Depression is real and it can befall anybody regardless of race, colour and class. Mental health has been described as the new wealth by medical experts and medics. This is why experts have warned that people must give priority to mental health. When depression is not handled properly it can lead to total mental breakdown, self-harm, and even suicide.
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This is why you must address the symptoms before they become fatal. In our last article, we discussed how to deal with depressing moods. We pointed out five surest ways to fix this problem. They include: identifying the causes, engaging in outdoor activities, avoiding a life of isolation, developing and enjoying outdoor sports, and talking to friends and family. In this article, we shall continue with how to get out of depression.
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Engage Physical Exercises
Physical exercises like jogging, sprinting, and gymnasium, are a few physical exercises that don’t require talents like basketball, tennis, soccer, etc, in which everyone can get involved in. Constant exercise may help ameliorate depression and anxiety by: Releasing feel-good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids), and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being.
Internal and external ingratitude triggers depressing moods. We are often victims of competition, comparisons, and imposter syndrome. This leaves them exhausted, weak, and sometimes moody and depressed. Lack of gratitude has been identified as one of the causes of depression.
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Most often, we fail to see our blessings and achievements and focus on what we have lost or what we don’t have. However, when we practice gratitude and thankfulness it improves our moods. We fail to realize that many wish to be like us because they envy our “little” achievements. When faced with depression caused by imposter syndrome, draw up a journal of gratitude and list your blessings and your achievements. Be thankful for having a job, a family, a degree, food, shelter, and life in general.
When faced with severe depression, it is important to reach out to your doctor, therapist, or psychologist. There are medical solutions for dealing with depression. Taking antidepressant medications is a good idea for those suffering from a severe bout of depression.
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Cut Down Overwhelming Tasks Expectations
Studies have shown that depression can also be caused by anxiety over overwhelming expectations and burdensome tasks. This is why it is important to live within your means and live each day one at a time.
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Also, rather than get bogged down with so many tasks, learn to delegate or break big tasks into smaller tasks and take them one after the other. And most importantly, get organized when taking up tasks.
Although it has been considered unconventional, this orthodox method of engaging in a spiritual journey has proven in time past to be very useful in dealing with depression. Spiritual activities such as studying a religious text, praying, and meditating. Also, listening to sermons have a great way of building rays of hope in a depressed mind.
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Take Enough Rest And Sleep
Enough sleep is very crucial in combating depression due to its effect on the mind and body. Sleep helps the brain relax and as well eliminate stress. According to the Sleep Foundation, sufficient sleep, especially REM sleep, facilitates the brain’s processing of emotional information. During sleep, the brain works to evaluate and remember thoughts and memories, and it appears that a lack of sleep is especially harmful to the consolidation of positive emotional content.
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