If you’re suffering from depression, you would probably do just about anything to be genuinely happy again. This is something that seems almost impossible when you’re depressed, but if you follow the tips laid out in this article, you can do just like that old song says , “Come on, get happy!”
If you are feeling depressed, it is especially important to make sure you get some time in the sun every day. It’s been proven that a lack of sunshine can worsen depression.
Increase the amounts of foods you eat that help your body produce serotonin, such as fish. Serotonin is a neurochemical that your body uses to improve your body. Many medications act to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain, but you can create this effect naturally by changing your diet.
Make sure that you understand all of the possible side effects before you decide to take any type of medication. Your doctor may be eager to prescribe you pills, and this may actually help you greatly, but you need to be sure that you are aware of exactly what you are taking ahead of time.
People suffering from serious depression may benefit from eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or taking a fish oil supplement as part of their daily diet. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in good brain function. Good natural fish sources for omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, sardines, and canned tuna. Omega 3’s also play a key role in heart health, so the benefits to your body are very significant indeed!
Understand and know that you are not insane, but depressed. Depression is the way the body tells us that something is wrong or out of balance with our body. The world around us is an insane place and our bodies react to this insanity by making us depressed. This does not mean that we are insane, it just means that you are a natural being living in an insane world.
If you are a parent, and you start to feel a bout of depression coming on try to find a way for your children to not be around you. If they are older, you can leave them home alone, but if they are younger children, you should have a close friend on standby to watch them.
Exercise. Studies have shown that people who exercise have lower rates of depression, and that those with depression can help their condition by doing some kind of exercise. Exercising is not only great for your physical health but for your mental health as well, so start an exercise program. There are many to choose from, and you’ll feel much better.
If you do not get the results you want when you take one anti-depressant medication, speak to your doctor about trying another. People respond differently to various anti-depressants, and some work for some people and not for others. It may take some trial and error until you find the medication that works to relieve your depression.
A great way to deal with depression is to make sure that any problems that you have are taken care of on a one-by-one basis. This is crucial so as to avoid a feeling of being overwhelmed. You will feel great with the progress that you make as well.
When helping somebody else deal with depression, be sure that you are not an enabler of bad behavior. This is important because you will not help anybody by giving into behaviors that do not help the person recover. An example would be to allow the person to not eat dinner with you at the table and bring food to their room, or to allow them to remain in bed all day.
Fix any personal problems that are within your control. Take small steps by only working on one simple thing at a time. This is so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and give up. Set goals for yourself and reward yourself when they are reached. Talk to other people for support and try not to let negative habits or thoughts get in the way.
If you are feeling sluggish or lazy due to your depression and would like to feel more alert, you should think about introducing more protein into your diet. Foods such as soybeans, seeds, and lean meats have been shown to increase alertness and awareness and can be helpful for those days when you don’t feel like getting up.
Experiencing that genuine happiness is something none of us really appreciate until it’s gone. You can get it back, though. You just have to use some great tips like the ones you’ve learned here and beat that depression down. Once you learn to rise above the depression, you can truly be happy.
