Depression is an increasingly prevalent issue that many people suffer from in modern society. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to deal with depression which can make you feel better.

This mental illness can leave victims feeling empty, hopeless, lonely, worthless, and ultimately suicidal. This mix of emotions usually results in depressed individuals refraining from looking for ways to deal with depression and not considering getting help.

This is, of course, not the right thing to do. If you’re reading this, it means you’re on the right track and have likely realized that there are a wide variety of ways you can deal with and eventually cure your depression. From self-help and natural remedies to professional assistance, there’s bound to be something out there for you.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of four ways to deal with depression.

1. Exercise

If you ever walk into a gym during the period where all the New Year’s resolutionists leave and the real members arrive, you’ll notice that they’re either really happy people or at the very least, hiding their happiness with a look of strength and determination.

Anyone who frequently exercises is bound to be happier than the average person. This is because exercise releases endorphins, which are the chemicals responsible for making you happy. This works in the same way endorphins are released when certain people go skydiving or binge drink, albeit exercise is much better for your health.

You don’t need to head all the way to the gym and take out a membership, though. If anything, you should simply save your money and go out for a couple of walks before deciding whether you want to turn them into runs.

2. Express Your Thoughts

We all know that confiding in friends or family members about personal issues, no matter how close we are to them, is an extremely difficult task. Luckily, modern technology has offered a great solution in the form of online forums. Reddit’s /r/depression is a great example of this.

It’s a safe and open community that welcomes any depression sufferers and offers them a voice. You can make a post detailing how you feel or what you want to do to improve, or simply read what others have to say. Speaking to others is something that a lot of people with depression struggle with, but having someone to speak to or relate to who doesn’t necessarily know you in person can go a long way in helping you feel better.

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deal with depression.

3. Consult a Professional

While friends and family may do their best to give you advice and help you out, nobody can help you with depression better than a qualified professional. A depression psychiatrist is ultimately the top choice, as they’ll effectively find the root cause of your problem and provide a comprehensive way of solving it.

If you cannot get hold of one or are too young to arrange a session, consider speaking to a teacher. Most schools have at least one teacher who is qualified to deal with mental health issues that may arise among students.

4. Do Things for Yourself

When you’re feeling depressed, it can be easy to stay inside all of the time, possibly not even getting out of bed. However, if you try and force yourself to do things, you should start to notice a difference in your mood. This could be something as simple as sitting outside in your garden and reading a book or making time to do some meditation.

It is possible that you may not enjoy everything that you did before your depression, but many people do find that when they take the time out for themselves and start taking part in hobbies and activities that they used to enjoy, they feel better.



Remember, that you can’t force yourself to feel happy, but in the process of performing these activities, you may find that your mood changes naturally.

Conclusion

No matter how bad you feel, it’s always worth noting that depression is a mental state and not an accurate picture of who you are. You are much smarter, brighter and stronger than the picture that your mind paints of you when you’re depressed.

Use the above-described ways to deal with depression and make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthily, exercise often and speak to others. You will see that before you know it, your depression will be all but gone.

References:

  1. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  2. http://www.mentalhealth.gov/
  3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

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