In the past, mental illness had a great deal of stigma attached to it. It was ridiculed or ignored, and those who were suffering often didn’t feel as though they could ask for help; they may not even have known what the problem was.
Today things are much different. We understand mental illness a lot more, and there are many different options when it comes to dealing with it and improving mental health. When it comes to depression, for example, although it is always best to seek professional help, there are also many ways that people can manage the condition by themselves and make it less life-altering. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
Management Tips for Depression
1. Stay Connected
Something that often happens when people are suffering from depression is that they withdraw from society. They just don’t want to be around people and would prefer to be by themselves. The problem is that if you don’t stay connected to loved ones and friends, you can start to feel even more depressed. The truth is, the more alone you are, the worse your depression will become, also though it is your depression that is telling you it is best to be alone.
Trying to stay as connected as possible, even if it is only via email or text, to begin with, is crucial. It won’t cure your depression entirely, but it will help you to manage it more easily. When you are in the midst of your depression, it can be hard to maintain good relationships, but remember: talking through your problems will give people the information they need to help you and support you better.
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2. Try Rehab
Rehab might seem like an extreme option to take, but when your depression is deep, and you are unable to see past it, sometimes being with others who are feeling the same and with professionals who can help you expertly is the ideal solution.
A teen rehab center, for example, will have professionals on hand who understand the deeper issues associated with depression affecting younger people, and these are the best people to talk to when things get too bad.
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3. Eat Better
Your diet is linked to your brain, so eating well (that is, healthy, well-balanced meals) is going to be much better for managing your depression than eating lots of junk food. Although the latter might have an immediate positive effect, that will wear off quickly, and you might even feel worse. Healthy food gives you a mental boost that lasts for much longer, and this will enable you to manage your depression better.
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When it comes to eating better, you should try to:
- Have four to six small meals a day (this regulates your blood sugar better than two or three larger meals)
- Reduce the amount of sugar and carbohydrates you consume
- Eat more whole grains
Read: Diabetic Diet Plan
4. Sleep Better
One of the best ways to feel mentally healthy is to sleep regular hours. Of course, if you have depression, then sleep can be hard to come by; one of the symptoms of depression is insomnia. However, if you can speak to a doctor about your insomnia, and then practice better relaxation techniques to enable you to have a good night’s sleep, your health – both mental and physical – will improve.
Remember not to get too much sleep, however. Any more than about eight hours can have a detrimental effect and cause depression to feel worse.
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