How To Get Rid of Depression? 5 Things You Can Try Today
July 14, 2020 - Health & Wellness - 0 Comments
Overcoming depression is tough. It’s not as easy as saying “get over it” or “don’t think about it” because in reality, many people who are depressed do not choose to feel this way. A lot of times, depressed people also want to get rid of their feelings of sadness but they are not sure how to start.
If you want to get rid of your depression, there are natural ways that you can try first before taking medications. While antidepressants may help, these pills should be your last resort because there is a potential for abuse and addiction.
Below are some natural methods that could help you slowly recover from your depression. Keep in mind that these suggestions are not instant solutions, but they can be your first step towards your recovery.
1. Talk it out
When you bottle up all the negative emotions inside you, it could result in feeling like you want to explode and snap at everyone. However, in a lot of cases, these negative emotions can also drain out all your energy and positivity – resulting in depression.
If you’re feeling sad or depressed about something, it’s a good idea to find a friend or loved one who could lend a listening ear. If you feel that there’s no one you could trust or you’re not comfortable with talking to another person, fire up the voice recorder on your phone and just talk about your feelings even if you’re alone. Venting out and verbalizing your emotions can be a good method of release.
2. List down the things that make you happy
If you want to get out of your depressed state, the obvious solution is to do things that will make you happy. It is understandable that you may not have the energy to do any of these things ASAP but what you can do right now is create a list of these things. Try to come up with 10, 20, 50, or 100 things that make you smile or bring you joy. It can be as simple as eating your favorite dessert or listening to your favorite song. Listing these things can be a great exercise to make you realize that there are things to be happy about and could inspire you to try doing these things.
3. Break down your daily goals
When you’re depressed, you might feel lethargic and unmotivated. You might be even asking yourself “Am I depressed or lazy?” because you can’t even find the energy to do your daily tasks. A person who is not depressed may be able to complete a task mindlessly but for a depressed person, doing so can be very difficult. When you fail to complete something that you’re supposed to be working on, this can make you feel more depressed.
To solve this problem, break down your daily goals into micro tasks to help you track your progress without overwhelming you. Every time you complete a micro task, this can motivate you to keep on going. How can you do this? For example, if your task is to do the laundry, you can break it down into smaller tasks such as:
- Gather all the used clothes and place them in a hamper
- Separate the clothes for washing into different bags
- Drop by the laundromat to do the laundry
- Fold the clothes and place them inside the closet
4. Engage in self-care activities
Self-care is a very important aspect to get rid of depression not only mentally and emotionally but also physically. When you’re depressed, the common habit is to just stop caring about what you look like, forgetting to eat, and staying inactive. While it’s natural for you to mope or just wallow in your emotions for a few days, not taking care of yourself can drown you deeper into depression.
Some self-care activities that can help you are the following recommendations:
- Engage in physical activity which is proven to be a natural way to release dopamine
- Eat nutrient-dense food and avoid sugar to prevent feelings of lethargy
- Get adequate amount of sleep
- Indulge in relaxing activities like mindfulness meditation, nature walks, and long baths
5. Volunteer
Many people find out that one of the best ways to feel good is not about doing something for yourself but doing something for other people. When you devote your time towards activities that can help the wellbeing or welfare of others, the experience can be very rewarding. Helping others give you a purpose and the ability to focus on things bigger than yourself.
Depression is a common disorder experienced by people struggling with substance abuse.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment center today.
