3 Ways To Cope With Depression
Everyone feels sad, blue, or melancholy once in a while. Everyone also experiences periods of prolonged low mood, isolation, and hopelessness once in a while. But if those feelings don’t go away and instead become persistent and commonplace for weeks or even months on end, it could be a sign of clinical depression. Here are 3 ways to cope with depression.
Talk about it
There are few things as helpful as having a friend to talk to when you’re feeling down.
Talking about your feelings can help you gain clarity about what’s troubling you, and that clarity can offer solutions to your problems. People who are depressed often withdraw socially and isolate themselves from others, which can exacerbate the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
By talking with a friend about how you’re feeling, you can alleviate your feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can help you to feel better and think more clearly.
Talking to a friend can also help you to observe your feelings and see them as they are rather than as they are distorted by being internalized and shut inside of you.
Exercise
You may not think of exercise as a way to deal with depression, but it’s a great way to help relieve symptoms when you’re feeling low.
- Exercise releases endorphins (naturally found chemicals in the brain), which are responsible for feelings of bliss and euphoria. These endorphins are also responsible for helping you to feel better about your body, your self-image, and your general outlook on life.
- Exercise also releases serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of happiness and contentment. By exercising when you’re feeling depressed, you can help yourself to feel better.
On top of all of that, regular exercise can help you to fall asleep more easily, which can help to break the vicious cycle of insomnia and depression.
Exercise can be done almost anywhere, and it doesn’t have to be intense. Simply taking a walk or going for a jog can help to alleviate symptoms of depression.
Identify triggers and find methods to overcome
Depression often has its roots in an event, trauma, or series of events in a person’s life. The trick is to figure out what those events are so you can learn to cope with them better. Sometimes, it’s obvious. For example, losing a loved one, a breakup, or a divorce are all events that people often describe as triggering episodes of depression. Other times, it’s less obvious. For example, experiencing a lot of stress, feeling like you don’t have friends or support, or feeling like you don’t have a purpose in life can all trigger episodes of depression.
Importance of identifying the events that trigger your depression
Identifying the events that trigger your depression will help you to figure out what to do when you start to feel depressed. You can’t stop an episode of depression from occurring, but you can stop it from becoming worse. When you feel the first signs of depression, remind yourself of the events or circumstances that triggered your last episode. This will help you to realize you’re stressed or experiencing some other trigger that’s causing you to feel depressed.
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can be treated with therapy or medication, so don’t hesitate to encourage the person to see a mental health professional. There are many ways to cope with depression. The trick is to know when you need help so you can get the support and assistance you need to recover from the illness sooner rather than later.
However, if you could not find support among people close to you, you can download the Sensera app. There you can find audio sessions to help you sort out your feelings and work through your triggers.
