Depression is a serious mental condition that unfortunately affects roughly 4% of the world’s population i.e. hundreds of millions of people. People who suffer from depression feel sad and hopeless, lack energy and self-esteem, have trouble sleeping or they sleep too much, and also they lose interest in things and activities they once loved and they tend to isolate themselves from others. Anyone who suffers from this condition has to know that nowadays depression is a very common and highly treatable illness. Here are some things you can do to fight depression on your own.
The first thing you should do is get in a routine and set goals. Depressed people need routine and small goals and this will help them fight the depression. We are not talking about anything big and challenging. Start with some minor goals like doing dishes or making your bed. As time goes by and you will better and stronger, set up and set some more challenging goals.
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You should start eating healthy and exercise. As you know, after an exercise endorphins make you feel happy and content. You don’t have to go to the gym 5 times a week, simple 30 – minute walk will do it. Another important thing is diet. Junk food and sugar aren’t good for anyone. Try to eat as healthy as you can. In addition, it was proven that omega-3 fatty acids (from tuna and salmon) and folic acids (from vegetables such as spinach) have a great impact on your whole body and can also relieve symptoms of depression.
Furthermore, try something new and try to have fun. In some cases, depression may be the consequence of a boring routine. Break that routine! Try something new and exciting, take a language class, take a cooking class or anything else you have always wanted to try and learn. If it seems that nothing is fun, be aware that that is just another symptom of depression. Make an effort and do something you will enjoy.
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Do not pull back from your responsibilities and isolate yourself from friends and family. It may seem appealing, but if you draw back from your everyday responsibilities, at the same time you will deprive yourself of that feeling of accomplishment which is really important if you’re fighting depression. Depressed people tend to think that they are in some way worthless and that talking with a friend or family member would put a burden on them. That is not true. Your best friend or your mother will be happy that you’re confiding in them.
The most important thing is that if you feel like you cannot fight the depression on your own, there is no shame in seeking professional help. Nowadays, there still is a lot of stigma surrounding mental illnesses, and people are doing everything they can to remove it. Talking about your feelings with someone outside your circle of friends and family and if necessary taking some medication can be healing. A therapist will help you find the source of your depression and he will help you beat it. When it comes to medication, there is also no shame in confessing you’re taking some. For example, Trintellix is a new medication that is used to treat a serious form of depression. It was scientifically proven that it reduces symptoms of depression by preventing reabsorption of serotonin in your brain thus increasing the levels of it. However, as with any other medication, you cannot take Trintellix without consulting with your doctor.
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In a way, depression is the illness of the 21st century. People get stressed by so many different things and often they cannot cope with it. As you can see, there are many different things that you can do on your own to fight depression. Still, if you need additional help, go to a therapist you can trust and speak freely to and he will help you get your life back on track.
