The first place people usually turn to, when they’re depressed, is drugs or alcohol. Maybe it’s not overt or illicit. Maybe they go to a psychiatrist to get meds to help them deal. Maybe they do turn to narcotics. Maybe it’s just an increase in social drinking on the weekends. But, at some point, full-blown depression happens. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to turn into a disaster. Many depression problems are really thinking problems. And, thinking problems can be changed.
Set Goals
Set goals for yourself. When you’re depressed, you might feel like you cannot accomplish anything in life. This makes you feel worse about your situation and your ability to dig yourself out of a hole. You need to be proactive.
It’s not a fancy answer, but the simple action of setting daily, written goals – that you will be forced to see every morning – will help you immensely. Start right now. Don’t wait until tonight. Don’t wait until this weekend. Set goals right now.
Make your goal challenging, but achievable. If your goals are not achievable, you’ll get discouraged. If they’re not challenging enough, you’ll get bored and slip back into depression.
Avoid Alcohol And Drugs
Alcohol and drugs are never a long-term solution to depression. They only mask the symptoms. Yet, many people turn to them as a long-term solution – a solution that’s not really a solution. It’s a crazy rationalization, and one that’s almost impossible to talk people out of unless a life-threatening event occurs. Even then, sometimes, some people, can’t be reached.
If you’re already facing a drug or alcohol problem, you might also be under the impression that the only option is AA. While “the program” has undoubtedly gotten people off of substance abuse – the addictive behavior is never addressed. Indeed, abusers often switch from “hard drugs” and alcohol to “softer” addictions like sugar, caffeine, and nicotine.
Fortunately, there’s a permanent solution that cures you of all addition. Want to know more? Just look on this site – there’s tons of information about something called “cognitive therapy.”
Exercise
Lifting weights, running, and a combination of the two forms of exercise gives you something else to focus your mind on. While there’s a danger in becoming addicted to the gym, this is usually not a bad thing (unless you’re overtraining).
Make sure you’re getting enough – 8 hours at least. If you’re getting between 8 and 10, you should be well-rested. In the winter, you may need more since it gets dark outside sooner and your body will naturally start producing melatonin (the hormone that knocks you out for the night) earlier. In the summer, you may be able to stay up later.
Don’t Get Too much Sleep
Sleep is good. More sleep might be better. But, there is such a thing as too much sleep. If you can’t drag yourself out of bed after 10 hours of rest, something is wrong. Set your alarm for between 8 and 9 hours of sleep. After that time, it’s probably time to get up. Do something. Start moving. Motion is good for you.
Make Commitments And Take On Responsibilities
One of the best ways to fight depression is to make commitments to yourself and to others you care about. Make those commitments publicly so that you feel a sense of responsibility for them. Take on additional responsibilities where others rely on you for something. This will help give your life purpose – that you’re providing values that others want and need.
Steve Tucker has a deep passion for holistic medicine. With control of one’s diet and fitness, he believes that many illnesses can be treated without the side effects of chemicals. Follow Steve on  Twitter.
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