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0 By Jessica
The symptoms depression manifests can be very difficult to live with. It’s tiring trying to manage the ups and downs, going from feeling great to feeling down. Sometimes it strikes with no warning and no reason. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help with these symptoms when they arise.
There are the obvious ways, of course. These include therapy and counseling, and possibly even medications that can help. I definitely recommend counseling, it can make a great support system, and it’s also important to have someone you’re able to talk to who can help you through those down times.
Then there are some things you can do on your own to help with your depression symptoms. The key is finding the right combination of things that work for you. You may have to try out different ideas to see what works best. You also want to be sure to keep it fresh. Add in your own ideas, or change it up when necessary.
These are some ideas I have tried that work well for me, and a few that I would like to try as well. Again, be sure to choose what is practical and feels right for you!
Practice self-awareness and mindfulness
These techniques are so important, and as you learn to master them, they will allow you to have more control over your thoughts and how you’re feeling. This is one of the most important, and I recommend working on these skills regularly.
Learn to meditate
Meditation is another great skill. It promotes relaxation and peace, and helps to calm both the mind and the body.
Keep a journal
Write down how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your life, etc. Keeping a mental health journal can help you to identify triggers, and help you keep track of things that work for you and those that don’t. It also helps to get your thoughts out of your mind, and onto paper instead.
Supplements and Essential Oils
You’ll want to check with your doctor first, but taking vitamins and other supplements can help to boost both your immune system and your mood. Essential oils are well known mood enhancers, and you can use aromatherapy in so many ways.
Stay active
Keeping yourself busy can help keep your mind from wandering into the negative thought zone. Go for a walk, exercise, find a hobby you love… whatever works for you to help keep you moving.
Eat healthy foods
Eating the right foods is essential to feeling good. When you load your body down with unhealthy food full of sugars and carbs, it also affects your mind and your mood. Try to avoid sodas as much as possible, and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Practice self-care
Treat yourself to some “you” time. Take time out to just relax without the stress of chores, errands, etc. Go have a spa day, buy yourself a new outfit, or plan a fun outing with friends. It’s so important to take time for yourself to do things that are fun and enjoyable. It’s no fun if you’re all work all the time.
These are just a few of many ideas and things you can do to help with your depression symptoms. You can use these as a preventative, or as needed when you start feeling your depression creeping back in. I also have a list of other natural way to ease both anxiety and depression symptoms.
You can even sit down and make a list of things you want to try. Practice them one by one until you find what works best for you. Everyone is different, but these are some great basics to start with that will work for just about anyone.
If there’s something you use that works for your depression symptoms that I haven’t listed, I’d love for you to share! I think we’re all looking for new and different ideas and tips to try. I hope these will help you as much as they have helped me!
~Jess
Reproduced with permission, originally posted on jessisamess.com
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The ideas are good and worth a try. But the problem is that I am living in a country where mental hygiene is very poor. That only compounds the problems that you already have.India may be developing in leaps and bounds. But I know I am falling back from where I stood 3 decades back. Slowly and steadily. I don’t see any ups. It’s always moving down.
And when depression becomes chronic because of lack of every factor that contributes to mental health the challenges become even more daunting.
Recently I have been listening to radio talks by Dr. Peter Breggins, Dr. Peter Gotszche Dr. Thomas Szasz Dr Daniel Fisher Dr Nial McLaren and several others.All of them revealed the darker side of the psychiatry industry and criticized them at the peril of their jeopardizing their own job and creating enemies in the Pharma world and amongst psychiatrists.
Unfortunately in India we don’t have a single such psychiatrist who can be that honest and try their level best to protect the psychiatry patients. Not one to name from India. It’s quite evident from the kind of challenges I face to execute a simple day to day action.
Counselling is good? Who will pay for it? And the stigma of visiting a professional never fades away from your psyche for a long time.
I have laid bare all the issues facing my life, past and present. Both verbally in text format and through art. It has not helped me. Not because these avenues are ineffective but because in India it just won’t help you. India does not have a baseline foundation for psychiatry. But the west has. And I am all praise for such forums, the psychiatry activists, and the survivors. They are all helping others recover Here in India the medical establishment has been hijacked by the physical ailments. Psychiatry patients will not find an iota of service here. They have been blacklisted by the hospitals and the ministry of health.
I went to gulf for a job as a general practitioner but could not get a propranolol to relieve my anxiety and I had to come back hurriedly. I am ashamed to be part of the Indian medical fraternity.after having suffered several humiliations. All because of psychiatry. People have quick fix solutions for this. They think psyche is a broken wood or plastic that can be repaired or mended using a sticky glue. This is an illusion which our people and their traditions are carrying with them. From time immemorial. They are yet to open their eyes to modern plans for managing psychiatric illness. In India we are living in the stone age amongst thick skulled dudes who decide our fate.
At this moment moving permanently to a foreign country which has a good mental health environment is the best option. Unfortunately age is not on my side. Getting a job of my choice too could pose a problem.
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