Depression can be debilitating. Depression can also be deadly. Not managing depression can cause problems in relationships, lead to addiction, and even affect your physical health.
However, clinical depression is not a death sentence. There are many things you can do to manage your depression.
1.) Make Sure You Get Enough Exercise
Since I had depression, I spent many days just wanting to lie in bed. However, my father always encouraged me to "come and take the dogs for a walk." While simple, this was probably the best thing he could have done.
Simple walking increases endorphins. More strenuous and consistent exercise will increase energy levels which will improve your mood as well.
2.) Get Enough Sunlight
I suffer from seasonal affective disorder. I tend to get depressed in the wintertime, and it comes from the lack of sunlight. Vitamin D-3 is proven to increase mood, but natural sunlight is the best way to get it.
I recommend taking a walk during the noontime in the winter months. Spending 30 minutes in the sunshine, even when it's cold, can increase your mood.
Another good option is to have a lightbox. This device mimics sunlight and dramatically increases my mood in the wintertime. However, don't neglect the natural sunshine, even when it's cold.
3.) Journal
Our thoughts almost play without us noticing them. One good way to see what you are thinking is to journal. Set a timer and just write down whatever comes into your mind.
You'll be surprised why you might be down in the dumps when you see on paper what you've been thinking.
4.) Watch Out For Cognitive Distortions
I touched on cognitive distortions in an earlier article. You can read more about them here.
Sometimes we might exaggerate the importance of things. For example, you missed a day in the #ctpcontent challenge, and you stop writing altogether.
You might have lost some momentum. You might have to start over. But, it is no reason to throw in the towel. You are human, and humans make mistakes. Learn from them and do better next time.
5.) Expect Good Things To Happen
I was praying to God. "God, why am I so tired all the time?" I felt God say to me, "what are you expecting?" As a child of God, I can expect good things to happen.
Here's a silly example. I use FreeBitco.in every hour to earn Bitcoin. You can win up to $200 every hour. I find myself focusing on the fact that I usually only earn four satoshi, but in reality, I could win $200 worth of Bitcoin each roll.
So, now I think, "maybe this is the time I will win $200, not "I will probably only get four satoshi."
This scenario is just a silly example, but by expecting good things to happen, we can turn our depression around.
Thank you for reading. My name is John Karnish, and I am becoming a life coach with a Christian emphasis. If you like my content, please consider following me on Hive or social media.
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Take care, and God bless,
John
Posted from my blog with Exxp : https://johnkarnish.com/mental-health-mondays-5-tips-to-overcome-depression/