Tips to Help Prevent Depression
Depression can feel like an overwhelming burden to those who suffer from it, and it can make the person who’s depressed feel helpless, sad, and alone. One in four Americans will experience depression at some point in their lives, so if you think that you may be suffering from depression, you’re not alone. Read on to learn about how you can help prevent depression so that it doesn’t take over your life.
Get Enough Sleep
One of the most important things you can do to prevent depression is to get enough sleep. Create a relaxing bedtime routine including winding down for 30 minutes before sleep and disconnecting from electronics screens an hour before bed. Make sure that your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet so that it’s easy to fall asleep quickly. Use your bedroom only for sleeping and sex so that it does not become associated with other activities like watching TV or eating snacks.
Don’t Starve Yourself for Likes
It’s easy to get caught up in the quest for likes, comments, and shares. But, at the end of the day, those numbers don’t matter nearly as much as our own happiness and mental health. So, if you’re feeling down, don’t starve yourself for likes. Take a break from social media, spend time with loved ones, and do something that makes you happy. First, take a break from social media - it can be overwhelming when everyone is posting all the time! And if you need some inspiration for how to fill your days, think about what does make you happy - watching movies? Playing sports? Painting? Whatever it is, do it!
Unplug Before Bed
These days, we’re constantly plugged in. We have our phones with us everywhere we go, and even when we’re at home, we’re often working on our laptops or watching TV. But all of this screen time can take a toll on our mental health. One way to help prevent depression is to unplug before bed. This means putting away your electronic devices at least an hour before you go to sleep. Instead, try reading a book or spending time with loved ones. The less time we spend staring at screens, the better for our mental health. Be mindful of what you post: Social media can be great for connecting with people around the world, but it can also lead to some negative feelings if people are bullying or criticizing each other. Try not to post anything that could hurt someone else’s feelings online and make sure that you don’t re-post things that could hurt someone else as well.
Plan Something Fun Once a Week
One way to help prevent depression is to plan something fun once a week. This can be anything from going out with friends, taking a dance class, or seeing a movie. The important thing is that you make time for yourself and do something that makes you happy. It may seem like an impossible task when your entire life revolves around work and kids, but if you take just one hour every day to relax and do something for yourself then it will keep your mood up. Another great way to help combat depression is through exercise. Just fifteen minutes of exercise each day can significantly improve how we feel emotionally.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and home. While there is no single cause of depression, there are several things you can do to help prevent it. These include getting enough sleep, eating well, maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family members, exercising regularly, meditating or practicing yoga on a regular basis, getting organized or setting goals for yourself to keep from feeling overwhelmed. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of depression talk with your doctor about treatment options. Treatment options vary based on the severity of the symptoms, but often involve medication and therapy. Medication might involve antidepressants (such as Prozac) while therapy involves one-on-one sessions to discuss feelings and experiences in order to come up with new ways of thinking about life's challenges.
Practice Gratitude Every Day
Gratitude has been linked with increased levels of happiness, better sleep, and a more positive outlook on life. Practicing gratitude can help prevent depression by refocusing your attention on the good in your life. Here are some tips for how to practice gratitude every day -Take a few minutes each morning to write down three things you’re grateful for from the previous day.
-Keep a journal of what you’re grateful for throughout the week or month.
-Find one thing about yourself that you’re proud of and focus on it for an entire day. -Share something positive about yourself each day (a compliment, a success story).
-If someone says something negative to you, think of five reasons why it's not true.
-Start telling people how much they mean to you on a regular basis
Thanks for reading. ✨