Depression hits all of us at some time in our lives, whether it’s fleeting or chronic. Knowing things you can do to diminish or eliminate it can help you live a happier life. In the case of clinical depression, I do advocate that my clients seek medical advice as well.
For everyone, I advise some steps you can take to overcome depression, whether you take medication or not:
- Get moving. Exercising for just 15-30 minutes per day will make a difference. Even just 2-3 days per week in your routine is sufficient. Plus, an increase in activity provides a mental health boost and the physical benefits.
- Be positive. It might sound simplistic, but having a positive mindset is a huge lifeline to overcome depression. Many people struggle with this concept because they don’t realize that being positive takes work. It can be hard at times to be optimistic, but the more you can practice, the easier it gets to stay positive.
- Fuel the body. Food helps the brain as much as it helps the body. Choose the dark, green leafy vegetables and things like fish oil. Also, balance your diet, so you’re not eating too much of one food. You may also require extra vitamins and minerals, so Vitamin B or a multivitamin may also be required.
- Talk it out. Counseling or therapy is a major aid to depression—and one of the best methods. A good therapist can help you uncover the deeper roots of your depression and help change your energy.
- Healthy shut-eye. Most people don’t need more than 9-10 hours of sleep per night. If you’re getting too much or too little, it’s important to get some help. After a week or two, disrupted sleeping patterns disrupt mental health.
These strategies have been proven to work because they stimulate the brain chemicals that overcome depression. It is very important to notice any changes in how you are thinking, feeling, or acting—and appreciate those moments of feeling good, so that you get more and more of them.
Be sure to download my ebook, How to Overcome Depression Without Medication as my gift to you.
I like your advice to get moving. Exercise can really make a difference when it comes to overcoming depression. I think that more people need to realize that. Otherwise, they may never become happy. How would you go about finding a counselor like you suggested?