changes in your lifestyle Becky.

Iv just had marmite on toast :D

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nsd_user663_51711

It certainly has,Karri :))

Shelly I have just had some on a toasted crumpet too. Had honey on the other one...cannot go too mad eh? xx

nsd_user663_50109 profile image
nsd_user663_50109

We officially have a marmite club :D

I really don't understand how someone can not like marmite :rolleyes:

Bloody weirdos :p

nsd_user663_18145 profile image
nsd_user663_18145

omg :eek:

Marmite is the nectar of the gods

:D

i love the stuff and won a prize in a competition afew years back by using the above as my entry in no more then 15 words

i used to think why dont everyone love it the same way as me but glad they dont otherwise they would sell out in the shops :eek:

or even have to ration it :eek:

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nsd_user663_18145

ops

:o

sorry i did mean to add that thanks for starting this thread Bella

suffering with depression is horrible :( its like being in a dark lonely tunnel and seems like a never ending circle

i have suffered with it for most of my adult life and have bouts of it every now and again which can leave me floundering and helpless

but afew years ago i was referred to see someone who introduced me to cognitive thearpy and that in turn with the aid of the internet got me into wellbeing, mindfullness and tapping which i use a combination of each day plus positive thinking helps to lift my mood and gets me to stop listening to the negative thoughts that amplify when im down our subconcious mind is our worse enemy in lots of different ways i learnt anew way of dealing with it and that is if i get a negative thought i shout NO in my mind and then use one of the many positive images i have at my disposal to help get rid of it

also there are alot of sites that are very helpful including positivemed.com positiveoutlookblog.com are a couple and this one moodscope.com is great as you can do a daily quiz type thing and that charts your progress they all have pages on facebook too if you like they will post on your page every day

plus youtube is awash with some really good videos of all of the above and being free is even better :)

ive also discovered reiki which im slowly learning to use for healing those i love and care for

hope they can be of help to anyone :o

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nsd_user663_50109

I don't get it either Shelley. Marmite on toast with a mug of tea is real comfort stuff.

Iv forgot get mine when I went shopping today

nsd_user663_4121 profile image
nsd_user663_4121

We officially have a marmite club :D

Not the first one! Marmite has been in discussion plenty on this forum...... all you vitamin b deficient folks love marmite ;) A while back I finally got curious and bought some on amazon as we don't have it here in the US and I have to say it's not for me haha I did however go nuts on nutritional yeast when I was deficient.

Here is a fun thread that I dug up.... all about marmite :)

nsd_user663_50109 profile image
nsd_user663_50109

Iv just had a vit B12 blood test and I'm fine

So I think I just love Marmite :D

nsd_user663_4121 profile image
nsd_user663_4121

Iv just had a vit B12 blood test and I'm fine

So I think I just love Marmite :D

I'd continue to take a vit B complex or significantly up eating foods containing vit B.... laboratory test ranges are often very small, here's more literature on the subject. It is even suggested that Vit B can help during the quit smoking process... here's a good article Vit B and smoking. Vit B is not very expensive and excess gets peed out, so it's definitely worth continuing to take it whilst you're feeling blah.... hope you feel better soon, and enjoy that marmite ;)

nsd_user663_50109 profile image
nsd_user663_50109

Hi bella

U seem to no about ur vits so I thought I would ask you or anyone else that could help

Bin taking magnesium tablets form for about 3 half weeks now. As its suppost me good for anxiety I take it in the evenings with my main meal at the same time ad my VIT B12 complex.

But iv noticed now I'm getting wind little burps and a bit of acid.. And a bit ov a sore tummy. Just wondering if it could be the magnesium that's doing it. I no its not the B12 as iv bin taking that now for 33 days. And the ones I'm taking are deigned to be gentle on the tum.

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nsd_user663_4121

Magnesium can be harsh on the stomach. You can try magnesium oil, it bypasses the stomach, and gets absorbed immediately. It's good to rub on at night as it relaxes the body. The vit B is better to take in the morning as it can affect sleep and dreams. When you finish your bottle consider getting a vit B complex, not just B12. How are you doing otherwise?

nsd_user663_50109 profile image
nsd_user663_50109

Magnesium can be harsh on the stomach. You can try magnesium oil, it bypasses the stomach, and gets absorbed immediately. It's good to rub on at night as it relaxes the body. The vit B is better to take in the morning as it can affect sleep and dreams. When you finish your bottle consider getting a vit B complex, not just B12. How are you doing otherwise?

I take feroglobin it's vit B12 B6 zinc iron and folic acid.. I take it in the evening cuz u have to have it with a main meal as there slow release caps. Will try the oil as iv always had a sensitive tum.

Ye I'm doing okay this week lol well apart from have half root cannel:mad: done. And iv hot a really annoying temp filling..

nsd_user663_52892 profile image
nsd_user663_52892

I dont think im depressed. just very insular

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