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There are many forms through which depression can manifest itself, ranging from mild to a feeling of desperation. There is no one method to deal with depression, as different options work for different people. Depression doesn’t carry any negative social stigma, as it can happen to anyone.
However, depression can be treated and individuals can even practice prevention. There are a lot of ways to deal with depression.
Checking for Physical Causes
Depression is caused by the individual’s body chemistry getting out of level, for any number of reasons. If an individual suspects they might be depressed, even mildly, then the best thing they should do is consult with a trusted healthcare professional. Depression is no laughing matter, and can lead to an individual’s death. While no one likes to admit that they are depressed, but if they feel they are, then they should find help. Most forms of depression can be managed quite easily.
Understanding that Drugs and Alcohol Won’t Help
Alcohol is a well known depressant, as are some drugs. Anyone using alcohol or drugs should be aware that what they are actually taking are chemical depressants, and can lead the individual to feel even worse than they did before. Needless to say, if an individual ingests depressants they will get depressed or likely accelerate their existing depression.
Aiming for Daily Balanced Living
One of the greatest defenses against depression is to live a balanced life everyday. All this means is that the individual should be mindful of doing simple things like eating well, getting proper rest, exercising and getting social interactions.
Exercise
Just getting out of bed can be a daunting task when an individual is depressed, and working out can feel like a distant dream. However, exercise is one of the most powerful natural depression fighters, and as such is an important tools in the individual’s recovery arsenal. Research has shown that exercise can be extremely effective in alleviating symptoms of depression. Furthermore, it also prevents relapse once the individual is no longer depressed. It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Getting Some Sun
Sunlight can help boost serotonin levels and improve the individual’s mood. The individual should get outside during daylight hours and expose themselves to the sun for at least 15 minutes.
As mentioned previously, getting professional help is always the best way to deal with depression. However, these are some self help methods that the individual can try before going in for a consultation with a mental health professional, and these methods can also form part of the individual’s treatment, along with sessions with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
Blueprints provides support for young adults facing addiction recovery. Our staff and programs support individualized programs to help resolve addictive behaviors and get them on the path to recovery and healing.
