Depression is a dark and lonely place. As many as 350 people worldwide suffer from depression. Many people do just that, suffer. However, there are some depression treatments that you can use at home. You don’t have to suffer in silence, and you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some simple depression treatments that you can incorporate into your daily life.

Depression Treatments: Healthy Living

The first way to fight through your depression is by living a healthy lifestyle. Exercising releases endorphins into your blood stream. These “feel-good” chemicals make your body and brain feel better even if the benefits are only temporary. Regular exercise can also rewire your brain over an extended period.

Eating healthy is also shown to help with depression. While there may not be a direct correlation between healthy foods and mental health, eating better can lead to better physical health which can help you mentally. There are also studies that show the effect that omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid (spinach and avocado) can reduce depression.

Lastly, getting enough sleep can really with the treatment of depression. Depression can make getting enough sleep a tall task, and not sleeping enough can make depression worse. You can fall into a vicious cycle. Getting enough sleep is important to everyone but is especially important to those trying to find depression treatments.

Depression Treatments: Routine

Setting a routine can help someone that suffers from depression. Depression has a way of stripping away the structure in your life. The best way to fight back is to develop a routine. Start with a schedule that is easy to maintain. Don’t try to conquer the world in one day. A gentle, reasonable schedule is a great place to start. Set time aside for activities that you enjoy.

Another great way to fight depression is by setting goals. Simple, easy to obtain daily goals are a good place to start. Make a daily list of things you would like to accomplish. Include all of your goals including eating and any cleaning you want to get done. The more things that you include on your list that are easy to accomplish the better you will feel when you can cross them off. A list of goals will provide you with a sense of accomplishment for everyday tasks. Remember start small and build to bigger goals.

Depression may make you feel like pulling back from your daily responsibilities, but that would be a mistake. Allowing your depression to alienate further and seclude you will only make things worse. Your daily responsibilities add value and a sense of accomplishment to your life. While fighting the urge to withdrawal from life may be difficult it could help a lot.

Depression Treatments: Fighting Back

Another way to treat depression is by fighting back the negative thoughts you have. If you have ever struggled with depression, you know it almost feels like you have two people fighting inside of your head. The negative self-talk that usually accompanies depression is difficult to deal with. It can feel like you have another voice in your head that lies to you and the worst part is that it’s your voice. When you experience this, fight back with logic. It may be difficult at first, but it will get easier with practice.

Positive affirmations can also be a great tool against negative self-talk. Write a list of the things you like about yourself and read them out loud. It may sound cheesy, but it helps.

Depression Treatments: Have Fun

Another great way to fight depression is by having fun. Going out with friends and doing things you love can help. It may be difficult at first to fight through your depression, but you have to try. Finding fun activities even if they are solo activities can help your overall mental health.

New experiences are also a good way to fight depression. New experiences can rewire your brain. Go to a museum, on a hike, read a book, or volunteer. All of these activities can release dopamine which will counteract your depression.

Depression Treatments: Professional Help

You may not be able to beat depression on your own, and that is ok. Some people think seeking professional help makes them weak, but nothing could be further from the truth. Asking for help is difficult and requires a lot of courage. Find someone who you feel comfortable with and speak to them. Routine appointments with a counselor can be a great source of strength for someone suffering.

The staff at Gateway Counseling has decades of experience dealing with the treatment of depression. Contact Gateway Counseling today to schedule an appointment and get back to feeling like yourself.