Get to Know Depression and How to Overcome It

Sahabat Hermina, depression is different from the usual feeling of sadness. Depression is a mood disorder that has a negative impact on the daily functioning and activities of sufferers. The sad feelings of depression persist for 2 weeks or more, with a loss of enthusiasm and interest. Depression can also cause feelings of hopelessness, sleep disturbances, disturbances in eating patterns and various other physical and emotional problems.

The causes of depression are many interrelated factors, both internal and external. Several internal factors can be in the form of heredity, a person's lack of skill in managing and interpreting stress, personality factors, drug use, etc. While external factors can also vary, such as relationship problems with other people, changes in life, life difficulties, problems in career, finance, etc.

Depression can occur when our stress management strategies don't go well and create pressure that disturbs our feelings. When experiencing depression, we can do a number of things to make our strategies for managing stress work again. Some of these things are:

• Maintain social contact

Build healthy communication and relationships with your environment. When symptoms of depression strike, you can maximize support from the people around you to make us comfortable, ask for help, and feel understood.

• Exercising

Physical activity will improve your mood. Another bonus is that you will be healthier and fitter. To get maximum benefits, do outdoor sports with your friends. Fresh air, sunshine and interaction with friends will be good for your mood. 

• Healthy Diet

Even though it sounds cliche, in fact what you eat and drink can affect your mental health. Having a healthy diet can be a way to keep your mood up. Reduce consumption of sugar, carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Eat more fruits, vegetables and drink enough water. Avoid consumption of caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol.

• Good Sleep Quality

Having good quality sleep is important for maintaining your mood. Get into the habit of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. Stay away from things that can disturb your sleep, such as playing with your cell phone before going to bed, or drinking coffee and doing strenuous physical activity before going to bed. Having a small bedtime ritual like washing your face, drinking a cup of warm milk, or praying before bed is a good idea to help you get a good night's sleep.

• Me Time

Do activities that usually have a positive impact to make you more relaxed. Restart activities that have proven beneficial to improve your mood. Taking a vacation, eating your favorite food, doing hobbies, worshiping, listening to music, reading can be a means for you to temporarily relieve tension.

• Exploration Within

Sometimes we need to be quiet and learn to know ourselves. recognize how we respond to stress, open ourselves to correction and improvement, manage expectations of ourselves and others, balance roles, have hope, think positively and learn to accept our strengths and weaknesses. Some of these things can be important in improving your mood.

So, those are some ways to deal with depression. Don't forget to consult a professional if your strategy for managing stress hasn't worked optimally after you've practiced these things. Counseling, psychotherapy and administration of appropriate drugs can be given to restore your quality of life and function for the better and to interpret the stressful or depressive conditions you are experiencing more positively. Stay healthy.