Depression is more than just a bout of the blues. It isn’t a weakness, nor is it anything one can simply “snap out” of. It’s a serious mental health disorder that requires understanding, treatment, and a good dose of self-care. If you’re struggling with depression, this blog is dedicated to you. Here are some self-help strategies that aided my journey.
Reach Out And Stay Connected
If you’re struggling with depression, it can be hard to know what to do. It’s natural to feel like the world is against you, but there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.
Reaching out to those around you, Dr Michael Vivian says, is a great way to start. Even if you think that someone else will be more helpful than yourself, remember that reaching out and staying connected is important for your mental health and overall wellbeing. It also helps keep your friends and family in your life, which can be difficult when you’re feeling down.
Another thing to try is identifying any triggers for your depression. This might mean taking a look at what triggers your depression before going on an outing or meeting with friends or family members in order to prepare yourself for the situation ahead of time rather than reacting emotionally once inside the situation itself has occurred.
Get Moving
If you’re feeling depressed, Dr Michael Vivian says you should take care of yourself. One of the best ways to do that is to get moving.
While exercise can be good for your physical health—and your mood!—it can also boost your mental well-being. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and other natural substances that make you feel good and makes you more alert. This is why people who exercise regularly have been shown to have lower levels of depression.
In addition, exercising makes you feel better about yourself: You see how much better you look or how much stronger your body has become, which boosts your self-confidence and lets you see what’s possible for yourself if only you try hard enough.
Do Things That Make You Feel Good
It’s a common problem, and one that can get in the way of your life and relationships. But there are things you can do to help yourself, even if you feel like there’s nothing left to do. Here are a few simple tips for tackling depression:
Do things that make you feel good. Don’t let depression hold you back from doing what makes you happy! It might sound silly, but try exercising or taking up an instrument, or joining a sports team or club where you’ll meet other people who love doing the same things as you. You’ll be surprised at how much better your mood can get when you take care of yourself by doing something that makes you feel good about yourself!
Eat A Healthy Diet
What you eat has a direct effect on the way you feel. Try to cut off the intake of foods that can adversely affect your mood, such as caffeine, alcohol, and foods with high levels of chemical preservatives.
