Depression not only drains your drive, hope, and energy, but also makes it difficult to enjoy life especially if not treated properly, and promptly. The hopeful thing about this condition is that psychological treatment and medication can help you overcome it and help you to enjoy life again.
Although overcoming depression is not easy, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and learning how to control your emotions and feelings can help you recover much faster. This may require baby steps, and take one step at a time to recover fully from the condition. You may have to make some lifestyle changes, engage in physical activity, eat well, and get enough rest. Outlined below are a few tips to help with depression and get you back on your feet.
1. Have a routine
As mentioned earlier, depression disorganizes your life in such a way that, you never get anything done or completed in time. This mainly happens because your life’s structure is stripped away, which leaves you more stressed than before. Having a daily routine (on small things to be done) can, however, help you take charge of your life once again. You also need to set realistic goals on the routine as well. Experts recommend setting goals that you can accomplish easily without straining or making the condition worse e.g. phoning a friend, or doing the dishes in the morning.
2. Exercise
Helplessness is a symptom of depression. Many people forget themselves and retreat to their couches for days watching TV. Trying to get some bit of body exercise can help lift your mood significantly. Studies also reveal that exercise makes the brain produce endorphins, commonly known as feel-good chemicals. Since we can’t all participate in marathons, taking a few minutes walk, jogging, or even swimming can help take the stress away. Your body will even feel re-energized and ready to take on other activities.
3. Eat Healthy
Most people often find themselves grazing over anything edible they can find or comfort eating to feel better. If you tend to overeat when depressed, it would then be best to focus on the right foods. Focusing on foods that promote brain power and recovery such as foods rich in omega fatty acids and folic acids, can help your brain manage stress factors more efficiently. Some of the best foods for your brain include salmon, tuna, oysters, spinach, avocado, beets, watermelons, cereals, and kale. These help supplement nutrients needed for proper brain functioning and cell regeneration, hence vital for your health and recovery.
4. Get Enough Rest
Your brain needs plenty of rest to regenerate and fight depression. You should therefore get plenty of rest (or sleep) to recover faster. This however means no TV, phones, or computer, which are the key distracting factors in many people lives today. Many people with depression find it almost impossible to get enough sleep; this is because insomnia starts to creep in which is a symptom of depression as well. Nonetheless, taking these distractions out of your way can help improve your sleep patterns, making it easier to address other underlying issues. If your bed is uncomfortable, then look for something that makes it easier for you to relax and find sleep.
5. Surround yourself with positive energy
The people you surround yourself with, as well as the environment around you, can help or hinder your recovery process. Having your family around, and individuals who cherish you can play a major role in making a recovery much easier. You however should do away with negative influences and people who lead you astray. If you live alone, create some time to visit your friends or family members, have dinner with them, and do your best to engage with them. Interacting with other people and speaking your mind out can help reduce the pressure on your brain. If possible, take some time to appreciate nature can also ground us away from negativity.
6. Seek Professional Help
If none of the tips mentioned above seem to be working, you should then consider seeing a therapist. Finding a reputable and experienced therapist to help with depression is the best step you can take. Psychologists are trained to help people understand their condition, depressive factors and restore meaning back into their lives. The best thing with seeing a therapist is that they are trained to listen and support you through change. According to research, most people feel better and lighter after talking their problems out ñ which is why therapists let you do most of the talking.
It is by airing your challenges and troubles to the therapist that he/she can help you find ways on how to deal with these. While we cannot avoid triggers of stress or depression, learning how to handle and manage them is what makes it easy for people to go on with their lives. It is however after acknowledging these factors, and knowing that some things are beyond your control, that you can learn how to cope with them.
Most people reportedly feel much better after attending several therapy sessions, some therapists will also make follow-ups on their clients just to ensure they are doing well. While these therapy sessions may help you get hold of your life back, you may have to make some significant lifestyle changes to avoid going back and keep your awareness going so changes are maintained.