How To Fight Depression – Part 1

Find your weapon of choice and attack!

A Better Quality of Life is Possible

The best information I can provide is options on how to counter the effects of chronic depression. Most people that suffer feel helpless and even worse, they feel alone in their plight. You are not alone and you have effective options to sustainably improve your quality of life. In fact, there are so many options, I had to name this post ‘Part 1’. There are simply too many to cover in one article.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness” – Desmond Tutu

In this article I would like to discuss my top 5 ways to combat depression. After years of trial and error, I found 4 ways that consistently help. I still suffer and have bad days, but my over-all quality of life is much better. I can have 2 or 3 happy days a week now. I know, right!?

Meditation – it sounds hokey, but it works. I’ve encouraged a lot of people to try meditation over the years. Almost all of them had excellent results and still meditate to this day. Meditation itself is very simple. There are 100’s of YouTube videos on the topic. The key is clearing your mind. I prefer a peaceful setting when I meditate, but don’t always have access or time to get somewhere. Most of the time I meditate in my room or office. Clearing your mind will seem difficult at first, but you’ll get the hang of it pretty quick.

NOTE: Please try meditation before anything else. You’ll thank me. Don’t use mediation by itself, but include it in your arsenal of options.

A Healthy Life Style – some of you may already be exercising and eating healthy, but are you taking a daily B-12, B-6, D-5, and Zinc? Try it. If you’re like me and pretty pizza and Coke over a healthy lifestyle; you must convert my friend. Life on the other side is much better. Don’t forget the vitamins I mentioned!!

Steam or dry Sauna – there are quite a few studies that have linked a correlation to heat and a decrease in depression. I don’t understand the data, but it works like a charm. Here is one article (here). I prefer the steam sauna, but a dry sauna works too. I plan to put one in my home soon. You can find fairly inexpensive sauna’s now and they are pretty nice. If you are into hot yoga you could do that, but WHY? haha…

Tactile Response – the most common version of tactile response is a massage. If your partner or significant other is willing, this is an excellent way to battle depression. I sometimes resort to a professional massage. I’ve learned to love the ‘day spa’ experience. I know? A person with chronic depression in a day spa?? Yep, and it works!

Distraction – when I’m at a very low point, distraction will usually halt the depression and often times it will turn it around a bit. For me, music and good movies work the best, but it is different for everyone. Whatever ‘moves’ and ‘inspires’ you. Hiking can also work. The mountains or beach can work. The idea is to trick your brain away from the spiraling negative pit of black nothingness and focus on something that you enjoy. Yes, sex will work too. Sadly, sex doesn’t work for me, but it does work for others. Alcohol and drugs do NOT work. They actually make things worse. I’ll post a detailed article on the subject, but alcohol and drugs make our already chemically imbalanced brains even worse.

Bonus Note: a trick I learned from a neurologist years ago. She told me; “your brain cannot process (think) two things at the exact same time. It is impossible”. Meaning, if you force your brain to think something enjoyable, it cannot flood you with negative garbage thoughts. The key; the stronger your depression, the stronger your distraction needs to be.

I need your help!

Actually, we all need your help. Please consider sharing your experience with depression. Share a story, a day in the life or anything that you are willing to share.

Share your story

17 replies

linda says:
February 12, 2019 at 6:59 am

This article is medicinal because it like a tonic to my soul. This points will sure lift me out of depression. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
- Author says:
  February 19, 2019 at 5:25 am
  
  You’re welcome 😀
  Reply
moondebi says:
February 12, 2019 at 8:37 am

Depression is a state of mind which becomes hard to deal with at times. Distraction is a good way through which mind could be diverted for a while which will ease out the situation for a while.
Reply
Rizzee Cerdeñola says:
February 12, 2019 at 8:58 am

Fighting depression is like fighting battle you only know about. It is never easy but having tips to overcome it is a game changer. Thank you for this article. It helps a lot of depressed individual.
Reply
Rizzee Cerdeñola says:
February 12, 2019 at 8:59 am

Fighting depression is like fighting battle you only know about. It is never easy but having tips to overcome it is a game changer. Thank you for this article. It helps a lot of depressed individual. I hope for recovery.
Reply
Ben says:
February 12, 2019 at 1:22 pm

I believe distractions can really help to fight depression. Instead of wallowing in self pity I rather engage in hobbies that I like to help distract me from depression.
Reply
Jane J says:
February 12, 2019 at 1:57 pm

I love meditation as it helps me connect with my inner self. Very early in the morning before the noise comes up, I offload my mind of yesterday’s stress and set new pace for today. It works for me.
Reply
Danielle M says:
February 12, 2019 at 8:05 pm

Thanks for writting this post, I have been dealing with depression for years and I find your tips very helpful.
Reply
- Author says:
  February 19, 2019 at 5:25 am
  
  Great! 😀
  Reply
Scott Summers says:
February 13, 2019 at 3:58 am

Yes distraction really helps but it has to be a good distraction not a bad one. For example I got my heart broken but one of the people I know told me to drink it off. It is not cool. I guess What these people really need depressed specially is for someone to be there. A small thing sure but it goes a long way.
Reply
Peachy says:
February 13, 2019 at 6:05 am

One of my closest friends have been fighting depression since her teenage years, so I know how difficult this condition is. Supportive and loving people around you is a great help. And I cannot agree more with distraction. The more you think of depression, the more it gets to you.
Reply
Obalade Damilola says:
February 13, 2019 at 12:42 pm

Depression is one big problem a lot of people are dealing with everyday.. Tons of people commit suicide to escape depression..I hope this tips work..meditation sounds like music to my ear
Reply
Danica Atwell says:
February 13, 2019 at 3:43 pm

YES, alcohol and drug abuse is not the solution. Professional help is still the best way to combat depression, especially if clinically diagnosed.
Reply
Cornwell says:
February 14, 2019 at 2:33 am

I find meditation to be very useful whenever I’m going through a hard time. It not only helps with depression but my overall well-being too.
Reply
Vince says:
February 14, 2019 at 2:35 am

I like the idea of using distractions for the brain. Keeping the brain occupied with other things can help keep the mind off what is making you depressed.
Reply
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