Posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 12:20 pm

Studying abroad is a fun and exciting journey; however once you are abroad it may be much more difficult than you originally expected. Not only are you in a new environment, but you are also away from the familiarity of family and friends.

Understandably, it is not uncommon for some students to experience depression. According to WebMD, depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include:

* Persistent sadness, pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex
* Difficulty concentrating and complaints of poor memory
* Worsening of co-existing chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
* Insomnia or oversleeping
* Weight gain or loss
* Fatigue, lack of energy
* Anxiety, agitation, irritability
* Thoughts of suicide or death
* Slow speech; slow movements
* Headache, stomachache, and digestive problems

To prevent depression, it is important to have a well-balanced diet, make time for exercise, and incorporate fun and relaxing activities into your new routine. While it may be tempting to try all of the restaurants nearby, it is more important to eat foods that are high in nutrients. Nutrients we all need include vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and even a small amount of fat.

Not only is your diet critical, but so is exercise. Physical exercise improve yourself image and there is the added bonus — your body releases a chemical called endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling and diminish the perception of pain. This can be the opportunity to do a local team sport where you can meet new people with similar interests.

Some individuals have even used St. John’s Wart as an herbal remedy to treat mild forms of depression. St. John’s Wart is a wild yellow flower considered to be a weed throughout most of the United States. It has been used for medical purposes in other parts of the world. Before taking St. John’s Wart, you should consult a medical professional.