Depression is a common and serious mental illness that adversely affects the way a person may feel, act and think (1). About 3.8% of the population experiences depression (2) and is more common in young women than young men. Depression affects a person's physical and mental health and it can be extremely hard to continue to feel “normal”. Depression can look different for everyone and change every day for a specific person. It is a very common illness that many people deal with, but subsequently do not know how to fight it.
Here are 5 ways to help fight depression:
Talk to a therapist
Here at Old City Counseling, we have professional clinicians that specialize in helping children and adults fight their mental illness. Having an unbiased outlet to talk to can help to put your feelings into perspective and work through your depression.Physical exercise
This can be as easy as going for a daily walk. Exercise can help improve mental health by boosting your mood, allow for better sleep, improve self-esteem and more!Eat a healthy diet
Studies show that healthy diets that consist of mainly whole, unprocessed foods, can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety (3).Find a new passion
Keeping your mind off things and allowing yourself to do something you enjoy can help to brighten up your mood. Take negative energy and turn it into something positive by doing something that makes you happy.Reach out to friends
Allow your friends to support you in this time of darkness. Being social can improve your mood and give you something to look forward to. Your support system gives you people to talk to when you feel low, make sure you keep in touch with them and allow them to help.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
References
Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx). https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/ (Accessed 7 June 2023).
What is depression?. Psychiatry.org - What Is Depression? (n.d.). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
Food & your mood: How food affects mental health - aetna: Foods that help your brain health. Aetna. (n.d.). https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/food-affects-mental-health.html#:~:text=When%20you%20stick%20to%20a,symptoms%20of%20depression%20and%20anxiety.