Gentle ways to push yourself through depression (Unsplash)
Understanding Depression
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or low mood. It can be caused by a variety of factors and often leads to a loss of interest and a sense of meaninglessness. Some common symptoms of depression include angry outbursts, feelings of sadness, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest.
Therapist Andrea Evgeniou suggests several gentle ways to heal depression:
- Brightening someone’s day with a heartfelt compliment
- Challenging depression with opposite actions
- Collecting moments that make your heart smile
- Embracing lifelong learning
- Creating a feel-good playlist
These steps serve as gentle reminders that small actions can lead to significant healing. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey to mental wellness is unique, and while these suggestions may offer solace and hope to some, they may not work for everyone.
Gentle Ways to Push Yourself Through Depression
Actively pursue happy activities
Engaging in hobbies and activities that bring us joy and happiness can greatly contribute to our mental well-being. By actively pursuing these activities, we can create a sense of fulfillment and have something to look forward to during difficult times.
List of accomplishments
Keeping track of our accomplishments, no matter how small, can help us maintain a positive outlook. Recognizing our achievements can boost our self-esteem and provide motivation to overcome challenges.
Donate time to a cause
Getting involved in a cause that is meaningful to us can effectively channel our energy and bring back a sense of purpose. Helping others and contributing to a larger cause can also provide a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
A playlist of happy songs
Creating a playlist of songs that uplift our mood and make us happy can be a powerful tool in combating depression. Listening to these songs during moments of gloom can gradually improve our mood and bring about a sense of joy.
Learn something new
Engaging in the process of learning something new can divert our attention from negative thoughts and help us discover new interests. By dedicating time to learning, we can engage our minds and experience personal growth, which can contribute to our overall well-being.