subject: Depression Self Help [print this page] If u experience depression frequently r n n ongoing manner, t's important t seek professional help. Nnthl, thr r things tht u n do n daily basis t help lift ur spirits nd shed th mantle f depression - t lt temporarily - nd rh permanently. In th article, w wll share series f practical, doable tips t help u cope wth depression n ur daily life.
1. Do ur best t develop supportive relationships. Smtm, whn w r depressed, t's hard t even notice thr people. B tht f m, try t keep ur eyes open nd notice th many small kindnesses tht people bestow un u vr day. Yu m b surprised t find tht people r generally concerned but u.
2. Dn't hide urlf away. Make t point t get ut vr day nd spend little time mng others. Even f u just visit mall r park nd do little people watching, t wll lift ur spirits. Taking part n social activity once r twice week l very helpful. Good places t look fr social activities include libraries, places f worship, r ur local gym.
3. Learn t substitute positive thoughts fr negative thoughts. If u find urlf being pessimistic r thinking negative thoughts, simply cancel thm. Substitute mthng positive n th place f negative thoughts. Act n ur new thoughts right away t help thm come true.
4. Get plenty f high quality rest vr day. Get 8 hours f sleep night, r f th problematic fr u, b sure t take nap n th afternoon r t convenient time during th day t make certain tht u have total f 8 hours f good rest vr 24 hours. Th very important t maintaining good mood bu lack f REM sleep nd lack f dream cycles n very negatively affect th way w feel.
5. Learn relaxation nd stress management techniques t b better bl t cope wth day t day stressors. Learning t meditate, redirect ur thoughts, u muscle relaxation nd n thr established method f managing stress nd relaxing body, mind nd spirit wll b helpful n alleviating depression.
6. Spend little time wth pet. It has bn proven tht time spent petting nd playing wth dog, cat, rabbit r thr beloved pet, r even just watching fish n n aquarium n have th effect f lowering th heart rate, lowering blood pressure nd relieving stress. Stress big contributor t depression, nd spending time wth pet n help u get rid f stress nd enjoy th unconditional love tht pets give freely.
7. B sure t get t lt 15 minutes f light-t-moderate exercise vr day. Going fr walk, swim r bike ride n b very effective n improving ur physical condition nd ur state f mind. Exercise uh yoga n b extremely helpful n ordering ur thoughts nd settling ur spirit. All f th things r helpful n th fight against depression.
8. Spend few minutes n th sunshine vr day. Althugh spending t muh time n th sun n b bad fr ur health, t's important t attain happy medium. Dn't stay ut f th sun ntrl. People, like plants, need sunshine t thrive. Take 5 r 10 minutes t enjoy th sun n ur face vr day. Combine th wth ur walk r bike ride outside r simply sit n th sun t read r have chat wth friend r acquaintance. It wll lift ur spirits.
Th effect f th tips synergistic. Each tip ln m nt m t amount t muh nd wn't take muh effort fr u t perform. Nnthl, whn done together nd regularly, ll f th tips combine t have depression fighting effect tht muh greater thn th effort t takes t follow th tips. If u incorporate th tips into ur lifestyle n regular basis, u m wake u one morning t find tht u r free f depression!
