Coping With Depression

Coping With Depression : Depression is a difficult illness to deal with. It can drain your energy and make you feel like life is impossible to handle. You might feel hopeless, sad, angry, and empty. It might be hard to get out of bed or find joy in the things you used to.

However, there are many things you can do to help you manage your depression. These are just a few of the ways you can learn to cope with depression.

Let Yourself Feel

People often attempt to suppress their emotions, especially emotions they consider to be negative. It is important to not assign moral labels to emotions and instead let yourself feel them. There is nothing wrong with feeling sad or angry. It is a natural part of life and a healthy way of coping with hard things in life. Instead of suppressing those feelings until they burst out of you uncontrollably, give yourself permission to feel however it is you feel. If you’re worried about wallowing, set a timer and allow yourself to feel your feelings for the specified amount of time, and then move on with your day.

Find a Therapist

One of the hardest parts of experiencing depression is how isolating it can feel. You might feel like no one understands you or what you’re going through. This is why attending therapy can be so helpful. A therapist in Oslo will help you feel less alone, give you encouragement, and remind you that the way you feel is okay. You haven’t done anything wrong. Therapists can also help you navigate complicated life situations and resolve past trauma that might still be affecting your mood.

Make Easy Goals

During a depressive episode, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Going to work can feel impossible. You might get backed up on dishes and laundry. You might have a hard time feeding yourself. When you are feeling completely overwhelmed, it’s a good time to set some easy and attainable goals for yourself. Make a small goal like taking a shower, then use that momentum to push you forward into another small goal. Instead of telling yourself to clean the house, make the goal to throw away all the trash in the house. The house might not be as clean as you’d like, but it will be a little better. Break down your overwhelming to-do list into smaller goals that seem easier to manage.

Talk to Someone You Love

Depression has the tendency to make you want to withdraw from your friends and family, but when you’re depressed it’s more important than ever to surround yourself with people who love you. If you are unable to be physically present with someone, a phone or video call, or even just a conversation over text message can make a big difference. Depression usually comes with a lot of negative self-talk, shame, and guilt, so it’s important to talk to people who love you and can remind you of that.

Get Outside

You don’t need to go on a difficult hike or long camping trip to appreciate the benefits of nature. A short walk to check the mail, or a walk around your neighborhood can boost your mood and make you feel a little more connected to the world. Sunlight is great for depression because it can boost serotonin and help improve your cognitive function.

Try Something New

If you are feeling stuck in a loop of intrusive thoughts, you might try something new. Go to a new restaurant, a museum, or volunteer somewhere. If you don’t feel like leaving the house you can cook yourself a meal that you’ve never made before or read a book that’s different from your usual genre. Changing things up can help ignite your brain in new ways that might just help you get out of that toxic loop you’re experiencing.

There is an infinite number of ways to manage depression. It’s all about finding the combination of things that works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get rid of things that don’t help. It can be a long process trying to find the right things that will help you cope, but it is worth it to help you feel capable and confident when depressive episodes arise.