5 Effective Tips To Help You Treat Depression

Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Going to work, socializing with friends, or even just getting out of bed can feel like a struggle.But there are some things you can do to cope with your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here are eight tips for living with depression.Battling depression is tough. Thankfully, there are many ways you can fight depression.

What works one day may not work as well the next, so you want as many tools in the toolbox to adapt and handle whatever depression throws your way. Similar to how symptoms of depression overlap and affect each other, some of the tips below overlap and can help address multiple symptoms.

* Shift your attention

If your mood is weighing you down to the point where it feels impossible to challenge your thoughts, then try taking a step back to concentrate on something else. This can be especially helpful when trying to deal with and overcome suicidal thoughts.Mindfulness exercises can be helpful in shifting attention away from negative thoughts.

* Build a Support Network

For some, this may mean forging stronger ties with friends or family. Knowing you can count on supportive loved ones to help can go a long way toward improving your depression.For others, a depression support group can be key. It may involve a community group that meets in your area or you might find an online support group who meets your needs.

* Set small goals

Depression can make the simplest tasks seem daunting, so you’re going to have to work on breaking things down into small and concrete tasks. For example, instead of getting stuck thinking ‘how am I going to get to work everyday this week’, think about getting to work today, then break it down even further.

* Keep doing things

This might seem hard at first, because you probably won’t have the same amount of energy you normally do, but part of fighting depression is simply giving your mind something else to think about (and a rest from depressed thoughts).Try concentrating your attention anywhere else – go for a walk, work on a hobby, meet a friend for coffee. The main thing here is that you want to avoid lying about and stewing in misery all day. Once you get going, you’ll also usually find you have more energy than you thought you would.

* Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Sleep and mood are intimately related. A 2014 study found that 80% of people with major depressive disorder experience sleep disturbances.But, you might feel like you just can't fall asleep. Or perhaps you struggle to get out of bed because you feel exhausted all the time. Turn off electronics at least an hour before you go to bed. Use dim light to read a book or engage in another relaxing activity.