Depression is a self-feeding animal, meaning that it shapes the way someone sees the world. It diminishes compliments, magnifies shortcomings, minimizes accomplishments, makes it hard to find see the positive side of things and convinces you that passive avoidance is the best answer to problems and plans. If unrecognized or left untreated, it can eventually spiral down to suicidal thoughts.
Therefore, the best ways to combat depression include:
Engaging friends and family in conversation, even if it’s over an online platform.
Making time for exercise. Just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day can make a big difference.
Meditating in the morning and evening before bed. Setting a positive intention for the day in the morning and nonjudgmentally reflecting on the day in the evening is encouraged.
Getting into a sleep routine to ensure that you are getting 6-8 hours per night.
Eating healthy foods and restricting the use of substances to cope.
Additionally, it’s important to remain mindfully aware of negative thoughts and challenge them as they occur. Though distance is encouraged now, isolation is not. Maintain safe engagement with your support system at all costs.