Why Depression May Be In Your Bones

"What do you imagine when I ask you to think about clinical depression? For example, does your mind conjure up thoughts or images of emotional suffering? Severe sadness? Perhaps even suicidal thoughts and behaviors? If so, all are common and correct responses. Now how about this: during this clinical depression exercise, did you give any thought at all to your skeleton? After reading this blog, you may join the 1% of people who do."

"The purpose of this post - drawing on more than 30-years of research - is to level up your mindset about the vastly underappreciated bone-brain relationship. More than knowledge alone, however, you'll also come away with practical insights about the bone-brain connection that will unlock new strategies for optimizing your mental health through daily health choices, such as physical movement, sleep, stress management, and nutrition. The goal here is to empower both greater wisdom and higher-quality living choices."

"Most people consider their skeleton to be much like the foundation of a home, or even a coat rack in their living room. These are relatable examples of passive support structures enabling certain functions and activities that we value. In the case of the skeleton, anyone who has ever broken a bone or received an osteoporosis diagnosis quickly learns how vital their roughly 206 bones are as a support structure to everyday health and mobility. And even more of us"

Human bones enable all movement and support daily health. Bones combine suppleness, strength, and self-repair abilities that surpass man-made materials. Bones function as living organs that secrete hormones which regulate mood and memory. Bone chemistry contributes to the mental benefits of physical movement and may influence dementia risk with aging. Recognizing the bone-brain relationship supports actionable choices—regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and proper nutrition—to optimize mental health. Popular perceptions treat the skeleton as a passive structure, but roughly 206 bones actively maintain mobility and physiological functions. Calcium and vitamin D remain central to bone maintenance.

Read at Psychology Today