How To Not Be Depressed
#14 Don't Be Alone
You remember when you were a kid and you would get really excited when another kid wanted to play with you? Same thing here. As humans, we are very relationship-minded. We need social interaction so don't avoid your loved ones. Even if you think you'd rather be alone, you'll be much happier with the company.
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15:
Go Outside!
It's not healthy to stay indoors all of the time. Your mind works better with fresh air and nature can help inspire creativity. If, for whatever reason, you can't go outside then open a window and be near it. The fresh air will do you good.
14:
Don't Be Alone
You remember when you were a kid and you would get really excited when another kid wanted to play with you? Same thing here. As humans, we are very relationship-minded. We need social interaction so don't avoid your loved ones. Even if you think you'd rather be alone, you'll be much happier with the company.
13:
Don't Dwell
"If I'd only done this..." "If only I'd been nicer to her..." "If only I'd worked a little bit harder!" Look, we've all been there. You could play the "if only" game until you're a cranky old man but if you spend so much time feeling sorry about what could have been then how can you ever move forward? You have a whole life ahead of you, but you can't live it if you're too busy looking over your shoulder.
12:
Don't Be Afraid.
Just like all of the "if only" thoughts, the "what if" thoughts can hold you back too. Stop worrying about what is going to happen and just get out there to live your life. Your fear could be what's bumming you out and causing you to miss out on some exciting opportunities. You'll never know until you try.
11:
Eat It.
It's not a good idea to eat your feelings but the way people view food can really be stressful sometimes. If you're feeling down on yourself, sometimes a little treat is just enough to boost your mood. Go ahead, have a cupcake and evaluate why you're feeling so bad. No, cupcakes are not the answer but who doesn't love a good sweet treat?
10:
You're Beautiful.
Maybe you looked in the mirror at Target and didn't like what you saw. Or you got the pictures back from last weekend and you're not sure when it happened but you're not happy with the way you look. Understand that no matter what you weigh, what your skin looks like or how long your hair is, your beauty comes first from the inside. Everything else is cosmetic and can easily be dealt with so stop letting it ruin your life.
9:
Drink More Water.
One of the signs of dehydration is a depressed feeling. It can last for weeks and make you feel like your body is shutting down. Perhaps you have headaches, muscle aches and you feel more emotional than usual. These could be a number of things but chances are, you're not drinking enough water. Try to get at least 64 ounces of water each day and see how you feel in a few days.
8:
Watch What You Eat
Food that are high in the wrong kinds of fats can seriously bum you out. In addition, high sodium, overly-processed and foods high in sugar can kill your buzz too. If you're not eating properly, try to cut out the greasy junk food and switch to foods high in vitamins and minerals that your body needs.
7:
Find A Hobby
Having a hobby is a great way to relieve stress and feelings of inadequacy. By focusing your creative energy on something, you can get your aggression out and feel like you're doing something to benefit you or the world around you. Take a karate class, start painting again, learn how to grow a garden. Whatever it is you've always thought of doing, give it a try.
6:
Volunteer
Helping others is a great way to put things into perspective. By volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping to build a home for an underprivileged family, you will be able to see that you don't have it so bad. It's also great to see hope in the eyes of someone that is temporarily in a hopeless situation. It's inspiring for everyone involved.
5:
Take Some Time Off
If you have a larger workload than usual and you're finding that at the end of the day, there is no time to do anything but catch a few hours of sleep then maybe it's time to take a break. Go on a family vacation, go for a weekend getaway, take a week off of work and just relax around the house. Whatever you need to do to unwind, you should do it.
4:
Think About Doing Something Else
So, you took the vacation. You cleared your head and you reconnected with your family but now you're back to the grind. You thought a break would make all of the difference but it's only made it harder for you to get back into the swing of things. We're not telling you to quit just because you have to work hard, but maybe it's time to consider a career change...
3:
Get Active.
A lot of people have trouble staying active. Our bodies are not made to sit still all day, we require some physical activity. Take up a yoga class, go rock climbing, try walking to and from work. The key is to find what works for you and stick to it. In no time, you're going to be enjoying the many benefits of an active lifestyle, one of those being happiness.
2:
See Your Doctor
If you've tried everything but still can't seem to shake this feeling of depression, you should see your doctor and talk to them about what can be done. Depression is treatable but your doctor will usually try natural remedies before prescribing anything. If medicines are prescribed, it's always a good idea to get more than one professional opinion.
1:
Stay Positive.
It's easy to feel bad when all you do is focus on the negative details of life. Sure, things don't always go your way and it seems like everything is failing, but don't worry, it happens that way for almost everyone. Everyone has problems, but the key is to stay thankful for all of the amazing things in your life. What do you have to be thankful for? Think it over, no matter how small, you'll find plenty to feel good about and even if the list is small, there's always time to add more to it. Don't make yourself into a victim.
