Depression is a common condition that affects millions of people each year. The causes of depression are yet to be fully understood. However, research shows that the causes may be a complex combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Battling this mental disorder is quite tough, especially if you are not aware of some of the ways to cope with it.
Depression drains your energy, and it can make it hard to take the necessary steps that can help you to feel better. Some of the common symptoms of depression include insomnia, lack of appetite, change in sleeping patterns, loss of energy, suicidal thoughts, reduced interest in things you used to like, etc.
If you think that you may have depressions, the following are some of the things you that you should do.
1. Self-evaluation
Self-evaluation entails taking a self-test to help figure out whether you are showing any of the warning signs of depression. The self-test does not give you a diagnosis, but it can help you decide on the next step. One of the best sites that you can take the depression test is on E-counseling.com.
2. Do things that make you happy
For you to overcome depression, you should do things that boost your energy and make you relaxed. That includes practicing a healthy lifestyle and managing stress. Although you can’t force yourself to have fun, you can at least push yourself to do some activities even if you don’t feel like. You can pick a hobby that you used to like, like writing, singing, or art. You can also go out with friends.
3. Stay active
When one is depressed, even getting out of bed is a hectic task, leave alone working out. Exercise is one of the things that can fight depression. Research shows that exercise is equally important, just like medication when it comes to relieving depression. You should exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. However, this doesn’t have to be all at once; you can start with a 10-minute walk.
4. Eat a healthy diet
What you eat has a significant impact on the way you feel. You can lower your intake of foods that can affect your brain and mood. These food include caffeine, alcohol, etc. You should not skip meals as going too long between meals can make you feel tired and irritable. You should also minimize sugar and refined carbohydrates and at the same time, boost your mood with foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. You can read the real dietary treatment for depression.
5. Challenge negative thinking
Depression can make you feel weak, helpless, and make you feel that your situation is hopeless. You literally feel negative about everything, including the way you see yourself. These thoughts can overwhelm you. But remember that this may be a symptom of your depression and the cynical attitudes may not be real- when you examine them, they mean nothing. To fight negative thinking, you should replace the negative thoughts with a more balanced way of thinking.