Depression can entail everything from “feeling blue” to feelings of profound sadness, anguish and hopelessness. No matter the severity of your illness, leaving it untreated can cause it to worsen. This article will outline Eight Ways you can take to help you manage your depression.
8 Ways To Manage Your Depression
1. First, you must acknowledge that you are suffering from depression. That is a difficult step for many, but the key to successfully recovering is admitting that your feelings are happening as the result of a serious, yet treatable, illness. Believing that you will cheer up in a few days, a few weeks or a few months is not enough, and denial will only prolong your misery.Continue read this article help you manage your depression.
2. Be honest with your loved ones about your struggles. It may be difficult for some friends and family members to understand your experiences and hardships, especially if they have never been depressed themselves. That said, depression is very common, and you probably have many allies who have struggled, too. Trusted friends and family can not only help you seek help or accompany you to appointments, but they may assist with cooking, childcare or other needs when you can’t handle them.
3. Try to lead a low-stress lifestyle. Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand, and stressful situations tend to exacerbate both. You may need to take some time off work, find a less stressful job, or seek help with household duties or other obligations, such as caring for a relative, at least temporarily. Reducing the amount of stress in your life can help you focus on your treatment and recovery.
4. Put your own needs first, at least sometimes. When you constantly place your well-being on the back burner for the sake of others, your mental health can certainly suffer. This is especially important if you provide constant care for your children or others; taking the occasional hot shower, sitting down to eat while dinner is still hot, and making time for yourself can all help you feel a little more human. Above all, remember that it’s hard to be a good parent, spouse, sibling, son/daughter or friend when you feel burnt out.
5. Eat well. On days when you feel like you are walking in a haze, eating “real” food can feel like a challenge, if you feel like eating at all. Depression can cause your appetite to both increase and decrease, leading to poor nutritional decisions that leave you feeling even more sluggish and wrung-out. Try to keep some healthy-but-easy meals and snacks around for the days when you don’t feel like cooking.
6. Follow good sleep hygiene. Depression can do a number on your sleep, but you can combat the effects with healthy sleep habits. Follow regular bedtimes and waking times, and avoid keeping computers, TVs or other electronics in your bedroom. These can be too stimulating for bedtime, and they may be tempting distractions when suffering from insomnia. If your depression causes severe insomnia, discuss it with your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe a sleeping pill.
7. Try to get some exercise. It may seem like the last thing in the world you want to do most days, but physical activity causes your body to release feel-good hormones called endorphins, which can provide a helpful boost to your mood. You will also feel more energetic and able to combat the sluggishness that often accompanies depression.
8. Most importantly, get some help. A good therapist or psychiatrist can help you treat your depression; there’s no reason to muddle through on your own or suffer in silence. You may need therapy, medications, or some combination of the two in order to feel better.
Useful some ways to help you manage your depression. Overcoming depression is generally not something to attempt on your own. When used in conjunction with therapy and/or medication, however, these tips can help you begin the healing process so you can feel more like yourself.