Overcoming depression isn’t quick or easy but it is possible. Putting some coping mechanisms into place to help you do so is of paramount importance, though.
Is it a never-ending journey?
Depression is no joke and battling it successfully may feel like a never-ending journey. It’s no respecter of person. Many famous people such as Winston Churchill, Princess Diana and actresses Lillian Dube and Vuyelwa Booi of 7de Laan fame, Strictly Come Dancing host Roxy Burger and celebrated painter Yvette Molenaar have experienced and learnt to cope with depressive episodes.
Contrary to what non-depression sufferers believe, you can’t just will yourself to “snap out of it” in a second or two. You can, however, learn what to do to cope and even live well while on your journey to recovery. This journey may include many stops and starts between stations but if you persist, you will, in time, reach your final, healthy, happy and positive destination!
Kick-start the journey
You may have to kick-start your journey by using whatever means are possible to first get out of what Lillian Dube describes as “the dark pit” of depression. If you need medicine (anti-depressants) to do so, use them. Don’t be made to feel guilty. Many who have walked the depression road agree that once the medication starts to take effect and you start feeling like a fully functional human being again, it also becomes possible to start making the other small, positive changes to your lifestyle that help combat depression. Of course, the ultimate goal is and always will be to get well enough to be able to gradually stop taking medicine.
Have the right ticket at hand
The ticket to general health and wellbeing is the same for sufferers and non-sufferers of depression. It consists of the following:
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- Eat well. There is a powerful link between what you eat or don’t eat and your mental health. Deficiencies in the B vitamins for example are known depression triggers. To counteract this you can take a B-complex vitamin supplement or eat more leafy greens, beans, chicken, eggs and citrus fruits. On the other hand, fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, tuna and some cold-water fish oil supplements are known mood enhancers. So, to achieve a much better frame of mind, chuck out junk food and start eating the genuine thing.
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- Sleep well. There are many natural remedies that will help you do so.
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- Exercise regularly. It’s so easy to sit and mope but getting off your butt and getting lots of fresh air and sunshine is a sure mood lifter. If, you struggle, join others who exercise and allow a specially appointed friend to “force” you to attend.
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- Address emotional stress and anxiety. The stress response begins in the brain and is often fuelled by fear. Try to face and manage that fear by learning to still your mind, to stay in the moment and not panic. Although this may not be easy to do, try and keep on trying.
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- Reach out and stay connected to supportive people. Now more than ever before, you need to surround yourself with those who understand what depression is all about and who love and support you. Ditch those that don’t, even if just for the time being.
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- Help others. Force yourself to volunteer for a worthy cause. Focusing on others’ needs will also help you to counteract the self-absorption and inwardly focused behaviour so typical of depression.
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- Force yourself to do things that have in the past made you feel good, even when you don’t feel like doing anything.
Coping and recovering from depression requires action, one of the most difficult things to do when you are depressed. It is, however, possible once you have made the decision to give it a try! Good luck and may you reach your “station” of health and wellbeing soon.
Sources
Coping with depression. Retrieved from: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/dealing-with-depression.htm
Dimartini, J. Gratitude – the key to loving each day and growing from every experience that occurs. Retrieved from: https://drdemartini.com/blog/gratitude-key-loving-day-growing-every-experience-occurs/
Griffin, R.M. Ten natural depression treatments. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments#1
Mhlungu, G. 2016. The arts in a traumatised nation. Retrieved from: http://city-press.news24.com/Trending/the-arts-in-a-traumatised-nation-20160516