Depression is not easy to live with, but there are things you can do in order to feel better about yourself. Depression makes it hard to do what you need to do to start feeling better, though. It can drain your energy, drive, and hope. Overcoming depression is not quick or easy, but it is possible.
If you’re dealing with depression, create a positive social circle. The more people you have in your life to support you, the better off you’ll be when you are feeling down. In addition, having people who expect you to do things with them prevents you from staying home and wallowing.
Become more physically active. A healthy body is a necessity for a healthy mind. In addition to the obvious health benefits, exercising releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It is these chemicals that give rise to the term “runner’s high”. It is a natural high, one that is safe and even healthy to become addicted to!
Exercise is one of the best tools to help combat depression. Leading an active, physical lifestyle will help you to alleviate stress and increase your endorphin levels. The next time you feel sad, instead of wallowing in your depression, or engaging in negative activities like drinking alcohol or overeating, try going for a nice long walk or bike ride, and you will be amazed at how much better you feel.
One way to deal with depression is to fake it till you make it. Try to act as though you are not depressed. Really give it a good try and force yourself too. Imagine that you are not depressed and eventually it will come to pass. Basically you are tricking your mind, because if you do it enough, your brain will not know that it is depressed.
When depression hits, take the time to count your blessings. No matter if you are sad, or possibly angry, be thankful for what you do have and what you have going for you. There are people in this world who would gladly exchange their place for yours and not take the gifts that you have been given for granted. With a gracious attitude and positive thoughts, depression cannot survive.
A great tip for anyone battling depression is to build an encouraging, supportive social structure. Try to be warm and positive toward those you encounter and work on involving others in the things you enjoy. By doing this, you will be able to avoid dwelling on feelings of sadness, which will lessen the sensation of helplessness that you may have experienced in the past.
A handy tip for depression sufferers is to eat a variety of healthy, energizing foods. Depression can be exacerbated by diets full of sugar and other empty calories. Choosing fresh, organic produce can help lift one’s spirits and can provide life-affirming nutrients that are vital for good, physical as well as mental health.
For those who suffer from depression, get your spouse or partner to do the housework. It is important that you relax and avoid activities that could make your depression worse. If you feel bad about putting all of the responsibilities on to your spouse, offer to do the housecleaning one week and ask them to do it the next.
Being alone is not the solution to beating depression. Many people feel like being by themselves when they are depressed, which just gives them the time to sit and dwell on negative things. If you do not feel like being around a large crowd, have your best friend come over to watch a movie.
Know how depressed you are. Depression can be described in a number of progressions, from mild to severe clinical depression. It may be reasonable light, and therefore people may not even realize it is depression. You may just feel less interested in life than you used to be, but more serious depression will have a definite impact on your entire life. Clinical depression is severe and it may cause the sufferer to have behavioral changes that include becoming disinterested in the world around them. You need to let your therapist or doctor know how you have been feeling.
When it comes to dealing with your depression, do not forget the things that you used to enjoy doing. This is important because sometimes the key lies in keeping active with things that you have done throughout your life. Keep in mind that you may actually need to push yourself or have somebody else push you into doing these activities.
As you can see, it is possible to make a huge dent in depression with some easy lifestyle changes. Feeling better will take you some time, but you can get to where you would like to be if you will make positive choices each day and have the support of others.
