Managing Depression: 6 Steps to Making Daily Life Less of a Struggle

November 18 2020 - From work to relationships, depression can severely impact many areas of a person’s life. With the low mood, loss of energy, and lack of interest in activities they used to love, someone who was previously positive and enthusiastic might become isolated with little self-confidence. While there is no cure for depression, there are ways to manage it. Here are six steps to make living with depression less of a struggle.

1: Open Up

With depression, you might feel like closing yourself off from the world, but this is one of the worst things you can do. Even if you feel like curling up in your duvet and avoiding human interaction for days, it’s important that you make the effort to reach out to people. It can be tricky but telling someone you’re suffering is the first step to getting better. Even if you can only manage a simple text message, it’s better than isolating yourself completely.

2: Fresh Air

Again, you might feel like hiding away, but being stuck inside will only make your symptoms worse. There’s only so much that Netflix can do for you! The trick is to force yourself to get outside. Throw some clothes on, run a brush through your hair, and go outdoors, even if it’s only for five minutes. Bask in the fresh air and remind yourself of all the beauty that exists.

3: Maintain a Sleep Schedule

Sleeping is one area that is greatly impacted by depression, whether that be sleeping too much or too little. Gaining control of your sleeping routine will help you deal with your mood throughout the day. Set yourself a schedule that you strictly adhere to, and try not to use your bed for anything other than sleeping. Even if you find yourself lying there without sleeping, it’s better to get the rest and stick to a routine.

4: Seek Help

If depression is impacting your life, it is time to seek outside help. Asking for help can be scary, but it’s important to admit that you need it. If you’re struggling to make it outside the house, you can choose to seek outpatient mental health help, where you can be treated from the safety of your own home.

5: Look After Hygiene

One of the signs of depression is bad hygiene. Many of those who suffer find they no longer care for brushing their teeth, washing their face, or showering. While it might seem like a huge chore, doing it will only make you feel better. Even if it’s just a quick splash of water on your face or only brushing your teeth for one minute rather than two, it’s better than doing nothing at all. You will feel more refreshed, which can greatly help your overall perspective.

6: Eat Well and Exercise

Diet and exercise don’t just affect the way your body looks, they also affect how you feel on the inside. It’s crucial, then, that you aim to maintain a healthy diet while exercising when you can. While you might be more comfortable eating quickly prepared food and staying in bed, giving your body proper nourishment will increase your mood and lessen the symptoms of depression. There are tons of quick, healthy recipes online for you to try, and you can even batch cook when you’re feeling better to eat on the days when your energy doesn’t allow cooking.

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