According to the World Health Organisation, 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. If you’re one of those people, you shouldn’t feel any shame. You should get the help you need and take action to start feeling better. Here are 5 methods for fighting depression that might help!
Ways to Fight Depression
Talk To A Therapist
First of all, talk to a licensed mental health professional. You may feel nervous about seeing a therapist for the first time. You may not be sure where to find one. It is now easier than ever to find and see a therapist, with the help of sites like Thrivetalk.com. A lot of us may feel uncertain if therapy can help, but guess what? That self-doubt is your depression talking. The way that you feel isn’t something that you can battle alone. Self-medication, like alcohol, drugs, or overworking, won’t help.
Like a broken arm, depression is a health condition that you must get treated. You deserve the help you need to live a happier, more fulfilled life. If you had arthritis or were suffering from chronic headaches, you’d talk to your doctor. Your depression is no different. You deserve to feel better. In some cases, your doctor might recommend anti-depressant medications. The most common drugs prescribed for depression are SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Medication may help, but with your depression, but be aware that you might feel worse before you feel better again. Even with medication, it is essential that you undertake a comprehensive treatment plan for depression that includes therapy. Go to a therapist – talking to someone can really help you figure out what to do with the way that you’re feeling and work out how to express it in non-destructive ways.
Start Exercising
Exercise is something that can really help people with depression. There might be days when you’re full of energy and other days when you simply can’t get off the couch, and you should listen to your body to some extent. But the vast majority of the time, putting on your running shoes and going for a jog around the block will make you feel better. Not only will it release endorphins, otherwise known as happy hormones, that will flood through your body, but it will also make you feel as though you’ve accomplished something. Yoga has been proven to help in overcoming depression, so check out online videos or go along to local classes where you might even meet like-minded people that you can socialize with. Feeling better in your body will help you feel better in your mind too.
Find A New Hobby
Everyone has different ways of tackling their mental illness. However, one thing that strikes many people with depression is that they tend to get mired in their thoughts. This can be like quicksand for your mind and keep you from taking action on anything. That means that it could be time to develop a new hobby. That might be getting really, really immersed in a new TV show, learning to knit or sew, making your own costumes so that you can cosplay at conventions, making your own elderflower wine, painting watercolor landscapes, or baking incredible cakes. The list goes on, but the point is that diverting your attention to something else, something that’s productive and keeps your mind busy, will absolutely help you when you’re starting to feel low.
Recognize Your Self Destructive Thoughts
When you have depression, your mind will be incredibly sneaky and start telling you things that simply aren’t true. Some typical narratives include: you aren’t attractive, that you shouldn’t be alive, that you’re useless, that you’re bad at your job, or that your friends don’t like you. It’s important to recognize these thoughts for what they are, which is your sneaky depression telling you lies and making you feel bad about yourself. It can be difficult to break away from your self-destructive thoughts, but it’s important to make sure that you don’t make any decisions based on them. It’s typically not a great idea to quit a job where you generally do just fine or missing out on seeing friends who love and care about you. Use concrete examples like messages from friends or results you’ve seen at work or the fact your parents love you to combat your self-destructive thoughts and remind yourself that you are worthwhile, loved, and worthy of happiness.
Practice Self Care
Finally, when you’re suffering from depression it’s important to remember that you must take care of yourself. However, that doesn’t mean giving in to every whim, canceling plans, and eating comfort food. Caring for yourself starts with the basics, like getting out of bed, showering, wearing clean clothes, and getting some fresh air. Contact your friends, exercise, and eat fresh food instead of ordering pizza. Remember that you don’t have to cook much to be healthy. Carrot sticks and hummus are a great and easy snack. Simple lunches like egg salad sandwiches on whole wheat bread and a banana are both easy and healthy. No matter what you like to eat, ensure you get enough protein, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates. Listen to your body – get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, keep yourself clean, and exercise frequently.
Conclusion
Depression can negatively impact your life, but you should ensure that it doesn’t take your life away from you. Listening to yourself and taking care of yourself are some of the most important things you can do. Getting help from a licensed mental health professional is the best way to combat chronic depression.