Depression is a condition that frequently impacts mood and results in a consistently depressing sensation. Depression rates have significantly increased over the course of the decade. On average, around 8% of Americans and more than 15% of the youth specifically are troubled by this appalling disorder. Depression is a common enemy to everyone, but some struggle against it more than others. So this begs the question, what are some ways to uplift yourself?

Loving Yourself First

Many don’t realize that they face similar challenges, emotions, and obstacles in their lives. Usually, we forget to find love for ourselves and instead run-away from it. Commonly everyone starts to disagree with themselves and falls down a hole of self-hatred. Your body, mind, and heart all work together to keep you going each day. To degrade yourself harms yourself even more.  It is crucial to find ways to love and treat yourself.

Spending Time With Nature 

We are surrounded by nature everywhere, and it can greatly affect our wellbeing. Time in nature helps improve mood disorders and is clinically proven to help reduce depression. Being in green or lively  environments can help boost our simple well-being.!Spending time in nature benefits various aspects such as aspects of cognition, memory, attention, mood, and creativity, or individuals both with and without depression. A simple walk down the street, in the park, or even around the city can significantly improve your mood just by a little each day. 

Limiting Uses of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms like Alcohol and Drugs

People who experience severe depression often turn to darker roads to cope with their emotions. Substances such as alcohol and drugs are commonly sought as temporary remedies for emotional pain. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, inducing feelings of relaxation and euphoria, becoming a source of solace to distance oneself from challenges. Drugs are a little similar to alcohol in creating feelings of happiness and relaxation. They share similarities with alcohol in generating sensations of numbness and ecstasy as people often turn to substance-abuse to relieve feelings of hopelessness and despair. 

When they don’t want to resort to any other options, people frequently turn to these. But using these substances can lead us down a darker path. 

There are many ways to find healing factors other than these addictions such as the sense of accomplishment received from performing simple tasks. Setting small tasks or simple goals can help provide a healthy mechanism into your life!

Set Attainable Goals

Our chores or tasks will start to pile up over-time. Instead of stressing over such a big list, cut it down to an attainable amount of goals each day! They don’t have to be too big, they can even be simple daily routines

Attainable Goals Examples

• Clean the whole house → Take the trash out
• Answer every message → Answer the ones most important/sensitive
• Finishing all your work in one day →Finishing it one by one

Small things at a time can help you move onto other small things! This helps create a list of accomplishments and create a sense of order in your daily routine.

Seeking Help

If you continue to feel down or depressed after a large amount of time, consider seeking help to helplines like SAMHSA’S National Helpline or call them (1-800-622-HELP).

If you continue or start to feel your life isn’t worth it or have self-harming thoughts, please contact a helpline immediately. 

Talk with your therapist or consultant about receiving medication for your well-being.