What to Do When Dealing With Depression

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Over the past few years, depression and other mental health-related conditions have become less taboo and more socially acceptable for people to admit to dealing with. From more awareness about mental health issues in the media to mindfulness initiatives in the workplace, more people are feeling comfortable  opening up about their mental health challenges rather than suffering in silence alone.

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), roughly  264 million people worldwide live with depression. This medical illness, known as a mood disorder, affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. Depression symptoms commonly include feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and hopelessness and can also present themselves through a lack of appetite, a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and fatigue.

Depression can negatively affect every area of a person’s life, including their work, health and relationships. This article has outlined some helpful steps to take if you feel you may be affected by depression.

Seek Medical Help

Speaking with a medical professional will give you an opportunity to explain your symptoms and state of mind to someone who can help. They may refer you to a specialist who may be able to diagnose your condition by running some tests and conducting the right assessments. This will ensure you have the right specialists at your side to ensure you get the help you need.

Unfortunately, in some cases, test results are not properly communicated to patients leading to serious consequences. If you or a loved one have been affected by this consider contacting The Tinker Law Firm PLLC who may be able to advise you further.

Get Enough Sleep

Research shows that there is a close connection between depression and sleep. For instance, people with insomnia are ten times more at risk of developing depression than those who get a good night’s sleep. The following steps can help to improve the quality of your sleep:

● Fit curtains or blackout blinds to create a bedroom that is conducive to sleep each night.

● Switch off all distractions such as laptops, phones and televisions and avoid too much screen time before going to sleep.

● Use essential oils such as ylang-ylang and lavender which can aid in a good night’s sleep.

● Avoid drinking caffeine four to six hours before your bedtime.

Practice Awareness

Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can be a beneficial way to improve your mental health and help ward off depressive states. By taking some time each day to observe your inner landscape and the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing, you may soon realize that your mind may be repeating certain negative thoughts which you weren't aware of, causing a drop in your mood.

This daily practice of awareness can help you to see which thoughts are no longer serving you, allowing you to change your mind to a more helpful or positive state instead. By taking charge of your thinking patterns you can begin to experience a greater sense of peace and mental balance in your life.

By following these suggestions, you will be well on your way to regaining a healthier, happier, and more balanced state of mind.

This is a guest blog entry.