Coping With Depression: 4 Helpful Skills
While in the midst of a depressive episode, you will do almost anything to feel better. Having depression can feel like a weight on you that you just cannot seem to lift. If you have felt this way before, know that you are not alone.
Learning to cope with your depression in an effective manner may sound impossible, but it can be done. Try practicing these four skills to help you to live with your depression.
One: Take care of your physical health.
Even though it may not feel like it, your physical health and your mental health are very closely linked. When your mental health is in a downturn, your physical health will probably fall by the wayside. The opposite is also true.
The good news is that taking care of your physical health will help you to feel better mentally. Try utilizing the following to help manage your depression.
Practice intentional movement: Move your body in a way that feels good to you! This does not have to mean running a marathon or lifting heavy weights. Light stretching or a walk outside are intentional options you can move.
Eat colorfully: Although comfort food is comforting for a reason, eating colorful fruits and vegetables is a great way to introduce vitamins and minerals your body needs. This isn’t to say you can no longer indulge in your favorite desserts or macaroni and cheese, just be mindful of a well-rounded diet as well.
Practice good hygiene: When you are depressed, doing even these basic tasks can feel monumental. Making the time to take care of yourself by doing these tasks will not only make your body feel better, but it will also make your brain feel better.
Two: Start a journal.
Journaling is one of the best ways you can get your thoughts out of your head, even if it is only temporarily. While journaling, you can let out all of your frustrations, negative thoughts, and anything else you would like. A journal is a place where you can express anything you want without fear of judgment.
Something to be mindful of when journaling is that it does not need to be perfect. You do not need to follow an outline or be wary of spelling errors. It simply serves as a place to put your thoughts. Utilize it however you like!
Three: Be mindful.
Practicing mindfulness is another great way to connect to your physical body. Generally, practicing mindfulness is done through meditation. Both tactics are excellent options to direct your thoughts toward focusing on your body and breath.
Finding guided meditations is relatively easy to come across on the internet. Try searching YouTube and try out a few to see which techniques work best for you.
Four: Reconnect with loved ones.
Depression is a condition that makes us withdraw from those we love. It wants us to be isolated and alone. In the midst of depression, reaching out to your friends and family may be the last thing you want to do, but I encourage you to do so.
Human connection is one of the best medicines. By reconnecting with your loved ones, you are reminded that there are people out there that care for you and your well-being. If you are not comfortable talking about your depression with your friends or family, joining a support group is another route you can take.
If you find that these tips are not helping or you would simply like an outside voice guiding you, then depression treatment is another great option. Seeking help from a trained professional can be daunting if you have never done so before. If you are interested in learning more about me and my practice, reach out today to get started.
