5 Ways to Cope With Depression

Depression can occur at any age and women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Depressed feelings occur with normal hormonal changes in your body and often cause mood changes.

There are also biological factors that may cause depression such as inherited traits, puberty, premenstrual problems, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Personal life circumstances and experiences are often associated with a higher risk of depression too.

Depression can trick you into thinking that nothing will help, or that relief will only be temporary. It will keep you in a cycle of maladaptive thinking, feeling, and doing.

However, there are ways and steps that you can take to cope with depression:

1. 1Be active physically
   Taking care of your physical health is important as it will make your body release a chemical called endorphins. Endorphins can trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. It will not only relieves your body from pain but also creates a general feeling of well-being. Just 30 minutes of physical activity daily is enough and it can be anything from yoga, walking, jogging, and gardening.
2. 2Nourish your body
   Eating a well-balanced meal is important too as your body will feel good when it gets the nutrients that it needs. Avoiding consuming too much sugar and flour can help you feel less bloated and sluggish.
3. 3Clock in at least 6-8 hours of sleep everyday
   This is another important basic need of our body. You need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep everyday so that your body and brain can function properly. Sleep deprivation can affect your decision-making process and put your health and safety at risk. If you’re suffering from insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea, do check in with your doctor for assistance.
4. 4Build a support network
   This may mean forging stronger ties with family and friends, and knowing you can count on your supporting loved ones to help you move forward in coping with your depression. Be more open in sharing your thoughts and concerns with your supportive friends and family. It may be hard at first but it will be easier as you move forward at your own pace.
5. 5Reduce your stress
   When you’re under stress, your body will produce more cortisol hormone. Too much cortisol hormone, in the long run, can cause many problems for you, including depression. Keeping a pet can help you to reduce your stress as you can focus your attention and thoughts once in a while on a daily basis on them and forget about all your worries.

Depression might seem overwhelming, but there are effective treatments. Severe depression can be successfully treated too as long as you’re willing to put in the work for the betterment of yourself. Consider turning into your primary care provider first and if needed, you can be referred to a mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating depression.