Sometimes, it can feel like your depression will never go away. It can be a struggle to go on each day feeling the way you do. However, there are some strategies you can use to help yourself get your symptoms under control.
Getting Your Depression Under Control
It can be hard to stay positive when you are feeling depressed; after all, that is one of the defining characteristics of the disorder. However, try to remind yourself that you can beat the disorder. By focusing on the positive and by setting a goal to overcome your symptoms, you give yourself something to look forward to, and you motivate yourself to move forward.
Changes in your diet can help you to improve your mood, as well. Fresh foods provide your body with the nutrients it needs to survive without all the bad that comes from fast foods and processed foods. Think of it this way: the healthier you eat, the healthier your brain and body will feel, and the easier it will be to keep your mood uplifted.
When you are feeling depressed, it can be hard to get on your feet and do something enjoyable. However, it is important to keep yourself grounded in positive and enjoyable activities, because these can become the coping skills you need to beat the illness once and for all. Make a list of things that you previously had enjoyed doing – even if they do not particularly seem enjoyable at the present time. At least once a day, engage in one of these activities for a sizable amount of time (at least an hour). With time, you should see your mood begin to rise.
Sometimes, feeling good on the outside can help us to feel better on the inside. Take care of your body and your mind will follow. It’s easy to fall into the trap of “letting yourself go” when you’re depressed, but the opposite is more beneficial: take better care of yourself. Pamper yourself with nice long baths, dress in your best clothing. If you feel good and pleased with yourself, it won’t be long before your mood begins to lift.
Effective Tools for Overcoming Depression
Motivational tapes and books can be a great tool, as well. For a lot of people, finding some kind of motivation is extremely important, albeit difficult. By reading or listening to other people’s successes, and by learning about new strategies that you might not have thought of on your own, you will tend to become more motivated in the pursuit of improving your own mood.
Social support is one of the most effective tools in helping yourself to overcome depression. Surround yourself with friends and family (as long as they are supportive of you) and do not give in to the temptation to lock yourself away while your mood dwindles. Ask your friends to help you to go out more, and ask them to spend time with you as you try to improve your mood. If you do not wish to share your mood with those close to you, consider joining a support group. These support groups will be full of people who, just like you, have struggled with depression. They will be in various stages of treatment, but they can relate to what you are generally experiencing. They can provide advice for what they’ve tried, and they can provide motivation and support to you in your own treatment.
The most important thing is to take control of your depression and remember that it is something that you can beat. Though it takes some effort, failing to control your depression will result in an even worse mood in the future.