Five Solid Tips to Help You Feel Less Depressed

You called into work for the third time this week. The only thing you want to do is lay on the couch. Nothing seems appealing. Does anyone care? You hop onto social media and see all the smiling faces. You wonder why you’re not smiling like them. Suddenly, your phone rings. It’s your best friend inviting you out to dinner at your favorite restaurant. You decline because you don’t feel worthy of being in the presence of other people. You feel like you’re better off alone. You start beating yourself up for feeling this way.

It’s not your fault you feel this way. You’re not choosing to feel this way. Depression doesn’t discriminate.

Depression also isn’t something that can quickly shut off. But there are many ways you can lift your spirits. So, let’s discuss five solid tips to help bring you some peace.

When depression wants to rear its ugly head, grab a pen and paper. Write down all your feelings coming to the surface. It’s a fantastic way to unleash unwanted emotions.

Allow yourself to feel whatever you want to feel. But don’t stay in those feelings. Writing down how you feel helps to get those trapped emotions out of your system. Keeping them bottled up inside isn’t healthy.

Journaling has shown to be effective in helping people manage their depressive symptoms. Journaling is no substitute for professional guidance when the depression is particularly severe. But it can complement other forms of treatment for those with mild depression. (1)

There are many depression meditations available on the internet. Also, the great part is most of them are one hundred percent free. Take a gander and find one that resonates with you.

Meditation is an effective way to relax your mind. It is something that requires patience and persistence, though. You can’t do only one and expect immediate results. Try a seven-day challenge where you meditate every day. Then check how you feel.

Music feeds the soul. What kind of music makes you feel inspired? Find songs you love and compile the ultimate playlist.

There’s a reason you enjoy the kind of music you do. Perhaps you like to dance around your house. Maybe you listen to sing the lyrics at the top of your lungs. Maybe music is an outlet to ground yourself.

The notion music can influence your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors isn’t a surprise. Have you ever felt pumped up while listening to your favorite fast-paced rock anthem? Or cried during a tender live performance? If so, then you understand the power of music to impact moods and even inspire action. (3) All the more reason to listen, right?

Take a big deep breath right now. Did you notice what happens when you do that? Your mind automatically focuses on your breathing instead of what is plaguing you. Cool, huh?

Breathing exercises can help immensely with depression. Focusing on your breath also keeps you in the present moment. Everything is happening right now, anyway.

For people dealing with depression, breathing exercises can help manage symptoms effectively. For those suffering from severe depression, consulting with a licensed practitioner is essential. (4)

Exercise is an excellent distraction for depression. During workouts, your mind focuses on what your body is doing. Not to mention, you’re engaging in one of the most healthy activities known to man and woman.

If exercise is new to you, there’s no shame in starting small. You can go for a five-minute walk in your neighborhood. Then, you can increase the time you walk over the next couple of days. The key is to keep moving.

Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it improves all kinds of changes in the brain. Neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns are all possible benefits. Not to mention, exercise promotes feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good. (5)

There are also some common myths about how depression feels. It’s easy to tell someone to think positively. If it were that simple, depression wouldn’t exist.

Some describe it as sadness. Sadness is quite different, though. Being sad is a normal emotion we all experience at one time or another. It usually heals with a little time.

Depression is much different. It’s a mood disorder that may cause severe symptoms. It can affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities such as sleeping, eating, or working. (6) It’s a significant mental condition that can interfere with a person’s life for a prolonged time. No one deserves to feel this way.

If your depression goes beyond mild symptoms, please seek professional help. There is NOTHING weird about reaching out for help. Don’t buy into the stigma attached to mental health. It’s very real, and suffering in silence needs to stop.

Speak up because your situation can help others. I, too, have had episodes where I felt depressed. I’ve been the person who lies on the couch doing nothing. I’ve been the person who declines invitations because I didn’t feel worthy. I also took medication for it in the past. My doctor said everyone could benefit by speaking with a therapist. Don’t give up. There is hope.

Human interaction is one of the greatest things you can do to combat depression. Reach out to people you trust. Join groups to speak to others who are going through the same thing. I’ve said it before, and I’m going to repeat it: You’re not alone.

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