Six Tips For Managing Depression

Posted on December 20, 2013 Written by

Experiencing “the blues” once in a while is normal, especially after a traumatic or stressful event like the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. Depression, however, is a serious and debilitating condition that must be addressed as soon as possible. Here are some tips for managing depression and coping when a depressive episode strikes.

Six And True Tips For Managing Depression

Managing Depression1. Seek professional help for depression symptoms that last longer than a week. Feelings of malaise, hopelessness, worthlessness and sadness should not go unchecked. Find a therapist, psychiatrist or another mental health professional who can help you with talk therapy, medications, or a combination of approaches. If you aren’t sure where to turn, ask your local health department, hospital, family doctor or another resource for options in your area. If you have any thoughts of suicide, how to managing depression helpline – call 911 or go immediately to an emergency room for help.

2. Tell a friend or loved one how you are feeling. While speaking up about your depression can be extremely difficult, having someone to whom you can turn is important. You may need some help with housework, cooking, caring for your children, or getting to and from your appointments, and your family and friends can help you with these responsibilities if you cannot managing depression on your own. Do not attempt to keep your struggles to yourself for fear of burdening others; those who love you most would never want you to suffer alone.

3. Find a “happy place” that you can easily visit. A serene park, a quiet coffee shop, the library or any place that makes you feel calm and peaceful can be a welcome refuge when you are depressed. Getting out of the house is important, even if you don’t feel up to interacting with others. If you do feel like being social, consider volunteering at a nursing home, animal shelter, soup kitchen or another place where you feel valued and important. This can boost your self-esteem and give you a social outlet.

4. Do not self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Unlike medications prescribed by your doctor, alcohol and drugs provide only short-lived relief. These substances, especially those that depress your central nervous system, can make you feel even worse. They can also lead to addiction, compounding your problems even further.

5. Know that you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. The chances are good that someone in your own family, circle of friends, or workplace has dealt with it, too, whether directly or indirectly. Don’t assume that no one knows what you’re going through or that they won’t understand.

6. Remind yourself that your depression is not your fault. Depression is not something that you can control, will away, or bring on yourself, so avoid blaming yourself. This will only worsen your feelings and make it more difficult to recover.

Beating depression takes time, help for managing depression, and patience, but you can recover from your illness and rediscover what it feels like to be happy. Use these steps to help you find the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Lifting Yourself Out of Depression

Posted on December 12, 2013 Written by

When you have depression, it can seem like your life is over. You don’t want to go anywhere, and you don’t want to do anything. It seems that no one understands what you’re really going through, and that no one cares. However, depression is something you can handle. Here are some ways to lift yourself out of the depression you’re feeling.

How to Lift Yourself Out of a Depression

Depression1. Set realistic goals for yourself every day. You may not want to leave your bed, and it might take all of your energy to get yourself to work everyday. However, set goals for yourself to accomplish. Make the goals simple; for example, a goal of cooking a homecooked meal and washing the dishes might be a good one. When you are able to conquer these minor goals, you can take on bigger ones.

2. Shower and take care of your personal hygiene. A lot of people who have depression simply lack the energy to do these things sometimes. Make a point of showering and styling your hair every day, and you will discover how much better it feels to go through your day when you have cared for yourself.

3. Get out of your house. The favorite location of the depressed person is their home. It is comfortable and they do not have to deal with anyone else. However, staying at home allows you to fundamentally “stew in your own juices”. Even if it is just a few times a week, take an effort to try something new or to do activities you enjoy. Don’t stay locked away in your house; your life is going by!

Don’t Let Depression Take Over Your Life

4. Don’t make serious decisions by yourself if you can help it. When you are feeling depressed, it can be hard to make big decisions. If you can help it, try waiting for your personal circumstances to turn around. Depression can hang over your life, and cause you to see things in a way you may not otherwise. Not only that, it can make you less able to handle the ramifications of anything that happens as a result of your decision-making.

5. Try gratitude. When you are depressed, everything seems bleak. However, it may be a matter of perspective. Every day, look for 5 things that you are grateful for, or things that are going well in your life. If you can’t think of five things, start with one.

6. Make sure you get enough sleep. You may feel sleeping is a luxury for people who don’t have much to do, but you are wrong. Sleeping is as important as eating well and taking care of yourself. If you don’t have the proper sleep, you will not be able to handle stress appropriately, and not and what is more, you will be less likely to be able to perceive stress in a good way. Make sure you get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Depression can be hard to live with, but if you take the time to apply these tips to your life, you may soon see light at the end of the tunnel.

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Learn to Fight Back Against Depression

Posted on December 5, 2013 Written by

Depression can feel almost impossible to manage, but that is just part of the disease. Managing symptoms can help you feel better quickly, even if they are not permanent solutions. Take the time to try these steps on bad days, to get yourself feeling back on track.The following read this article to fight back against depression.

How To Fight Back Against Depression

Fight Back Against DepressionDepression does not have to be a lonely venture. Many people experience it at some point in their lives, and know what you may be going through. Even if they have not, they can still be helpful. Developing positive friendships with others can help you talk things out, or simply be a good reminder that people care. These relationships can pull you out of a deep sadness, so make friends!

Having friends is a great way to beat depression, but you also have to work at it. Take up invitations to go out and do something, rather than just sit at home alone. These people really do want your company, and getting out can give you new perspectives on the issues that may be bothering you. Make an effort to spend time with people you care about, and you will feel better very quickly.

Sometimes when you have depression, you begin to feel overwhelmed with how sad and lost you feel. Writing down the negative thoughts can help you understand what is actually going on, and why you feel the way you do. Get a diary or journal, and write down whatever negative thoughts you are feeling. When you look back at it later, you can analyze where your mind was. Doing this can help you ease yourself out the next time the thoughts appear.

Depression can take advantage of you most when you are mentally exhausted. Sleep can help make your mind stronger and more resistant to such attacks. Getting a full night’s rest is imperative to mentally fighting depression, and has the added bonus of making you better able to perform other techniques fight back against depression.

Benefits of Regular Exercise & Physical Activity

Mental exhaustion appears in other forms than just tiredness, including nervousness, frustration, and tension. To keep your mind and body sharp and calm, learn relaxation steps and use them as often as necessary. These methods should be done at least once a day, and can range from things like yoga to simple breathing exercises.

Animals are well known for their intuitive actions and their relaxing effect on humans. Taking time to play with a dog or pet a cat can instantly make your day seem brighter. If you do not have a pet, you can brighten your mood even further by caring for an animal that needs help, such as those at the animal shelters. You can even offer to care for pets whose owners are out of town.

Keeping your body in shape is just as important and helpful as your mind. Exercising regularly has great physical benefits, but many people neglect to mention the mental positives that come with it. When you exercise, your mind produces mood-boosting chemicals that can stifle depression’s negativity. Exercise at least daily to give yourself that edge.

Being healthy is so important to fighting depression. Sunlight helps your body produce needed vitamins and boosts your mood by producing enhancing chemicals. With both of these in effect, your mood can go up drastically just by spending a little time outside. Just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!

Depression is not an easily curable disease, and should not be thought of as such. Beating the symptoms of depression is much simpler. The techniques you just read will help you boost your mood and allow you to feel a little more like yourself, which is exactly what you want. Never try to treat depression without a doctor’s help. These tips are meant to be used with the doctor’s advice, and will help make your treatment seem easier, faster, and more beneficial.

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Seven Helpful Tips To Curb Your Depression

Posted on November 25, 2013 Written by

Life can sometimes overwhelm us, and it’s all too easy to shrink away from it all and become depressed. If the blues are getting you down, consider the following seven ways to curb your depression.

7 Ways to Curb Depression With Support Groups

Curb Your Depression1. Talk it over. A trusted friend, understanding loved one or even an online support group with strangers can be a very helpful in unraveling the blues that have bound you. Most especially when we discuss our problems with someone who has gone through similar circumstances, that ability to relate to a fellow human can be strong medicine.

2. Try a new exercise routine. Physical activity can positively stimulate the brain and body, and may be just what you need to shake mild depression. The sense of accomplishment can really boost your self-esteem and getting involved with a workout can get your mind off things.

3. Treat yourself special. We all have wounds to lick at one point or another, so don’t feel ashamed that you’re blue. Instead, find some nice pic-me-up, such as one you would do for a friend who is down in the dumps. Give yourself some extra TLC, time to recoup and maybe that new CD or pair of stilettos you’ve been wanting.

4. Head to your local library. This quiet place has plenty of rules to maintain order and predictability, yet it’s right out there in public. This is a good way to get yourself out of the house without being overwhelmed, and a nice time to catch up on reading. Most library’s offer different activities at all kinds of levels, from kids to collegiate and beyond, so there is sure to be something useful and enjoyable to redirect your depression, even if it’s just temporary.

5. Do a writing exercise! Sit down with a pen and two sheets of paper. On one piece, write down everything bad that you are feeling and on the other, everything good. Crunch up the bad list and toss it in the trash! Hang the good one on the fridge or keep it on your nightstand as a positive reminder and source of encouragement.

6. Try volunteering. If you are finding crowds or strangers overwhelming at this time, look for ways you can help with animals. Otherwise, reading a book or newspaper to an elder in a nursing home or serving food at a soup kitchen can be a very therapeutic way to help others, and yourself.

7. Pick up a new hobby. Try your hand at oil painting or a ceramics class. Join a book club that meets to discuss the juicy details of sizzling novels, or sign-up for kickboxing! Any healthy activity that distracts you from the blues may very well help you get over them.

Sometimes simply redirecting yourself away from what is getting you down and on to bigger and better things can really help to curb depression. If you find yourself staying depressed or severely depression, it’s time to seek professional help. Use the above tips to shake your blues and start enjoying life again – it’s too short not to!

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It’s Time to Stop Letting Your Depression Win

Posted on November 13, 2013 Written by

Everyone feels down from time to time, but if you are having a problem functioning in your daily life, then you need to take care of the problem. Depression may not be easy to treat, but there are many treatments that may help. This article has many ways to try and get your depression under control.

Get Your Depression Under Control

DepressionTry to fight off your negative thoughts. Focusing on the negative elements of life can actually cause depression all on its own. If you are depressed for another reason, dwelling on your problems definitely will not help. Instead, focus on a positive mantra or use pleasant imagery to redirect your attention. This will help “retrain” your brain to think positively.

Get up and get active. Participating in a hobby can be a great way to rediscover happiness. It might be time to take up an activity that you’ve always wanted to try. Regardless of how you are feeling, you should try and stay social. Humans are social creatures, and you need to fulfill that need, even if you don’t always feel like it.

List out the things that are bothering you. Cross out the things you have no control over, and focus on the things you can change. Plan out how you will remove your biggest stressors. Little by little, pick away at these problems. This can help stop you from feeling overwhelmed by your problems. You can even reach out to friends or family if you need help.

Try to minimize self destructive behavior. These behaviors feed your depression. You need to stay strong and fight. Isolating yourself, self-pity, or constantly complaining will do nothing to solve your problems. Drugs or alcohol need to be avoided as well.

Make sure you are reasonable in your expectations. If your goals are set too high, you will have difficulty finding success in your efforts. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have lofty goals, it just means that you need to have a proper plan for achieving them. Start by setting small goals and achieving them. As your confidence grows, you can start working towards things that are increasingly difficult.

The Causes of Depression

If there as an immediate cause for your depression, such as a death or other major life event, don’t be afraid to acknowledge your feelings. It is normal to have difficulty when you are experiencing a large amount of stress. Take a couple days to work through your emotions, and then focus on moving on.

There is a time where you should seek help from a professional. If you are having difficulty functioning in daily life for more than a few weeks, or are considering hurting yourself, it is time to get help from others. These people are not there to shame or judge you. Their only goal is to help you get better.

Don’t let depression ruin your life. There are better things to do with your time than wallowing in darkness. If home treatment does not help, seek assistance from a pro. You can live life without depression, you just have to find the way.

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Homeopathic Ways Of Curing Your Depression

Posted on October 25, 2013 Written by

Depression hits all of us from time to time. The severity of your depression will somewhat decide how intensive your therapy needs for curing your depression. For some mild cases of the blues, sitting at home with comfort food and sweat pants can do the trick.

Homeopathy Curing Your Depression

Curing Your DepressionIn order to find out to curing your depression first you have to realize what does it exactly mean – cure a depression. In our previous posts (stress and migraine issues, thinking positive) you could read how important is a “state of mind”. In this topic it means you have to strengthen your mind in order to way of curing your depression.

The first thing you should do for curing your depression when you are feeling down, is to focus on your diet. So much of how we feel is determined by the foods that we eat. Cut out the drive through, fast food, take out, pre packaged and frozen foods that you may currently be eating. Instead, focus on making home made meals full of whole grains, veggies, fruit and lean protein.

Get up and moving. It seems like the last thing you want to do when you feel depressed, but just going for a walk, hitting the gym, or taking a bike ride can really boost your mood. Not only does it get you out into the fresh air, but it also boosts seratonin levels in your brain, which is the good feeling you get when you’re in love.

Sleep is a tight line here. You need to get enough of it in order to function normally. Too much sleep though can be just as damaging. Don’t stay at home in bed all day under the ruse that sleeping is good for curing your depression. A solid 8 to 10 hours is all you need.

How to Deal With Negative People Who Bring You Down

Give yourself a goal each day. Sometimes we don’t have any motivation when we are depressed. If you don’t force yourself to be at least a little productive, nothing will get done, and you may just sink deeper and deeper. Give yourself one goal each day to accomplish. It could be as simple and doing a load of laundry, or as much as grocery shopping or organizing your closet.

Don’t let yourself stay at home and feel sorry for yourself. While you don’t have to party non stop, make sure that you do spend time with friends and family. The presence of others can be very comforting. Be selective in who you are around though. Don’t hang out with someone else who is also depressed, or those who put you down or stress you out.

If the source of your stress is a break up or end of a relationship, don’t hang out around other couples exclusively. If you’re depressed about your job, try to find others who are also job hunting to be around. Avoid the stress in your life that has you depressed (if you know what it is that is causing your depression).

Mild depressions can easily take a turn and become something much more severe if you don’t take steps right away to work on it. If you feel as though you can’t function in your daily life, seek the help of a medical or therapeutic professional.

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What To Do If You Suspect That You’re Suffering From Depression

Posted on October 20, 2013 Written by

While “the blues” come and go in everyone’s life, depression is a serious illness that can affect nearly every facet of your life. If you suspect that you are suffering from depression, here are some ways that you can address your feelings and start down the road toward recovery.

Suffering From Depression | I Need a Therapist

Suffering From DepressionIf you feel depressed suddenly or for more than a week, seek professional help promptly. You may be suffering from depression, and you don’t have to “wait it out” or try to dig yourself out on your own. A therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist can help you cope through medication, counseling or a combination of these approaches. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, however, you should seek IMMEDIATE help. Go to the emergency room, call yourself an ambulance, or ask a trusted friend or relative to get you professional assistance.

Confide in supportive friends or family. Muddling through a bout of depression alone can make everything feel even more bleak, so having a support network in place is a smart idea. These trusted loved ones can assist you in finding help or with caring for yourself or your family while you are being treated. Depression is more common than you might think, and the perspective of those who have been through it themselves and have made it to the other side can be especially helpful during this time.

Find your “happy place.” That might sound like frivolous advice, but having a relaxing, serene location that you can visit is a healthy way to boost your mood and get you out of the house. Perhaps you like to run at an empty track, visit residents of a nursing home, stroll though your favorite park, or sit at a quiet coffee shop; no matter where your special spot is, frequent visits can help you get through each day, week, and month.

Avoid Using Alcohol or Drugs

At least those that are not prescribed to you–as crutches. While using substances may temporarily lift your mood or numb you to your depression, they will never chase it away. If you become addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs or other substances, the withdrawal symptoms may actually compound your depression, making it even more difficult to get well.

Above all, remind yourself every day that you are not alone, and that your depression is not your fault. Suffering from depression is a disease that affects millions of people every year, and most of the time, it occurs without any rhyme or reason. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and while that can be hard to see in the thick of a depressive fog, that shred of hope can help you tackle each day as it comes.

It’s normal to feel sad now and then, but when constant feelings of hopelessness and despair creep in, you are probably suffering from depression. Use the coping strategies in this article to find help and deal with your feelings as you recover from your illness, and always remember that it truly does get better.

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Hope And Healing For Depression Sufferers

Posted on September 24, 2013 Written by

Although millions of men and women of all ages battle depression at any given time, mental illnesses are often considered somewhat taboo as a topic for discussion. This way of thinking is common, but it can also be deadly. This article outlines some of the basic strategies that have helped others to succeed and live a happy, healthy life. Look for opportunities to try each one out over the course of the day until you find one that works best for you.

Battle Depression & Mental illnesses

DepressionMany people find that joining a support group is helpful. Participating in these groups benefits you because you are surrounded by people from all backgrounds who are fighting the same challenges that you are. In most cases, you can find a support group with local roots that will allow you to more closely interact with the community. If you are unable to travel outside of your home, you also have the option to join an online support group. These sites offer both structured and unstructured tools and methods for battling your symptoms and allow you to connect with people from all over the world.

Another popular approach is to focus on structuring and planning your days, although some prefer to plan out an entire week in advance. Creating a schedule helps you to stay on task and remain productive rather than letting boredom and discontent get the best of your emotional health. For example, you might consider adding in a regular activity like exercise, volunteer work or even meditation. Setting aside specific time slots to devote to these activities makes you more likely to make it through the day without any overwhelming episodes.

It is not uncommon for people with depression to hide their condition and concerns from their friends and family. Unfortunately, keeping something so important locked inside often has serious consequences. Discussing your feelings and progress with another person–a family member, counselor or spiritual adviser–helps to promote the healing process and prevent you from withdrawing even further into yourself.

Symptoms Lethargy Depression

Need motivation to hit the gym? Apathy and lethargy are key symptoms of depression, but they can be overcome by including exercise and physical activities into your lifestyle. Numerous studies have shown that even a half-hour of physical activities every day can have a significant impact on the severity and frequency with which they experienced their most problematic symptoms. Mood elevation AND a great chance to become more fit? What’s not to love about that! You might also consider joining a sports team to work in your physical fitness. You’ll benefit from the new friendships with your teammates and will find yourself looking forward to your next practice.

Instead of letting depression define you, fight back! It’s time to cast off your preconceived notions of this common disorder and face the issues that may have been keeping you from getting the help you need. It may be difficult or even overwhelming at first, but millions of men and women have discovered that overcoming depression IS possible and that it can be achieved either with or without taking prescription medications. Smile!

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Great Tips For Battling Depression

Posted on September 4, 2013 Written by

Millions of people suffer from depression. It can be a very debilitating condition to have to live with, but you can lessen the symptoms you feel each day. Below, you will find some great tips to help you live a relatively normal life with battling depression.

How can you live a normal life with depression?

DepressionYour social life can affect how you feel. If you are constantly surrounded by negative people or negative situations, you are going to feel worse. Do your best to maintain a positive social life. Make the necessary changes if you find that your surroundings and people you spend your time with are negatively impacting your mood.

Take up some hobbies. Sitting around the house or going to work and coming home to nothing will make the days drag on. Find things that you look forward to each day. If you can find something that brings joy into your life, you will feel much better when you are doing it.

Practice positive thinking. If you find yourself thinking negatively about a particular person or situation, try your best to find the positive instead. You have the power to change the way you think about a situation. You just have to muster the mental strength to do it.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The personal problems you have in your life could be contributing to your symptoms of depression. Do what you can to pinpoint the problems in your life that you can fix. If you can eliminate even a few things that cause you to feel badly each day, it will make a substantial difference.

Set goals for yourself, but be realistic when you do. If you set goals that are unrealistic, you are setting yourself up for a big letdown. If your daily expectations are beyond what you can actually achieve, you will feed your depression.

Making changes to your lifestyle could lessen the severity of your symptoms. The choices you make, the way that you dress, the places you go and the people you socialize with are all a part of your lifestyle. If any of those things make you unhappy, make changes.

A healthier diet is something to consider. If you are putting garbage into your body, it is not going to make you feel any better. You might not be sure of the kinds of foods will benefit you, but if you talk with a dietician or do some research, you will find that some foods contain nutrients that will lessen the symptoms of depression.

Get active every day. You could just take a half hour out of each day to go for a walk. Getting your blood pumping will help get the chemicals flowing through your body that will naturally boost your mood.

Stay away from alcohol. Sure, you might think that it makes you feel better to unwind after a rough day, but alcohol is a known depressant. This does not mean that you cannot ever have another drink, but try to avoid drinking when you are alone or when you are feeling low.

The negative effects that depression has on a person can be hard to live with. Start making changes in your life so you can enjoy the days you have to live.

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Techniques That Can Help You Conquer Depression

Posted on August 24, 2013 Written by

There are times in everyone’s life when things simply become too daunting, and depression begins to take hold. Fortunately, a great deal of facts and advice are available for anyone who needs assistance in battling their feelings of depression. The techniques that follow are a great place to start.

How to Manage and Conquer Depression

DepressionWhen an overwhelming sense of depression begins to settle over your daily life, consider reaching out to another human being. Whether you choose to speak with a friend, family member or someone at an anonymous depression hotline, having another person to act as a sounding board for your problems may be extremely valuable. You may find that once you actually articulate your situation to someone else, you will see that your dilemmas are far more manageable than you originally believed.

Anytime a bout of depression looms on the immediate horizon, make a conscious effort to increase your level of physical activity. Exercise has been scientifically shown to be a successful mood enhancer and can work to quiet to unsettled thoughts plaguing your mind. Not only will you achieve a calmer mental state, you will likely be pleased with the visible results your workouts provide.

When you feel as though life is too much to handle, take some time to pamper yourself. Treating yourself to something you love, whether it be a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers or a long walk on the beach, is a great way to recalibrate your frame of mind. You may find that the unpleasant, overwhelming emotions you had been feeling will simply begin to melt away, or at the very least, seem far less severe.

The tools for combating depression

Diligently maintaining a journal of your thoughts and feelings can be an extremely useful tool for combating depression. Take the time to record your innermost emotions and concerns each day. When you find that you have created a collection of particularly negative or anxiety-filled notations, make a point to toss them into the trash can. By saving only the positive, you can ensure that your focus remains on constructive topics and feelings.

Though depression can sometimes leave you wanting to nothing but stay home in bed with the blinds drawn, getting out into the world and doing something useful can make all the difference. Performing volunteer work is an especially useful strategy for keeping depression at bay. By actively engaging in work that aids others, you can shift your focus away from negative emotions and worries and onto the benefits you are able to confer on those who truly need assistance. It may be that exposure to those in extremely dire straits is what will ultimately help you gain the perspective you need to emerge from your own depression.

If you keep the advice in the preceding article in mind, you will succeed at keeping an active, engaged mind and body. While the tips above should not be used as substitutes in cases where formal therapy or pharmaceutical assistance is truly needed, they can go a long way toward ameliorating many of the depression symptoms from which you are suffering.

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