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How to Deal With Depression | 4 Ways to Instantly Change Your State
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How to know if you're depressed
Depression symptoms can vary, but it always results in living in a negative state.
Common signs include:- Feeling hopeless or a lack of energy and interest in things that used to bring you happiness.
- Restlessness or constant negative thought patterns.
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Ways to deal with depression
Understand the common triggers. Once you understand which one is behind your depression, you can better learn how to cope with depression.
Feelings of loss, “less than” and “never going to happen” are the major reasons that most people dip into depression. Loss can result from a loved one dying or losing a job; feelings of “less than” can be triggered by comparing yourself to others you view as having more than you and “never” occurs when you start believing that your goals and dreams are completely out of reach.
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Address your limiting beliefs
Many of those trying to find ways to deal with depression have formed limiting beliefs that negatively affect how they think.
If you come from a family who has never had a member attend college, you might believe that you are not smart enough to achieve your goals. Another common limiting belief is that they are supposed to be sad because depression or anxiety runs in their family.
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Change your physiology
Change your body and you'll change your mood.
Being mindful of your body and making adjustments to how you carry yourself can be key to dealing with depression. Changing your body can be as simple as lifting your chest.
You can also change your physiology by doing something active, such as taking a walk or doing some stretches while you breathe deeply.
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Empowering rituals
Routines and rituals create stability and certainty in your life, even when the world looks bleak.
Exercise and movement are great ways to naturally improve your mood, releasing endorphins and improving overall mental health.
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Change your words
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on breaking patterns in how you perceive the world around you.
Changing your negative self-talk with empowering words means taking a powerful step toward learning how to cope with depression.
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Get offline
Facebook and other social media sites often make us feel worse, not better. Even the hunched-over position we use to look at our phones makes us feel down.
Instead of scrolling through status updates, go outside for a short walk in the sun or meet a friend for coffee. Push yourself to interact with your loved ones.
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Reach out and stay connected
You may feel too exhausted to talk, ashamed at your situation, or guilty for neglecting certain relationships. But this is just the depression talking.
Staying connected to ot...
How to reach out for support
- Look for support from people who make you feel safe and cared for. They just need to be a good listener.
- Make face-time a priority. Talking to someone face to face about how you feel can play a big role in relieving depression.
- Try to keep up with social activities even if you don’t feel like it.
- Find ways to support others.
- Caring for a pet can get you outside of yourself and give you a sense of being needed.
- Join a support group for depression.
Do things that make you feel good
Do things that relax and energize you. This includes following a healthy lifestyle, learning how to better manage stress, setting limits on what you’re able to do, and scheduling fun activities into your day.
Even if your depression doesn’t lift immediately, you’ll gradually feel more upbeat and energetic as you make time for fun activities.
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Recognize Your Critical Self Attacks
Depression is often accompanied by a critical, self-destructive mentality that interferes with and distracts us from our daily lives.
Ask yourself, would you think such cruel t...
Don't Isolate Yourself
When depressed, you may hear thoughts telling you to be alone, keep quiet and not to bother people with your problems. Do not listen to them.
Confiding in a friend to lighten your burden can begin a process of ending your unhappiness. Even the simple act of putting yourself in a social atmosphere can lift your spirits.
Do Things You Once Liked to Do
The times you feel most like slumping on the couch are the moments you should force yourself to take a walk, cook a meal, or call a friend.
If you've ever been depressed before, do whatever it was that helped you feel better before. Act against the critical inner voice that tells you nothing will help.
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How depression is measured
Depression is often measured by scientists using something called the Hamilton Scale. It runs from 0 (where you are dancing in ecstasy) to 59 (where you are suicidal).
Causes of depression
Many leading scientists believe the whole idea that depression is caused by a “chemically imbalanced” brain is wrong.
There are in fact nine major causes of depression and anxiety that are unfolding all around us. Two are biological, and seven are out in here in the world, rather than sealed away inside our skulls.
Childhood trauma can cause depression
When you’re a child, you have very little power to change your environment. So, you have two choices.
- You can admit to yourself that you are powerless and there’s simply nothing you can do about it.
- You can tell yourself it’s your fault and at some strange level under your control. If you were responsible for being hurt, then at some level, you have to think you deserved it.