One of the difficult parts of life is surviving depression. Depression is more than just a transient phase of sorrow and anxiety. It doesn’t only affect your wellness but your health as well. You may feel like everything is working against your desires and plans for life. It may also feel like you’re stuck in one place, like a cave you cannot get out of.
In a nutshell, it can affect us badly. But being in depression doesn’t mean you have to give up hope of being okay. You must seek therapy and take medicines, but apart from these things, you must take command and try your best to get out of it even when you don’t feel like doing anything.
This blog presents a few tips that can help you get out of depression. As we said, take the steering wheel in your hands.
Take up a hobby
Being in depression, you may not feel like doing anything, let alone something you’d like. Remember, your mind is your greatest enemy in depression. It will prevent you from doing something that will make you feel better. But this is where you have to take control. Push through and take up a hobby – whether it is playing a guitar, working out, or painting. Following up on a hobby releases happy hormones, making you feel better.
Improve your sleeping habits
It’s common to be a night owl especially when you are depressed. This is where the correction is needed.
Remember, a good night’s sleep is your friend. It can make you feel better. Sleep on time and wake up on time.
If you feel difficulty sleeping, remember, it takes time to correct your sleeping habits. Your body is habitual to a sleeping schedule, it will take some time to adapt. So, stay consistent and be patient.
Refrain from using phones close to bedtime as blue light can disrupt your sleeping pattern. You may also follow these tips to improve your sleeping habits.
Stay connected with your friends
Loneliness can worsen things instead of making them better. You may feel like pushing everyone away and be cooped up in your shell. But this is what you do not have to do. Let it be a hard pill to swallow but you need people – be it your close friends, family or even a therapist. Keep the people you know you can trust close to you, let them be your support system.
Practice stopping negative thoughts
“I am not good enough”
“I can never be happy”
“I don’t deserve good things”
These may be some of the most common negative thoughts you may have. One of the most challenging aspects is dealing with them. You may feel like you cannot control them but just so you know you have more power than you think. It will take patience, consistency and a lot of hard work towards training your mind to think positively. Every time you have negative thoughts, stop and remind yourself to think positively. If need be, write it on your arms, or on papers you see all day long.
You may also take CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It works to change common patterns of negative thinking to treat depression. You can also consider reading self-help books to change your unhealthy thinking patterns.
Stay away from things that drain your energy
You have to be calm and positive – even if that includes cutting off all the toxicity from your life. This includes people who drain your energy, particularly those who say the wrong things or those who spoil your mood.
Staying away from the internet may also help if you find social media to be draining.
Take in sunlight
Being out in the sun is important even if the weather is harsh outside. The more you stay cooped up, the more you’ll have negative patterns.
Sunlight increases the release of serotonin, a happy hormone. It can help boost mood and help a person feel calm and focused.
Consider getting a pet
If you have been looking for a reason to get a pet, this is your reason. Having a pet can actually help. It can help with loneliness, decrease stress and make you feel loved.
Many studies link pet ownership with good mental health. A survey conducted by HABRI, which included 2,000 pet owners found that 3/4 of people have improved mental health because they owned pets.
Go for a walk and exercise
Your physical health improves your mental health. Exercising releases happy hormones like dopamine which improves mood and make you more energetic and productive. Including both exercising and walking can be extremely beneficial for your mental health.
Closing thoughts
Navigating depression can feel like an arduous journey, but following these tips can offer a glimmer of hope. Remember, seeking professional support is paramount, as therapists and mental health professionals can provide tailored strategies and interventions to aid in your recovery. Additionally, practicing self-compassion, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, cultivating a strong support network can collectively serve as powerful tools in managing depression. While the path to healing may be filled with challenges, know that you are not alone, and with perseverance and patience, brighter days lie ahead.
