Depression is something that sometimes goes away on its own after a while. But, why wait? And why take the risk that it might not? Instead, take five tactics to fight it now. Keep reading for five things to do while you are depressed.
5 Things To Do While You Are Depressed
Start making goals. Your depression is often a reaction to something in your life where perhaps you feel like a victim or a failure. Hope is essential when you are depressed. Think about why you feel bad. That tells you what would make you feel good. Think about that for a while, and then specify it. Do you feel depressed because of your weight? Think about running a marathon, but do not hold that thought too long. You do not want to make dramatic decisions when you are depressed, but you do want small victories that start building positive momentum to something that feels good.
To follow the marathon example, go for a walk. Just walk a half of a mile. Do that for three weeks until exercise is a habit. That is a victory. It is not a big one, but you do not need big ones to get out of depression, you just need small wins that habitually and organically lead you to bigger and better things.
Have your doctor check your body for cortisol levels. Sometimes, depression is a physical ailment in nature. Cortisol is released in reaction to stress. In terms of acute stress in fight or flight scenarios, this is a good thing. Over time though, it can be too much for the body and turn into depression. Learn how to manage acute stress so that you stop accumulating more chronic stress.
Consider how much sunlight you are getting. When your body does not get enough, it can release really high levels of the hormone melatonin. This hormone, in high levels, like cortisol, can kickstart depressive episodes. That is why insomniacs take the pill form to get to sleep. Lack of sunlight can also mean vitamin D deficiency, which impacts your nervous system too, directly relates to how you feel.
Watch what you eat. Certain foods contribute to depression, and these include processed white flours, sodas, sweets and anything caffeinated. However, you can focus on foods that fight depression and make you feel good. Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods are good mood-lifters. Salmon, sardines, mackerel, walnuts and ground flaxseeds are all good sources. Serotonin is a hormone that balances your moods, and it is created from vitamin B12 and folate, so eat foods high in these too.
Spend time with friends and loved ones. Talk out your feelings. Listen to the responses of those around you. You are not likely the only one feeling down right now and you can swap stories and decompress with someone else. Also, you might just find you are not actually depressed. You might find that everyone is in a glum mood right now, because of the economy or the weather or some crisis somewhere. You might even discover that you are just unhappy with the folks around you in life right now. In that case, pass the antidepressants and just find some new and happier friends.
Now that you have read this article, you know a handful of simple things to do while you are depressed. Depression is never a permanent condition, but for some the end of it is an accident, injury or suicide. You are a worthy being who deserves to be happy in life at all times, so never wait out depression. Use the steps in this article for things to do while you are depressed.