Coping with Depression

Everyone has their own way of coping with low mood or sadness. Whilst some coping strategies are healthy and beneficial, other strategies only provide temporary relief, and can end up causing more harm than good in the long run.

Tips to cope with depression

When you feel low or sad, there may be a desire to avoid interacting with others. Such social isolation, however, can worsen your mood. At the same time, it is best to avoid reaching out to those who are unsupportive, since you might feel worse if you attempt to get support but don’t receive it. Instead, try to spend time with a loved one doing something enjoyable; spend your time in a warm embrace or recall pleasant memories. Alternatively, you can try to talk to someone who can make you laugh or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Even lending a helping hand can be beneficial - doing good for or to someone can actually help you feel good.

Feeling low can also impact your eating habits. Many might find solace in junk food when they feel upset or sad. However, eating a lot of junk food has a negative effect on both your health and your mood. On the other hand, if you skip meals, your body does not get the nutrition it needs - which can further intensify your low mood and increase irritability. Similarly, research has shown that alcohol also worsens sad mood, and serves as a means for you to avoid dealing with problems.

Sleep and mood are closely interrelated. Avoid sleeping too much or too little since it can have an impact on your mood. Since low mood also impacts sleep, a vicious cycle can be created.

Listening to sad songs and watching sad movies can be unhelpful as well, making a bad mood worse. Instead, if you are feeling low, try listening to cheerful music or viewing lighter comedy shows and movies, comic books.

Exercise can be highly beneficial for your mood, be it in the form of a daily walk, running, jogging, and/or cycling. If exercise seems too tedious a task, take a friend along and try exercising in a natural, outdoor space. Deep breathing can have a similar result by increasing feelings of well-being and control. Spending time with pets, and organising your immediate surroundings are other handy tips for relaxing yourself and lifting a low mood.

By adopting some of these scientifically proven but simple strategies, you can improve your mood and live a happier life.