One of the worst things that you can experience in this lifetime is having a major depressive disorder. According to Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., “Depression is an insidious, isolating disorder, which can sabotage relationships.” Being depressed can make you turn into an unlovable and sad individual. It can also set your world upside down because you will start to feel that you no longer have a purpose to fulfill in this world. What you are feeling right now is only typical for a person with depression, but it does not mean that you have to stay that way forever.
Consider yourself lucky because several experts in the field of mental health have already discovered effective methods on how people like you can handle depression. We have decided to list down some of these tips so that you can use them as you embark on a journey of treating your mental health problems. These are the methods you need to familiarize now:
Write Journal Entries
Make it a habit to write or jot down all the happy and positive thoughts that you have every single day. Put them in a journal that you carry wherever you go. Writing down the things that make you smile is an effective way of defeating the adverse effects of depression. Be bigger than what you feel by recognizing all the blessings present in your life.
Have A Balanced Meal
Learn how to follow some diet restrictions so that you can avoid encountering the adverse effects of depression. Take note that what you eat will not only affect your body but even your mental health. It is one of the primary reasons why it is highly recommended to have a balanced diet.
As what Donna M. White, LMHC, CACP said, “Many people do not realize it, but you actually are what you eat.”
Start Your Day Right
Skip coffee in the morning. Instead, go for a morning run or jog so that your body will get the right amount of energy that can help you kick start the day. Take note that you are not required to engage in strenuous daily exercises. It is enough to run for at least thirty minutes for the sole purpose of giving yourself a break from stress.
Do Something You Love
Life is too short to punish yourself into doing an activity that you are not fond of. Make sure to find time in discovering what truly makes you happy. If you hate your job, make sure to quit as soon as possible because it will only take a toll on your life. The best step to make is to find your passion and pursue it.
Pamper Yourself
Lastly, do not neglect yourself. Set aside a day for spa or beauty rest. If you have more time for a trip, do not hesitate to travel to new places. Keep on exploring all the nearby towns and cities. Traveling can give you a sense of fulfillment. If money, as well as time, is an issue, feel free to pamper yourself at home. You can try some beauty hacks or DIYs.
Depression can make you very vulnerable. Make sure never to let it defeat you. “Remember, hope is one of the things that leaves when a person is depressed. But hope can be reignited through small successes along the way, reinvigorating the memory of better times — times that can be just around the corner as you begin to win the battle over depression,” said psychologist Jane Framingham, Ph.D. Be smarter than depression by following the tips we mentioned above. You can also check with your therapist who can help you survive this challenging moment of your life.
