Depression is a serious medical ailment that negatively affects the person’s mood and causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. All these emotions are difficult to deal with; they can leave you feeling exhausted and helpless.
The late Dr. Dorothy Rowe, an Australian psychologist, and the author is known as saying, “Depression is a prison where you are both the suffering prisoner and the cruel jailer.”
There is a great deal of truth to that.
However, depression can be treated. A doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. Many people have found relief through depression counseling in Chicago and other parts of the United States.
This article will outline key things you can do to feel better and improve your life’s quality. But before proceeding further, let us look at the common signs of depression.
- You will lose interest in pursuing hobbies like sports, travel, and even sex.
- The clouds of hopelessness surround you and affect your decision-making power.
- You lose appetite and cravings for foods that you once looked forward to.
- You get over-anxious and start worrying about meaningless things.
- You have elevated irritability.
- You cannot control your emotions such as anger and grief and may think about hurting yourself.
- You experience myriads of physical health issues like severe headaches, high or low blood pressure, and stomach ache.
Although many people are prescribed medication to deal with depression, there are several things that you can do to cope with depressed feelings.
Read on to learn 5 incredible and practical ways to combat depression.
- Listen To Music
It may sound very simple, but music boosts your energy as well as mood significantly. Rhythmic and repetitive aspects of music can increase dopamine and make us feel better. So, if you get stuck in anxious and depressive episodes, it would be great to listen to music to regulate your mood and emotions. Experts recommend your favorite genre, music that evokes happy memories, or low pitch songs.
- Exercise Daily
A physical workout has a profoundly positive impact on mental health. It reduces stress, anxiety, fear and promotes better sleep. So, start doing mild to moderate exercise 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes. You can ask your close friend to come along with you to motivate yourself to work out daily.
- Pay Attention To Your Diet
People suffering from depression either lose their appetite or start overeating. Both can make you feel low and depressed. Hence, you need to pay attention to your daily diet plan. Avoid eating food items that are high in sugar, carbs, and trans fats. Instead, include fresh vegetables, juicy fruits, and whole grains in your meals.
- Get In Touch With People Who Lift You Up
Staying alone can aggravate things and can cause several physical illnesses. Depression counseling experts suggest that one should not remain isolated during the hard times of life, but should stay connected with positive people. Interacting frequently with your loved ones gives you a feeling of unique comfort. These people can encourage you to take appropriate treatments and boost your mood.
- Get Enough Sleep
Disruption in sleep patterns is common during episodes of depression. You might not be able to sleep longer than a few hours or perhaps may be sleeping too much. Insomnia or sleeping during the day can increase depression. We all need a healthy sleep pattern that includes at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to function optimally. Go to bed early and wake up on time.
- Counseling Is Helpful
Dealing with anxiety and depression is not easy. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can grit and bear the burden on their own. Speaking with a counselor about your problem is beneficial. Your psychotherapists can recommend a type of therapy that can be beneficial to you. They can help you adjust to a crisis, identify underlying issues, overcome negative thought patterns, find better ways to solve problems, and improve your self-esteem.
The Bottom Line-:
Start now to free yourself from the imprisonment of depression.
