Depression affects millions of Americans and can affect you mentally and physically. When suffering from depression you may feel sad or hopeless, and lose interest in things you once enjoyed. You may also experience a change in appetite, sleep and concentration. If you experience symptoms of depression, do not lose hope. Depression, even when severe, is treatable.
Socialize
Depression tends to result in isolation as feelings of hopelessness invade your thoughts. Supportive relationships, however, can help reduce depression. It may be difficult to talk about your feelings and to admit your depression, but family and friends care about you and will want to help. If talking with friends and family seems too overwhelming, a depression support group is an alternative. Speaking with others suffering from depression will also show you that you are not alone and that others have been through the same things as you.
Be Active
When suffering from depression, you may not feel like being active. However, taking a walk, playing a sport, or just getting outside and being active will help you feel better by raising endorphins and lowering stress levels. You should try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, but it may be easier to start with a smaller amount of time and work your way up to this goal. You may have to force yourself to be active in the beginning, but getting past your hesitancy will prove beneficial.
Decrease Negative Thoughts
Depression colors your world with pessimism. You think negative things about yourself, situations, activities and the future, believing and expecting the worst. However, you may be able to decrease these negative thoughts using some simple techniques.
If you find yourself thinking something negative about yourself, ask yourself if you would say such a thing to someone else. If not, stop saying it to yourself. A second technique is to record your negative thoughts in a journal and review them at a later date when you are not feeling so negative. With a fresh view, you may realize that your negative thoughts were unfounded. To further the writing technique, try replacing the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. These exercises may help reduce negative thoughts and therefore reduce your depression.
Seek Help
Depression does not always get better without professional treatment. Before depression gets worse, it may be necessary to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional or medical doctor. A trained professional can make an accurate diagnosis and offer the assistance of medications designed to treat depression. If you experience thoughts of suicide, do not delay seeking help. Contact a mental health professional immediately.
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