If you suffer from depression it can feel like your whole world is closing in on you. You might want to explore many options before deciding if therapy or medication is the best approach for you.
Don’t let yourself fall into a repetitive cycle of symptoms of depression. Dwelling on all the negativity that envelops you will just aggravate your depression further. Shifting your attention to the positive aspects of your life while encouraging others to do the same can have a profound effect on your overall state of mind.
Get some sunlight every day. It is a proven fact that sunlight deprivation can aggravate depression.
Meditation can be used to cope with the symptoms that accompany depression. You can lower blood pressure and actually lift your mood through meditations and studies have proven this.
Try to find support in as many places as you can. Find others who have shown success holding off depression; they can offer knowledge and tips through this difficult time.
You must keep in mind that you are in control when you are dealing with depression. Banish the word depression and its counterparts from your vocabulary. Using a word with such negative connotations can affect your thinking and, thus, your moods. Instead, use “low mood” or a similar phrase that doesn’t hold so much negative power, and this will help your outlook become more positive.
Banish the words “depressed” and “depression”. Although useful in the clinical world, these words often work against you with a self-fulfilling prophesy, or otherwise just bring you down. You can think of feeling depressed as having a low mood instead. It is much easier to think about raising your mood level than it is to think of it as battling “depression”, even though it is exactly what you are doing.
Music can be very helpful to those who suffer from depression, but you should be cautious when choosing the type of music. Refrain from listening to music that triggers sadness or depressing memories. That music will only make you dwell on your sad feelings and could exaggerate them.
Stick to a predefined schedule when taking antidepressants. By adhering to a strict schedule, you won’t miss a dose of your medication. Taking your medication in the morning also helps you function during the day and at work.
It is helpful to attempt to understand the nature of your depression. Depression is not only mental, but it is physical too. When stressed for long periods of time, your brain ends up producing lower amounts of serotonin. This can actually make you feel more depressed. Anti-depressants are usually prescribed in this situation to stimulate the brain to release more serotonin. You can, however, naturally increase serotonin levels. Do not drink any caffeine, get sufficient rest, and exercise on a regular basis.
By getting help from this article you will be able to work hard, more smartly and leave all that depression behind you where it belongs. So strive for the happiness you deserve.