a boutique counseling experience

10 Simple Ways to Help You Feel Better

Are You Depressed?

Here Are 10 Simple Ways To Help You Feel Better

It’s normal to feel sadness as a response to challenging life events, loss, or changes, but sometimes these feelings can stick around for a while if left unaddressed and make it difficult for you to get through each day. This is when you may be experiencing a “funk” or mild depression. If you have depression these negative feelings may feel impossible change. You may feel hopeless and feel like you can't get better. However, there are things you can do to improve your self-esteem and start feeling better about yourself.

Depression will also drain your energy and make you feel hopeless, making it challenging to take the necessary steps to get out of this state.

However, all is not lost as you can still improve your mood and will yourself out of depression. Even though taking action might be the last thing you want to do, you can still take simple steps to feel more in control and improve your situation.

1. Accept the situation that you’re in

The first step that will help you get to the bottom of your mood when fighting depression is accepting that you’re depressed. Know that you’re not alone, as depression affects thousands and thousands of people. Some may be within your circle and facing similar challenges.

That’s why it is vital to accept your condition and open up. You can also reach out and get crucial support. This is crucial and may go against your knee-jerk reaction of withdrawing and isolating yourself, even from family members and close friends. Depression wants you to isolate and withdrawal; that is a massive component of the disorder and the reason it progresses.

2. Understand that the situation isn’t permanent

The best way to fight depression is to understand that the situation isn’t permanent. If things didn’t go well or according to your liking, there’s still tomorrow. Whether you failed to complete a task or do some chore at home, don’t push yourself hard as you can still amend things tomorrow or in the future.

smiling woman hitting a punching bag

3. Challenge negative thoughts

One of the things that depression does to a person is that it makes them see everything negatively. This includes how you view your future and self. The best thing to do is to give up on these cognitive distortions and try to think positively in every situation. The therapists at Shoreside Therapies all specialize in challenging your negative thoughts through CBT work.

4. Eat a healthy diet

There are no foods or drinks that will cure your depression. However, with that said, what you eat or drink can increase or lower the level of depression. For instance, drinks like alcohol, caffeine, and coffee are not suitable for depressed individuals.

On the other hand, foods such as vegetables, lean meat, salmon, and grains can help ease depression.

5. Stay away from alcohol and other drugs

Substance misuse is prevalent in depressed individuals. This is because they temporarily remove you from your depressed feelings. However, this is temporary, and most symptoms return stronger after use. Avoid using alcohol and drugs to try and alleviate depression. This will only worsen things and lead to mental problems.

6. Get enough sleep

Depression can make it difficult for you to get enough sleep. But, on the contrary, little sleep can worsen things for you. That’s why getting enough sleep is crucial. Ensure to sleep on time and remove distractions like a TV in your room.

7. Set achievable goals

Since depression can take a toll on a person, it is essential to keep things simple instead of complicating them. For instance, set achievable goals that don’t add to the difficulty you’re already going through.

8. Have fun as much as possible

Depression can make you feel disinterested in things you find interesting. Despite the feeling, you have to try and have as much fun as possible. If you love playing soccer, basketball, biking, or even hanging out with friends, try these activities as they may help you to recover slowly and find joy in them.

9. Do something new

Try something new to challenge your brain. When you repeat the same things daily, you use the same parts of your brain. As a result, you won’t get any new developments. Nonetheless, if you do something you have never done before, you will challenge your neurons and change your brain chemistry.

10. Exercise more

When you feel like you don’t want to do anything, engaging in physical exercise can help fight depression. You can also jog, run, or do yoga.

Even though depression drives us into a bad state and changes how we feel, think, and act, therapy can still reverse it by getting to the bottom of your mood and doing things that can uplift your spirit once again.

Contact Shoreside Therapies

Ready to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation?

(414) 332-7000

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • Blog
  • 10 Simple Ways to Help You Feel Better