Depression is a condition that can go from a self-limiting to a life-threatening illness if not properly handled.It is the opposite of mania and is certainly more than feeling discontent or fed up for a few days. Depression is a real illness with genuine symptoms. According to wikihow.com, Medications are often prescribed for depression, and if you are experiencing significant, debilitating depressive symptoms, drug therapy may be your best option for improving your quality of life.
If you feel depressed, it’s best to do something about it- depression doesn’t just go away on its own. Some of the signs and symptoms of depression are as follows; gloom, blackness, despair, hopelessness, extreme sadness, insomnia /sleeping problems, anxiety, guilt, eating disorders, low attention span, extreme tiredness, fatigue, listlessness, inability to feel pleasure with activities, and being easily irritated among others. However, here are some simple and effective strategies that I came across on wikihow.com that you can implement, especially if you’re dealing with a passing case of situational depression triggered by life circumstances.
Exercise: Never underestimate the power of exercise; it could be one remedy to help depression. People who are depressed tend to be withdrawn,isolated and less active. Once you get into the exercise mode, it won’t take long to see and feel the changes in your mood. You don’t have to go the whole nine yards, a 20-45 minute walk, jog, hop or dance every day can do the magic. The right kind of exercise can be of great benefit for depression.
Good Diet: Depression definitely affects appetite, so one of the remedies is for one to eat nutritional foods. Good nutrition can power up a person’s mood and energy. Go for fresh fruits,vegetables and standard balanced diets. Studies have shown that consuming omega-3s improves moods. Be mindful of what you eat and ensure you’re eating foods that make you feel and look good.
Express yourself: Depression can affect your normal levels of creativity and your sense of humour. Laughter helps lighten your mood and increases the general activity of the body. Surround yourself with people and do things that will make you laugh. Relate with friends that can elevate your spirit or watch a comedy movie. Spark your imagination by engaging in leisure activities like swimming, painting, writing etc. Self expression helps you pour out your emotions. Take time to always do something that will make you happy.
Be kind to yourself: One person you should always be nice to is yourself. Depression can lead to extremely negative notions about one’s capability and personality. Concentrate more on the things that give you joy and make positive declarations about yourself, rather than dwelling on your wrongs and negative experiences. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you are depressed, always remember that problems have solutions, so don’t dwell on the problem, rather concentrate more on the solution.
Stay busy: An idle mind they say is the devil’s workshop;keep your mind busy always. Creating and sticking to a busy daily routine can help you stay away from any negative thoughts or feelings. Don’t allow yourself to be at the mercy of time and chance; it’s like making the road your driver. Connect with people physically and reconnect with nature. Such activities have ways of elevating your spirit.
Ask for help if necessary, depression is not something you keep as a secret. If there’s no one to tell, pouring your heart out on a sheet of paper or in a journal can also be a remedy. Once your thoughts and feelings are expressed verbally or non-verbally, re-direct your attention to something positive. One thing to always bear in mind is, once a problem is identified, it is half solved. Life is short, go out there and impact your world.
