How to deal with Depression

                               Life is moving at a fast space today and we all want to be at par with the world. Each day we have different targets to meet and there is a sea of expectations. We all want to be a part of the race and want to succeed at any cost which leaves us alone, desperate, anguished, etc. To fulfill our motives we become so selfish that we leave behind friends and relations and when the time comes where we need a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold on we realize there is no one around. This loneliness causes depression as we have no one to confide in and our emotional outburst keeps swelling up. Being depressed can make one feel helpless.Changing ones behavior -physical activity, lifestyle, and even way of thinking – are all ways to deal with depression.

1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine. Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.
2. Set goals. When you’re depressed, you may feel like you can’t accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself. Start very small. Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day. As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.
3. Exercise. Exercise temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular physical activity seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways.
4. Eat healthy. There is no magic diet that fixes depression, but watching what you eat is a good idea. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.
5. Get enough sleep. Depression can make it hard to get enough sleep, and not getting enough sleep can make depression worse. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
6. Take on responsibilities. When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don’t. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can work as a natural depression treatment. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.
7. Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental — changing how you think. When you’re depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions. The next time you’re feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment.
8. Check with your doctor before using supplements. There’s promising evidence for certain supplements for depression such as fish oil, folic acid, etc. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.
9. Do something new. When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class.
10. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? You have to keep trying anyway.

–        Anjani M Nautiyal