If you or a loved one is living with depression, you’re not alone. One in ten, or over 18 million adults, are affected by depression. Here are some ways to find hope and heal.
Get Your Dose of Vitamin D For Healing
When feeling depressed, it’s common to want to lock ourselves away in a dark room.
However, there is a strong correlation between low Vitamin D levels and depression. While you may also need supplements, the best way to get your fill of the sunshine vitamin is to get outside!
"If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." —Fred Rogers
How Is Your Sleep?
Depression can have a huge effect on sleep. Some people sleep excessively while insomnia is common for others.
Which category do you fall under?
According to SleepFoundation.org, "Depressed individuals may suffer from a range of insomnia symptoms, including difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia), difficulty staying asleep (sleep maintenance insomnia), unrefreshing sleep, and daytime sleepiness."
One way to help manage sleep is through a healthy bedtime routine. Make sure to dedicate time before bed to wind down. Journaling and calming activities such as stretching and meditation can help.
You can also create an environment conducive to sleep. An ideal sleep environment is one that is clutter-free, cool, and dark.
Avoid using electronics 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Scrolling through social media or checking work emails can cause stress and lead to troubled sleep.
Finally, try going to bed and waking each morning at the same time every day, even on weekends.
One of the beautiful things about life is that each day is a new day. If you don’t like something about yesterday, today offers a chance for a do-over.
Try not to dwell on the things that happened yesterday and instead make better choices today.
"Everyday is a second chance." - Unknown
Work Towards Goals
One way to help keep you motivated is to have a goal to work on. While it may be tempting to pull away from everything while battling depression, setting small daily goals, and taking on responsibilities can help you find purpose in life.
"Keep yourself busy if you want to avoid depression. For me, inactivity is the enemy." - Matt Lucas
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