Depression is quite a misunderstood disorder that is more prevalent than you might think. Depression is nothing like momentary sadness; it is a destructive state of mind in which a person is overwhelmed with negative emotions like self-loathing, worthlessness, anger, and crippling negativity.
When I say the word “crippling,” I mean it because when someone has a depressive episode, it can be difficult for them to get out of bed.
However, no matter how bad depression gets, it is always treatable, the active treatment, through conversational therapy may take some time, it is ultimately treatable.
Still, when depression is here to stay for a long time, you need to have some coping and preservation mechanisms to keep your mind stable and prevent a major depressive episode as much as you can. Therefore, in today’s post, I am going to tell you about six ways to live with depression.
Follow a routine as much as possible.
I understand that when depression is at its heights, it can be challenging to develop and maintain a routine; however, you should try to do so as much as possible. You may not be able to do everything on your routine initially, but 10% success is excellent.
The idea is to keep yourself as busy as possible, because the less time you get to overthink, the less likely you are to fall into another depressive episode.
Moreover, set small and attainable goals for yourself, and as you complete them, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which is an excellent step towards your recovery.
Furthermore, you must set small and easily attainable goals for yourself. This will allow you to avoid failures and slowly move towards a more stable daily routine one small step at a time.
Try to maintain a healthier lifestyle:
Eating unhealthy food, staying dehydrated, and not getting the right amount of sleep can make your depression worse. Diet plays an essential role in maintaining your mental health; therefore, you should eat healthy food for your body. This will also grove a sense of positivity, and your body will have one less thing to stress about.
Try to get some regular exercise as well, as it can promote better physical and mental health. Light aerobic exercise can release anti-stress hormones in the body.
Make sure that you get the right amount of sleep. Both too little and too much sleep is inadequate for your mental health; therefore, you should sleep for 6-8 hours and make it a priority to sleep at night, from 10-11 pm to 6-7 am.
Use cannabis as an alternative to antidepressants:
Antidepressants are a constant companion for any person who suffers from depression. Though these pharmaceutical pills do provide temporary relief, they can be damaging in the long run.
Antidepressants have tons of side-effects, and patients can also develop a dependency on them, which can make their depression even worse. Therefore, many people who have to deal with long term depression look for natural alternatives to antidepressants.
Cannabis is the perfect candidate for this designation. It is a natural drug with minimal side effects, and studies have shown that its controlled use can be useful for treating depression. The cannabinoids in marijuana affect our natural endocannabinoid system, and hormones like dopamine and serotonin are released in the body. See this link for top recommended CBD products
Furthermore, certain CBD dominant sativa strains of cannabis are also known to make the user more energetic, happy, and creative, which can be great for treating depression. Therefore, consider visiting shaded.co to learn more about cannabis for the treatment of depression
Consider adopting an emotional support pet:
Another excellent way to cope with long term depression is to adopt an emotional support pet. Most people opt to support dogs because they are very loving and intelligent animals, which can be quite helpful in treating depression.
These dogs are easier to care for, and they will love you unconditionally, even when you find it challenging to love yourself. These pets are trained to show you affection when you are feeling down; therefore, they can be accommodating in treating depression.
Create an emotional support mechanism:
If you have to deal with regular depressive episodes, you should stay alone. I understand that when we are depressed and don’t want to rely on others, it can be challenging to share our problems and negative thoughts with them because we don’t want to burden the people we love.
However, you need to trust me that your friends and family members will be supportive, and talking to them will allow you to get a massive load off your shoulders.
Loneliness can lead to overthinking, and that can lead to another severe depressive episode; however, if you have a supportive friend to rely on, you can talk about your problems and avoid another bad event.
Join a depression support group:
It would be best if you also considered finding a depression support group. You will be able to meet other people dealing with the same problems as you are; talking and interacting with them will help you feel better. More importantly, you will meet people who have defeated depression in these support groups, giving you hope, and getting you motivated.
See Also: Why you need a Diversion. The Power Of Self-Healing.
Final thoughts:
There is no doubt that depression is a severe disorder, and it can make everything seem extremely dark, gloomy, and hopeless. However, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and until you get to your recovery, there are many ways in which you can cope with depression, and preserve your mental health.
It is essential that you understand, no matter how much the psychologists and your supportive friends and family members try, only you can get yourself out of this deep pit. Sticking to the tips mentioned in this post is an excellent start.
So, I hope that this post helped raise awareness about depression and aid the treatment of people suffering from it.
Author’s bio:
Currently a student of English Literature, in her final years, Carolina Martel is passionate about writing her thoughts in words. She takes up writing projects in her leisure time to accompany her studies. Generally, she understands the essence of writing on every topic, especially those related to her field. She regularly writes at https://shadedco.com/.
