When the only thing you want to do
all day is sit down on your couch and watch TV or lay in bed and let time slip
away, you aren’t living life.
1: Love your habits
Sometimes habits can make life hum drum. However, when you’re
feeling down, habits may be just what you need to help you pick up the pieces
and move on with life.
Depression has the ability to make you want to do nothing. You
don’t feel like you have the energy to partake in even the most simple of
tasks.
But, it’s very important that you keep going forward if you ever
want to break out of your rut.
Even if you have nothing major to do for the day, get up, take a
shower and get dressed as if you do.
Run your normal errands or sit with your coffee as you always do
and read your email.
To give into the desire to set aside all of these things that
are your “normal” will only make you feel worse and prolong the depressive
feelings.
2: Get some sunshine
Depression generally gets worse in the winter or during periods
of gray skies, partly because of the lack of sunshine.
Not only do the sun’s rays enhance your vitamin D levels, but
the fresh air also works wonders for your attitude and outlook.
At a minimum, sit out in your yard or go to the local park and
just take in the rays for at least 15 minutes each and every day.
Or, you could go for a walk or engage in some light yard work to
get your body to release some feel good endorphins while taking in the
sunshine.
Either way you’ll notice the positive effects to your mood almost immediately.
3: Engage with a pet
When you’re not feeling particularly chipper, you may tend to
withdraw from those around you.
You isolate yourself and the very love you crave isn’t reaching
you because you’ve effectively pushed everyone else who does love you away.
Or, if you live alone, the loneliness sets in because you don’t
have constant access to another human being.
This is when a pet comes in handy. If your dog, cat, hamster or
any other type of animal cuddles up to you, it helps you start to open up.
And, they love you unconditionally and without judgment which is
a wonderful love to experience.
If for whatever reason you don’t have your own pet, borrow
someone else’s. Offer to dog or cat sit when a friend goes away.
Start walking an elderly neighbor’s dog to get the animal some
much needed energy and get you some much needed love and companionship.
4: Join a group
When you spend time with a group of people that have similar
interests, it is easy to “catch” their level of excitement.
You share stories and ideas about your common likes with the
same fervor as someone who just discovered a new land or invented a new
contraption.
Let their joy seep into your skin and
fill your soul. Use the energy that they have
until you’re strong enough to make your own.
Plus, being part of a group tends to give you a purpose and fill
a basic need to be involved with something greater.
5: Move your body
Although exercise is probably the last thing you want to do, it
will pull you out of depression very quickly.
It feels good when you accomplish something physically demanding
and it also gives your mind a break from whatever it is that is plaguing you at
the moment.
It releases endorphins which are natural mood and energy
boosters.
Maybe a nice walk or jog will ease your troubles and lighten
your step. Or, you could check out some local classes and do something
new that interests you at the same time that it works your body
(perhaps you’d like Zumba or fitness pole dancing).
Get your body to sweat out those sad feelings and make way for
happiness and joy.
6: Focus on “premium” foods
You can’t feel good if all you eat is sugar, white flour and a
bunch of processed foods. It’s like putting gasoline mixed with dirt in your
gas tank and expecting your car to run like a champ.
Focus on fueling your body with “premium” foods such as veggies,
fruit, lean protein and complex carbs. Eat small meals often throughout the day
to keep your energy and spirits up.
Limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeine as both will
affect your blood sugar levels and that’s the last thing you need when you’re
trying to find your way to happiness.
Also, make sure you drink a lot of water. If you aren’t
consuming enough water daily, you’re likely to feel fatigued and lifeless
because you’re hydrated.
7: Keep your head in the here and now
Part of being depressed and sad involves either spending too
much time in the past or not looking forward to the future.
You can circumvent both of these issues by concentrating on
staying in the here and now. Be part of today and let everything else go.
Certainly, this isn’t the easiest thing to do, but the effects
are amazing. You lose the heaviness and weight of whatever is on your mind and
just learn to live your life.
The depression starts to lift and your energy to take part in
life begins to return.
8: Find your passion
If your life lacks passion and thrill, then finding what
excites you and makes you tick will help pull you out of the slump that
you’re in. You’ll start to look forward to every day because you’ll be engaging
in things that make you smile and contribute to your overall quality of life.
Seek out activities that you enjoy and make them a priority.
Spend more time doing the things that you like and less time doing the things
that suck the life right out of you.
Depression robs you of the life you want and deserve. Try these
eight things and find your way to happiness. It is waiting for you.
Source: http://www.hijabchicblog.com/
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