Below are just some tips that can help you cope with depression.
Tip 1: Reach out and stay connected
Getting support from family and friends play an essential role in overcoming depression. It’s always best to stay connected with your love ones. Having someone to talk to will also help you feel better. Taking part in social activities will also make a world of difference in your mood and outlook.
Tip 2: Learn to find the good things in every situation
We cannot control some things to happen. Good days and bad days will always be there, but always remember that with every bad situation, there definitely comes a learning experience, so instead of focusing on the negative and what happened to you, try to develop some good thoughts around the situation, and look at what the positive outcome was no matter how small.
Tip 3: Get moving
Sometimes, waking up and jumping out of bed can seem like a daunting task. Go and exercise, it is a powerful depression fighter and one of the most important tools in your recovery arsenal. Research shows that regular exercise can be as effective as medication for relieving depression symptoms. It also helps prevent relapse once you’re well. To get the most benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This doesn’t have to be all at once—and it’s okay to start small. A 10-minute walk can improve your mood for two hours.
Tip 4: Eat a healthy, depression-fighting diet
What you eat has a direct impact on the way you feel. Reduce your intake of foods that can adversely affect your brain and mood, such as caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, and foods with high levels of chemical preservatives or hormones (such as certain meats). Not just vegetables and fruits but also boost your mood with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in stabilizing mood. The best sources are fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and some cold-water fish oil supplements. Deficiencies in B vitamins such as folic acid and B-12 can trigger depression. To get more, take a B-complex vitamin supplement or eat more citrus fruit, leafy greens, beans, chicken, and eggs. Don’t skip meals. Going too long between meals can make you feel irritable and tired, so aim to eat something at least every three to four hours.
Tip 5: Love and Treat yourself! You deserve it!
Taking good care of yourself is one way to fight depression. As mentioned above, eating healthy foods and exercises are two things that you can do to help yourself fight depression. But not just that, you have to treat yourself as well., go watch a movie, relax in a spa., and buy something special for yourself. After all., you deserve it. It’s not easy to fight depression but having your family and friends that are always there for you will surely help you get through it. And you have to be there for others as well, be that someone that they need to talk to., spread some positivity and always wear a smile. “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” – Nightbirde
By: Christian Paul Malihan
References: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm
https://www.hellolovelyliving.com/blog/how-to-see-the-good-in-every-situation