There are different levels of depression one can suffer from. The three types of depression commonly experienced is chronic depression, atypical depression and major depression. It doesn’t matter which kind you have, education is a must. In this article, we will share some solid tips to help you overcome depression.
Challenge the negative thoughts that cause you to be depressed. When you think something negative about yourself, determine whether or not you would say those things about another person. If not, then you’re being too hard on yourself. Find more positive ways to frame your self-talk.
It’s important to exercise enough daily. It’s been proven in studies that people who find time for 30 minutes of exercise daily respond much better to treatment. If fact, exercise is sometimes just as powerful as many pharmaceutical anti-depressants. A brisk walk or a trip up the stairs at work can have a major impact on your well-being.
Diet and exercise play integral roles in depression. When you feel the blues coming on, take a walk, go for a ride or engage in an enjoyable activity. Staying away from processed foods, engaging in daily exercise and sleeping for eight hours each night may help to banish your depression.
The imbalance in neurochemicals in the brain can be corrected by antidepressants. However, they will only work in conjunction with therapy, regular exercise, and effort on your part, in order to restore normality in your life.
Always keep in mind that you are in complete control of your thoughts if you feel down. Eliminate the word ‘depressed’ from your vocabulary. This kind of negative term is conducive to a negative way of thinking. Remember, words have power, and depressed is an extremely powerful word. Use phrases like “feeling poorly”, or “not my best”, to take away some of the power from your emotions.
If things in your life are contributing to your depression, make the choice to change them. For example, if you feel that you aren’t in the best shape and is makes you feel blue, then do something to change that to make yourself feel better. Get some exercise by getting outside and enjoying nature.
Try to maintain several friendships instead of relying on one person. Having depression can cause a strain on one friendship. If you chat with many people, no single relationship will be strained.
Your first step to fighting depression should be to stop speaking the word “depression” altogether. Thinking of yourself in these terms, although they are valid for diagnosis, can make your problem seem hopeless and unmanageable. The next time you feel down, think of your condition as “the blues” or “a low mood.” 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 great for dealing with depression, but be careful not to listen to the wrong kind. Do not listen to music that may make you sad. That music will only make you dwell on your sad feelings and could exaggerate them.
Music can be great therapy because it lifts your spirits and makes you want to sing and dance. Any art can help, even if you don’t think your good, it can be quite helpful.
Should your doctor prescribe you medication for depression, take it. Don’t think that you should control how much or how little you take, or when to stop. When the time comes to finish your course of medication, your doctor may wish to taper you off.
Always remember that you are not by yourself with your depression. Knowing you are not suffering alone during these times is important, because that feeling can make things worse. Know that there is usually someone feeling the way that you are or someone who wants to help.
Different depression types need different treatments, but they all need to be treated. Depression must be properly treated or your condition will linger. Use the tips you’ve just been given, and leave depression behind.