It can be very hard to get up and make yourself want to do anything when you’re depressed. Even the simplest tasks can seem like the largest chores. It’s all too easy to stay wrapped up in your depression and curl up in your bed and do nothing. However, if you can make yourself do just a few of these easy ways you can alleviate depression, you might just see your spirits lifted.
Natural Ways to Alleviate Depression
1. Find a hobby and set aside time to devote to it each day. Good hobbies are ones that need you to at least slightly concentrate on what you’re doing so that it’s less likely that your mind will wonder off and start thinking about things that depress you, stress you out, or make you anxious. You might try knitting or crocheting, jigsaw or crossword puzzles, video and computer games, or you might even try physical sports.
2. Find something that makes you laugh and enjoy it daily. There are tons of things on the Internet that are funny, so this one is easy. There’s something for all types of humor out there so just look around until you find your niche. You can subscribe to a daily joke email, look at funny videos on YouTube, or find a new sitcom on TV or DVD that makes you grin.
3. Make sure you’re eating healthy. Subsisting on leftover pizza and ice cream might make you feel better in the short term, but long term it can actually be damaging your recovery from depression. Try to drink plenty of water, and eat plenty of lean proteins supplemented with vegetables and fruits. Depression can make you under or over eat, so be mindful of your hunger levels and acknowledge the effect they have on your well being.
4. Start a Worry Journal. It’s easy to dwell on your problems and watch your depression spiral out of control as you do so. Try keeping a worry journal, in which you write down what is troubling you. Then shut the book and walk away from your worry for a while. If you need to come back, then try to write down under your worry how serious you think the worry is (you can use a scale of 1 to 10), and possible solutions to your worry. The important thing is that you make the worry live in the journal and not in your head so that you aren’t dwelling on your issues.
5. Use vitamin supplements to get yourself on the road to health. If you don’t want to use prescription drugs for your alleviate depression, taking St. Johns Wort might be able to help you with your systems. You might also consider taking a Vitamin D supplement or trying to get more sun so that your body makes Vitamin D naturally. It’s important to note that you should check with your health professional before adding any supplements, especially if you are already on any medications.
6. Don’t shut yourself off from the world. It can be hard to socialize with other people when you are deeply depressed, but just the simple act of meeting with a trusted friend for a little while can lift your spirits. Even if you don’t feel like talking with anyone, just try to go to a social setting such as a museum or park and people watch. You’ll be surprised what being around other people can do for your mood.
8. Get your physical pain managed. If you experience chronic pain, it can really affect your mood, and when you’re depressed, your pain will seem more pronounced. Work closely with your doctor to see what can be done to manage your pain symptoms.
9. Get a pet if you don’t have one, play with yours if you do. People who are depressed and then get a dog or cat often have a remarkable decrease in symptoms. Pets love unconditionally, and the fact that you have something that loves you who depends on you for survival will help keep you from remaining in bed all day.
9. Exercise. This is probably the most difficult thing on the list for those that are depressed, but study after study has shown that exercise helps alleviate depression symptoms. Even if you just go for a daily walk in your local park, getting up and being active will help you manage your alleviate depression symptoms.
Getting over your depression requires an effort on your part, but even if you do small things, you can see an improvement in your quality of life.