How to overcome depression? A lot of people have been searching the answer to this question in their life. Depression is one of the worst things that can ever happen to a person. A person who has completely surrendered to depression is alive but he does not feel alive. When in depression a person feels nothing but eternal pain and sadness. It is like walking in a dark tunnel with no end which leads to nowhere. It breaks down a person emotionally and they seem to drown in the ocean of gloom. Depression takes away all the hope and good things from a person’s life. There can be various reasons for depression like heartbreak, not getting a job etc. But there is a common line that connects it. We as humans have feelings. This makes us expect a lot of things and when those expectations are broken then the feeling of sadness overtakes us. Usually, this feeling of sadness last for a few days or months but when this phase stretches longer than that then it might be a case of depression. In the end we end up asking this question to ourselves – how to overcome depression. The worst thing about depression is that it makes us believe that things will not get better again. But this is not the case. We will tell you 10 ways about how to overcome depression and find happiness again in your life.
STAY CONNECTED WITH REAL WORLD
This is the first answer to how to overcome depression. A depressed person has a tendency to stay alone. When you are depressed you just want to be left out on your own. You don’t want to talk to anyone and stay in a secluded place. No matter how badly you want to be alone, just don’t do it.
It might be a difficult thing for a depressed person but it works wonders. Go out with your family and friends and meet new people. Social support is one of the most important things to overcome depression.
Try to be with real people and not the online ones. Being with a real person will help you million times more than spending your time online. Get real and then you will get a life.
When you will spend time with your loved ones then it will definitely brighten your mood and lift your feelings.
Try to talk to others. Talking is a very useful way to overcome depression. Spend enough time with your family. It will make you feel loved and protected. There is no better feeling in the world when you are loved and you know that someone is there to care about you.
Try to help others whenever you can. It feels good when someone helps you but it feels even better when you help someone.
EXERCISE
Exercise is another way to overcome depression. A depressed person doesn’t even want to move a limb let alone do exercise. But remember, it is one of the most powerful depression fighters.
Doing exercise on a regular basis can be as effective as medication for relieving depression symptoms. Exercise releases endorphins which help to improve natural immunity and improve mood. Regular exercise offers other health benefits such as protecting against heart disease, such as lowering blood pressure, cancer and boosting self-esteem. It provides us with more energy and also keeps us motivated.
Experts advise doing exercise for at least 20-30 minutes a day. Try to do outdoor exercise more as it increases vitality, pleasure, enthusiasm, and self-esteem while lowering depression, tension, and fatigue better than indoor exercise.
The most beneficial exercises for depression are which have a rhythm in them—such as swimming, walking, dancing weight training, martial arts, in which you move both your arms and legs. So whether you take a walk in the morning or hit the gym or any other exercise. Just do it.
WRITE A DIARY
It is one of the most effective ways on how to overcome depression. Whenever you feel sad, write about it in your diary. Writing helps a lot. It is like you are shifting all your worries and sadness from your heart in your diary. Shed all the negative feelings on the piece of paper and it will ease out your mind and heart. You will feel a lot lighter like a burden of 100 kgs have been removed from your body.
You can also write about the good things in the diary. Make a list of all the things that gives you happiness and feel grateful about them.
KEEP A HEALTHY DIET
Keeping a healthy, balanced diet can also help you beat depression. It is said that what we eat has a direct impact on how we feel. No matter how depressed you feel, make sure that you eat properly three times a day. It will provide you with energy to stay focused and positive.
Don’t skip your meals. Try to eat as many vegetables and fruits. Don’t eat too much fast food.
Deficiencies in B vitamins such as B-12 and folic acid can trigger depression. Try to eat food which is rich in vitamin B like citrus fruit, leafy greens, beans, eggs and chicken.
Also, include Omega-3 fatty acids as they lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.
Avoid eating processed food, fast food and commercial baked goods as they are linked to depression.
SUNLIGHT
Sunlight helps to boost serotonin levels and improve your mood. Whenever you get the chance, go outside during daylight hours and expose yourself to the sun. Feel the sunlight at least 15 minutes a day. You can remove sunglasses but you should never stare directly at the sun. It will fill you with lots of positive energy.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can cause low mood during the winter months when there is less sunlight. It makes a person feel completely different to what he/she is in the winter.
MUSIC
How to overcome depression without doing anything? Music is the key. Do nothing and just listen to the music. They say music is the best medicine. It is the best medicine for a broken heart. Music works wonders because it directly touches the soul. It has a healing touch. Listening to upbeat cheering music can immediately lift your mood and brighten your spirits. Whenever you feel down listen to the music and feel the change.
STAY AWAY FROM THE REASON OF DEPRESSION
If you are depressed because of a person then the best way to overcome is to stay away from them. The more that person is in front of you the more you will think about him/her. As long as that person is around us it becomes almost impossible not to think about them. It is like a black hole which pulls us towards it. Try to spend your time with people who make you feel comfortable. If that person id your family member and is is not possible to completely cut the ties off then try to minimize spending time with him/her. Go for a vacation for some time so that you can stay away from the cause of depression. Vacations will help you swing your mood as well.
SLEEP
Having a good sleep pattern helps a lot in improving your mental health. Depression is linked to sleep patterns. Sleeping too much or too less affects your mood. Less sleep can cause stress and irritation.
Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day and night. It will help you to fall asleep easily and you will feel rested if you follow this routine.
Also, don’t take naps longer than one hour unless it is necessary. Avoid caffeine from your diet as it makes it harder to fall asleep.
Nothing helps as much as a good sleep does. It refills our energy and makes us feel rejuvenated and ready to take up the next challenge in life. So try to get a sound sleep of at least 8 hours a day.
KEEP YOURSELF BUSY
Now, this is perhaps the most important point to fight depression. Being alone and thinking about it and doing nothing only increases depression. Keeping yourself busy will prevent you from thinking about the reason for your depression. It will keep you active and focused on the useful thing. The best way is to keep yourself busy with your work. You can find a passion or a hobby to keep yourself busy. You can make a schedule for yourself to keep you busy.
You can explore your artistic side and try drawing, painting, singing, dancing etc. Art heals like music.
Try reading books. Not only it will better your spirits but also you will learn a lot of new things. As they say, a book can be a person;s best friend.
If you are not a working person then you can join some classes. Whether it is a language class or something else, it will help you focus on good things.
Sports is a very good option. It will motivate you and will teach you to face various obstacles in life.
MEDITATION
If you ask any expert how to overcome depression then most of them will definitely suggest you try meditation. Research have shown that meditation helps a lot in dealing with depression. meditation is useful for mental disorders of all types and one of its best uses is for depression. Meditation increases levels of serotonin, your “happiness molecule,” and it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which significantly contributes to depression. You can also try yoga and deep breathing exercises. Meditation calms our mind and helps to get rid of negative energy.
This was our take on how to overcome depression. Hope you like it.