Here are a few things that you should avoid from falling deeper into the ‘depression well’ :
Social withdrawal –
Many a times when one is depressed, shutting oneself off from the world seems to be a very good idea. Not attending phone calls, staying locked up in the room, not meeting friends, and being completely alone appeals to many as the perfect way to deal with the problems. This method in fact makes things worse. Instead of helping you find a solution for your problems, it drags you further into depression. We may find ourselves becoming frustrated with our condition. Thinking a lot and finding ourselves with no answers can be disastrous. Instead, it would be better to avoid social isolation. Meet friends and family and seek their support. It helps to deal with depression better.
Rumination –
This is a major component of depression. Thinking and re-thinking about your problems, losses, and inability to deal with the problems only adds to and worsens the situation. Rumination brings along with it a lot of negativity and paranoia. It can make you look and interpret even mundane things in a negative perspective. Instead, try and clear out the thoughts regarding your problems out of the mind and consciously do something else like reading a book to keep your mind diverted.
Alcohol and self-medication – Using an escapist route to avoid facing your problems can worsen your mental and physical health. Lots of people think that drinking away their problems or taking meds to induce sleep is an easy way out. This is not a permanent solution. When you pop a few sleeping pills or drink a peg or two more, you are pushing away your problems for the moment. They will only hit you back stronger and you will resort to more pills and more alcohol to ‘deal’ with them and you may end up being an addict!
Sugar Highs! –
People find solace in food when they are depressed. It is true that dark chocolate helps you beat the blues with the hormone boosting properties that it has, but the same cannot be said about all sugars. Sugary foods like sweets, pastries, and junk foods make you feel good temporarily and you may feel rejuvenated enough to come out of depression, but in the long run this is not the right way to deal with depression. Such sugary foods fill you up with empty calories and cause several serious health issues.
Avoiding Exercise –
Bunking the gym or cutting out on your jog to stay in bed and sulk over your problems is not the way to handle depression. Wallowing in self-pity only makes things worse. Instead, get up and go to the gym or for your jog. The fresh air and the workout will take your mind off your problems and help you look at them in a positive way.
