Although prolonged or severe depression is best dealt with via professional means, there are things in your daily life you can work on which will help to alleviate depression. The following article suggests some very valuable coping mechanisms you can employ to see you through the toughest of days.
Healthy Habits for Reducing Alleviate Depression
1. Strengthen your healthy relationships. Those people who are really worth knowing, who add so much good to our lives and make us better people are the ones you should be spending more time with. Misery does indeed love company, and hanging out with miserable or negative people will just bring you down.
2. Don’t hide away. Due to the overwhelming nature of depression, we feel the need to be anti-social and self-protective. Depression is stressful and going out into the world can add to that stress but if you learn to overcome that fear and initial anxiety, you will find medicinal value in your social life! Even a smile from a stranger, offering a lost traveler directions or an elderly person your seat on the bus can be a bright spot in your day that picks you up so get out there.
3. Start a journal. Few things are more therapeutic than pouring your heart out on paper! If you are angry, hurt or confused, spelling it out for yourself can help you mentally work it out and resolve issues. A journal is appropriate and helpful to anyone at any age, in any profession or of either gender. Journaling is one of the oldest forms of medicine and self-help there is.
4. Get the sleep you need. Depression can invade our sleep if we let it, further perpetuating the condition. If you wake up exhausted and deprived, you’re not going to be capable of battling depression! Avoid resting or napping during the day too much, as this will interfere with your regular sleep pattern. Make sure your room is set up for the best possible sleep and don’t use chemicals or substances as sleep aids.
5. Try Yoga or meditation. Relaxation is key to fighting depression and should be practiced every day. Learning to unwind and release tension keeps the pressure from building up! Whatever tactic suits your fancy, try and become a master of it. This provides you with a strong sense of accomplishment, belonging and confidence that you have the power over your thoughts!
6. Get an animal. Even a small aquarium can give you a lot of joy. Nurturing something is rewarding and can easily take your mind off the troubles of the day. Fish are very relaxing, fascinating to watch easy to take care of, not to mention being allowed in nearly every living arrangement! If a dog or cat is more your style, and circumstances permit it, stop by your local pound or shelter. Don’t be surprised if you meet a new best friend, four-legged soul mate or somebody that otherwise really adds value and love to your life!
7. Get into shape. Working out gets rid of our accumulative negative energy. It helps out metabolism, which in turn can regulate moods more. It can be an opportunity to socialize too. It’s already healthy for so many reasons, knowing it can help your alleviate depression is yet another incentive.
Curing depression may be best left to the professionals, but there are so many things we can do for ourselves each and every day. Learn more about the ways in which you can off-set the effects of depression and the impact alleviate depression has on your life.