You’ve seen a therapist, you’ve been to a doctor, spent time with people who mean the world to you and who love you. You have literary done everything in your power to overcome depression but no matter what you do, it still doesn’t go away.
With those feelings of despair, hopelessness, apathy and fatigue at their peak, you may feel like giving up. However, it doesn’t always have to result to that. Just because you feel like you’ve covered everything there is to cover, doesn’t mean there is no way out.
There are material that are useful for some people that may not be the case for you. So the means to the end is to look for materials that will be right for you. Here are some of unique suggestions, strategies, techniques, and tools you can use to deal with your depression.
No matter how much you feel like your depression won’t go away, or how low down you feel, there are still so many things you can do to make yourself better again. Depression is something most of us can’t true, life is hard enough as it is, but you can make sure that it doesn’t consume and eventually destroy you.
Promise Yourself that Depression Won’t Win
The fact that you are aware that you are suffering from depression means that you are aware of the problem. One of the simplest action you can make is decide that you are not going to let depression take over your life.
Purpose to not allow depression win. Take out a pen and paper and write down what your decision is, also include what your intention is and why you want to get out of that situation. It may seem like a small step but it is also very important.
Remind Yourself of the Big Achievements and Good Times
When you are stuck in depression, it can be so easy to forget that you ever went through any good times in your life because you believe you will always feel low. It is possible to believe the lie that you have never done anything positive with your life especially if the feelings are tired to low self-esteem and low self-worth.
However, you are not obligated to believe that about yourself. You need to keep reminding yourself of any past accomplishments or experience that brought you immense joy. Go through scrapbooks, photos, or even your memories and remind yourself of all the good times you had.
It may not be the solution, but it reminds you of fond memories that make your heart warm. It makes you realize you can be happy because you have proof that you once were and that triggers determination to get off the depression rut.
Laugh
They say that laughter is the best medicine and they are right about that. When you a laugh dopamine, also known as the happy chemical is released. The chemical moves through your entire body and makes you feel good.
It also releases other substances that make you feel positive such as endorphins which also reduce stress, relieve pain, and also help you sleep better which is useful if you suffer from depression.
So you should make a point of watching funny TV shows and movies, watch standup comedies or spend time with friend who makes you laugh.
Cut Down on Sugar
Many people who suffer from depression tend to turn to comfort food because it helps them feel better. However, this does more harm than good. Eating foods made of processed sugars like cookies, candy, junk food, and sugary cereals may give you a temporary better because a small amount of dopamine is released.
However, when the sugar high wears off your state of mind will crush and you will feel lower than before. There are studies that show that consuming sugar increases your levels of depression. By cutting down sugar, you might be giving yourself a chance of beating depression.
Go Outside
Sometimes, social anxiety and depression means that all you want to do is stay locked up in the house. You tend to avoid crowded places because you don’t feel like you are up for the task of having to meet people.
However, just making the attempt to o out even if its not so far away you will boost your emotions immensely. The Vitamin D from the sun and fresh air also go a long way in boosting how you feel.
Cut Off Alcohol
When you are depressed, you should make sure that you lay off alcohol. A beer or a glass of wine may help you feel by making you less anxious and more relaxed because alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the part of your brain that controls anxiety, inhibition, and how you feel.
However, the more you drink, the more you are taking the depressant into your system which will push you all the way into feeling more anxious, low, and depressed than when you started. If you have been fighting depression for a while now, you should consider cutting off alcohol. You should also consider cutting off other addictions such as meth.
Have a Routine and Keep at It
When you are depressed and doesn’t want to leave the house, sticking to a routine is that last thing you can think of doing. Ignoring your routine may seem like an easy way out but it will only make things worse for you.
It is okay if you want to take time off to implement ways to overcome depression or practice self-care, but you need to keep track of your day-to-day routines. You need to make sure that you able to do simple stuff such as pay your bills, do your chores, and other stuff. If you let things pile up, you are going to be more depressed.
Conclusion
Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. We all struggle with certain difficulties in our lives. Ask for help if you feel like you are falling apart. Also implement the tips above and you might notice changes in dealing with depression.