6 Lifestyle changes for those of you who are often depressed

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, and deep emptiness. Depression can affect all aspects of your day-to-day life and can be a barrier to the things that make you happy. Living with depression is not easy. However, there are some lifestyle changes you can make every day to help reduce symptoms of depression.

Small lifestyle changes to help those of you who are depressed

Overcoming depression effectively is not enough just by taking medication and undergoing therapy. The symptoms of depression come on forever. Doing various ways that if you will improve your feelings is certainly very important.

Even with little things, a better lifestyle will help you cope with the challenges when depressive symptoms return.

Here are lifestyle changes that can be made in everyday life for those of you who live with depression:

1. Eat healthy foods

Maybe some people lose their appetite during times of depression, they also often skip meals or choose to eat foods with high sugar as a quick way to replenish energy.

In fact, whatever the circumstances, consumption of healthy foods is still needed. While there is no research that suggests that depression can be cured with certain foods, changing your lifestyle by fulfilling good overall nutrition is very important for your mental health.

Eating foods rich in nutrients such as essential vitamins and minerals is the key to keeping your brain functioning properly. One of them, consuming foods with complex carbohydrates will help the brain produce serotonin which can trigger feelings of pleasure.

2. Create to-do list

When you are feeling depressed or sad, it becomes difficult for your brain to remember things, especially the little things. Making a to-do list might help. Give a signal when you are done with a task. This way, you can look back on everything you've done in the day and feel more productive.

You may also become overwhelmed easily when you are depressed. Instead, do the tasks that are on to-do list one by one slowly.

Not only for the depressed, this small lifestyle change can also be made by anyone.

3. Laughter

At first glance it seems trivial. However, laughter can actually provide various benefits for you. Not only does it make your mood better, laughter can help boost your immune system, reduce stress-causing hormones, reduce pain, relax muscles, and even benefit your heart health.

When depressive symptoms start to appear, look for things that make you laugh. Maybe you can read comics, watch comedy shows, or see memes that are rife on social media.

4. Move more actively

You don't need to go to the gym or do strenuous exercise, just simple activities such as taking your pet for a walk or doing homework. The goal is that the body movements you do will improve blood flow and increase dopamine levels which can improve your mood.

5. Meditation

Meditation has been used by humans for thousands of years as a way to calm down. Incorporating it into your lifestyle can help relieve the anxiety that sometimes accompanies depression.

If depression starts to interfere with your sleep, engaging in breathing techniques will help calm your mind so that sleep is easier.

There are many ways to meditate, you can either do this with the help of an instructor or try it yourself with guides from videos on the internet.

6. Spend time with the people closest to you

Maybe you often feel lonely and alone when depression strikes. However, don't allow yourself to be alone for long periods of time. Do things that make you happy with the people closest to you who will always support you and help you through difficult times. Spend time with positive people who can make you feel calmer in the mood.

Living with depression can be tough, so it's natural that you often feel tired and want to give up. However, keeping on trying and making small changes to your lifestyle may help you get over depression. Remember to regularly do consultations or therapy with your doctor and get adequate rest.