11 Dec 2011

Combating Depression


Along with all the other very bad things that depression does to you, maybe the worst is that it saps your drive and your energy leaving little hope of improvement. This makes it even harder to do the things needed to help yourself feels better. Without question, depression is hard to beat but it can be done. Here are just a few suggestions that may well help you escape the trap of depression and feel better about life.

All of us have goals. Some are very large and some are rather small. Dealing with depression makes reaching any goals difficult and that can be depressing in itself. Try making your goals smaller and more readily achievable. Even activities as simple as washing the dishes or cleaning the apartment count. Write these small goals down on paper and then check them off as they are done. You may be surprised at how good even these smaller victories feel.


Once you have achieved one of your written goals it is a wonderful idea to reward yourself for the accomplishment. Did you get the dishes washed? Great! Celebrate with an extra 10 minutes sleep tomorrow morning. Is the apartment clean? Even better! Reward yourself with a favorite dish or a movie. What the reward is doesn't matter in the least. By creating a system of achievable goals and rewards you take the focus off depression and put it on positive things.

Depression makes most of us want to hide from the world and that is not a good thing. It is a lot harder to remain depressed when in the company of others than it is when you are along and brooding. When depression attacks, fight back by attending social functions. You probably won't feel like it but by attending your depression will not be as paralyzing.

If your depression is severe and debilitating, a social function you should consider is a depression support group. Sometimes run by a therapist and other times part of a community outreach program, these groups do wonders in supporting each other when the need is most critical. Not sure if your location has anything like this? A simple online search will let you know what is available in your area. And even if there isn't anything local, there are online groups you can join as well. Remember, depression doesn't like company.

If your depression is being caused by your constant judging of your own actions you really need to stop. I can't think of a single human being who has ever been "perfect" in every way. I am certainly not, and I am reasonably sure you aren't either. Part of wisdom is accepting yourself as you are and not punishing yourself because of what you are not. This certainly doesn't mean that you should not try to improve the person you are. It does mean that you must not punish yourself for the stumbles that happen along the way.

When you are depressed it seems like some people you know don't want to be around you while others share your pain. Think about that and I'll bet that those who are making themselves scarce are generally happy and positive and those who love to share your misery are just as unhappy as you are. There is a lesson to be had here; depression hates happiness. As best you can, be around only positive, happy people and keep the negative folks far away. When depression doesn't have company it withers and dies.

Finally, it is never a bad idea to make your doctor a partner in your plan for healthy and happy living. A medical expert can make suggestions on other areas of your life such as diet and exercise that will also have great impact on your emotional state.
Undoubtedly depression can be a bear to deal with and these are just a few suggestion on how to get rid of it quickly. For more ideas on dealing with depression, visit us at Control Stress.

No comments:

Post a Comment