Depression is a horrific thing, and most everyone goes through it now and then. There is the “natural” depression that comes and goes. This can be due to transient external or internal factors. The good thing is that this kind of depression is easier to deal with and beat. Then there is the more serious kind of depression, which will probably require professional help to deal with.
Since I am not a professional therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist, this post will be about the former kind of depression, which the average person experiences from time to time. You probably have read countless articles giving advice on how to beat depression, but let’s take a look at some unusual ways to beat depression that you may not have tried yet.
Rub your ears.
This is not a joke. It has been proven that massaging or rubbing your ears relieves stress; and while you may not immediately think that depression and stress go hand in hand, they are connected. If you feel depressed, and you don’t feel like doing anything, take a few minutes and rub your ears. You might be surprised at how much better you feel afterward.
Here’s a good guide on how to massage your ears.
Go to a “special” place for your lunch break.
If you have to work in spite of feeling depressed – that’s how life goes, unfortunately – then find ways to give yourself something to look forward to during the day. Instead of staying at your desk and eating lunch while working, go out. Instead of going to your usual deli or wherever you go for lunch, find some place new and have a small adventure.
If you’re lucky enough to work near the ocean, a nature preserve, a museum, or a garden (you get my drift), then buy some food and take your lunch break in one of those places. It will give you a change in environment and take you a step further in beating depression.
Write yourself love letters.
If you have a partner who likes expressing his/her love through notes or love letters, you can ask him/her to help you out in this regard. If you are single, don’t let that stop you!
Writer yourself love letters! Think about the good things you like about yourself. What are you proud of about yourself or what you have accomplished?
It may seem weird at first, but once you start thinking about these things, you’ll find yourself discovering one good thing after another; and soon, you will be writing love letters to yourself without feeling uncomfortable. And guess what? You will beat depression.
Buy a dog.
Or cat. Or a turtle. Whatever pet you want.
Although studies have shown that dogs and cats have this way of making people better, I have had fish and a turtle that have gotten me through depressing times. This is especially effective if you live alone. You can have fun with the animal(s). You can talk to them like you can’t talk to anyone else. And pouring your heart out without abandon is a sure way to beat depression.
Take sleep supplements.
One thing that makes depression worse is lack of sleep. While seriously depressed people tend to not do anything but sleep, if you’re not there yet, then maybe you need to get a good night’s sleep. On a regular basis.
Note that I said “good night’s sleep”. It’s the quality of sleep that counts. If you can’t sleep, try these practical tips. If your sleep issues are more serious, then sleep supplements (or pills, but you’ll need a prescription) will help. While some advise against sleep supplements, there are also natural sleep supplements that make it easier for you. Here’s a good resource for this.
Once you get good sleep at night regularly, you’ll see your depression fade away.
Wrap up
At the end of the day, there is a reason we get depressed – even if we don’t know it immediately. More than the tips above, you ought to consider taking some time to reflect so that you can pinpoint the reason for your depression. Getting to the root of this is the best way to beat depression.
Originally posted on June 25, 2014 @ 9:29 am
