If you’re experiencing depression, you know that everything seems that little bit more difficult. Whether it’s getting motivated to do household chores or getting out to enjoy time with friends. For many people, even getting out of bed can be a tough proposition. Depression treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition, however, there are some things you can do to make life a little bit easier.
Here are 5 tips for helping you manage symptoms of depression.
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Focus on Getting Better Sleep
Many people with depression struggle to get the sleep they need, and it’s not always about the amount of sleep either. Quality of sleep is important too because an interrupted night’s sleep can still leave you feeling lethargic in the morning.
Some tips for better sleep include turning off all electronics well before bed. The less stimulated your brain is, the easier it will be to sleep. Reading a book is fine, and many people say this helps them drift off to sleep more easily. You can also find mindfulness and sleep apps designed to help you sleep better – this is the only time you should use your phone before sleep!
Improve Eating Habits
Your diet can be intrinsically linked to your mental health, and that’s why getting the right nutrition is so important. Fatty foods and those full of sugar should be avoided as much as possible. Instead, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables and natural products.
Meal planning is a key to this, because when you experience symptoms of depression it can be hard to motivate yourself to cook healthy meals. Try preparing multiple meals that you can freeze or refrigerate, and then you’ve always got a meal on standby.
Exercise Can Help
Exercise plays a key role in supporting mental health. It’s often incredibly difficult to exercise if you’re suffering from depression, however, getting into a regular routine can help manage your symptoms. Exercise may lead to an increase of serotonin, a chemical that helps to regulate your mood.
The benefits of exercise are many, as it can also increase your energy levels, improve your sleep, and give you a sense of control over your own well-being.
Break Everything Down to Smaller Tasks
Even household chores can seem like a challenge when you’re suffering from depression. However, as those chores pile up, it only gets worse and worse. By breaking things down into smaller, single tasks, you can start to take back control.
Rather than feeling despair at needing to clean the whole kitchen, for example, focus on the individual tasks and take pride in each one you finish. Wash the dishes, mop the floor, wipe the surfaces. The sense of achievement can encourage you to keep getting things done.
Seek Medical Assistance
Finally, medical assistance is often required when dealing with depression. The tips above can help improve your quality of life, but you may need further assistance to help you long-term. If you’re concerned, book an appointment with your GP and ask for a referral to a psychologist.
Psychologists can help you with a range of coping mechanisms, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and other methods of managing your symptoms.