By Ryan Light, Anxiety Coach
Depression is a really serious matter and is a mental illness that should not be taken lightly. I don’t struggle with depression per-se, but have had bouts in the past – just not an ongoing struggle. However, I know quite a few friends and family that struggle with ongoing bouts of depression, and the effects on their well-being is sad – real sad. I know the feeling of hopelessness, no one cares, and why can’t I just snap out of it. Luckily there are many techniques to treat depression if you do not want to take a heavy dosage of medications. Don’t get me wrong I think medications are helpful and in-fact are needed in some cases (like my own OCD), but there are alternatives that you can use to treat your depression along with/without medications.
Four important things you need to know to defeat depression.
- Look For Proper Medical Attention: As I stated above there is nothing wrong with taking mediation to help deal with your depression – especially if it’s clinical. See a doctor and explain your issues, be open and honest about what is going on. Don’t be so unwilling to try medications, know this; however, that it will take some time to work, don’t give up! It took me five different medications/doses, and a few months to find the right one that helps my anxiety, and OCD. So, don’t look for the magic pill, it’s going to take time.
- Discuss With Someone: The most important thing that you can do is to reach out to someone that has gone through depression. This is important to know, because, sometimes it is particularly important to not expect to get compassion from others that do not understand your situation. Just search out for someone like a friend, colleague, pastor, or even family member that you know has suffered depression in the past and be prepared to talk with them. Talk to them freely and try to understand how they managed to overcome their depression or are currently dealing with it can give great hope to you. It is also inspirational to have others that can realize your feelings and problems and not look at you judgmentally.
- Proper Nutrition: One of the most important prospects of learning how to triumph over depression is to learn how to eat appropriately. If your body is not getting the proper nutrients in the proper balance then it can get stressed and this added stress on your body can straightly affect your depression. Hydration is also important, you want your body to have at least 8-10 glasses of water per day so it can function properly. Also take good vitamin and mineral supplements, fish oil supplement and something else recommended by renowned doctors is the supplement 5HTP. A good resource for understanding how to get your body the best nutrients is to visit a homeopathic practitioner. They can help you get on a healthy and nutritious diet that will get your body operating as it should.
- Exercise: Last but not least for helping you to learn how to defeat your depression is to get some exercise and work out. The problem with depression is you have low energy and desire to do anything other than curl up in a ball on the couch. This causes your body to get out of shape which then in turn causes you to get even more depressed. Motivate yourself to get at least 20 minutes of exercise every day.
Looking for an anxiety coach? Please reach out to contact me as I’ve helped dozens of people beat their anxiety and get back to living life.
Somatic coach (therapist) in Canton, GA, and Worldwide Life Coach dedicated to inspiring and assisting people worldwide through candid conversations about anxiety. Having personally battled general anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, I understand the daily challenges those grappling with anxiety face. My journey involved searching for the right therapist, medication, and natural supplements and undergoing various tests. It was only after deciding to reclaim my life that I finally overcame anxiety’s hold. I’m passionate about helping others conquer their struggles and discover their life purpose.