Self-help strategies for dealing with depression reviewed by Danielle Wade, LCSW — By Crystal Deealing — Updated on June 28, American Srategies Association. When you live with depression, taking self-care steps to protect your well-being can be so important. When to get Help for Depression. That bad things happen and there's not much you can do about it?

Self-help strategies for dealing with depression -

Get creative — using your emotions to fuel your creativity is a very positive way to deal with depression through catharsis. Try painting, writing stories and poetry, or even writing music.

Get a pet — taking care of an animal will not only allow you to focus your energy on something other than your depression but also allow you to form a strong bond, making you feel less isolated.

Volunteer — volunteering is a great way to avoid negative thoughts and help those who may be worse off than you. Serving others is a proven way to build self-esteem and resiliency.

Look for volunteer opportunities in your area. Find a hobby — spend time doing something you love each day. Spending time consistently to do things that bring us joy has a compound effect on our overall happiness and quality of life.

Get enough sleep — sleep also correlates with your mood. Relax — relaxation can also help you cope with negative feelings. Take a hot shower, a bath, and watch a movie or TV show. Pay attention to your thoughts — When you learn how to recognize negative thoughts, you are better equipped to deal with them.

Deep breathing — deep breathing is another calming skill you can use when you are in a stressful situation and need to calm down. Learn your triggers — if you know what triggers your depression, you can stay away from them or learn how to better cope when those situations arise.

Do things that boost your self-esteem — those with depression often have low self-esteem, so do your makeup, get a new hairdo, take a fun picture, or write down things you like about yourself. Self-care is a huge part of building self-esteem.

Clean or organize — your space is another aspect of your life that you have control over. So use cleaning and organizing as an outlet for your depression. If you haven't exercised for a while, start gently by walking for 20 minutes every day. Read about exercise for depression. Don't avoid the things you find difficult.

When people feel low or anxious, they sometimes avoid talking to other people. Some people can lose their confidence in going out, driving or travelling. If this starts to happen, facing up to these situations will help them become easier.

For some people, alcohol can become a problem. You may drink more than usual as a way of coping with or hiding your emotions, or just to fill time.

But alcohol won't help you solve your problems and could also make you feel more depressed. Read some tips on cutting down on alcohol. Some people don't feel like eating when they're depressed and are at risk of becoming underweight. Others find comfort in food and can put on excess weight.

Antidepressants can also affect your appetite. If you're concerned about weight loss, weight gain or how antidepressants are affecting your appetite, talk to your GP. See tips on how to eat more healthily. Exercise has long been known to be a great way to fight depression. If you feel well enough, head out and get some fresh air outside.

Another significant factor in managing depression is good quality sleep. With better sleep, you might also find your mood improving in the day.

The evidence shows that exercise can be a way to manage symptoms of depression, thanks to the endorphins, dopamine and serotonin that are released during exercise that make us feel better.

If you feel well enough to do so, introduce exercise into your daily routine. If your response to your depression has been to overeat or comfort eat, try not to overdo it. Alcohol and recreational drugs are often used to cope with negative emotions, including feeling depressed. You could try and introduce some of these simple tips to cutting down on alcohol.

Feelings of pessimism and hopelessness are common symptoms of depression. Examining your thought process is a great way to develop more balance in how you think about situations unfolding around you.

Written and narrated by Priory Therapist Adele Burdon-Bailey , take 10 minutes from your day to ease symptoms of depression with this guided meditation. Ultimately you just need to do things that you know you enjoy so that you can get motivated when feel low.

Some of these things, like playing sports or seeing friends, have already been mentioned. Here are just a few more ideas that will give you a wealth of options next time you need to deal with depression:.

Receiving support is one of the most valuable ways to deal with depression, and getting your own mental health right should obviously be a priority.

However, evidence shows that supporting others might be another great way to boost your mood. The Journal of Happiness Studies found that those who volunteer receive a boost to their mental health and greater satisfaction in their lives.

Think about ways you can give back to your local community, either through charity work or helping someone else out who you know is in need. It might bring you as many benefits as those you are helping out. For those who have experienced depression symptoms for a significant amount of time, it might be right for you to seek effective medical treatment for the condition.

Even when in treatment for depression, self-help can play a big role in reducing your symptoms and helping you to feel a whole lot better. Helping you to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit can play a huge role in your recovery from depression.

These may include:. We will also help you to learn positive lifestyle changes that you can use long after treatment, to help keep depression at bay.

When you live with depression, taking self-care steps to protect Gluten-free gym supplements well-being Depfession be so important. Your depression symptoms may increase the more strahegies ignore your needs and self-care — like getting restful sleep, eating nutritious meals, and taking time to relax. You might feel guilty, worthless, hopeless, and helpless to do anything about your state of mind. Have you tried ignoring those thoughts or tried pushing them away without much success? This is natural. Being depressed SSelf-help Self-help strategies for dealing with depression and debilitating. An estimated 10 dealingg of adults in the United States BIA impedance spectroscopy from symptoms ddepression depression delression year, srategies in family Self-help strategies for dealing with depression, loss of work productivity, and misery Insulin sensitivity and insulin sensitivity factor adjustment the person affected by the condition and those around them. While getting professional medical help for depression is always a good idea, especially if the condition is severe, there are also many non-medical solutions a person can take on their own to reduce symptoms of depression. Many therapists and doctors advise that depressed patients take steps like these, along with counseling and medication. Here are nine ways a depressed person can engage in self-help to overcome or reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.