There are many ways you can treat your depression.
Even small things can make a big difference.
There are many different ways that we all treat our depression. Some of the obvious ones are, medication and counselling, but there are many other small things that we all do to help ourselves out when we are feeling down. It could be something small like treating yourself to a spa day or a new hairstyle, through to a holiday or weekend away.
The point I’m trying to make here is that there are hundreds of different things big and small that people do to help themselves out. It doesn’t have to be something big either to make a big difference.
That’s the great thing about starting this discussion, we all have the potential to learn something new on how we can manage our depression. It doesn’t even have to be limited to just depression either, whenever you’re having a bad day what do you do to turn it around? I used to go fishing myself. Lately, I’ve been too busy to go, and I have noted to myself that I need to start going again.
Making the time to do something that you love and enjoy will not only make you happier but it can be better for you. While I’m fishing I don’t just sit in one spot; I grab my rod and backpack and walk around the rocks or the beach just spinning. I don’t keep any of the fish I just release them, but I’m outside, I’m getting exercise, and I’m not thinking about anything, just enjoying the moment.
Consider taking a relaxing sport or hobby, when you can get outside and get some exercise you will start to notice a difference in your mood. You don’t have to spend a fortune or buy expensive gear either; the point is to find something you love and love doing it. Consider the time an investment on your future happiness.
I would love to hear from everyone about the different things that they do when they’re feeling down? Your ideas could help someone else who is having a bad day, get a small boost. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments below and if you have any ideas for future blogs don’t hesitate to contact us! For more on how to deal with depression check out our blog.
I quite often find myself reading your blogs but not commenting, but this blog hit home. I used to play PS3 of an evening to relax but recently I find myself working of an evening and then going to sleep after. I realize now that I’ve been missing out on my time for myself. Keep up the good work, thanks.
Hey Ben,
Just a couple of thoughts. The games you might be playing can offer you limited amounts of adrenalin to increase your level of hyper alertness (anxiety) as one possibility. The other thought is we can also produce dopamine to increase our level of pleasure depending on killing or porn games, etc. The unfortunate problem is when we stop playing, we can get depression. As we increase our level of playing, we produce more chemical which results in a higher tolerance and subsequent greater need for more chemical and greater depression. And then the greater need for more involved games and or porn. This is usually one of our first addictions, probably second to sugar. This is a common problem of what happens to soldiers, the battle produces adrenalin (fight or flight) usually they fight and subsequent letdown afterwards and it get’s bigger and bigger. So you need more battle and when you go home, you miss your coping mechanism, no more fighting just a nice peaceful life which doesn’t fit anymore. These problems do not go away when we stop as the attached behaviours to serious addictions are challenging. But this is how it starts and progresses.
Depending on the seriousness of people’s addictions and subsequent behaviour change, I usually work the following steps, say for road rage but more involved for serious addiction work. So, depending on the level of problem, perhaps the first three steps are all that is needed. The games like other addictions are merely coping mechanisms to help us get out of depression or anxiety, so, it really depends on what you are trying to use the games to accomplish.
1. I teach people how to relax and be able to bring it on with two breaths immediately, (lots of practise)
2. If the problems are from problems from childhood (abusive childhood) or combat, then the memories have to be altered to remove pain,
3. Develop strategies to teach people how and when to change their moods, in an instant, (lots of practise)
4. Get them involved with help groups, to help them re-integrate with people,
5. Journalize problems, to assist coach or therapist.
Regards,
Bob