- Get More Active
According to a wealth of scientific studies, exercise can help you effectively fight depression. Even though it can't replace medication, exercise is a surefire way to alleviate stress and anxiety, lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of many medical conditions.
Exercising while feeling depressed can be tough. It's best to start small and do something that you love. For instance, you can start with taking short walks around your house, doing a few minutes of yoga at home, or simply putting on some music and dancing. In fact, dancing can be a very effective form of aerobic exercise.
Exercise works by stimulating the production of endorphins in your body. These brain chemicals help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Even a few minutes of moderate exercise a day can help you feel more upbeat.
- Don't Believe Your Negative Thoughts
More often than not, depression leads to a plethora of negative thoughts that take over your mind. You may start feeling as if nobody really likes you, that you're a failure or that you'll nerve get over this depression that depletes you from your vital energy. Such negative thoughts don't do anything else than worsen your depression. This spiral is very difficult to break.
One of the best solutions to fight these thoughts is by embracing positive thinking. For instance, every time you think that you'll never get rid of those feelings, just say to your self “How can I be so sure of that?” and try to think about a time when you had a happier view about life.
We take our thoughts for granted for way too many times. Why not challenge them instead, in order to live the life we want?
- Eat High-Quality Foods More Often
When feeling depressed, many people tend to eat a poor diet. They choose sugary or salty foods, in order to get that feeling of comfort that would chase their negative thoughts away. Nevertheless, eating junk food leads to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and eventually makes you even more miserable.
The best thing to do is to find comfort in wholesome foods you like. Make sure you stock on those foods and you eat them every day. Lean fish, salads, avocado, olive oil, broccoli, and whole bread are only a few of the foods that can bring you back to a good mood and the sunny days.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you should go for those wholesome foods you really like and eat them whenever you feel hungry or you need to uplift your mood.
- Sleep
Depression and anxiety are known to trigger insomnia. When depressed, you may find it difficult to fall asleep or to stay asleep throughout the night. You should try to implement some changes to your routine, in order to promote healthy sleep.
One example could be to try to go to bed at the same time every evening. Also, get rid of screens in your bedroom, refrain from eating for at least one hour before bedtime, and make sure your bedroom is quiet and dark. Try to lower the temperature in your bedroom, as that can promote a night of good and restful sleep. Last but not least, don't drink caffeinated beverages for at least a couple of hours before going to sleep.
We need sleep to regenerate, renew and repair. If you don't sleep enough, your body will misbehave or fail on you. A good night's sleep can help alleviate those nasty depression symptoms.
- Hydrate
Our body needs water to function properly. By providing your body with the amount of water it needs, you help it flush the toxins and improve the functioning of your internal organs. Proper hydration may even provide you with better-thinking clarity.
Don't replace water with coffee or soda, as such drinks aren't meant to keep you hydrated. In fact, caffeine will dehydrate you. Consider drinking ice water, sparkling water, or any kind of herbal tea you may like.
