You may be affected by depression if you feel miserable and do not even want to get up in the morning. Sometimes depression is ignored or treated lightly, but doing so will only prolong the agony. It is best to confront depression head on in order to lesson the severity and duration of your depressed state. So keep reading and learn how to deal with depression.
One way to combat depression is to help yourself feel good. It sounds simple, but when life has gotten to the point that you find it difficult to get out of bed and get dressed in the morning, no matter how difficult or tiring it may be, hop in that shower and pick out a flattering outfit to wear for the day. Looking good will help you to feel good as well.
Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B in your diet if you suffer from depression. Having a deficiency of Vitamin B can cause depression symptoms to act up. Foods like leafy greens, beans, eggs, and chicken have Vitamin B. Also, there are supplements that you can take that contain this vitamin.
Change the bad habits in your life that keep you depressed. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself as you try to identify what these habits are. Try using positive thinking, assertiveness skills, and problem solving skills to tackle these negative habits and thoughts. Try using humor to deal with life’s problems too, instead of letting the negativity drown you.
People suffering from serious depression may benefit from eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or taking a fish oil supplement as part of their daily diet. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in good brain function. Good natural fish sources for omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, sardines, and canned tuna. Omega 3’s also play a key role in heart health, so the benefits to your body are very significant indeed!
Play dress up. Take the time in the morning to get yourself ready, even if you are not going anywhere. Putting on your good clothes, including shoes, can increase your confidence and your mood. Feeling sloppy and frumpy in old, stained clothes may be comfortable, but it does nothing for your mood.
Try to avoid being alone in your saddest moments. Whether you are talking to a trusted friend or just watching television with your spouse, being together with another person can often help you to feel as though you are not holding on to this entire problem yourself and this will alleviate some of the pain.
Becoming interested in the arts is a great way to help you beat your depression. If you like paintings or sculpture be sure to schedule lots of visits to local museums. Likewise if you like music be sure to visit as many concerts and shows as you are able to.
If you do not get the results you want when you take one anti-depressant medication, speak to your doctor about trying another. People respond differently to various anti-depressants, and some work for some people and not for others. It may take some trial and error until you find the medication that works to relieve your depression.
Maintain a happy outlook on life. Negative thoughts are always present in those with depression. Depressed people usually minimize any good things in their life, while happy people stay positive when they accept sadness as normal and fix whatever they can. When you’re positive people will want to be around you more so you won’t be as lonely.
Control your thinking at all times. Completely remove the word “depressed” from your vocabulary. Try changing the way you are thinking and instead just call it a “low mood.” Depression sounds so permanent and can make you feel stuck. If you see that you have “low moods,” you should also see that you have “high moods.”
Beat depression by developing your interests. Depression robs us by dampening our desire to pursue activities we used ot enjoy. Activities and various interests are critical to maintaining a happy, fulfilled frame of mind. Depression, worry, anger, anxiety and other negative emotions can be released through activities, especially if you do them whenever you feel bad.
Your diet can have a huge affect on how you feel and act. If you are even mildly depressed, you can be tempted to eat so called “comfort foods” that are basically empty carbs and calories. These foods will do nothing to boost your mood or make you feel better about yourself. Eat a proper diet, filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to optimize the benefits that diet can offer to your mood.
Depression is essentially a mood disorder, so some medical professionals treat it less seriously than they should. However, you’re very aware of the reality of your depression. Use what you have learned here to treat your depression so you can lead a better life.
