Life is definitely like a box of chocolates. You never know what each second of it will reveal. It’s no surprise that there will be moments of joy, bouts of sadness and periods of loneliness. These are all normal growing pains that we are bound to by default.
Feeling down is nothing to be alarmed about. We all experience situations that tug at the strings of our various emotional stages. We struggle, we experience loss, our ego’s take a few hits and, usually, we bounce back.
Sometimes, however, some of us lose our bounce. The continuous pounding from the fists of life come too hard too fast. We lose are footing and we slip and, while we’re down, it seems the fists keep pounding. Relentlessly.
When the sun isn’t shining on the inside there are a few things that you can try to do to boost your mood.
- Connect with friends and family that you enjoy spending time with.
- Get in touch with the beauties of the world. Visit an art gallery or botanical garden.
- Grab a book in your favorite genre and get lost in the pages.
- Music soothes the savage beast! Turn it up and dance!
- Turn on the comedy. Watch your favorite movie or stand up comic.
- Pets are very therapeutic.
- Treat yourself to a spa day. Massage the tension away.
There are many factors that can lead to depression. Abuse, death, illness, family history, medications and drug abuse are just a few of those factors.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Lack of energy. Depression has the ability to absorb all of your energy. Many people with depression report being lethargic and sleeping more often.
- Loss of interest in things previously liked. People with depression may become withdrawn from activities that were once pleasurable for them. They may no longer want to hang out with friends and family or participate in their favorite pastime hobbies.
- Restlessness/anxiety. Where others may sleep, there are some who just are unable to. Their minds are constantly rotating thoughts and their adrenaline is pumping ferociously, making it difficult to relax and rest.
- Change in eating habits. For some, eating more may be a symptom of depression or way of dealing with it. For others, eating is all but forgotten.
- Emotional roller coaster. Unstable emotions can manifest during depression as uncontrollable outbursts of crying and anger. The seesaw effect of your emotions can leave you feeling over-stimulated in an undesirable and overwhelming way.
- Giving up. People who become severely tangled in the grip of depression often give up on themselves and the idea that things can get better. They lose their desire to live and feel that the only solution is to commit suicide.
Signs of suicide ideation include:
- Talking about killing oneself.
- Voicing feelings of hopelessness.
- No longer showing interest.
- Constant sadness.
- Fluctuating moods.
- Participating in activities that could lead to death.
If you or someone you know are being held captive by thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention hotline is there to help at 1.800.273.8255 or 1.800.784.2433.
Feelings of depression are nothing to be ashamed of. Some people think they would be looked at differently if they were to admit that things were not quite right. You are not alone!
Millions of people suffer from some form of depression all over the world. If you feel your ordinary ‘down’ feelings are being a little to persistent or if there are changes in your behavior or that of someone you know, seek professional help. Your doctor can help guide you in the right direction.
The world is unique because of you! Don’t let depression tell you otherwise!
A very helpful post, we don’t speak enough about depression. It is so complex, with various causes (can be a chemical imbalance, or a series of external factors, or even motherhood…..). I think talking therapies are very strong in helping in certain situations too (others may require medication). But raising awareness about it definitely helps.
Yes, I agree. People also need to know that it is nothing to be ashamed of. I think that presumption keeps them from seeking help as well.