Everybody hurts. Review on Handling Depression

I do not know how to define depression. It’s just a feeling that comes over without any warning and takes charge of my life and throws everything out of gear. Almost everyone I know goes through this feeling now and then.  Call up someone and they will mumble ‘I am feeling so low’. Say ‘Hi’ to someone else and you feel hear ‘I am feeling so blue’.  So how do you deal with depression? Everyone has different ways. I will just list a few of my tips. Hope they help.

What’s bothering you, honey?

Depression often hits big time when one is too hard on oneself. Love yourself. Give yourself a chance. Stop feeling guilty about the past. You are a human. So you made a mistake? OK. So you made many mistakes. No sweat. Learn to forgive yourself just the way you forgive others.

Let go of the past

So your dreams came crashing down?  So you are feeling shattered? Someone let you down, maybe? Remember  never to cry for something that does not cry back for you(I heard this somewhere and loved it). Let go of the past as soon as you can and jump into the present. I know that this is easier said than done, but there it is. You have to be brave and cut yourself from the painful past. The sooner the better.

A friend in need

Surround yourself with good friends(Note the word ‘Good’).  Have a lot of friends who will be there with you in good times but be sure to have some who will patiently listen to you lamenting for about two hours over a good cup of coffee. Somebody who you call any time of the day and who will not tell you to call later as he is in a meeting or something like that. If you lucky to have even one such friend, then never let him/her go.

Nobody loves me(sob, sob)

This feeling of self pity follows everybody. We all feel that we are too great and selfless and nobody else cares that much for us. But hey, wake up and face this: We are all a little selfish. OK. Sometimes more selfish than a little. And there is nothing more selfish than saying “Nobody loves ME. Nobody cares for ME.” So get over the ‘ME’ syndrome.

Dance away the blues

It’s crazy, but it works. Put on loud music and don’t care about the neighbors. They are not depressed, remember? You are. So put on some fast music  and start moving. Jump, rock or groove. Or hit the road and jog for an hour. Or hit the gym. Did you know that vigorous exercise releases endorphins which are the body’s'feel good' factors? But remember that in order to increase endorphin levels in your body, you have to exercise very hard and push yourself beyond exhaustion. You will notice that after some time you will be rewarded with an exhilarated feeling and you will feel very light and happy.

Pamper yourself

Take a day off from al your responsibilities(work, home, etc.) and go shopping. Buy something beautiful for yourself(don’t worry if that beautiful dress is not practical!). Go to the beauty salon and indulge yourself. Or take yourself out to the movies. In the humdrum routine of life, do not forget to have fun.

Help somebody

Help a child with his homework or his project. Or take your mother out shopping. Let her buy whatever she likes and pay for it. Ask your boss if he needs help with his work. Put a smile on someone's face. Remember that people around you need you. So stop wallowing in the blues and make sure that you are feeling useful all the time.