Md Altaf Hussain :
There are times in life when you feel like things will never get better and that your feelings of depression will never end. What can you do at those times when you feel hopeless, unmotivated, fatigued, or overwhelmed with life?
If you begin to feel depressed, your first step should be to focus your time and energy on yourself. Depression isn’t just a passing state that goes away in a few days; it’s a debilitating mental disorder that affects daily life.
Depression is a pervasive feeling. It’s almost as if you are in a black tunnel with no light. Hope disappears and the things you used to find enjoyable become a chore.
Even winning the lottery would not snap someone out of depression and it is never a good idea to tell someone who is depressed to sort themselves out and pull themselves together. How is it possible to overcome depression?
Practice mindfulness
A depressed mind tends to mull over all that is wrong and worries unnecessarily about all the negative possibilities that may emerge in the future. This negative thought cycle reinforces misery and is not helpful in managing to overcome depression. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment and is a skill that needs to be practiced. More often than not, our brains are full of thoughts and focusing on the present moment seems unnatural for our minds. Practice on engaging your senses in the moment. Focus on touch, taste, sight, sound and smell. Engaging the senses leaves less time for worry.
Connect with friends
This can be one of the hardest things to do when feeling depressed but it is one of the most rewarding activities. Force yourself to go out. Isolating oneself from others may seem a good idea but put a limit on it and then get out there again. This can have a huge positive effect on your mood.
Find new hobbies
Do something that you’re passionate about and that motivates you to get out of bed. It may be a sport or some kind of art, like writing or painting.
Think positively
Try to keep your negative thoughts under control and attempt to see the world positively. You can start by thinking of five things that are good in your life. Write it down in a journal and look back at it when you’re feeling down.
Exercise
Regular exercise has benefits for helping to overcome depression. Exercise releases endorphins which improve natural immunity and improve mood. Besides lifting your mood, regular exercise offers other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, protecting against heart disease, cancer and boosting self-esteem. Experts advise getting half an hour to an hour of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking at least three to four times per week.
Stop the negative self talk
Depressed people tend to see the world in a negative way. When things go wrong they blame themselves and when they go right, they put it down to luck. Depression reinforces self doubt and feelings of worthlessness. Monitor your inner negative talk and make allowances for this type of thinking by reminding yourself that your thinking is that of a depressed person, not a healthy functioning person. Don’t take your thoughts seriously when you are feeling low. Acknowledge the thoughts but this doesn’t mean you have to believe them. Keep perspective.
Eat better
Eating poorly can negatively influence your mood. Eating a healthy diet can improve your mental and physical state.
There are times in life when you feel like things will never get better and that your feelings of depression will never end. What can you do at those times when you feel hopeless, unmotivated, fatigued, or overwhelmed with life?
If you begin to feel depressed, your first step should be to focus your time and energy on yourself. Depression isn’t just a passing state that goes away in a few days; it’s a debilitating mental disorder that affects daily life.
Depression is a pervasive feeling. It’s almost as if you are in a black tunnel with no light. Hope disappears and the things you used to find enjoyable become a chore.
Even winning the lottery would not snap someone out of depression and it is never a good idea to tell someone who is depressed to sort themselves out and pull themselves together. How is it possible to overcome depression?
Practice mindfulness
A depressed mind tends to mull over all that is wrong and worries unnecessarily about all the negative possibilities that may emerge in the future. This negative thought cycle reinforces misery and is not helpful in managing to overcome depression. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment and is a skill that needs to be practiced. More often than not, our brains are full of thoughts and focusing on the present moment seems unnatural for our minds. Practice on engaging your senses in the moment. Focus on touch, taste, sight, sound and smell. Engaging the senses leaves less time for worry.
Connect with friends
This can be one of the hardest things to do when feeling depressed but it is one of the most rewarding activities. Force yourself to go out. Isolating oneself from others may seem a good idea but put a limit on it and then get out there again. This can have a huge positive effect on your mood.
Find new hobbies
Do something that you’re passionate about and that motivates you to get out of bed. It may be a sport or some kind of art, like writing or painting.
Think positively
Try to keep your negative thoughts under control and attempt to see the world positively. You can start by thinking of five things that are good in your life. Write it down in a journal and look back at it when you’re feeling down.
Exercise
Regular exercise has benefits for helping to overcome depression. Exercise releases endorphins which improve natural immunity and improve mood. Besides lifting your mood, regular exercise offers other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, protecting against heart disease, cancer and boosting self-esteem. Experts advise getting half an hour to an hour of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking at least three to four times per week.
Stop the negative self talk
Depressed people tend to see the world in a negative way. When things go wrong they blame themselves and when they go right, they put it down to luck. Depression reinforces self doubt and feelings of worthlessness. Monitor your inner negative talk and make allowances for this type of thinking by reminding yourself that your thinking is that of a depressed person, not a healthy functioning person. Don’t take your thoughts seriously when you are feeling low. Acknowledge the thoughts but this doesn’t mean you have to believe them. Keep perspective.
Eat better
Eating poorly can negatively influence your mood. Eating a healthy diet can improve your mental and physical state.
