Only You Can Save You From Your Depression

positive-mh-recovery:

An important thing to accept is that there are usually no instant solutions to problems in life. Solving problems involves time, energy and work. When you are feeling depressed, you may not be feeling energetic or motivated to work. But if you are able to take an active part in your treatment, it should help your situation. Here are some tips that worked for me:

Break the Cycle of Negativity: It can be very easy to get into a cycle of automatic negative thoughts that then become difficult for you to challenge. You need to make a conscious effort to break the hold that the depression has on you. Try to recognise the pattern of negative thinking when you are doing it, and replace it with a more constructive activity. 

Keep Active: Regular exercise can be very effective in lifting your mood and increasing your energy levels, and it is also likely to improve your appetite and sleep. Physical activity stimulates chemicals in the brain called endorphins, which can help you to feel better. Although you may not feel like it, just walking at a reasonable speed and taking notice of what is around you is a good start. 

Find Hobbies: It’s so important to keep as busy as your depression allows you to. It’s easy to dismiss engaging in hobbies and activities, saying that they won’t help and giving up but even people who don’t have depression become low if they are bored or under-stimulated for long periods. Learning to become active again played an essential part in my recovery and helps me to stay well.

Connect With Other People. Although you many not feel like it, keeping in touch with people can help you feel a bit more grounded and sometimes get things more in perspective. When you feel ready, you may find it helpful to do something to help other people, as this may help overcome any feelings of isolation you have, take your mind off your own problems and make you feel better about yourself. 

Join A Support Group: It can also be a great relief to meet and share experiences with other people who are going through the same thing you are. Self-help groups can show you how other people have coped and provide mutual support, as well as breaking down feelings of isolation. They are often led by people who have overcome depression themselves. 

Care for Yourself. You need to do things that will improve the way you feel about yourself. Allow yourself positive experiences and treats that reinforce the idea that you deserve good things, pay attention to your personal appearance, set yourself goals that you can achieve and that will give you a sense of satisfaction, and look after yourself by eating healthily, as much as possible.