When you find yourself depressed, you might think that nothing will make it better, or that you just don’t have the energy to do anything. However, there are some things that you can do to help yourself, even if they’re not easy.

1. Practice Self-Care

This includes things like eating right, getting 8 hours of sleep, getting daily exercise, and taking care of your basic hygiene tasks such as showering and brushing your teeth. Self-care might also include getting some time in nature, getting out in the sun, and practicing relaxation techniques.

2. Use Your Support System

This might be very hard to do. Often when you’re feeling depressed, your first instinct is to hole up alone, but this might be one of the worst things you can do. Instead, try to reach out to your friends and family for support. You have no reason to feel bad about asking for support, people usually want to help the people they care about. If for some reason you don’t have anyone to call, try the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-662-4357. The people there want to help so save the number in your phone and use it whenever you need to.

Another way to get support is to find a support group. Check with your local mental health agency or try online.

3. Do Something you Enjoy

Often when people get depressed, they have trouble enjoying the things that they usually do. It is important that you continue to do these activities though. It is especially important that you get out of bed every day and at least attempt to keep your daily routine.

4. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Although these types of substances may at first seem to help your depression, they will only serve to make it worse. Alcohol is first and foremost a depressant so it can lead to you feeling more depressed. Alcohol can also make medications less effective.

5. When to seek Professional Help

If you find that your depression isn’t getting any better, or is getting worse, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist for help. A professional can help you to learn new ways of coping, teach you to change your negative thinking, and provide you with needed support.

Maybe the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone! There are millions of people in the US with depression on any given day. And there is help. Most people with depression are able to be successfully treated and live a full life including working, finding a life partner, and even children. Don’t give up on yourself and reach out for help when you need it.

For More Information

Please call me today for an appointment or for more information on Depression Treatment.