Living with depression can be extremely difficult. But here are a few steps that you can take to keep yourself mentally healthy and manage.
- Talk to someone you trust.
Isolating oneself makes it hard to talk. Many struggle to share what they experience and are hopeless about seeking help. However, stay in touch with one or two people that you consider trustworthy. When they take a step to talk, meet, or connect with you, don’t hesitate or push them away. Social support and attention are very important, which can help in dealing with mental health issues.
- Peer support
Try to be part of a group or fellowship; try meeting them at least once or twice in a month. Join support groups, which can help you gain different perspectives and insights from others, which will help in the healing process. Support groups will be a safe space to communicate and confide.
- Visit a mental health professional.
If you are not comfortable talking to your friends, family, or groups, you can schedule a session with a mental health professional that will effectively help you handle the distress you are encountering in life.
- Spend time with nature.
Spending time with green space or nature has its own benefits for your mental and physical health. Going for a walk, cycling, hiking, gardening, or taking care of pets. Pet therapy involves an interaction between the pet and the individual. Research studies have indicated that people with anxiety or depression have found interacting with nature beneficial and enhances their mental well-being.
- Engage in creative activities.
Creative activities like art, pottery, music, photography, cooking, baking, or writing—any other activity that enhances imagination and creativity—can help in developing your cognitive abilities, problem-solving thinking, rationalizing, looking into reality, and expressing your emotions. When you struggle to talk about your experiences, you can use these activations to communicate your experiences, thoughts, and emotions.
- Keep a mood diary or mood tracker.
Tracking your mood every day is an excellent way to be aware of you, gain insight on the cause of the mood disturbances, and work on oneself. It will help you to focus on the cause and work on avoiding or dealing with the triggers effectively.
- Write journal
Journal writing is one of the most commonly suggested self-care activities and is known to be an effective method to handle and manage symptoms. In the journal, keep a no-filter journal where you can write whatever is on your mind. Take note of what went well or what you are grateful for.
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